BEGINNER TURKEY HUNTING TIPS

Turkey hunting Basics

I started turkey hunting in the early 2000’s. I was lucky enough to have several great mentors. A great friend and his grandfather took me under the wing to say. What I have learned from there is allot. Gear, decoys, and set ups have proven to be my major learning curves.

Let’s start with gear. Yes, we now have a lot of options. Hunting apparel is vast in brand and pattern. Accessories to the mountain tops. Decoy options are numerous with different materials. How many decoys one needs or must have? The list of options can become overwhelming.

Now for set up’s this is where time in the field is the major factor. Just like many things in life what a turkey wants can very drastically with the mood it is in. One factor to the mood is weather. Cold fronts, rising or falling pressure, and wind can all play in the turkey’s mood. Being in the field and observing these effects while being open minded to everything will help narrow down the set ups needed.

What do I need to Turkey Hunt?

-CALLS

These instruments of deception take time to learn and perfect. I am going to break them down into two categories. First would be friction calls examples box or slat. The second would be diaphragm calls. For beginners’ friction calls like the box and slate are easier and quicker to learn. You know that great mentor I spoke about in the beginning he makes a great call in both categories check out https://cartel-custom-calls.myshopify.com/ for purchasing and his Facebook for tips and product updates https://www.facebook.com/cartelcustomcalls/ .

-APPAREL

Pick what you like and can afford. It is really that easy. I can guarantee you that sitting still is far more effective to the success of the hunt. Turkeys’ eyes are the best they will see you way before you ever see them. Deathly still is the only way to beat them.  I could literally harvest a turkey in blue jeans and a green coat if I utilized cover properly and stayed extremely still.

-DECOYS

Start small one hen decoy. I will admit I use one hen it gives a focal point for the interested turkey in conjunction with my calling. Multiple decoys require one to understand turkey behavior a little better. After time in the field, you can add and subtract decoys. Play around with different age groups. Try different positions of decoys. Have strutting decoys and matting hen etc.

-SHOTGUN

Pick what you like and can afford. The importance of this is not the gun itself but the actions you take in preparation of the hunt. Make sure in the off season before the hunt you pattern the shotgun. Try different ammo and different chokes. Pattern you gun at varying distances.  The key here is to know your capabilities and limitations. Last secret tip aim for the waddles and never at a moving bird. I hope this helps you find your starting point for a great turkey hunt.