I have been bowhunting whitetails for the past 35 years. This year I thought I would try my hand a bowhunting turkeys. Any of you old pro's have some good advice for a beginner? Thanks!
I suggest using a blind as well as a few decoys, 2 hens and a tom. The blind will give you the cover you need to draw your bow and get set-up. I have tried runnin' and gunnin' but with no success because I just always seem to get caught moving. Decoys, well thats a no brainer. Just like hunt waterfowl really, when they see the decoys it will 1) create a safe environment, 2) any toms in the area will be lookin for love an if they see another dude stealin his chicks, he'll come running. Also, calling is important to a certain extent. I recommend a slate or push pin call. These are just the main things i can think of, good luck!
Yep, pretty much everything that Illinoishunter102 just said; you can't have enough camo on or around you, stay with a simple call like he said and DON'T call too much (the box call is a good one to try too). Stay off to the side of your decoys so that if they do come in, they will be fixed on them and not you. If you are able to find out where they roost the day before, then even better for you to set up near by the next morning. A lot like deer hunting really, you just sit as still as possible on your butt, listen, watch and wait. The good thing is, you don't have to worry so much about human odor. Weather has a lot to do with it too, the nicer the weather, the more potential for activity and success. If you've been bow hunting deer for 35 years, then I'm sure it will become natural to you almost immediately and you could probably teach many of the rest of us
Copehunt and Illhunter pretty much summed it up. They offered some great advice. The only additioon I have to you is the biggest thing I believe is underrated and not fully understood while bowhunting for turkeys is shot placement. Make sure to study up on shot placement. The kill zone on a broadside bird is much higher than and forward than people think and the kill zone is fairly small. I liek to use a big expandable head. The last three birds I have downed with a bow I have aimed where the wing bone connects to the bird and all three have not taken more than a step. Broken both wingbones to prevent flight and gone right through the heart/lung area. Good luck and most importantly, HAVE FUN & BE SAFE!!
One more piece of advice. Know the terrain and how the birds prefer to use it. Knowing what is between you and the birds often times can be the determining factor in getting a bird or going home empty handed. They prefer to use the terrain to their advantage, so knowing what they want can be key to your success.
Turkey hunting with the bow is an awesome experience! Turkeys are tough, and a tip I can give you, is in all the excitement, keep your eye on that bird after you shoot. You may make a good shot, but the bird still may run off, or even get up in the air. Don't rush after him right away, give him a little time. Also, I don't know if everyone on the site here knows it but the Hunting Network, the makers of Bowhunting.com, has a site called Turkeyhunting.com. Check it out at www.turkeyhunting.com, and get all the information you need from informative articles to hunting gear. Good luck this Spring!
I agree with everything said here but I recommend practicing with a diaphram call so you can still keep their attention if it appears they're losing interested and you can still have your bow in your hands...
scout, calling a bird to where he wants to go is a lot easier than calling him to where he doesnt wanna go.
