Locating Tom’s late fall/winter

[swampbear]

Got a Turkey hunt coming up mid December over on the eastside of the state. I’ve hunted turkey in late October/ early November before, and mostly come across large flocks with hens and the occasional Jakes. Not seen many Toms though. What are some tips for finding those Toms? Are they hanging out solo? In a group with other Toms? Hanging in different terrain? Would you gobble or use something like a crow call in the morning? Decoys? Any pointers would really help. Last year was my first year Turkey hunting, so I’m still learning the ropes.

[baldopepper]

Toms are pretty much in all tom groups, usually not too far away from the big hen groups. Not too interested in calls and hard to sneak on in such large groups (one bunch of 23 toms has been hanging around my place)  Pretty much set on their habits, so I think best to observe and set up an ambush. Gotta be careful when you shoot, as killing multiple with one shot is not uncommon when these groups are milling around iyou.

[hunter399]

Basically all you can do is look for groups with beard.
Shoot the longest beard on the block.
I've taken the kid out a few times since modern deer closed.
Public land is hit and miss for me.
Large flocks on private though.
Public land I'll come across a few tracks in the snow here and there.
But it's from like one ,maybe two turkey, definitely not the large flocks on private ground.

Ya ,that's my advise... biggest beard,take him.

[bushmantom]

Find a cattle operation.  On a good operation you will see large mixed flocks and getting close will be hard.  I ambush them as they feed out or into the cattle.

[lewy]

Tom groups are pretty routine in their daily habits so with some scouting you may be able to pattern them well

[Ridgeratt]

Any place along 25 from Kettle to Davenport you should be able to Wells Fargo one.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Any place along 25 from Kettle to Davenport you should be able to Wells Fargo one.

What does that mean?🤔

Run one over with a stage coach.

[Russ McDonald]

The best thing is to find a hay or wheat farm knock on the door ask for permission.  Birds are done low so not a tom of public land.  Yes toms are in their own groups but they do follow the hens and jakes.  Yup best thing to do is ambush them.  Use the terrain and trees to get a head of them.  Never chase them because they will stay no less then 80 yards in front of you and you will never catch them.  I call some if I get them coming off a roost.  I mimic the boss hen..she is the most vocal and loudest out of the flock.    Sounds like real life .  If you can sound like her you can pull the flock to you or piss her off and she will come with the flock.  By the way you can shoot hens to in the fall season but you can only shot no more then 2 toms if you have the tags.

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[Boss .300 winmag]

The best thing is to find a hay or wheat farm knock on the door ask for permission.  Birds are done low so not a tom of public land.  Yes toms are in their own groups but they do follow the hens and jakes.  Yup best thing to do is ambush them.  Use the terrain and trees to get a head of them.  Never chase them because they will stay no less then 80 yards in front of you and you will never catch them.  I call some if I get them coming off a roost.  I mimic the boss hen..she is the most vocal and loudest out of the flock.    Sounds like real life .  If you can sound like her you can pull the flock to you or piss her off and she will come with the flock.  By the way you can shoot hens to in the fall season but you can only shot no more then 2 toms if you have the tags.

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Would a hen taste better?

[baldopepper]

Actually the best eating  are the smaller, this year poults. Not trophies, but great eating. Most of the lowland cattle lot owners are more than happy to let you shoot turkeys. Big hatch this year and those big flocks are brutal on feed lots.

[Russ McDonald]

The best thing is to find a hay or wheat farm knock on the door ask for permission.  Birds are done low so not a tom of public land.  Yes toms are in their own groups but they do follow the hens and jakes.  Yup best thing to do is ambush them.  Use the terrain and trees to get a head of them.  Never chase them because they will stay no less then 80 yards in front of you and you will never catch them.  I call some if I get them coming off a roost.  I mimic the boss hen..she is the most vocal and loudest out of the flock.    Sounds like real life .  If you can sound like her you can pull the flock to you or piss her off and she will come with the flock.  By the way you can shoot hens to in the fall season but you can only shot no more then 2 toms if you have the tags.

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Would a hen taste better?

The fall hunt was for population control.  You could only shoot hens.  Taste wise it is all in the way you cook them.  They all taste good to me.  I haven't noticed a difference.

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[nwwanderer]

 Spot and learn from the toms, shoot the hens and poults.  Thanks

[Ridgeratt]

Just went out the back door of my shop.

[iRem]

Find the feed and you’ll find these birds. As mentioned the Toms are grouped up separate from the hens and poults. The way the weather is going this year so far, should be a great spring.  Curious, how did it go for you?