swampmountaineer
FNG
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2020
- Messages
- 15
I am currently planning a backpack hunt for mountain turkeys in New Mexico (spring), and was hoping for a few pointers from someone that has been there and done that. I am a fairly experienced backpacker, but this will be my first backcountry hunt, as well as my first hunt for turkey. I am going with a buddy who is in a similar situation, currently looking at 3-5 days away from the truck. I have read every post on the subject I could find on Rokslide, if anyone has the time for a few of these more specific questions I have, I would really appreciate it.
1. Locating birds - I know there are no hard and fast rules, but what elevations should we be crusing in late April and early May? I'm curious about the higher ranges of the Gila National (7-8K), but should we be looking lower? I've read a lot about following the snowline, but don't know how vital that is. If you have a recommended locator call, I would love to hear about that as well.
2. Calls + Decoys - both me and my buddy have little experience calling, and want to cut as much weight as possible, given that we are hiking in. What calls would you recommend we take given these handicaps, and is a decoy worth the weight?
3. What am I forgetting? My pack list currently basically looks like my shoulder season backpacking list, except that I have added my shotgun, ammo, and a gun cleaning kit. I have a lightweight tarp that I was thinking of using as a portable blind. If you have gone on this adventure and have any must-brings I should add, I am open to any suggestions. That goes for tactics and anything else I missed as well, of course.
Thanks a lot in advance, this forum has been an awesome resource for a newbie western hunter.
1. Locating birds - I know there are no hard and fast rules, but what elevations should we be crusing in late April and early May? I'm curious about the higher ranges of the Gila National (7-8K), but should we be looking lower? I've read a lot about following the snowline, but don't know how vital that is. If you have a recommended locator call, I would love to hear about that as well.
2. Calls + Decoys - both me and my buddy have little experience calling, and want to cut as much weight as possible, given that we are hiking in. What calls would you recommend we take given these handicaps, and is a decoy worth the weight?
3. What am I forgetting? My pack list currently basically looks like my shoulder season backpacking list, except that I have added my shotgun, ammo, and a gun cleaning kit. I have a lightweight tarp that I was thinking of using as a portable blind. If you have gone on this adventure and have any must-brings I should add, I am open to any suggestions. That goes for tactics and anything else I missed as well, of course.
Thanks a lot in advance, this forum has been an awesome resource for a newbie western hunter.