I just need a few tips on turkey hunting

[TrapperJ]

Turkeys act a lot like antelope in the sense that they move very unpredictably most of the time. About the time you think they are headed to a spot they decide to go another direction. They may feed in the same spot 2-3 days in a row then go somewhere else completely for absolutely no reason.

I think they have a better plan then wandering aimlessly but that’s what it looks like a lot of the time.

Hmm I will say turkeys are wierd by the way I have a question why do we have to only hunt Tom's and not hens? We have more hens then Tom's and this flock I'm gonna hunt only has 1 tom I believe so if he gets shot then there's no Tom's? So why can't we hunt hens?

 

[Stocker]

Hmm I will say turkeys are wierd by the way I have a question why do we have to only hunt Tom's and not hens? We have more hens then Tom's and this flock I'm gonna hunt only has 1 tom I believe so if he gets shot then there's no Tom's? So why can't we hunt hens?

There’s usually several toms in or around a flock. Around here anyway. Can’t hunt hens for future population growth. The

 

[Wild Bill]

A single Tom will breed multiple hens, therefore there are not as many Toms required to sustain the population. Hens lay the eggs. That's why you can't shoot them. I'd advice not shooting them in the fall season as well, even if they're legal for take.
Chances are, even if you poleaxe him as the clock strikes shooting time on opening morning he has already obliged some hens.
Contrary to how we hunt turkeys, the natural order of operations is for the hen to go to the tom, not the other way around. The hens will find a way to get bred.

 

[np307]

Hmm I will say turkeys are wierd by the way I have a question why do we have to only hunt Tom's and not hens? We have more hens then Tom's and this flock I'm gonna hunt only has 1 tom I believe so if he gets shot then there's no Tom's? So why can't we hunt hens?

Spring is nesting season and because turkeys are ground nesting birds, they're extremely subject to nest predation. While turkeys are relatively abundant currently (with some states having population declines worthy of note), it wasn't that long ago that they were almost extinct. It took a lot of money and effort to bring them back to abundance. Toms contribute to the nesting process only by breeding hens and one Tom can breed multiple hens. But hens have to actually hatch the nest and raise the poults.

There are some states that do have fall turkey seasons, and in those cases they do often allow hen harvest. It still has to be managed carefully but the fact that they aren't actively nesting in the spring helps limit the population damage that fall hen harvest does.

 

[Hobbes]

I've sent you a PM

 

[TrapperJ]

I've sent you a PM

I will check it 1 sec

 

[TrapperJ]

Spring is nesting season and because turkeys are ground nesting birds, they're extremely subject to nest predation. While turkeys are relatively abundant currently (with some states having population declines worthy of note), it wasn't that long ago that they were almost extinct. It took a lot of money and effort to bring them back to abundance. Toms contribute to the nesting process only by breeding hens and one Tom can breed multiple hens. But hens have to actually hatch the nest and raise the poults.

There are some states that do have fall turkey seasons, and in those cases they do often allow hen harvest. It still has to be managed carefully but the fact that they aren't actively nesting in the spring helps limit the population damage that fall hen harvest does.

Gotcha kinda but I'm afraid it'll turn into the buck deal where there's no toms so the hens travel to the Tom which could be a long ways away then there's no turkeys

 

[Shmeegs28]

The big thing ive learned about chasing mountain gobblers in Colorado is knowing when to call. When Toms hear active calling they are expecting that Hen to come to him and will stay put, especially if they dont see a decoy. Ive learned that if you are calling you gotta play a little hard to get!

 

[LopeHunter]

Missouri and I can't use a flashlight at all? I know my way perfectly around the area but should I be worried about bears and whatnot

If you are headed to the same spot repeatedly then can attach tiny reflectors along the trail/path then use a headlamp with a red-light set to very low level and the reflectors will glow back at you. If are not heading to the same spot each morning then use a red headlamp light.

 

[TrapperJ]

If you are headed to the same spot repeatedly then can attach tiny reflectors along the trail/path then use a headlamp with a red-light set to very low level and the reflectors will glow back at you. If are not heading to the same spot each morning then use a red headlamp light.

I'll have to cross my fence onto a different section of ares then cross a 10 foot deep dry creek then try to get my way threw some low hanging trees up a hill say about 200 yards then in a big open field full of sedge Grass then to my spot issue is 1 the low hanging trees I gotta trim those then 2 still a bit iffy about the bears cause there den is in the right side of the field and 3 alotta yotes in the area and I don't wanna spook them and they start making noise and scare the turkeys

 

[idahojoe]

I’m sure it’s been mentioned, but my favorite time to kill turkeys is late morning to early afternoon. Don’t get discouraged if you have a bird hot out of the roost and it doesn’t pan out. Those toms will separate from hens when they go to nest and be on the lookout. Sometimes they won’t make a peep coming in either. Scouting in my opinion is the best way to kill turkeys, know where they like to hangout/strut in those late morning hours.

 

[NoWiser]

I’m sure it’s been mentioned, but my favorite time to kill turkeys is late morning to early afternoon. Don’t get discouraged if you have a bird hot out of the roost and it doesn’t pan out. Those toms will separate from hens when they go to nest and be on the lookout. Sometimes they won’t make a peep coming in either. Scouting in my opinion is the best way to kill turkeys, know where they like to hangout/strut in those late morning hours.

I agree with this. I love hunting in the morning because of the gobbling, but I kill way more later on in the day. They seem much more receptive to calling.

 

[TrapperJ]

I’m sure it’s been mentioned, but my favorite time to kill turkeys is late morning to early afternoon. Don’t get discouraged if you have a bird hot out of the roost and it doesn’t pan out. Those toms will separate from hens when they go to nest and be on the lookout. Sometimes they won’t make a peep coming in either. Scouting in my opinion is the best way to kill turkeys, know where they like to hangout/strut in those late morning hours.

Late in the morning as in 8? Or 9? Also I do plan on doing some more scouting when it gets closer to season