New to turkey hunting

Over the last few years I have started hunting turkeys like I do deer, and am more successful. Try to scout the early mornings before season starts. Try to find birds gobbling and sneak in and watch them fly out and see where they go. Turkeys are pretty easy to pattern, they will usually do the same thing and go the same places each day. If you know a travel route, set your blind up accordingly. At some point they will pass by there.(only problem is that you can only hunt till 1PM on WMA's). If you don't kill the stupid/horny one early in the morning, then you have to go into "deer hunting mode"

Don't call too much. less is better. If you make a call, and a turkey is in the area he/she has heard you. Louder and more is NOT better. If you have a box call, master the cluck. It's better produced on a pot call. Also, master the "leaf scratch". An old timer taught me this a few years ago and it flat out works. Watch turkeys feed. They will constantly scratch with their feet. it is usually in a cadence of 4. They will scratch with one foot, twice with other foot, once with first foot. sorta like this (scratch.....scratch scratch....scratch). if a turkey is jumpy, it will flat calm them down. The sound of a feeding bird is a clam bird. The biggest bird I killed was two years ago. He would get real nervous and act like he was going to leave. I would scratch the leaves, and he would immediately put his head down and feed, then start strutting again. I kept him there for 45 minutes before I could get a clear shot at him

I'll throw my two cents in. I like to hunt gobbling turkeys but they don't always gobble every morning like you see on t.v. start your scouting on your computer by looking at maps. If you're hunting public land pick out spots that are about a quarter mile off of a road open to vehicular traffic. Most guys won't walk that far. Start listening to recordings of real turkeys learn what they are saying to each other. Practice soft calling clucks,soft yelps,and purrs. About the end of February start going out and listen. Try to locate multiple gobblers. They should be in the first peak of gobbling so you should be able to locate more than one. The next time you go try to stay with them and figure out which way they like to go. Don't call to them during these scouting missions. After you get a general idea of where they go try to go back to the roost spot and have a look around. You will see why they like to go in a certain direction. Once the season starts try to let them gobble on there own. Try to get as close a possible but err on the side of caution. Once you make a call he knows exactly where you are.if he answers you put the call down. As cool as it is to hear him gobble every time he does your chances of killing him go down in my opinion.once he's on the ground which you can tell by the sound of the gobble then reassure him with some soft clucks and leaf scratching.if he cuts you off get your gun ready and don't call for at least 10 minutes. Remember he expects the hen to come to him so he might hang up for a little while strutting but if you're in a spot where he intended to go anyway he should break and start moving that way.with all that said nothing in turkey hunting is 100% which is what makes it so fun.if you can try to find a mentor who has killed some birds to help shorten the learning curve. There is so much more to it but I hope this helps. But beware its a disease and once you get a classic turkey hunt you will be terminal.

I have been hunting turkeys the last few years on public land and have gotten close, but no cigar. Every spring i seem to get a step closer, with this advise i will have an even better chance this spring. That mentor thing would definitely help, but coming from a non hunting family, and trying to find someone not related to give real help has not been easy, this forum and a few of its members i have come to rely upon as my mentors for hunting, and a few times over the past few years for other stuff as well.

I'm going to be honest I hunted on leases most of the time until 2 years ago when my finances wouldn't let me join a club. The public lands I have hunted have had better habitat for turkeys than most of the clubs I have been on. And I have had less human interference on public land. Leases are mostly owned by timber companies who will cut or plant whenever they want. Also you always have the guys who don't care anything about turkey hunting but a season is open so they have to go to the club. They go out and listen for an hour then ride four wheelers all over all day. Or the guys who have to come fill feeders during turkey season or come hunt hogs. Give me a group of serious turkey hunters anyday over these yahoos. Don't be intimidated by public land. Scout for human sign as much as turkey sign,but the best advice is just go every chance you get. Also feel free to pm me anytime I'm always looking for a hunting partner. I live right near you 30.06. Anything I can do to help I will.