2022 Turkey Hunting Thread

[Bowtie747]

I’m slipping here guys. I love deer hunting but a part of me thinks I like turkey hunting more. I love running around the woods like a chicken with my head cut off. Anyways I know this is a saddle site but I wanted to start a Turkey thread and see if it takes off. Also i know it’s pretty early to start talking Turkey but man I'm so pumped for it already. Need people to talk Turkey hunting with.

Thought in this thread anything can go. Hunting tips, questions, kills, patterns, favorite Turkey call, anything Turkey!

 

[Bowtie747]

I’ll start, If you haven’t noticed I’m so pumped for this Turkey season. I already broke out my Turkey gun. Trying some different shells out with my new Turkey choke, Indian creek.

40 yards, 12 gauge, hevi shot magnum blend. Fairly happy with this pattern. Hoping to try some other shells out here soon. Maybe some TSS

 

[philsanchez76]

I’m pumped for turkey too. I got skunked last year despite a few close opportunities. I’m mad at em.

 

[Bowtie747]

Shooting your gun at a Turkey head, taking a picture and posting on here might help with some anger lolol

I had the biggest Turkey hunting fail last year. Shot the same beard twice, still no bird. Don’t even ask.

 

[Torrent]

I called a good one in last year on our farm for the boy, but he couldn't get a shot. Maybe this year will be better.

Fall season was a bust for me.

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[SnakeFeather]

I hear ya! Spring or fall, I love it all. I've yet to commit a full spring to chasing them with the bow. That's the plan for 2022. Good luck fellas

 

[ericabbott]

Was just thinking the same thing, April can’t come soon enough. Smoked my first TN bird last season looking to add to the total, maybe throw in an out of state bird as well.

 

[BuckTown]

Last season was my first REAL season at Turkey hunting. Honestly, at first I was just going to use it mainly to get in some extra deer scouting with an opportunity to also bag a gobbler. As I got into the season it to grew on me and became very exciting, put scouting down the priority list. I blew 2 great opportunities and was at least in the ball game on a hand full of others. To say the least, I picked up a ton of experience and listened to a ton of podcast in hopes to build off of that and have some success this season. Still holding a week of vacation in my pocket that I may burn depending on how the weather goes. VA weather can make for an awful early Spring season, or could be incredible.

 

[BuckTown]

Also, my little 3 year old absolutely LOVED going out into the blind with me 1 hunt last year. I normally won't hunt blinds and just sitting at a spot for some hours calling, but he wanted to go and I knew it would be impossible to carry him out the way I do it. We actually flushed a hen walking into the spot I wanted to setup, which got his excitement levels up. Never had any more action that morning other than one distant gobble. He had gone on a couple of my evening roosts with me, and I knew I had to get him out some way even though the public land can be a challenge. So this year I really want to bag a gobbler EARLY so I can focus the rest of my time carrying him out and trying to teach him right, at least as right as I know being a self taught turkey hunter. Hopefully find some decent farmers in the area that will let us setup on their fields to give him a better experience.
Anyone else carrying out youth (like non-hunting age) and have a decent plan for teaching them and giving them the experience?

 

[Plebe]

Last season was my first REAL season at Turkey hunting. Honestly, at first I was just going to use it mainly to get in some extra deer scouting with an opportunity to also bag a gobbler. As I got into the season it to grew on me and became very exciting, put scouting down the priority list. I blew 2 great opportunities and was at least in the ball game on a hand full of others. To say the least, I picked up a ton of experience and listened to a ton of podcast in hopes to build off of that and have some success this season. Still holding a week of vacation in my pocket that I may burn depending on how the weather goes. VA weather can make for an awful early Spring season, or could be incredible.

Don't throw your scouting notes away. We saw lots of deer and in particular some bucks that were using the same trails during bow season. Got us on for a great chance at a good one, but that didn't quite work out.

We called in lots of hens last year, but the gobblers were quieter than year's previous. We had success early, then things slowed way down.

I put out a tom decoy for the first time, and man it fired up some hens. That was fun, one sounded like Godzilla in the movies my kid watches.

 

[BuckTown]

Don't throw your scouting notes away. We saw lots of deer and in particular some bucks that were using the same trails during bow season. Got us on for a great chance at a good one, but that didn't quite work out.

We called in lots of hens last year, but the gobblers were quieter than year's previous. We had success early and things slowed way down.

I put out a tom decoy for the first time, and man it fired up some hens. That was fun, one sounded like Godzilla in the movies my kid watches.

Oh I definitely still scout, but I make it about turkey hunting first now. Before I was just out in the woods scouting with a gun in tow, just in case I came across a gobbler. What sucks is the WMA I primarily deer hunt is only open to turkey hunting for 2 weeks and it is on a draw. So that kind of doesn't allow me to combine the two in that area.

 

[will4554]

Forget the decoys, and call less. I have killed more than one bird by setting up, calling once, and then sitting for 45 minutes or so. And sleep in, afternoons are so much better if your state allows it.

 

[Weldabeast]

Last season was the first time I drew a spring turkey tag. I attempted to turkey hunt but never really done it before. I seen some turkeys but nothing in bow range....I drew a spring turkey quota for this April and I am excited to give it another shot.....I take the pea shooter this time. Temps are yucky at that time of year and ticks/chiggers are in full swing...u really gotta want to be out there...that's for sure. All the stuff I know about turkey hunting is for watching THP...... I'm a total noob hahaha. Any good videos from southern turkey slayers that I should watch to learn some stuff?

 

[Plebe]

Also, my little 3 year old absolutely LOVED going out into the blind with me 1 hunt last year. I normally won't hunt blinds and just sitting at a spot for some hours calling, but he wanted to go and I knew it would be impossible to carry him out the way I do it. We actually flushed a hen walking into the spot I wanted to setup, which got his excitement levels up. Never had any more action that morning other than one distant gobble. He had gone on a couple of my evening roosts with me, and I knew I had to get him out some way even though the public land can be a challenge. So this year I really want to bag a gobbler EARLY so I can focus the rest of my time carrying him out and trying to teach him right, at least as right as I know being a self taught turkey hunter. Hopefully find some decent farmers in the area that will let us setup on their fields to give him a better experience.
Anyone else carrying out youth (like non-hunting age) and have a decent plan for teaching them and giving them the experience?

Starburst candy.

Started my son fishing earlier than anyone (in the family) had ever tried. A lot of holding him and fishing pole, but he never complained or wanted head in so long as he had access to an endless supply of Starburst candies.

 

[Bowtie747]

Last season was the first time I drew a spring turkey tag. I attempted to turkey hunt but never really done it before. I seen some turkeys but nothing in bow range....I drew a spring turkey quota for this April and I am excited to give it another shot.....I take the pea shooter this time. Temps are yucky at that time of year and ticks/chiggers are in full swing...u really gotta want to be out there...that's for sure. All the stuff I know about turkey hunting is for watching THP...... I'm a total noob hahaha. Any good videos from southern turkey slayers that I should watch to learn some stuff?

Dave Owens on YouTube. Probably the most consistent killer of turkies ever. He doesn’t always “teach” on his videos but you can follow him along on his hunts. You can still learn a ton.

My biggest advice is every bird is different. I’ve learned by hunting with a buddy of mine. We both kill two different types of birds. He kills the birds that gobble there heads off and don’t shut up and I kill the birds that usually are more call shy and curious. So I’m going to throw the entire bag at every Turkey I can this year

 

[krub6b]

Last year was the first time I called a bird in for myself and I'm ready for this year to roll around. I'm hoping to take my daughter along on a couple of hunts this year as well.

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[Plebe]

Last year was the first time I called a bird in for myself and I'm ready for this year to roll around. I'm hoping to take my daughter along on a couple of hunts this year as well.

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That's an awesome feeling isn't it

 

[krub6b]

Yes it is. I've spent 18 years chasing birds on my family's farm and never had a bird want to come in. This last year it was the same story opening day. Got fed up and decided to head home, was half way home and decided to see how crowded some public was, it was completely deserted and after a 1/4 mile walk a bird answered my yelp and came in on a string

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[Hall17]

Here in Pennsylvania we always complain our season comes in too late. Typically starts first weekend in May and runs till May 31st. Turkey hunting is a passion of mine for sure. Here are some pics of the last few seasons here in Pennsylvania. I am lucky to have what I consider the best turkey hunting in Pennsylvania 15 min from my house. The National Guard base allows you to hunt with a permit for deer, bear, turkeys, etc. It really is amazing hunting. Every morning you can hear 3-10 birds sound off (depending on the morning) and have multiple set ups in one day. If you do not get set up on a bird that was a bad day for sure. You learn a lot quickly with that much exposure to situations. I hunt basically 100% hardwoods with old logging roads, etc. I never carry decoys. I am less is more when it comes to turkeys. No heavy turkey vest, etc. I use my badlands bino harness and a camo camelback. Nice and light and allows we me stay on the move easily. I also started making my own mouth calls a few years ago which is a lot of fun and very rewarding. I signed up for West Virginia this year so I am thinking of making the 4 hour drive for a 3-4 day camp/hunt. WV season starts in April so it would allow me to hunt two states this year without interfering with each other. Thank you @Bowtie747 for starting this thread! It'll be a long few months

 

[Jordan121787]

I’ve been in turkey mode for a month lol

I also took advantage of the warm weather to test out some chokes with my new turkey gun

Franchi Affinity 3 20 gauge
Apex #9s
.585 Trulock choke
40 yards
1st picture clean bore
2nd picture dirty bore 2nd shot. Sight moved 1” right




Also, tested out the new Stevens 301 turkey .410 for the kids
Apex turkey ninja
40 yards
Stock choke .391
Clean bore


I have a Trulock choke coming for the .410.