This is also my first year turkey hunting after over 20 years of deer hunting. Im still debating on taking out the gun or the bow. Im leaning towards the bow.
First Year Turkey hunting
I have been hunting deer now for almost twenty years now. I for some reason never have gotten into turkey hunting. I have called birds for fun but never really actually sat down and turkey hunted. I am really excited for the upcoming season. I was going to hunt in NJ this year for birds but when I saw the cost I was a bit put off. I'm gonna hunt PA which is included in my back tag I have already purchased. Any suggestions for a novice turkey hunter PA state gamelands decoys set ups etc.
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Cool best of luck Dubs. I know it's crazy but i'm gonna attempt to use the bow![rofl]
[eek]You'll get killed for that.[hihi]I have called birds for fun
How much is a PA turkey tag?I was going to hunt in NJ this year for birds but when I saw the cost I was a bit put off.
Bowhunting birds is awesome. I gave up using the gun.Im leaning towards the bow.
Good luck whatever you choose.[up]
Told you Brian, you will hate turkey hunting![rofl]
dubs i got c week when we going
1-Take a walk in your area and find sign or better yet birds,two weeks before the season.
2- The day before you hunt,find the birds that afternoon,follow at a distance[binoculars]until dusk and watch where the birds go to roost.
3- Plan your approach for the next morning to get within 50yrds of them[if possible]without spooking them.
4- Just before daylight,do a couple soft yelps[barely audible]then be quiet till the birds fly down
5-once they hit the ground,do a couple soft yelps and they should come your way,if not one quick loud cackle should work. If there is alot of hens and gobblers don't respond,try cutting agressively to bring the "boss" hen in,gobblers will follow.
This approach has payed off for me year to year but there are no guarantees. I usually have my bird before the sun really gets up. I believe finding the roost and sneaking in silently is the key for me.Hope this helps,Good Luck I hunt PA and NJ and the PA birds seem to be less molested
2- The day before you hunt,find the birds that afternoon,follow at a distance[binoculars]until dusk and watch where the birds go to roost.
3- Plan your approach for the next morning to get within 50yrds of them[if possible]without spooking them.
4- Just before daylight,do a couple soft yelps[barely audible]then be quiet till the birds fly down
5-once they hit the ground,do a couple soft yelps and they should come your way,if not one quick loud cackle should work. If there is alot of hens and gobblers don't respond,try cutting agressively to bring the "boss" hen in,gobblers will follow.
This approach has payed off for me year to year but there are no guarantees. I usually have my bird before the sun really gets up. I believe finding the roost and sneaking in silently is the key for me.Hope this helps,Good Luck I hunt PA and NJ and the PA birds seem to be less molested
good luck there nothing like a big ol tom gobbling on the roost in the early AM.
Makes the hair on your arms stand up,an awesome feeling you can't explain[up]good luck there nothing like a big ol tom gobbling on the roost in the early AM.
Don't stumble around in the dark and flush them
[hihi] I you have a general idea of where they may be roosting get yourself there in the dark and find a big tree to set up against. Hopefully one that provides cover but allows you a good look at incoming birds that you called in. Evaluating good ambush spots as you hunt your property helps. If your on the move find another decent tree to set up against before you start calling again and find yourself in the open with a bird coming in
Good luck, unfortunately experience is the best teacher and everyone makes mistakes in setup etc.
[hihi] I you have a general idea of where they may be roosting get yourself there in the dark and find a big tree to set up against. Hopefully one that provides cover but allows you a good look at incoming birds that you called in. Evaluating good ambush spots as you hunt your property helps. If your on the move find another decent tree to set up against before you start calling again and find yourself in the open with a bird coming in
Good luck, unfortunately experience is the best teacher and everyone makes mistakes in setup etc.
Thanks for all the feeback maximus and others. I appreciate it. I "fool" around practicing my calling in Parks like Washington Crossing. I can imagine calling birds in an area that you actively hunt regularly would be not a good idea. It's fun. Washington Crossing Park has lots of birds to practice on.
Is this what we've come to? People molesting birds? the shame...the PA birds seem to be less molested
Have fun hunting turkeys. I haven't gone in a couple years, but it is a lot of fun. There is nothing like being outside in the spring at sunrise when all the birds wake up and start singing. awesome, awesome, awesome!
Don't start because you will never be able to stop.It's a compulsion that's very addictive and very rewarding! [eek]
its included on your licenseHow much is a PA turkey tag?
That's the truthunfortunately experience is the best teacher and everyone makes mistakes in setup etc.
Another thing I love about PA[up][up]Quote:
How much is a PA turkey tag?
its included on your license
I know alot of turkey hunters in NJ that would be willing to take me out but I just was waying it out and I think I'm gonna just hunt PA. If I want to hunt PA I can use my 2008 license which included a fall gobbler and a spring gobbler and four weeks of spring turkey hunting in PA for every zone. If I want to turkey hunt in NJ I will need a Non resident license and 10 turkey permits if I want to hunt 2 zones and all the weeks. That would be 400 dollars for me alone and I would only be able to hunt 2 zones in NJ. These NJ turkey hunting prices are crazy. Turkey hunting must be fun if people are willing to pay this [rofl]
Do yourself a BIG favor DON"T DO IT!! Like many here it is VERY addictive, even after harvesting well over 120 birds to date I still can't get enought! Heading to well over 7 states this season JUST after turkeys.Bags packed now and flying out sunday for a Kansas bow hunt for the dam THUNDER CHICKENS!Then Nabraska, Wyoming, SD, New York, PA, NH, Vermont, Jersey!!See what I mean???
[eek]You da man[up][up]even after harvesting well over 120 birds to date I still can't get enought
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