what are your preparations for spring turkey?

[pickardjw]

Along with decoys, What are some good, easy to use calls to have?  Whats your go to locator? I never could get birds to come in last year to my crappy calling lol. It’s my mission to get the kids on some birds out actually hunting instead shooting them from the deck   
I got my .410 tss in the mail yesterday and need to get the battery changed out in the red dot.
Do you guys like using a turkey vest?

The push calls are probably the easiest, but with a little practice a box or pot call are more versatile while still being easier than a diaphragm.

For locators I've found the crow calls totally useless. Fell out of my vest at some point, haven't missed it. I usually do the back half of a barred owl call as a locator. A little practice in the car and you can do that well enough to get a shock gobble.

Big fan of the turkey vest if I'm moving a lot. Probably not necessary if you're just walking into a blind and sitting all day.

[hunter399]

Along with decoys, What are some good, easy to use calls to have?  Whats your go to locator? I never could get birds to come in last year to my crappy calling lol. It’s my mission to get the kids on some birds out actually hunting instead shooting them from the deck   
I got my .410 tss in the mail yesterday and need to get the battery changed out in the red dot.
Do you guys like using a turkey vest?

The push calls are probably the easiest, but with a little practice a box or pot call are more versatile while still being easier than a diaphragm.

For locators I've found the crow calls totally useless. Fell out of my vest at some point, haven't missed it. I usually do the back half of a barred owl call as a locator. A little practice in the car and you can do that well enough to get a shock gobble.

Big fan of the turkey vest if I'm moving a lot. Probably not necessary if you're just walking into a blind and sitting all day.

I just use box call for everything.

[Ridgeratt]

The "Oklahoma can" call seems to work pretty well. Thats what a buddy from Oklahoma says.

[turkeyfeather]

Best locater call I got is the truck door. 

[Russ McDonald]

Along with decoys, What are some good, easy to use calls to have?  Whats your go to locator? I never could get birds to come in last year to my crappy calling lol. It’s my mission to get the kids on some birds out actually hunting instead shooting them from the deck   
I got my .410 tss in the mail yesterday and need to get the battery changed out in the red dot.
Do you guys like using a turkey vest?

I went to an alps sling bag.  I would seem to over load my vest I carry a hoot owl and a predator howler.  Easy to use calls and box call or pot and peg call but hard to do when you have a bird un close.  I tell everyone to learn how to use a diaphram call.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

[timberfaller]

Take it out of the freezer first then let it thaw out! 

[bearpaw]

Along with decoys, What are some good, easy to use calls to have?  Whats your go to locator? I never could get birds to come in last year to my crappy calling lol. It’s my mission to get the kids on some birds out actually hunting instead shooting them from the deck   
I got my .410 tss in the mail yesterday and need to get the battery changed out in the red dot.
Do you guys like using a turkey vest?

Decoys
They can be fun, sometimes they work, sometimes they don't, a lifeless decoy can tip off wary birds that something is not right. I've seen birds run to decoys and I've seen birds run away when they see decoys. I haven't carried a decoy much for about 25 years, I don't like exposing myself to set one up and then not being able to move it without exposing myself again. Turkeys see everything!

Calls
Find the call that YOU can make the best sounds. Everyone is different, diaphragms work best for some people, pot calls with slate or glass are best for some, and box calls or other calls are sometimes preferred. If you go to a sport show try a bunch of calls at different booths to which you can make the best sounds. If you have friends with various calls ask to try them. I use a diaphragm and a glass call the most, I get the best sounds with them. If you have a hard time using most calls you could try a "push button yelper" for a starter call, they are the simplest to use. I used a push button yelper when I first started turkey hunting and it worked, but I found that with a little practice I could make better sounds with other types of calls. Remember, if you don't sound like a turkey you are telling the birds you're not a turkey and they will avoid you, it's better to not say anything than sound wrong! Calling is like poker, you have to know when to hold em and play em, and when to fold em. So if calling isn't working, figure out how to sound better or don't call.

Locators
Sometimes anything will work, they hear a noise and they gobble, its sort of a "you surprised me" reaction. For myself I like a loud shock call, I carry the loudest crow call I could find and it works well most of the time. Sometimes an owl, woodpecker, or coyote howler will work when the crow doesn't, so I carry them too, and fairly often none of them work. Later in the season birds seem to quit answering many of the things they have heard often, but if you make an unusual noise like a horn, a car door, a gunshot, or even starting your engine, that might work when nothing else would work.

Vests
When I grab my vest I have everything I could possibly need. But in reality, I mostly use one locator, one diaphragm, and one pot call, they would fit in two front shirt or jacket pockets, so a vest isn't a necessity. The vest and all the other gadgets I'm packing just make me look like an experienced turkey hunter to all the other turkey hunters. That guy must know what he's doing! 

How Have I Wasted The Most Money
By buying turkey hunting gear I never use and turkey calls that I can't make good turkey sounds, if you can try calls first that is smart!

I've been using the same type of diaphragm and pot call for 20+ years, I recently stocked up on diaphragms, I wear out 1 or 2 a year, plus I keep spare locater calls and a spare pot call on hand, so I'm good for a few more years.

And I recently stocked up on turkey loads!

[konradcountry]

Along with decoys, What are some good, easy to use calls to have?  Whats your go to locator? I never could get birds to come in last year to my crappy calling lol. It’s my mission to get the kids on some birds out actually hunting instead shooting them from the deck   
I got my .410 tss in the mail yesterday and need to get the battery changed out in the red dot.
Do you guys like using a turkey vest?

I went to an alps sling bag.  I would seem to over load my vest I carry a hoot owl and a predator howler.  Easy to use calls and box call or pot and peg call but hard to do when you have a bird un close.  I tell everyone to learn how to use a diaphram call.

I don't use a vest but they are definitely useful for people that bring a lot of gear. Otherwise you are stuck with someone that spends half the time going through their pockets.

I only use a small box call and I use it with one hand. So I can sit perfectly still and use it. I've tried the diaphram calls and I don't like the feeling of plastic in my mouth.

The best is to have your friend call while you read a book.

[Cougartail]

It's to early to get your feathers ruffled yet. ( ) Still a lot of snow blocking roads.

[salish]

Lots of turkey stuff on sale today on camofire.com

Currently deciding between an Avian-X hen and a Montana Decoys hen...

I sprung for the Avian X set a few years ago. Thought they looked great. Have not had one bird come into them yet. Beginning to think there's something about those dekes the Tom's don't like.

I did the same thing last season with a pair of Montana Decoys Purrfect Pair XD Combo. The birds just didn't seem to be interested. I'll give them another try this year.

[salish]

i don't have a TON of prep stuff to do, other than work my clothes over with Permethrin a few days before the opener. That one application should last until May 31st or tags filled, whichever comes first. I've been working a bit with a couple of new mouth calls I recently purchased, as well as a new Rowden pot call, but I don't need a lot of practice with either. I'm totally familiar with where I'll be hunting so no scouting necessary.

I won't be needing to sight in a red dot on my "new" shotgun but I do need to pattern it:

[Machias]

Along with decoys, What are some good, easy to use calls to have?  Whats your go to locator? I never could get birds to come in last year to my crappy calling lol. It’s my mission to get the kids on some birds out actually hunting instead shooting them from the deck   
I got my .410 tss in the mail yesterday and need to get the battery changed out in the red dot.
Do you guys like using a turkey vest?

I like a vest so that I can carry a few different calls, and to carry the bird out after I've taken one.  I like a box call, couple of slate calls and three or four different sounding mouth calls.  If you are ever down towards Worley, I would be happy to meet up with you and listen to your calling and give you some pointers that may help.  Been killing turkeys since the late 70s.  Normally love to take out someone with their kids and call some birds in for them and their kids, but two horrible knees are preventing that this year.

[hunter399]

Best locater call I got is the truck door. 

No joke
True true...  

[High Climber]

Good stuff all around on here 
@Machias I would appreciate that, I’ll send you a pm

[salish]

Along with decoys, What are some good, easy to use calls to have?  Whats your go to locator? I never could get birds to come in last year to my crappy calling lol. It’s my mission to get the kids on some birds out actually hunting instead shooting them from the deck   
I got my .410 tss in the mail yesterday and need to get the battery changed out in the red dot.
Do you guys like using a turkey vest?

I like a vest so that I can carry a few different calls, and to carry the bird out after I've taken one.  I like a box call, couple of slate calls and three or four different sounding mouth calls.  If you are ever down towards Worley, I would be happy to meet up with you and listen to your calling and give you some pointers that may help.  Been killing turkeys since the late 70s.  Normally love to take out someone with their kids and call some birds in for them and their kids, but two horrible knees are preventing that this year.

Machias, I think you and I have communicated before. My mom was from over there, DeSmet & Tensed to be exact. I have extended family in Worley, I think. I was thinking of trying to hunt toms near McCrosky state park.