New Turkey Hunter Needs Help Fast!!!!!!!

[deerhntnwithdogs]

Hey guys, tomorow will be my first turkey hunt, its spring gobbler season here in south eastern Virginia and I was wondering what tyes of calls are the most productive around this type of year to get one to come to ya. As far as clucks, purrs, yelps what? Ill be using a Primos No. 109 Diamond Yelper mouth call and a frictionite and corn cob stick friction call. Probably using 2 hen decoys and a jake decoy also, hunting out of a 2 person blind on the edge of a winter wheat field with weather clear skys around 50 degrees at dawn hunting untill noon or so reaching highs of 65-70 in that time, I need to know what my best calls would be at what times and after the turkeys do what, I also was wondering if a locator (Crow) would be a good idea or not because I am not going to be moving my setup on the turkeys the blind is already setup. Thanks in advance.

-Chase

[turkeygirl]

Generally yelps are good with a few clucks. If the gobbler is close, you don't want to call too loudly or he'll likely spook. If he's coming closer, start calling softly, maybe through in a few purrs then. I'm in NY so I don't know how you are turkeys are responding right now. A locator call would be a good idea because if you are moving around without the blind and trying to find a gobbler, it may get him to shock gobble. Do you already know of gobblers in the area you are hunting? If you don't, it may be easier to be there and if you hear a gobble, try to get closer to the bird without spooking him and set up with out the blind. Just my opinions, I don't know a ton but GOOD LUCK to you! I hope this helps.

[deerhntnwithdogs]

Thanks turkey girl will keep all that in mind. If I cant conjure up anything by about an hour after dawn and nothings gobbling I might just leave the blind It depends on what happens. Anybody else got suggestions Im here all night prolly haha

-Chase

[MrWiggely]

Most of us scout well in advance to figure out where the birds are. Call softly and keep the calling to a minimum. If a bird responds he knows where you are and if he is interested he will find you. No need to over call.

Wigs

[deerhntnwithdogs]

So wiggles would call and let him call, call and let him call, be a good time scheme on calling instead of pushing the calling on my end just let him take turns with me on calling? Is that what you mean?

-Chase

[deerhntnwithdogs]

TTT Any input would be greatly appreciated guys, gotta hit the hay at 10:30 and its 10:08 here now so fire away...

-Chase

[py_archer]

Go to the Gobbler!!

[deerhntnwithdogs]

*UPDATE*
We got in the blind right at daybreak and could barely see. I setup a hen and jake decoy 15 yards in front of me. Waited for first flight once I saw 2 birds fly down about 500 yards away I started on the frictionite. I yelped for a while, nothing, thenwent to the Diamond Yelper #106, starting with cackling I went to cutting and yelping on every call I had in the case (4 total). NOTHING not a single yelp cluck spit nuthing. Did I do anything wrong? Goin again tomrow any improvements, should I go to those birds I saw this morning tomrow or stay 500 Yards away?

-Chase

[wtnhunt]

I am not too great at calling, so I call as little as possible. I usually wait until I either hear the birds flydown and let out a few light yelps, or wait until they are gobbling and I know they are moving on the ground.

Good luck.

[AdvantageTimberLou]

Chase,

Biggest thing is to try and pattern where the birds go after fly down. If a gobbler has his hens with him its hard to get him to come your way plus 500 yards is a ways off. You may wish to close the gap to at least half the distance. If the birds ignore your calls and head another way then maybe the next morning you could set-up in that direction.

Sometimes saying nothing could be the best deal, soft purrs might work too. Sometimes decoys scare birds especially a jake in the mix especially if a Tom has been whipped by a jake in the past. So maybe go with a feeding hen or position one in the breeding position meaning very close to the ground. Practice your calling, if you using a mouth call and haven't perfected it yet then use a slate call, box call or a push button type box call. Mouth calls take practice and in the most inconvienent time you might make the wrong sound with it.

I'd try patterning their direction and set up on their path. Look for dusting areas as well as hens like to dust themselves and toms will visit these areas. Most of all have fun turkey hunting, its a challenge but once they answer a call its a great feeling of accomplishment.

Turkeys are creatures of habit and usually do the same thing each day unless someone interupts their pattern. So if you know where the roost is you have already won some of the battle!

Good luck!

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Here's a little trick I've learned for relunctant toms. If you ever get one to gobble, don't let him finish, jump right in with a vigorous series of yelps while he's still gobbling. You've got to be quick to get it done. If that old bird is the least bit in the mood for some luvin' he won't be able to stand it. He'll come a runnin'!!!

I think it's called "stepping on the bird" or "stepping on the gobble", something like that.

Good luck!

[Hoyt03]

Get yourself a few turkey hunting videos and see how other like to do things and maybe learn a few tips here and there. Its too much to learn in one night, it takes guys years and years, and then they still dont have it figured out lol. Goodluck atleast you saw some birds

[deerhntnwithdogs]

Sounds good you guys have been a great help. Ill try most of the tips seeing as some I cant try at the same time as others haha, Ill let you know what happens.

-Chase

[dartonman]

Alright...here is my two cents....put your Jake on top/back of a hen, 15 yards from the blind...offset your hen 5 yards in front of your jake/hen.....when the bird gobbles to your calls....wait for a second gobble....did you read that...yep, wait for the second gobble...this I call is a commitment gobble....when you have a gobbler closing the deal, only purrs...nothing fancy....if he is seeing the breeding pair, he is on his way....I avoid "clucks", Ill tell you why...sometimes a young or novice caller cuts the "cluck" too fast, and it sounds to me, and the turkey as an "ALARM PUTT".....stay in your blind...if you know the birds use the field, stay in your blind, and have faith...dont over call....in the early morning a gobbler has his dates with him....he will remember at 800am-1000am where you are at from your morning chatter with him, and he will come to you eventually....dont be too agressive....and last but not least, if there is a high pressure cell, and the barometer is high, example, right before a storm....the birds will not gobble hardly at all.........but will still sneak in....follow these tips, and Ill want a pic of your trophy.......God Bless, good luck, pm me if you like, Ill talk to you by phone if you wish, on my dime.....al

[redbeard]

Quiet feeding clucks work well. If the bird is hot, throw it all at him, otherwise, act like the hens act in your area. In mine, they are quiet, only content cluckin' when feedin. Good luck my man, Hope you tip a big 'un over.