[Neil]

I have never been turkey hunting and would like to try it this year, and I have a few questions. What kind of call is the easiest to start with? Electronic (are these even legal)? Should I use a hunting blind, or will the turkey see it (I will be hunting public land, so I can't set it up early)? Does anyone have any tips on where to go (I live in Lee's Summit)?

Thanks

 

[Landlover]

I think the easiest call to use is a push button call. They don't sound the best but will do the job and are very easy to use. BTW electronic calls are illegal in Mo. I would only use a blind if I was bowhunting, taking kids, or had some kind of condition that you can't sit still. Just put on some camo and try to find a nice big tree to setup on. The wider the better.

I don't have any ideas on hunting locations around Lee's Summit, but you could go to www.mdc.mo.gov and find a place. I would start looking now and try to find a place that might not have very good access or is a pretty good walk. If it is easy to get to, you will probably have company on public ground.

The most important part of being a successful turkey hunter isn't your calling. It is your woodmanship and knowing where the turkeys want to go. If you get where they want to go and sound remotely like a turkey you can bag one.

Don't get caught up on what is hot or something you see on some video. I have found that these things are designed to catch hunters not turkeys. You might try to buy a cd or tape of real turkeys and listen, listen, listen. You'll find out by hunting that turkeys don't call as much as you might think they do.

Equipment that I think are essentials to good turkey hunting would be camo, crow call (daytime locator), owl hooter (early morning locator), call, shotgun, and shells. Keep it simple and remember that time in the woods scouting will be the most valuable thing you can do to assure your success.

 

[Poor Valley]

Neil welcome to the most interesting hunting you will ever be involved in. Turkeys are great teachers so get yourself ready for an education. You will get a lot of advice from the guys here mostly based on their experiences and observations. You will then have to apply it to your situation.

I make slate and glass turkey calls and I play with a lot of calls and swap info with lots of custom call makers, even though I am not one myself. A lot of these guys speak highly of the frictionite calls. They are sold under the name of "Old Yeller" and "Old Glory" and can be found at Walmart for less than $20. I own an "Old Yeller" myself and it is a good call.

They produce consistant sound out of the box and are easy to play and are durable.

The NWTF web site has audio of the different sounds a turkey makes. You can go there and practice.:wave:

 

[BIG OL AL]

Neil, welcome to MWT.
I started hunting turkeys in my 20's. It took me several years before I got my first bird. I never had anyone show me the ropes so I was self taught. I got cassette tapes and listened to the tapes to learn to call. I started with a hoot owl caller, a crow call and a box call. One year a buddy bought me a gobble tube for my birthday. The first time I used it, I had a turkey gobble right back. 20 minutes later I had my first bird. I have always tried to hunt private property. Private land would be your best bet. I have tried public ground. But ever since I had a guy riase his gun and point it right at me, I have quit the public ground scene. I never get to scout much because the land I hunt is a 5 hour drive one way. If you are hunting public ground all I can say is good LUCK and be Carefull.
If you can find some one that is a turkey hunter, get with him and maybe he can show you the ropes. I would invite you along on my trips but the land owner will not let me bring anyone with me.
If you find a place close to home, start scouting but do not use your calls in the woods until the season starts. Turkey birds will get call shy if there is to much calling going on before the season starts. I started going to Lone Elk park I-44 forest and route 66 park to practice my calling. Get there early to hear them gobble and try your luck at calling them in. Don't forget to take the camera.
A blind is great if you know where the birds are and their travel routes. The blind lets you move around inside it without spooking the birds, but limits you to getting up fast and moving up on a bird.
Oh and one more thing you will need. A sack for all the Morel mushrooms!!! Good Luck!!!!

 

[Neil]

I may have lucked out on this. A buddy of mine here at work has invited me to go with him and his dad. They have hunted turkeys for years, and have a good spot not too far away. I hope it works out, that way I can learn the ropes.

 

[FiremanBrad]

Originally posted by Neil
I may have lucked out on this. A buddy of mine here at work has invited me to go with him and his dad. They have hunted turkeys for years, and have a good spot not too far away. I hope it works out, that way I can learn the ropes.

Good deal Neil...good way to learn, go with someone who's been before....good luck to ya!!!

 

[Bowpredator]

Welcome Neil! First off, are you really sure you want to get addicted to something like this? It's kind of like smokin crack, try it one time and yer gonna be hooked to a lifelong obsession that will drive you crazy sometimes!

Definetly go with your experienced buddy and learn all you can from his experience. A push button is probably the easiest to learn followed by the slate and box calls. Push button calls are not very loud though so I would try to master a slate or box as soon as possible because their sound will generally carry farther. Dont get in a hurry with the mouth calls cause they take some time to get the hang of. Dont worry about a ground blind. Just camo yourself from head to toe including your hands and face. Good luck!

 

[Neil]

Actually the addiction comment was the first thing he said too.

 

[Bowpredator]

He isnt kiddin. I havent ever heard of anyone going out and experiencing their first tom coming in and not get totally addicted to it.

 

[BIG OL AL]

Great news Neil, glad you found some one to help you get started. Spring turkey hunting is very addictiing. I absolutly love it. :cheers::cheers::cheers: