re: Turkey Hunting

Don't give up at 0900. I've killed many a turkey between 1000 and 1200. Lot of hunters hear early gobbling call too much and then get up and leave when Mr. Gobbler doesn't run right in. Don't get hung up on the "perfect hen sound" I've heard live hens who I would have sworn were the worst box call operators on the planet. Biggest tip; Enjoy being in the Spring woods. its magical just being out there. I have gotten to the point where I just take newbies or my grands and let them shoot if we get the opportunity. Good Luck.

quote:

---

One thing that I see most turkey hunter's ruin a good hunt is over calling--me included. Why would I shut up when hes gobbling everytime i call?

---

This 100 percent. I'll call to them and will only call back when they gobble if I know they are still on the roost. A lot of times they go silent when they hit the ground and are making a B line to where that call came from. Have PATIENCE, I had a gobbler within 300 yards of me and it took him almost 2 hours to close the distance. I recommend using Sawyer Permethrin insect spray on your hunting clothes and boots, spray let dry. Also use a regular bug spray like OFF, otherwise you will have red bugs and ticks.

quote:

---

Down from the 70’s- 90’s but up in my neck of the woods year over year. We’ve had some good hatches.

---

It's been the same way on my place for the past several years. We've got plenty of birds.

What’s everyone’s go to call while we are waiting?

My favorite box is still the lunch foolproof 101. I think I have 3 of them. Easy and sound great and I like the Jake help side.

My favorite overall call is probably a slate call but I switch them up all the time and probably have 7 dozen different strikers and will spend all weekend figuring out which strikers sound better with which calls then promptly frick it all up when I get to the woods. (I keep meaning to mark them)

On diaphragms, I don’t care but need the smaller frame. Trying woodhaven and a bunch of locals first this year. (If it’s made in bama I will buy it. ) I ordered two from Andy G but will not be in this week.

Owl calls I like the simple puritan box.
Crow call the mega crow.

I am trying a houndstooth tube, but not ready for woods yet.

On tube, if I get a sound out of it may use it. (It’s hard for me anyway. I gave my neighbor my turkey bone call and he immediately made it sound perfect)

Good luck to everyone again

Happy for those that have good numbers. Awful quiet where I’ve been in Mississippi so far.

We on em in central MS.
They hammering and coming

Box call stays on my shelf. I’ll use 2 different slates, but once they’re inside 200 mouth call and scratching.

My opinion is if more guys “deer hunted” them and just sat in a good travel route it would be easier than calling them. Don’t get me wrong, I love calling turkeys. I love hunting new ground I don’t know and working birds. But guys kill them on private ground by generally deer hunting them because they know where they are and go so well.


I disagree on camo not being important, sure movement is key but I love a leafy suit and giving yourself every advantage possible is absolutely beneficial.

I would agree less calling is better but every situation varies. Generally I personally think calling is like a 10% effect and the Tom’s go where they either want to go or where the hens take them. But man when that 10% is hot and cuts you off running in, it’s the epitome of hunting outside of calling in elk.

Tuthill - two things:
My favorite call is an old one sided box call I bought about twenty years ago from an old fellow in Georgiana name of Joyner. I suspect he may no longer be with us. It is a cedar wood call that makes the sweetest yelps. Don’t know if they were ever sold outside of a few local hardware stores in that area. But I treasure it.
Second, the best turkey hunter I ever knew personally was a lawyer from Mobile who passed away about five years ago. Name of Jody Little. He owned a bunch of beautiful long leaf pine land way out airport boulevard. Classic open canopy with hardwood trees along the bottoms. His greatest passion was Quail but during the spring turkey season he hunted just about every morning before going to his office downtown. He only shot maybe one or two a year but loved hearing them and seeing if he could get them to work. And he was good. Called like a live hen and knew when and when not to do it. Maybe you knew Jody.

I’m carrying a 2001 Primos Little Heart Breaker box. A Cartel Calls Frosted Glass call. A 2000 model MAD Alluminator. A new Woodhaven Finisher and a few custom mouth yelpers made by Billy Yargus