What Would You Do, Turkey Hunting

[BHC]

I might go out Friday, so with that said, what would you do.

 

The area I hunt I know well, it does get hit hard by turkey hunters, there are fields which are all right off the road easy access for the hunter, most are corn fields, some large fields some smaller. Now during the the deer season I hunt very far from the road and I see and hear turkeys, but once the spring hunt comes these birds don't talk much, last week I saw two jakes in a field the following morning they didn't talk at all, nor did I hear any bird, my thinking is the hunting pressure and the pre season calling from hunters are getting these birds smart. Last year I heard birds but they came from the PA side. So I was thinking should I stick with hunting near/around the fields, or should I go far into the woods, in the area I deer hunt to look for a bird ? My thinking is the birds further in the timber aren't pressured as the birds near the fields

[DBuck]

If you're not going to "put the birds to bed" then I would start by the fields,especially after all this rain,plus walking into the woods you might blow them off the roost.Then I would do some running and gunning. Sit,call and keep your eyes peeled,the birds have been quiet... Good luck.

[BHC]

I walk thru a over grown weed field that is a long hill, I was thinking walk up in the pre dawn darkness nice and quiet, get to the top which would be a great place to listen. I do agree with all the rain the fields would be great

[Dubs]

Hunt the field in the am. If nothing happens by 9 make the move into the woods.

[Drop Tine]

If you're not going to "put the birds to bed" then I would start by the fields,especially after all this rain,plus walking into the woods you might blow them off the roost.Then I would do some running and gunning. Sit,call and keep your eyes peeled,the birds have been quiet... Good luck.

I like what Timmy said...

[Matty]

I think these guys have given you a solid plan. Fields or open areas in the rain, then run and gun if nothing by like 9 or 10.

 

I'll pm you an area where I usually found birds when I hunted up there too. Granted, I haven't hunted that area in 5 years or more, but it was pretty consistent for a number of years. I have to imagine it's still a good starting point.

 

There's a small hardwoods flat on the edge of a thicket that sits above a creek where they roost. I used to setup up there and call the birds up. (almost always easier to call them uphill) I think they were already planning to go up there and strut in a nearby field anyway. 

 

It's easy to navigate too, so you don't have to worry about exploring a new area in the dark. Once you look at Bing maps birds eye view, you'll see what I mean. PM coming...

[BHC]

Went to Owl's Nest to get my tag for tomorrow but because I had to get my daughter to basketball practice I get there late and they where closed, went to Wal-Mart but there machine wasn't working, there isn't any other store near me that sells licenses/tags, I wasn't traveling a 1/2 hr just for tags.....Oh well, do things around the house tomorrow

[DBuck]

BHC..... I swear I have never seen anyone with more reasons/excuses NOT to hunt.. Maybe you can take up crocheting.I know you could find the time to make this

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/169892398/crochet-turkey-hat-pattern-only-all?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=crochet+turkey+hat+pattern&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

[BHC]

Excuses/reasons? No just a fact of life, family always first. I have two young daughters, making them happy is #1, hunting is #2, my kids will always be first, I also work Sunday thru Thursday day, and as much OT as I can handle, and working an hour away doesn't help. When deer season comes, I'm out everyday I'm off. As far as not getting my tag yesterday I got to the Owl's Nest at 7:10 they closed at 7:00, and not my fault that the machine at Wal-Mart didn't work, and being in this area, one would think there would be more stores selling licenses, back in my area of Bergen County there is: 8 stores that sell licenses. 

Edited May 2, 2014 by BHC