My buddy took me hunting for Turkeys at there club last season once. It’s all I’ve been able to think about since then. I got a 12ga Remington 870 in preparation for all my bird hunting. I’m definitely not looking for spots or anything of the sort!! I’ll be hinting in the Francis Marion for a while too. I’m just interested in the basics for hunting Turkeys, like what I need to start hunting. And just tips from some more experienced guys.
What calls do I need to get started?
What’s a good camo, I think MO obsession is good for spring woods?
Best loads to shoot? My dads 20 and my 12We have full chokes on both guns…
Do o need a nice ground blind? Cheapest 2 person online is like 125$… can I just clip some blind material or somethin to a tree to have a portable blind?
What terrain should I be looking in? Swamps, pine growths, around fields, think forests, cutdowns, burnouts? My friends club had all that and we walked through it all.
Good (cheap) decoys to use?
Thanks for reading yall! Just trying to get a little knowledge before I go out in the woods. lso please don’t comment stupid jackass stuff. Can’t a kid just get a little helpful info? Thanks
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
Whenever I hunt public, I don’t find it necessary to use a blind. Don’t get me wrong it’s a good thing to have, but a nice turkey vest with a seat cushion will get you further. I would go to Haddrells Point west Ashley and they will set you up with what you need. They have a room full of gear. They have a starter call box that would probably fit you best. It includes a slate call, box call and diaphragm call I think. Pick your calls out as soon as possible so you can start learning how to use them effectively. Also, pick yourself out a locator call. You better get out to the FMNF and get scouting, go in the morning or the afternoon. (you will know why once you do it . Pertaining to Camo, I feel patterns are essential, but the most important thing is to cover your whole body. My Father always says, a sharp turkey can see the whites in your eyes.
Between the 2 Haddrells Stores there will be three seminars. You can stop in anytime at the West Ashley store and between Scott and I we should be able to help you out. I would highly recommend a Lynchs Foolproof or World Champion call for a beginner, I still use both after 30 plus years of hunting.
ftroop, that is funny but true… Camo patterns doesn’t really matter as long as there is some cover around. I break them up like a realtree shirt and mossy oak pants. The biggest thing is cover all skin and anything that may reflect… and be still. Turkeys live or die by reflection and movement. A wary old tom can distinguish between colors ate a long distance. If it sticks out as odd, he will see it. I “run and gun” unless I am bowhnting or taking a kid that cannnot be still. Good luck, turkey hunting is addictive!
Thanks yall! Tailwalker, what a dumb comment. Why did you even bother tocomment? Waste of everyones time if you ask me…
Also, where can I get a good WMA map yall keep talking about on this site?
Ftroop, that’s pretty funny!
Do yall think its necessary for my shotgun to be camo? Or the stock black and grey is enough? Ithink I can buy a gun “wrap” for pretty cheap? Thanks guys
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
No need for camo gun…just as long as there are no shiny parts showing. I have always had best luck with a “glass” slate call and it seemed easier to master to me. Pick up several mouth calls and play with it till ya figure it out. I tried for nearly two years before I could make one work, and now I love them. Best loads are the ones that pattern best in your gun (seriously) I shoot winchester or federal premium, but my wife shoots hevi-shot in her 20ga. Hevi-shot is probably the best brand turkey load made, but also probably one of the most expensive (they will not disappoint though). I also would spend a little money on a decent “x-full” turkey choke bunches of brands out there. Get a vest with padded seat for sure. Find a hen decoy that you can fold up and stick in the back of your vest, $20 or so will get ya one feather flex or carry lite are fine. as far as learning to call…get on internet and watch as many professional hunting videos as possible and replicate what they do. Best thing is to try and find footage of actual hens calling and replicate them. Dont waste lots of money on camo, spend your money on a choke, shells, a comfy seat and a few calls. cover your ENTIRE body in whatever reglar green camo you have and you will be fine.
It’s a wonder I kill anything with all the **** y’all say you “need” to kill a turkey. All you need is a shotgun, call and know how to use them. Over calling is the fastest way to booger one that there is, don’t over think hunting an animal who’s brain is the size of a peanut.
yakman the decoys that we had when u were hnting with me those were 10$ a pice and they seem to work pretty good,and if you get some mouth calls dont be cheap on them because ur gonna want them to last a while and a turky vest is best unless u know where that big ol gobbler is roosted (some one corret me if i am wrong )
Yakman, Mossy Oak camo head to toe. For your Remington 12guage, I’d recommend Hevi-13, 2oz load of #6’s and and Indian Creek choke tube. Save some money, forget the blind and the decoys in Francis Marion, get yourself a Gobbler Lounger Chair and a custom turkey call. A Quality call will cost you 10-20 dollars more than the crap in Sports Authority and it will pay off. Scout the areas with Hard Mast to locate birds. Set up in the shade, break up your outline. Dont over call. If a gobbler answers you call, he already knows were you are. sit tight and most of all, be patient. good luck.
JK. Get you a extra full choke #5 shot is what i prefer. I prefer a slate call over anything else. Camo pref depends on the area. Be sure you are hidden well and wear gloves and a face mask. Keep your movements to a minimum. Call sparingly. You can over do it. There is not a “set” way or any Best advice. Most people kill their turkeys by going all the time and learning the behavior of them and gaining experience. It is a challenge. I love it myself but it took me a while before i started killing turkeys. Many factors go into it just like any other type of huntin. They like windy and rainy days the best
It’s a wonder I kill anything with all the **** y’all say you “need” to kill a turkey. All you need is a shotgun, call and know how to use them. Over calling is the fastest way to booger one that there is, don’t over think hunting an animal who’s brain is the size of a peanut.
11 Bowtech Destroyer
Remington 700 30-06
salty, there is a huge difference in hunting farm birds that will walk right up to a tractor (and sometimes people) and public land birds. Those farm birds are also easy to ambush once you spot them in a field.
i dont have any experience with public land birds but the biggest part to turkey hunting is PATIENCE!!! if possible get out a week or 2 before you start hunting before sunup, stay well away from where you might think about hutning, and listen for em gobbling in their trees. it will give you an idea of where theyre roosting and hopefully avoid walking in and spooking a dozen turkeys out of the tree…making for a very bad start to the day.
It’s a wonder I kill anything with all the **** y’all say you “need” to kill a turkey. All you need is a shotgun, call and know how to use them. Over calling is the fastest way to booger one that there is, don’t over think hunting an animal who’s brain is the size of a peanut.
11 Bowtech Destroyer
Remington 700 30-06
salty, there is a huge difference in hunting farm birds that will walk right up to a tractor (and sometimes people) and public land birds. Those farm birds are also easy to ambush once you spot them in a field.
" It is what it is".
I dont know what “farm” birds your hunting but around here they get more than their fair share of pressure and are well educated within the first week. What I am getting at is turkey hunting doesnt require going and getting the latest greatest camo, benneli, heavi shot, 5 different calls, decoys, vests, ect, ect, ect. You need to be scouting hard come March 1st, learn to effectively use your call, and try and use common sense once you get on the birds. Dont worry about gear, worry about learning the area you plan to hunt, and the birds you will be hunting.
oh yea take some time to pattern your shotgun with the turkey loads you will be using to hunt with to avoid a shameful miss on what could have been an easy shot. the gear you take out is up to you, however at 20 yards with 2oz of #5 the bird i have to my name was leveled no problem with a single shot wood/blued steel winchester with a built in full choke. the standard paper target is just fine for patterning, however you can also take an empty paper towel roll (close enough to the size of a turkey neck), aim for the middle, and blast it at what range you think your shot will be. if you put a few dozen pellets in it, turkeys cant live with 40+ lead pellets in their head and neck so youre good to go. salty is also 100% right on no need for fancy camo and gear…know how will get you more birds than anything whether its deer, turkey, squirrel, waterfowl, or anything else. down here most of deer season and spring turkey up north i usually hunt in just a single layer of camo jeans and under armor long sleeve…definately not the latest and greatest stuff but i still put my share of game in the freezer. as others mentioned get some practice in with the calls before you go out too. if possible try some out then get what works best for you, however if you can get using a mouth call down calling hands free when a bird is in sight is a wonderful thing.
Thanks guys! definitely didn’t think it would generate this many responses. Correct me ifI’m wrong, but turkeys prefer roosting around water, so hunting around swamps is a good startin poinearly mornin? And like a good place to be setup is in an area where you can see them coming before their in range, so you could visually see how they respond to calls?
Where’s the best place to buy calls( a vest and other turkey stuff)? Haddrells, dicks, Carolina R&G, Atlantic game and tackle?
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
Also ill be hunting with my dad, he and I have back problems. I’ll be fine on a cheap dove stool or a vest with a pad leanin on a tree. but he would need a good seat, but it needs to double as a good dove stool. Cabelas has a super turkey something or another that seems good. Any recommendations for a good seat?
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
. Pertaining to Camo, I feel patterns are essential, but the most important thing is to cover your whole body. My Father always says, a sharp turkey can see the whites in your eyes.