Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: MerriamMagician on March 31, 2013, 05:33:45 PM
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Guys I have a huge flock (100-150 birds, 25-40 longbeards) roosted in the Coluckum I am going to hunt with youth this weekend. I'v never hunted a flock of that magnitude before. Assuming they don't break up some this week and roost in multiple locations how would you recommend hunting this flock? Their are several fields close to the roost. With that many birds I'm pretty sure I can set up some dekes and get birds in, but I would appreciate any other suggestions. The actual size of the flock seems a little intimidating with that many eyes and ears, but also a better chance at success.
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Well, couple of things. Where are they going after they fly down? Best bet is to pattern them and set up an ambush. You'll usually find the toms in a group that big will separate off from the main group (not far away but usually not intermixing) Decoys really won't make much difference because there are plenty of hens around if the toms are interested and calling those big groups usually just gets you a group response back, with no real action. I've never really spring hunted those big groups but have watched them a lot around my cabin this time of year. Unless they are on private ground, chances are also very good that other other hunters have them staked out also. Even though it's only a week away, don't be surprised if they have also broken up by next weekend. When they decide to scatter out, they do it fairly quickly. Guess what I"d do is figure out what field they are using, scout where they are going into it and set up a blind. Be there very, very early though and personally I would'nt recommend calling at them. Just silently wait them out. Dress the kids warm, that last half hour before daylight can be pretty cold this time of year-hard to keep them from moving around when their teeth are chattering.
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Luckily its private ground so we will have the birds all to ourselves. :chuckle: Yes there are some good fields close to the roost area and also several strut zones nearby we can relocate to if need be. I cant really scout or pattern them much because we only have permission to access the land on the two youth days. I glassed from the road and they are definitely in breeding mode with lots of strutting action and gobbling off the roost. I have been strategizing all week, the hardest part now is waiting the rest of the week. :tup:
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3 dozen toms all to yourself sounds like a great problem to have. :chuckle: Good luck.
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Your landowner is your "scout", and may be able to tell you were he sees them at different parts of the day. Take him a thank you gift (such as deer burger elk steak, some extra fish, or other) and ask him ... you'll usually get all the info you need ... :tup:
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Your best bet to bag a good turkey and not worry about hens in the way of the shot. Or a tom too interested in other hens. Is to break up the flock prior to roosting the day before. Just simply run through the flock and scatter them. The next morning the toms will actively be gobbling and trying to gather up all the hens. I know it sounds weird, but works really great. Have used this method on many occasion, and always ended up with a big tom.
