Finding a Spot when chasing Turkey
Posted by Kimberly Scott in latest trends.
As soon as you stumble upon an ol Tom while turkey hunting, the first thing step is to move in near and call him into range. Your purpose is to slip in as close as you can without scaring him off. Then you “set up” and try to call him close enough for a strike.
Bear in mind: when approaching a turkey, if he locates you, he’s gone! Be mindful not to be seen. Topography and foliage typically dictate how close you can get before setting up. Seasoned hunters seldom approach inside 100 yards. They may set up as far away as 300 yards if the ground is smooth and there is little foliage to screen their movements.
Use the terrain to your advantage as you come close to an ol Tom. Stay behind hills, thickets or other features that will screen your movements. Walk as quietly as possible in the leaves, and don’t split any sticks during the turkey hunt.
When setting up, pick an area that offers the gobbler an easy course to your location. There should be no creeks, gullies, fences, thick undergrowth or other barriers between you and the bird. Also choose a location that is on the same elevation or to some degree above the turkey’s area. Don’t try to call an old tom down an abrupt slope. Pick an area that provides you with a complete view of your background.
Sit against a tree, stump or other object that is wider than your back and taller than your head. It will hide your outline and protect your back from a hunter who might move in behind you. Face the turkey’s direction with your left shoulder (for right-handed shooters), this provides you with a greater mobility of your gun when aiming. Above all, keep your movement to a minimum as you call. If the gobbler is working toward you, then goes soundless , don’t move. Sometimes gobblers will sneak in quietly .
If you set up and an Old Tom answers your call but won’t approach, you’re going to have to change your game plan. You may need to circle around and call from another location. You might change to another call. If you’ve worked him a long time and he’s still hung up, you might depart the Old Tom and come back in a couple of hours and try yet again. Many hunts require several moves and/or strategy adjustments.
Once you get a bird working to you, get your gun up on your knee pointed in his general path with the stock against your shoulder. When a gobbler finally walks within range (inside 40 yards), wait until he steps behind a sapling or other impediment to move your gun. When he reappears, aim carefully at his head/neck junction, and then squeeze the trigger. When an ol Tom struts, the neck is compressed and the head is often partially hidden by feathers, making for an even more compact target. If the Old Tom is strutting, wait until he extends his neck to shoot. A clean, one-shot kill should be the objective of each and every hunter.
It’s a great moment when a long beard answers a hunter’s call. This is when all the scouting and planning pay off. It may not always result in bagging the bird, but that’s part of the chase and the memories. If you listen to a veteran turkey hunter, you’ll note that the hunts most often remembered are those where the gobbler, and not the hunter, won.
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