Turkey Scouting When and How?

[Gunowner99]

Title says it all. When do you start scouting for spring gobbler and where the hell do I look? How do I know I am getting hot besides seeing a lot of Pilgrims? ;-)

[cephas]

Right now up here they're in a flock and wandering around. Ez to follow tracks. Seem to be circling a couple mile square area. Can look out a window (pic) and see them every other day or so. Not really allot of work finding them around here. Finding out where they're roosting and listening early morning can indicate hot spots.

P1010821 2.jpg

[DucatiRon]

I've gone out at evening when they are roosting with an owl call. You can usually get them to gobble back off an owl call or crow call. I pick fields near woodlines to get a generic location.

[Gunowner99]

So, going out now isn't a bad idea then? I mean, at least I may get an idea if there are any there. No guarantee they will be there in May but I get it.

I need to move up by you Cephas!

[Gunowner99]

And can anyone suggest a crow or owl call that wont break the bank? My crow call sounds like a freaking kazoo!

[DucatiRon]

My crow call is from my Dad. Old wooden one probly 50 years old.

[Gunowner99]

Okay thaks. Any suggestions from anyone?

[eatmydust]

Pre Spring Gobbler season scouting is much like pre-rut deer season scouting, check for signs of turkeys in your chosen hunting area, look for; tracks, dusting bowls, loose feathers, scat - especially large amounts under likely roosting trees on SE facing slopes. Remember, when the season opens, the gobblers will be where the hens are, just like the rut. You can call to gobblers to locate them but NEVER call them in close, you will only make them call-wise. If you locate a gobbler with a gobble call or yelp, make note of the location and move away quickly. I always go back to my chosen areas the week just prior to the Spring Gobbler opener to check and make sure a junior hunter hasn't taken the gobbler I thought was supposed to be where I found it. Usually though, a subordinate gobbler will quickly fill in for a breeding gobbler harvested, if the Turkey population is decent in your chosen hunting area.

[Gunowner99]

Pre Spring Gobbler season scouting is much like pre-rut deer season scouting, check for signs of turkeys in your chosen hunting area, look for; tracks, dusting bowls, loose feathers, scat - especially large amounts under likely roosting trees on SE facing slopes. Remember, when the season opens, the gobblers will be where the hens are, just like the rut. You can call to gobblers to locate them but NEVER call them in close, you will only make them call-wise. If you locate a gobbler with a gobble call or yelp, make note of the location and move away quickly. I always go back to my chosen areas the week just prior to the Spring Gobbler opener to check and make sure a junior hunter hasn't taken the gobbler I thought was supposed to be where I found it. Usually though, a subordinate gobbler will quickly fill in for a breeding gobbler harvested, if the Turkey population is decent in your chosen hunting area.

Thanks for the tips. There may be a lot of turkeys here but I can tell you that may not help me ha ha!

[jthrelf]

Another good tip is scouting near fields/farms with food sources - corn and other yummies.