New to turkey hunting

[SoDakBear]

Hello all, I have never turkey hunted before in my life and I am thinking about going spring turkey hunting. Are there any tips that you guys would have for me. I live in eastern South Dakota so they will be turkeys from the plains. Do I just get in full camo and go sit by a tree? What do I need to do in planning? And all that good stuff. Thanks in advance.

 

[realunlucky]

Will you be hunting Merriams or Rios?

 

[Miscue]

I am also new to turkey hunting and hunting in general. It would be my recommendation to pick up a book / DVD or two to read up on the basics. That will help you get a feel for what turkey hunting is, which will put you in a good position to come back and ask some more specific questions.

Here are a few of the resources that I purchased to help me get educated:
- Primos Hunting Calls Mastering The Art Turkey Instructional DVD
- Practical Turkey Hunting Strategies: How to Hunt Effectively Under Any Conditions (Very good book)
- Primos Mastering The Art Turkey Call (Three pack of basic turkey calls along with a CD to guide you through each call)
- Subscription to National Wildlife Turkey Foundation (NWTF). At the moment it's $35 but you get a $25 gift card to Bass Pro Shops as well. You also get a yearly subscription to their magazine.

Hope that gets your started.

Cheers!

 

[Browtine]

In your part of the country, the best tip I can give you is to scout them just like you would deer and elk. Find their roosting areas, travel corridors and where they like to feed and hang out.

Also, if your going to use a diaphragm call, practice in the truck on the way to and from work. Your friends and family will thank you unless you carpool!

 

[SoDakBear]

Will you be hunting Merriams or Rios?

I looked up the area and they are eastern wild turkeys.

 

[SoDakBear]

Thanks for all the quick feedback guys. I appreciate it.

 

[MOcluck]

Get a few different calls a push button, pot, box etc. Get a good video or cd on how to make turkey sounds, learn the basics yelp, cluck, purr these sounds will kill a tom and PRACTICE until you can make these calls with ease. About a month before season opens locate some birds and watch them every chance you get. When you figure out therre roost site slip in on opening day about an hour or two before daybreak as close as you can and when the day begins start you game of trying to work a bird in range.

 

[Evan Williams]

Blind (wear black) Avian X hen decoy, Primos Killer B Strutter hammerhead Broadheads from trophy ridge.

If you are trying spot and stalk...HEADS UP DECOY

 

[Forestryguy]

After the last call you make, sit there for at least half an hour. They may come in silent and may be right there looking for the hen without you knowing. Personally I do not hunt with a decoy if I am in the timber or where line of sight is limited. It keeps them looking for the "hen" that is calling. I only use decoys if I am hunting a bird in a field, even then it is usually a hen and a jake.

Practice shooting from the sitting position, keep your head on the stock. Aim small miss small.

 

[SoDakBear]

Thanks for all the help guys I appreciate it so much!

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Everyone has given pretty good advice, about all I can add is to not call too much while they are still roosting.