Spring Turkey Questions

[Brachii]

Hello crew-- long time big game hunter but only second time turkey hunting. I'm going into the mountains of CO kind of blind next week with my only scouting being on google earth. I've heard conflicting information about what to look for and how to behave and I'd love your input.

What targets on google earth should I look for and aim towards for my hike? What time am I getting there in the morning and at what point should I start to call and how often until I hear something? Should I follow the low points of the valleys along the creeks or stick up higher on the hills/mountain? I've heard lots of "anticipate where they're going and set up between", but how do y'all assume that? At what point do y'all call it quits for the day? How far from roads should I go back before expecting to hear anything? How long do y'all stay set up before relocating after not hearing back from the gobbler?

Thanks guys, This is a new world for me. Aaron

 

[Hunting Wife]

You don't have to get miles from a road to find turkeys. Heck, they are a suburban nuisance in many places. They should be in lower country - foothills type stuff and valleys. They like mixed habitat...pine hillsides interspersed with little grassy or sagey meadows, riparian habitat, pastures with timber around, brush draws, etc. They have really adapted to a variety of habitats, so you'll have to figure out what it is they like where you are. I used to see tons of them down along the Dolores when I was working down in that country. They should be eating green shoots and flower buds this time of year, so watch for those. Watch for turkey poop and scratches too. Then you at least know there are some in the country.

Our best success by far is setting up first thing in the morning when they come off the roost. If you can, find some the night before and put them to bed, then be in there close (but not too close ) before shooting light the next morning. When they come out of the trees, they'll talk to each other as they get organized and you can often call one to you then.

They tend to roost in trees on hillsides or on ridges. If you didn't find any the night before, you can ease along in those areas early and call softly and sometimes they will talk to you from the tree. Then you can set up and try to call them in when they fly down. As it gets later, you can use a crow call to try to locate them, or just set up and call. If you do that, don't be overly aggressive calling, and sit for 15 -20 minutes before moving on. But when you go to move, look around carefully and be ready....they will sneak in without calling sometimes and then bust you when you get up. I killed my turkey this year at 11:30, but he was alone. Midday usually isn't super productive and it seems harder to get them to respond then.

Hopefully some of that is helpful. Never hunted turkeys in Colorado, but a lot of Montana turkeys have ended up in the freezer with these tidbits of info.

 

[ringer]

Ride along the road just before dark and get out every once in a while and rub the box call like a hen. If they are near they will gobble from the roost. Creep in at dark O'thirty and sit down until first light. Do a few hen calls on the box and with a diaphram call and listen. If you get a gobble wait a few minutes and call again. If he gobbles closer get ready as they can cover distance fast.

 

[Jorgy]

Brachii

if you get onto the CPW website and pull up the hunting map atlas, click on the box for turkey and you will get really specific areas that hold turkeys. On the western slope anyway, they are really specific little pockets that hold good flocks. Of course they can be anywhere but this gives you a great starting point. western slope if you use that, and find trees tall enough to be roosting trees and water nearby you will find turkeys.

 

[Brachii]

Thanks for the replies! As far as google earth goes, should I be looking for gaps in the trees where they come down to feed? I don't want to set up a decoy in the woods, right?