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Started By
Message
Turkey hunting is frustrating
Posted on 4/3/23 at 9:18 am
Posted on 4/3/23 at 9:18 am
My dad turned 70 last August and killing a turkey has always been on his bucket list. The past 2 weekends we have had more birds gobble back to us then I have ever had in my life. I live and hunt in south Texas and these Rios are supposed to be the 'easier' birds to hunt. We had at least 10 different birds gobbling Saturday morning basically from every direction around us. Had 3 long beards come in the field at about 100 yards from us and I have a strutter and a hen decoy. I have had the same scenario play out many times before and all it took was for them to see the strutter and they were running in. Well, they all saw the decoys stopped for about 2-3 minutes looking and continued on. I did a low yelp and all 3 stopped and gobbled and fanned out and I thought yep it's on. Nope, they just continued on there way. Just gonna keep at it, someone once told me that patience kills turkeys. I just hope i can get one close enough for the old man to finally get him one.
16
Posted on 4/3/23 at 9:21 am to mtb010
Can you call decent at all?
Ditch the decoys and get to where they are going before they go there
Field turkeys are very frustrating. Hunt them on their way to the field
Ditch the decoys and get to where they are going before they go there
Field turkeys are very frustrating. Hunt them on their way to the field
This post was edited on 4/3/23 at 9:23 am
Posted on 4/3/23 at 9:22 am to mtb010
I'm no expert at all, but your description of events sounds similar to some experiences I've had duck hunting.
Next time, set up where you saw the 3 gobblers so they walk out on top of you and not 100 yards away.
Next time, set up where you saw the 3 gobblers so they walk out on top of you and not 100 yards away.
Posted on 4/3/23 at 9:43 am to mtb010
quote:This is what I have seen. The guys that are willing to scout and sit just kill a bunch of turkeys.
someone once told me that patience kills turkeys
Running around the woods blindly making crap turkey sounds does not seem to work, that is my strategy.
Posted on 4/3/23 at 9:53 am to mtb010
I understand what you are saying. I spent all weekend chasing them in the Mississippi hills. Lots of gobbles but always just out of range or just over the ridge or just over the property line. Still alot of fun but humbling.
Posted on 4/3/23 at 9:58 am to Ron Cheramie
quote:
Ditch the decoys
agreed
quote:
Field turkeys are very frustrating
Also agree.
Posted on 4/3/23 at 10:12 am to Ron Cheramie
quote:
Can you call decent at all?
I'm no Michael Waddell, but I've called in my fair share of turkeys. Interesting thing is that I have called in more hens to my decoys who were responding to my calls and calling back to me and just so happen to have a Tom with them.
This was the first time we hunted this field, next Friday and Saturday we will be set up 30 yards from the path they took. I just want to see my old man shoot one.
Posted on 4/3/23 at 10:30 am to mtb010
I'm probably the worst turkey hunter there is. That being said, I wonder if those wee 2yr old birds that were afraid of getting a beat down from a mature tom (your decoy).
maybe use a jake decoy?
maybe use a jake decoy?
Posted on 4/3/23 at 10:37 am to bbvdd
That's a possibility, I can't age a turkey other than a Jake. From a hundred yards their beards were a good 7-9" so they were at least 2 year olds.
Posted on 4/3/23 at 10:45 am to mtb010
quote:thats because no one can
I can't age a turkey other than a Jake
aging turkeys is one of the more cringeworthy things happening in social media turkey hunting
Posted on 4/3/23 at 11:08 am to mtb010
I think the allure of turkey hunting is based on the fact that there ain't nothing short of a woman to vex man that can compare to a damned turkey. They don't know about 90% of the time what they are going to do themselves...that makes it nearly impossible to predict what they are going to do. In the situation described sounds like they may be decoy shy. Or they could just be acting like a turkey with no rhyme, reason or plan. As some others have described set up where they want to be before they get there....
If you have a fall season though they are far easier and predictable...rios and merriams are about as predictable in the fall as a wild animal gets.
If you have a fall season though they are far easier and predictable...rios and merriams are about as predictable in the fall as a wild animal gets.
Posted on 4/3/23 at 12:18 pm to mtb010
quote:
Turkey hunting is frustrating
This is true. Setting up in the right path is the key to being successful.
I once had a professional (and nationally known) guide tell me with a slight smile, "if turkeys could smell, you'd probably never see one in person." Their sense of sight and hearing is unbelievable.
Posted on 4/3/23 at 12:21 pm to mtb010
I've never killed one, but a good friend goes often. He claims you have to stop calling once they are in eye-sight. Claimed turkeys are masterful at triangulating sights and sound and if the sound didn't come from where your decoys are, then they aren't sticking around. Always bitches his dad usually can't stand it and starts calling and runs them off. 
Posted on 4/3/23 at 1:37 pm to Boudreaux35
quote:
"if turkeys could smell, you'd probably never see one in person."
Another version: “If turkeys could smell, they’d be like Bigfoot. All you would find is tracks.”
Posted on 4/3/23 at 1:49 pm to TopWaterTiger
quote:
He claims you have to stop calling once they are in eye-sight
I find this to be true and didn't call until they started walking off as a last ditch effort.
Posted on 4/3/23 at 5:35 pm to mtb010
Put out a pink flamingo yard decoration they will come check that out
Posted on 4/3/23 at 11:03 pm to mtb010
My man, got out of the truck this morning to one gobbling. Got setup in what looked to be a perfect location. Tree called and three birds gobbled. A few minutes later they’re on the ground and the next time I hear them they’re at 75 yards.
Over the next 90 minutes I heard at least 100 gobbles without ever laying my eyes on the birds. I know there were at least three birds gobbling and I could hear a hen as well.
You talk about make you want to quit!
I’ll be back in the morning. LOL
Over the next 90 minutes I heard at least 100 gobbles without ever laying my eyes on the birds. I know there were at least three birds gobbling and I could hear a hen as well.
You talk about make you want to quit!
I’ll be back in the morning. LOL
Posted on 4/4/23 at 7:05 pm to mtb010
They will drive you mad
Posted on 4/4/23 at 7:42 pm to The Levee
It’s not too bad. If you had the time pre season to follow them around, see where they go, etc. ,
And
You don’t get messed up by some rookie trying to use his mouth to shock gobble, or same hammering on box calls loud and repeatedly.
Best to be full camo, even in pre season, and sneak around undetected. No light in the dark. Let the natural wildlife do their thing. Just observe, learn, and slip out the back door . You will be way ahead for opener.
But , the other people, trying to mock what they see on TV, will ruin it for you quick. Turkey hunting never was meant to be a trending everybody in activity.
By nature, the turkey won’t put up with the disturbances.
And
You don’t get messed up by some rookie trying to use his mouth to shock gobble, or same hammering on box calls loud and repeatedly.
Best to be full camo, even in pre season, and sneak around undetected. No light in the dark. Let the natural wildlife do their thing. Just observe, learn, and slip out the back door . You will be way ahead for opener.
But , the other people, trying to mock what they see on TV, will ruin it for you quick. Turkey hunting never was meant to be a trending everybody in activity.
By nature, the turkey won’t put up with the disturbances.
Posted on 4/4/23 at 11:04 pm to Theduckhunter
My uncle, comparing a deer’s eyesight to a turkey’s, said, “Deer think every man’s a tree. Turkeys think every tree’s a man”.
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