Best part of the season?

[Craig]

I am going on my first turkey hunt this year. For all you veteran turkey hunters do you have a favorite part of the season? Is the first week better then the middle part of the season or the last week?

[tlbradford]

Probably more than any other species, turkeys are the toughest to assign a time period to.  It is different from year to year and area to area.  You really need to do your scouting and find out when they are talking the most.  Last year the turkeys where I hunt were extremely hot opening day and through the first two weeks.  I couldn't buy a response the last two weeks of the season.  They were even talking prior to the opener.  The year before the best hunting was in the 2nd week of May when I was after my second.  My decoy took a beating by several Toms and you could have your pick of the flock. 

If you can't scout, or you can't talk to anone who has been in the woods where you hunt, then go the first week of the season.  If nothing else you can pattern a group before they get spread all over the country, or call to them before they hear a million callers in the woods.

[jackelope]

2 years ago we were surrounded by toms hammering away at us all day on the first 2 days(thats all we hunted and we were tagged out).
this past year, they were hardly answering at all for us. we had 4 guys hunting 4 days and got no turkeys. i agree it is hard to put a time frame on them, and i also agree i wouldn't miss opening day for the world. the season is so long, you really can't go wrong if you can make time to hunt the a few times over the length of the season, and it will probably get extended again this year too.

[FISHBOY]

From my experience it varies every yr.  Two yrs ago I brought a buddy on the last day of the season (it was at least 80 degrees that day) and called in 2 toms, they acted like it was opening morning.  But this yr it was great the first week but after that they just didnt seem to want anything to do with us when we called.

[Craig]

I know nothing about turkey hunting so I am going on a guided hunt. I will be hunting April 21-23. That was the earliest I could get. Should be fun. I figured I could go with someone the first time and try and figure out what I am doing then try it myself next year.

Thanks for the input.

Craig

[washingtonmuley]

Craig,
Who are you using for a guide?

[Craig]

I'm going with Sherman Creek outfitters.

[Jerbear]

May I suggest that from now until turkey season, you watch the Outdoor Channel.  Tons of information, and it is free.  Get a push button call, a box call and practice.  If you can work the mouth call that is even better.  Just don't go into the woods with just one call. The next important thing, is pattern you shotgun.  I have a remington 1100 with a fixed full choke.  I have tried several turkey loads, but the Winchester turkey loads in #5 shot work the best in my gun.  It is good out to 35 yards with the 2 3/4 inch shells.  The 3 inch don't seem to make that much difference.  Remember you are just shooting at the head and neck, so practice.
Hope this helps some.

[Machias]

Daylight 

[BLUEBULLS]

best time for me is the youth hunt, they're fresh and they like to come in herds.
plus it's a blast watching the kids whack em. you can also learn a lot about them this time of year.