Hi, so we lease 81 acres of land in northwest Illinois. Last year, for the first time we started turkey hunting it. That was also our fist year of turkey hunting anywhere. We didn't get anything, but got close a few times. Every one of these chances was generated by mobility in wooded area. Someone told us to be mobile rather than waiting in a food plot blind like mopes seeing nothing. We did in fact come very close, but we have no experience. It is 90% wooded, with the other 10% being a pond surrounded by 3 small food plots and a field. We know nothing about their patterns, and we really don't know how to scout for them. My question is how should we approach this upcoming season, and what should we do to increase our odds. We really have no idea how to hunt them, and I'm just looking for opinions on how to approach our situation. Thanks!
Be as mobile as possible! That's the best part of turkey hunting. You can move! Watch those fields at night if possible and "put the birds to bed". See where they roost and be in that spot in the morning. If there's hills, be above them. Toms typically are easier to draw uphill than down. If a Tom ignores your calls, try to find another bird. I will walk quietly for 50-100 yards and then call. Often a Tom you couldn't hear before will go off giving you a whole new bird to work with. Master the "putt" or "cluck" call on a pot call. Listen to it and imitate. It almost sounds like a pop. Lastly, don't overcall. If that gobler comes within a hundred yards and looks interested, call less and make him search for you. Take my advice with a grain of salt since I've only been at it two years. Talk to the guys who have spent years chasing them in your area. I have done a TON of research and spent time in the woods with a veteran hunter who has a Grand Slam under his belt. And I've had success too! And try not to get addicted...haha, that's impossible.
I will add this. Don't believe the tv shows. I've never had success setting up on a field, putting out decoys, and having 3 30lb toms strut in and attack my decoys. That's not the norm for me. For me it's one gobbles and I go after him. I get as close as I can and lightly call. And 75% of the time they go the opposite way and ignore me. They don't show that on tv.
Learn a variety of calls. There are many on the market. Go to some stores that allows you to try them and find one you think sounds the best. Some times a turkey will respond to one call versus another. There are a lot of times i need to change calls in the middle of a hunt because they stop talking but pick up again once i change my type of call. I usually start out with my Pot call and if for some reason they get hung up on that i will break out the box or diagram call. Spice is the variety of life when it comes to turkey calls.
