Have any Rio tips?

[Adjam5]

As some of you may know, my son and I are going to Texas to hunt Rios in mid march; and I was wondering if Rios need to be hunted differently that the Eastern's we hunt back here at home. I can imagine cover might be scarce and long range taking, sometimes is common( rifle is legal I hear). I like shotgun range(40yds and under) and Joe might bring his Ross bow.
I hear also that snakes are an issue too.
I think Eastern tactics are different due to the terrain. Who has hunted both?
Are there any tricks or tips that that we might be able to put to use ?
Thanks.

[3whunt]

With the lack of cover, Rios usually roost in the same tree(s) everyday. I like to get as close as I can to their roost as early as I can; at least an hour before sunrise. They flydown earlier than easterns too. I have had much better luck calling in rios with friction calls rather than mouth calls. The louder and raspier the better. Just a few tips...good luck.

[Covehnter]

Lots of times they travel in large flocks, be between where they want to be and the roost and i'd suggest using that B-mobile yall were talkin' about. Remember Rio jakes are alot more aggressive than Eastern jakes, so if you're after a mature bird look close.

[Leo]

Gonna hunt Rio's for the first time this spring myself.

But I have actually called one in before.

Your best bet is to pattern them, then hunt them

[The Kid]

i've never really hunted them, but i hear they liked being talked to a lot..

[Rhino]

Like 3whunt said...friction calls work best for Rios, particularly calls with a little higher pitch than the ones you might prefer to use on Eastern birds. From mid morning through the rest of the day using a loud box call to prospect for birds is a good tactic. You'll probably have to deal with windier conditions than you're used to and box calls carry further than most other calls.

Rios are vocal throughout the day so plan to hunt all day long. JMHO but I've found Rios were actually easier to work in the afternoon than in the morning. As you know, that is definately not the case with Eastern birds.

I'm not sure where you'll be hunting in Texas but I've hunted places in Texas where cover wasn't a problem and other places where it was. If cover is a problem you'll just have to cover more ground to get around on the birds you choose to work.

Generally Rios are easier to work into range than Eastern birds. At times they will seem to come in quickly so set up quickly when you locate the birds. You will still have the same problem with hens as you do with Eastern birds but sooner or later they will get seperated from them. When I encounter henned up birds in Texas I leave them to look for other birds. You can always come back and work those henned up birds later when they get seperated.

Be prepared to set up on some less then perfect trees. You might even find yourself setting up in brush with virtually nothing to put your back to. Everything that seems to grow there will stick you, stab you, or sting you. You might even want to use some leather gloves at times. Make sure your seat pad will protect your bottom too. Snake boots are a must have item for me in Texas. Not just for snakes but for walking through prickly pears, cactus and other thorny brush.

Ticks are real bad in Texas. Bring a lot of tick spray and don't be bashfull about using it liberally.

[huntinguide]

expect the unexpected never asume they will do something. The like to talk and the jakes are usaually more aggresive than the toms on certain days. The best piece of advice would be to pattern them they are like deer they are on a clock they do the same thing at the same time everyday unless theve been bumped then it will take a few days to get back on track.

On my property the turkeys show up in march and hang all spring roosting in the same trees and doing the same patterns as the year before some old birds and some new birds.

[Adjam5]

I'm lovin' the advice guys...Bring it on
We will be hunting the south east corner of the Hill country come opening day March 15th.

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Leave your MO and other dark camo at home. It will be a light green, gray and tan setting. Advantage Max-1 or Hardwoods HD Green will work. And yeah, that's about the time that snakes start showing up. I wear snake boots year round.

[Rhino]

Leave your MO and other dark camo at home.

Unless your MO is Obsession...the more green in your camo the better down there in the mesquite trees of south Texas.

BTW Adjam5...are you hunting with an outfitter? If so, how much land will you have access to hunt?

[Strut10]

........ Advantage Max-1 or Hardwoods HD Green will work.

From what I've seen of Rio country, the trees & brush look very similar to Gould's country. Max 1 was the cat's meow in that setting. Just disappears.

[huntinguide]

From what I've seen of Rio country, the trees & brush look very similar to Gould's country. Max 1 was the cat's meow in that setting. Just disappears.

hit it on the head.....................

[Adjam5]

BTW Adjam5...are you hunting with an outfitter? If so, how much land will you have access to hunt?

We are hunting with a friend who owns about 1000acres and also has access to a very large lease. Axis and Javelina are possibly availible too.
I feel like a kid again waiting for Christmas I'm very excited about going with my son. We have done a lot of eastern hunting together, and this will be a nice addition to loads of memories we have in the field .

[Rhino]

We are hunting with a friend who owns about 1000acres and also has access to a very large lease. Axis and Javelina are possibly availible too.
I feel like a kid again waiting for Christmas I'm very excited about going with my son. We have done a lot of eastern hunting together, and this will be a nice addition to loads of memories we have in the field .

Cool...check with your friend regarding the timing of spring green up there. Maybe he can email you some pictures of what the terrain looks like too. From that you can decide for yourself what camo you think will blend in best. He'll also be able to clue you in about what conditions to expect when you arrive along with the temperature ranges.

I've hunted southeast Texas in 90+ degree weather before around the end of the 1st week of April. It's usually cooler than that, especially early in the morning but it can get warm in the south Texas sun in the afternoons.

BTW, by very large lease (in addition to the 1,000 acres your friend owns) are you talking 10,000, 20,000 or even more acres? I only ask because I have sort of an unusual tactic we have used in the past hunting turkeys on very large tracts. We've used it in New Mexico hunting Merriams, on an 86,000 acre place in central Texas and on the King Ranch.

[Adjam5]

BTW, by very large lease (in addition to the 1,000 acres your friend owns) are you talking 10,000, 20,000 or even more acres? I only ask because I have sort of an unusual tactic we have used in the past hunting turkeys on very large tracts. We've used it in New Mexico hunting Merriams, on an 86,000 acre place in central Texas and on the King Ranch.

I will check with him on the type of camo and I have been looking at heavy duty airline gun cases( I think Gander Mtn has one I want) and snake boots. I think the $100 or so we each spend on the boots is cheaper than the co pay at a hospital out of state for a snake bite.
As far as the land. My buddy said somewhere in the 30-40K acre range. Thats like the size of the county I live in here in NY! I can't wait!
Any advice on hunting Rios is treasured
Thanks!