First time turkey hunter

[D-Rock425]

This will be my first year trying to turkey hunt.  I'm bringing my bow and shotgun.  I need to know what are a few things a first timer should get.  What shells are the best to shoot what calls should I have

[jackelope]

if you are gonna attempt it with your bow I'd suggest a ground blind of some sort...getting drawn on a bird without a blind is next to impossible.

[Phantom Gobbler]

Go with the shotgun until you have harvested a few birds.  Turkey's can be just that.................so use a turkey choke and pattern your gun before you head a field.  Then remember that when that Tom is a coming in................ keep movement to a minimum and get the gun up and in place before you can see the ole Gobbler his self!  Good Luck!  

[Little Dave]

I notice a few of the magazines out now have good advice on calls.

Two birds I got last year, just snuck up on them.  No calls.
Probably a good idea to have a box call, mouth call, a slate call and a movie so that you have something to match when you practice.

Had a lot of fun last year when four hens came over to my decoy to try to convince her to come along with the rest of them to dust at the other end of the field.  They hazed her for a while and seemed to give her a bit of a lecture.

[turkeydancer]

Come to the clinic Sat Mar 13th at 1pm at Cabelas .... 

[Jekemi]

Hi: I've only been turkey hunting for 3 years. However I kept a journal and read everything I could get my hands on. In addition I listened to my Turkey hunting mentor; I hung on his every word. I've attached a document that captures much of that information.

[D-Rock425]

Come to the clinic Sat Mar 13th at 1pm at Cabelas .... 

I wish I could but I cant make it that weekend.  Thanks for all the info guys

[yelp]

Hi: I've only been turkey hunting for 3 years. However I kept a journal and read everything I could get my hands on. In addition I listened to my Turkey hunting mentor; I hung on his every word. I've attached a document that captures much of that information.

Dave nice document. Well written.

[Raul Duke]

real good read.

[Wayne1]

I would suggest that if it's your first year for turkey...  hook up with a friend or find someone thats hunted them for a while...  and ask them to take you out with them. Trust me...  there are so many thing's noob hunters do wrong that just educate the birds to other hunters

[Drifterat]

This is going to be my first turkey hunt for me as well. Bought a 870 supermag turkey/waterfowl and am going to pattern it tomorrow. I'll be hooking up with a friend who's been at it for a couple of years now. Really looking forward to this hunt, mid April can't come soon enough.

[dawei]

Hi: I've only been turkey hunting for 3 years. However I kept a journal and read everything I could get my hands on. In addition I listened to my Turkey hunting mentor; I hung on his every word. I've attached a document that captures much of that information.

Excellent article, thanks for sharing.

[D-Rock425]

I would suggest that if it's your first year for turkey...  hook up with a friend or find someone thats hunted them for a while...  and ask them to take you out with them. Trust me...  there are so many thing's noob hunters do wrong that just educate the birds to other hunters

Will you be my friend.  Just joking MY buddy has benn a few years and has killed some birds with his bow.

[the shootist]

As for shells, and all I've tried a bunch, and perfer 31'2 inch Fereral, or Winchester supremes in my 870, and my Benilli, but every gun is different. I also like a pelatted woodpecker as a locator call as the birds will respond to it without getting spooked as they do from everybody using turkey calls of all kind. Blow it and when he gobbles move in on him. when your not sure where he is blow it again and get into position, but don't overcall!!! Thats good advice with any call being used unless your compeeting with a real hen, where I like to out do her if I can. This does not mean that you will bag a tom however but remember that just because a turkey is gobbling 100 yards away and hung up it doesn't mean that the satilite toms arn't quietly working there way in on you. Turkey hunting is very simular to elk hunting in that reguard because the dominant tom like the bull will chase all of the lesser toms off, and away from his hens so always be alert, and ready for the unexpected because it will happen more times than not, and just because it may be a satilite tom it dos'nt mean the he won't be big!!!! 

[Phantom Gobbler]

All legally and ethically harvested turkey's should be considered a trophy....... including Jakes! 

That reminds me..... has anyone heard from Sneaky Jake lately on this Forum?

And if you think the Jakes are sneaky............. wait till you start fussing with a 3 or 4 year old Boss Tom!!!!       Just ask Yelp for Help!!

All the above is what it's all about in the Spring Turkey Woods.  What a treasure we now have in the Pacific Northwest (and many other parts of the country).

Have a great season and enjoy the journey and cherish the memories that result!