re: Calling all Turkey Hunters

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What is your scouting routine pre-season?

Do you focus on creeks and try to locate with a crow/owl call or maybe find an open field with good sign?

Interested to see what y'all do to locate the birds.

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Lots and lots of worn out shoe leather. Scouting much more than a week or two before the season really doesnt do much as the turkeys are breaking into bachelor groups and even the hen groups are breaking into smaller units as the weather warms and the season draws closer. If you scout too early the turkeys are likely to have dispersed a bit. My experience has been that where you found turkeys last season is typically where you'll find them this time around.

I usually make a morning or two out of scouting in the days leading up to the season. I will typically find the highest ground I can find and listen for gobbling. I'll then do lots and lots of walking. A lot of folks get worked up about bumping turkeys and using calls in the pre-season.

I tend to agree with not calling in the pre-season but bumping birds is going to happen and I really think its of little or no consequence. The birds brain is smaller than a field pea and I believe we are guilty of overestimating their intelligence. Scouting in the afternoons can be good too as it can give you an indication where the birds tend to feed and roost.

Finding tracks or dusting areas and wing dragging marks are all great signs; but, just like hunting a fresh scrape or buck rub it doesnt mean you are going to get that gobbler.

Hope this helps..