Turkey tactics....

[iccyman001]

For you guys who have been hunting turkeys for a long time, what are some of your tactics that have paid off for you in the long run?

Do you prefer setting up on them in the morning, afternoon, evening?
DO you call, use decoys, both, or neither?
Run and gun?
Blinds?



Please let us new guys know some cool tactics that you use!

 

[Zpd307]

shhhsh. i cant let any of my magical secrets out just yet.... i just wing it and it seems to pan out :lol:

 

[bnsafe]

i use to hunt just at first light for the first couple hours then quit. but as i learned i learned a very valuable lesson. if i can get a turkey to answer me after 11 in the morning i feel ive got a 90 percent chance of killing him. so, i like to set up on them in the morning then run and gun from 10-1300. we have to quit hunting them here in mo at 1300 so cant give you any advice on that

 

[Zpd307]

i use to hunt just at first light for the first couple hours then quit. but as i learned i learned a very valuable lesson. if i can get a turkey to answer me after 11 in the morning i feel ive got a 90 percent chance of killing him. so, i like to set up on them in the morning then run and gun from 10-1300. we have to quit hunting them here in mo at 1300 so cant give you any advice on that

still? that law is so antiquated.... I hated it when mn had it back in the day. that\'s the best thing they ever did was be able to hunt all day!

 

[mainebrdr]

Yes. All of the above Circumstances, terrain, weather and time of day dictate the strategy.

 

[iccyman001]

Lucky enough, I get to learn from everyone in this thread, in person, in 4 days..... :wave:

 

[razorback]

Run and gun. I call a lot but it\'s all about reading the bird. Sometimes less calling is better. This morning my son and I went out before church to listen. We heard a few and on our last stop he called a little and struck one a long way off. It was about 8:00. I told him he could probably cut and yelp to him a few more times and shut up and the bird would be at the truck in about 15 minutes. He did and we just stood there about 10 minutes later the bird had came a long way and was in the holler below us. We got in the truck and left. I just had a feeling that bird was alone and would likely be willing to cover some ground. He was probably a 2 year old. All it would have took was a little leaf scratching and he would have been in your lap. Those kind of birds are out there you just have to cover some ground and find them.

I don\'t always chase the easy ones though, you can call in a henned up gobbler at the end of season too. When his harem is getting small he tends to get greedy. If you can get in close to one who still has a hen or two left, give him a few tree yelps and then try to sound like a couple of hens flying down by cackling and flapping an old hat. Start cutting, yelping and walking away from him. Slip back towards him about 50 to 60 yards, whatever the terrain will allow and just sit there quietly. He will likely go quiet on you for a few minutes and you may be tempted to call, don\'t. You want him to think he just lost two hens. This will work against his ego. He\'ll heat up and come right on in. This will work on public land pressured birds. This is a tactic I use when guys are saying they are hitting the ground shutting up.

 

[elky McElkerson]

Two lb fishing line tied to a decoy. When they hang up, just a quick spin of the decoy usually brings them the rest of the way in.