TIP #1
Scouting for Turkeys before your season opens.....
You need to know what you have on the ground you are hunting, be it public or private. What I mean is; get into the field and observe the surroundings for signs of tracks, scratchings, droppings, maybe even a feather or two. Keep your eyes open but don't do any calling....that comes later. Sit on the edge of a pasture or on top of a ridge. Gobblers will go to these areas. Maybe you will hear them calling, maybe not, but these are "Strut Zones" and the hens know it! Stick with it and you will start to notice patterns. Where do they go when its windy, raining or hot? You need to know if there are mature gobblers in the area. if you observe Jakes, how many are there? If you see a few hens, try to get an accurate count. Getting yourself educated is the foundation upon which success is built. This essential information will go a long way on that special day, maybe with your son or daughter.These times are priceless. Make them count!
01/30/07
TIP #2
Opening Day.....
Hopefully you did your scouting and have taken some notes in preparation of opening day. If you can, head out to the field the night before opening day and try to Roost the birds."Roosting" is a process that involves hiking out to your chosen location and making an Owl call. Listen for alert responses from any nearby Turkey. Make note of their locations, but stay away from them. You don't want to spook them the night before you big day! If you heard some calls, you're done for the night. Head home and rest up for the morning hunt. Next morning, head to the area where you heard the calls the night before, but stay far enough away so they don't hear or see you. Get yourself set and just listen as the morning breaks. The sounds of the woods will come alive and the gobblers should start talking. If you do any calling, keep it low and soft. As they fly down, especially in the early part of the season, your best bet is to make calls to fire up the hens. The mature gobblers will be with lots of hens. If you can get the hens to come toward you, the gobblers will follow. If the hens are being stubborn, you can work on the satellite, or "surrounding" birds. These are 2 year olds that will be more egger to come in close. Don't overdo your calling. Once they've answered you, they know where you are. Play the game of being hard to get. Whit a bit of practice you'll have the odds in your favor. Always remember they have great hearing and exceptional sight so stay still.
For now, this should give you a good chance on that opening day. I'll talk to you next week on some early and mid-season tactics.
03/12/07
TIP #3
After opening day.....
At this point of the season, one bird should be down and you're going after the second. By now, the birds have been under a little pressure. Not answering to the calls, they have almost gone silent. Rest assured they are still out there. At this point of the season you need a lot more patience and very little calling. This is where your pre-season scouting becomes very valuable. You know the birds are there, waiting them out is the key! This is the best time to take one of those big mature gobblers. A good tactic to use is to find your area and do a little calling as you walk around. Almost like a hen walking and giving slow and soft calls. When you find a good setup, make a few calls then give a few more about 50 - 60 yards away. After your second set of calls, sit and wait. If that bird comes to the call, he may come in quiet and you'll have a better chance of seeing him first if you remain still and quiet. Mature gobblers will circle the spot where they heard your hen call and may not make a sound while doing it. Just remember....No calling until you see that bird!!!
Check in with me next week for more tips sure to make you a better hunter.
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