fsu11
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Post by fsu11 on Apr 8, 2024 7:34:59 GMT -5
So for a little background information this year I wanted to try turkey hunting, I'm thirty years old and have hunted for small game and deer on and off throughout the years. I have a buddy who is a great turkey hunter and he was going to go with me to show me the ropes and do the calling, but as luck will have it the quota I drew is this thursday-saturday and the day he was off work to go with me is thursday. The forecast is 90% severe thunderstorms for thursday while friday and saturday look great, my question to you all is it worth me going on my own friday/saturday and giving it a try? I've got a diaphragm call that I can somewhat work but not great at, without really being able to call or knowing how to turkey hunt should I bother trying on my own or what do you guys think? The WMA is Big Shoals if that helps.
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Post by JS84 on Apr 8, 2024 8:23:30 GMT -5
Of course you should try! You certainly won't kill one from home on the couch! Get out there on Thursday too, at least I would if I were you. Every moment spent in the woods is educational. The more time you spend out there, the more you'll learn.
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Post by swampdog on Apr 8, 2024 8:52:14 GMT -5
I second that. When I was first starting out, I listened to everyone and preferred to be alone so no one could hear my poor calling efforts. Also starting out I’d suggest a slate or scratch box call. They’re a bit more forgiving and easier to use when trying to replicate turkey talk.
Your goal is not to easily kill a bird the first time out. Your goal is to learn to be a turkey hunter and to love the entire process. Turkey hunting is, getting out early and being part of the night closing and the day beginning, the sunrise, all the other birds sounding off and hearing a gobbler proclaiming his whereabouts. Good luck sir!
PS - If you go by yourself and don’t like it, you’re gonna save yourself from an addiction that holds you up from sleeping in and hanging around home. You also want be counting the days to next season either.
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Crkr 23
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Post by Crkr 23 on Apr 8, 2024 9:00:11 GMT -5
Heck yeah, Go! You will never become a turkey hunter if you don't go turkey hunting. Every time you go you will learn something, most of the time it will be what not to do. The great turkey hunter, Col.Tom Kelley, once hunted 53 days,a whole season and never heard a turkey sound. I would bet you though, he learned something and became a better turkey hunter because of it.
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fsu11
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Post by fsu11 on Apr 8, 2024 9:09:13 GMT -5
Well that's definitely the motivation I needed, my buddy was talking about going wednesday afternoon to try and roost some birds before thursdays hunt which looks like it might be unhuntable 20-30mph severe thunderstorms dont necessarily sound enticing for an hour drive. Do birds typically hang on the same roost more than one night or is it a one and done thing?
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Post by JS84 on Apr 8, 2024 9:13:28 GMT -5
Have you been out to Big Shoals before? Do you have any spots picked out?
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Post by pinman on Apr 8, 2024 9:22:35 GMT -5
Although the forecast is for rain that could change and the rain could not be as bad. I shot one a few years ago on what was supposed to be a rainy day and I had considered not even going. It was overcast and gloomy but they still gobbled on the roost and one came in slient with a hen. If you can get a box call or a pot call practice with that as they are easier to learn. Just clucks and purrs is sometimes all the call you need, Ive shot a lot just doing that. I think I would try and hunt up next to that closed state park area. Good luck!.....and GO NOLES!!
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Crkr 23
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Post by Crkr 23 on Apr 8, 2024 9:31:01 GMT -5
IMO turkeys have places that they like to roost and will return to that area unless they are bothered with or the feed changes. That said gobblers later in the season may roam and not roost in the same areas as they are seeking hens that are not setting yet. They can be here today and gone tomorrow, but when you do find one he is a lot more killable.
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fsu11
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Post by fsu11 on Apr 8, 2024 9:58:47 GMT -5
Have you been out to Big Shoals before? Do you have any spots picked out? I have not been before, my buddy hunts it often and Big Shoals was his #1 choice for me to put down and luckily I was able to get a permit for it. I'm hoping to be able to at least go out wednesday to check it out and try and roost some birds. He did just say we were going rain or shine so hopefully I can learn a lot even if not successful. |
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Post by JS84 on Apr 8, 2024 10:02:47 GMT -5
Hell yeah. Soak it up, no pun intended!
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Crkr 23
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Post by Crkr 23 on Apr 8, 2024 10:32:25 GMT -5
Looking at the map, Big Shoals looks interesting, a lot of burns and open areas. Good Luck.
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Post by tonyroma on Apr 8, 2024 15:06:12 GMT -5
I’ve pulled that permit twice and had success both times, plenty of birds out there, good luck and post a report.
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fsu11
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Post by fsu11 on Apr 9, 2024 8:08:18 GMT -5
I’ve pulled that permit twice and had success both times, plenty of birds out there, good luck and post a report. Thanks! Will do, hoping to get on one if I do I'll make sure to give a report. |
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Post by JS84 on Apr 9, 2024 8:41:06 GMT -5
If all else fails, check down near the river
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Crkr 23
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Post by Crkr 23 on Apr 10, 2024 8:42:30 GMT -5
I did some more cyber snooping on Big Shoals. There must be a lot of turkeys there, they allow 20 quotas on just a couple of thousand acres. That sounds a little crowded to me. I would use a lot of caution hunting there.
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