I just need a few tips on turkey hunting

[Stocker]

Hmm I will say turkeys are wierd by the way I have a question why do we have to only hunt Tom's and not hens? We have more hens then Tom's and this flock I'm gonna hunt only has 1 tom I believe so if he gets shot then there's no Tom's? So why can't we hunt hens?

There’s usually several toms in or around a flock. Around here anyway. Can’t hunt hens for future population growth. The

 

[Wild Bill]

A single Tom will breed multiple hens, therefore there are not as many Toms required to sustain the population. Hens lay the eggs. That's why you can't shoot them. I'd advice not shooting them in the fall season as well, even if they're legal for take.
Chances are, even if you poleaxe him as the clock strikes shooting time on opening morning he has already obliged some hens.
Contrary to how we hunt turkeys, the natural order of operations is for the hen to go to the tom, not the other way around. The hens will find a way to get bred.

 

[np307]

Hmm I will say turkeys are wierd by the way I have a question why do we have to only hunt Tom's and not hens? We have more hens then Tom's and this flock I'm gonna hunt only has 1 tom I believe so if he gets shot then there's no Tom's? So why can't we hunt hens?

Spring is nesting season and because turkeys are ground nesting birds, they're extremely subject to nest predation. While turkeys are relatively abundant currently (with some states having population declines worthy of note), it wasn't that long ago that they were almost extinct. It took a lot of money and effort to bring them back to abundance. Toms contribute to the nesting process only by breeding hens and one Tom can breed multiple hens. But hens have to actually hatch the nest and raise the poults.

There are some states that do have fall turkey seasons, and in those cases they do often allow hen harvest. It still has to be managed carefully but the fact that they aren't actively nesting in the spring helps limit the population damage that fall hen harvest does.

 

[Hobbes]

I've sent you a PM

 

[TrapperJ]

I've sent you a PM

I will check it 1 sec

 

[TrapperJ]

Spring is nesting season and because turkeys are ground nesting birds, they're extremely subject to nest predation. While turkeys are relatively abundant currently (with some states having population declines worthy of note), it wasn't that long ago that they were almost extinct. It took a lot of money and effort to bring them back to abundance. Toms contribute to the nesting process only by breeding hens and one Tom can breed multiple hens. But hens have to actually hatch the nest and raise the poults.

There are some states that do have fall turkey seasons, and in those cases they do often allow hen harvest. It still has to be managed carefully but the fact that they aren't actively nesting in the spring helps limit the population damage that fall hen harvest does.

Gotcha kinda but I'm afraid it'll turn into the buck deal where there's no toms so the hens travel to the Tom which could be a long ways away then there's no turkeys

 

[Shmeegs28]

The big thing ive learned about chasing mountain gobblers in Colorado is knowing when to call. When Toms hear active calling they are expecting that Hen to come to him and will stay put, especially if they dont see a decoy. Ive learned that if you are calling you gotta play a little hard to get!

 

[LopeHunter]

Missouri and I can't use a flashlight at all? I know my way perfectly around the area but should I be worried about bears and whatnot

If you are headed to the same spot repeatedly then can attach tiny reflectors along the trail/path then use a headlamp with a red-light set to very low level and the reflectors will glow back at you. If are not heading to the same spot each morning then use a red headlamp light.

 

[TrapperJ]

If you are headed to the same spot repeatedly then can attach tiny reflectors along the trail/path then use a headlamp with a red-light set to very low level and the reflectors will glow back at you. If are not heading to the same spot each morning then use a red headlamp light.

I'll have to cross my fence onto a different section of ares then cross a 10 foot deep dry creek then try to get my way threw some low hanging trees up a hill say about 200 yards then in a big open field full of sedge Grass then to my spot issue is 1 the low hanging trees I gotta trim those then 2 still a bit iffy about the bears cause there den is in the right side of the field and 3 alotta yotes in the area and I don't wanna spook them and they start making noise and scare the turkeys

 

[idahojoe]

I’m sure it’s been mentioned, but my favorite time to kill turkeys is late morning to early afternoon. Don’t get discouraged if you have a bird hot out of the roost and it doesn’t pan out. Those toms will separate from hens when they go to nest and be on the lookout. Sometimes they won’t make a peep coming in either. Scouting in my opinion is the best way to kill turkeys, know where they like to hangout/strut in those late morning hours.

 

[NoWiser]

I’m sure it’s been mentioned, but my favorite time to kill turkeys is late morning to early afternoon. Don’t get discouraged if you have a bird hot out of the roost and it doesn’t pan out. Those toms will separate from hens when they go to nest and be on the lookout. Sometimes they won’t make a peep coming in either. Scouting in my opinion is the best way to kill turkeys, know where they like to hangout/strut in those late morning hours.

I agree with this. I love hunting in the morning because of the gobbling, but I kill way more later on in the day. They seem much more receptive to calling.

 

[TrapperJ]

I’m sure it’s been mentioned, but my favorite time to kill turkeys is late morning to early afternoon. Don’t get discouraged if you have a bird hot out of the roost and it doesn’t pan out. Those toms will separate from hens when they go to nest and be on the lookout. Sometimes they won’t make a peep coming in either. Scouting in my opinion is the best way to kill turkeys, know where they like to hangout/strut in those late morning hours.

Late in the morning as in 8? Or 9? Also I do plan on doing some more scouting when it gets closer to season

 

[idahojoe]

Late in the morning as in 8? Or 9? Also I do plan on doing some more scouting when it gets closer to season

No I would consider later to be 11-2

 

[TrapperJ]

No I would consider later to be 11-2

Can I just set still and set outside all day? Or does one recommend breaks

 

[beaglegun]

Is it legal to fly a drone with inferred at night??? Probably not

 

[BrentD]

If you are headed to the same spot repeatedly then can attach tiny reflectors along the trail/path then use a headlamp with a red-light set to very low level and the reflectors will glow back at you. If are not heading to the same spot each morning then use a red headlamp light.

Of course, if you do that on public, some guy might come along behind ya and pry them damn things out.

 

[LopeHunter]

Of course, if you do that on public, some guy might come along behind ya and pry them damn things out.

I have never placed any of the reflectors but hunted a buddy's property (so was not public lands) and he had the reflectors hanging on bushes and limb tips using a twist connector. There is a lot of deadfall, knee-high bushes and patches of brambles as make your way through 100 yards of hardwood trees along a creek bottom. He got tired of tripping and making a racket so he got (or made, never asked him and did not inspect then closely as hiked out in the daylight) used a reflector about ever 15 yards and used a red lens on his headlamp.

 

[howl]

Don't play with dolls. It's counterproductive in the long run.

If the turkey can see your position without coming into range you are in the wrong spot.

 

[LuketheDog]

What kind of "birdshot"? 7 1/2 dove loads? I'd really recommend shooting TSS if you're going to use a .410.

Ditto, I've got my daughter practicing with the .410 for her hunt in 2 weeks. I have her using some 6 and 7 1/2 loads for practice because they're cheaper, but the 3" TSS loads I picked and tested up have a much better pattern and way more power, she'll be lethal at 30yds with the .410.

 

[Dom]

Hey folks so far first post since I've came back but I need so tips on how to hunt some turkeys with turkey season coming up. I've done my basic scouting and I've found where they roost at and when I was deer hunting I heard one sneaking around also I should add what equipment I'm gonna use. I have a 410 with turkey shot. complete camo suit. And a turkey call but I don't have no decoys so will I need some? Also I plan hunting on a fence row that goes to there roost and that's about all I've came up with so any tips would be appreciated

I punched 2 tagged this year with no decoys. Just call sparingly and when you get a response stop calling. Unless it’s very quiet then stop. He’ll come looking for you!