So I have been saying I am going to draw a tag for like three years now and never sent in an app. Well this year I finally sent one in (and late) and got a draw in Moultrie county for 4th season (May 2nd - 9th). I know nothing of turkey hunting and have no private ground down there so I am going to have to hunt the public lands. I plan on going out here in the next couple weeks and see if I can locate some (crow call) and find a spot I want to set up. Other than that I have no idea what I am doing, any advice?? I will be using a shotgun
Make sure your gun is patterned! Try different chokes/ shells Bug spray is a must for most. Wear a Face mask and gloves! Get a vest, with a seat pad!(Really helps alot) Stay as still as possible Dont leave early! Some nice toms are killed mid morning and afternoons(if permitted) Read many online articles(use your resources) Get some calls and become good with them! Being proficient with a mouth call helps alot! Make sure your shotgun is not shiny Be comfortable. Don't overcall! Try to scout if you can. Box calls are good on windy days!
Decoys can be good, they help draw attention away from you. Sometimes its handy to bring a small saw to trim quick shooting lanes. Like i stated earlier try to be comfortable, and dont move very much at all. Turkeys can here and see way better than deer! After ya shoot one, ya might have to go finish it off so it dont run away! When you shoot one, I was always taught to aim where the feathers meet the red stuff at neck. Blind hunting can be killer on a rainy day. Just because they don't gobble doesn't mean they aren't there. Hopefully this helps!
All pretty sound advice I might ad that just driving and glassing in the afternoon is often a great way to locate some birds whether the are vocal or not. You can sit back and watch them go to the roost then be there early to ambush in the morning.
Thanks! Ive been reading as much as I can online. I dont really know too many people that turkey hunt so I am going to have to figure this all out on my own. I like the challenge of that (hell, I taught myself how to hunt deer without much guidance) and everyone I have talked to that turkey hunts says its just as addicting as deer hunting. Looking forward to it!
I agree with all the above! Locating turkeys first is the key IMO! Find the turkeys and all the above advice will help you mack one!
What environment do turkeys like. Especially in Virginia. Like fields clearings woods on the edge of the woods. Thank you
I can't really help ya with Virginia, but I can tell you my experiences in Iowa/ Northern Mo. On windy days they're more likely to be in the timber. Rainy days, more in open fields. Hot days in the shade and so on. However, here they're just about everywhere just depends on the day I guess. They like to strut in open fields and on logging paths.
