Turkey calling?

[Fireman08]

Ok so this will be my first full year of chasing the thunder chickens. I need a lil help though. So here go's, I set up at dark in a place where turkeys are known to be around, pop up the blind, set out my decoys, at or before first light, I start with some cluck's and purr's. What the time in between calling and how long does a sequence have to be and whats to long? Do I call once every hr or every 20/30 min. does it matter where I set up that there is no birds roosted, but they will travel thru there at some time. Any input or help would be great.

[Cope]

Calling volume and duration all boils down to the situation and mood of the bird your working. Alot can come into play when your working a bird. Is he alone, or are there hens with him? Is he cutting you off mid call with a gobble, or is he only giving you a "courtesy" gobble now and then. It's not an exact science. The more birds you get to play with, the better you'll be able to gauge your situation. Start out calling soft and if you get him worked up you might be able to scold him all the way 'til you pull the trigger. It's better to call to little than to much, just keep him interested and if he's alone he'll come lookin' for his new girlfriend. Good Luck to you.

[Fireman08]

Any feedback is good feedback, thanks for the info.

[Cope]

Also, don't get to caught up with the tone of your calling. Turkeys are like people, they all sound different. Focus more on your rhythm, not to fast not to slow. The best thing you can do, IMO, is go out if you can and set and listen to wild hens talk to each other. Get a good CD of real turkey sounds and listen back and forth to work. Alot of people think if you don't sound like last years world calling champ you can't kill a bird. That's a load of bull crap! Knowing when and where to set up, and what call to use at what time is the key. That comes through trial and error.

[Fireman08]

Thanks so much for the info, alot of ppl have read this thread, and only you gave me advice. I'll be in an area known for turkey's, maybe not off the roost, but they should go thru the area, and I'm hoping that will work. Edge of some pine's at the edge of the hardwoods and a nice field.

[Cope]

Turkeys are creatures of habit. They do the same routine day in day out if they're not screwed with. If you put out a decoy or two you'll be cooking turkey strips in no time.

[Fireman08]

Got them covered, got a nested hen and a standing hen.

[Cope]

If you get a chance get a jake decoy and put it over top the nested hen like he's trying to mount her. If a big boy comes in and see's that he'll probably be over to stomp the jake. GAME ON!!!

[Fireman08]

As you were telling me that, I ordered one from Cabela's.

[Cope]

Should of ordered a deep frier and injecter too!!

[archer1983]

I've not had much luck with dekes. Just get in as close as you can to them, call to them but not too much, and get your gun ready. Cut the distance between you and the bird in half and always try to be above him. In general, birds don't like to go downhill.