Finding the Turkeys
Once I understand the physical characteristics of the property, I focus solely on watching and listening for turkeys. I study all the sign that I have observed on the property, my photos, any information that the landowner or others has given me, and I start to narrow down my search. In most cases, by this time I have observed turkeys on the property. Now, I just mainly want to monitor their movements and habits. By the first of March, I am generally finished with walking the interior of the property. At this point, I begin to listen for gobbling turkeys and watching them from a distance. By now, you should have located turkeys while you were learning the land.
I use my markings on my aerial photo to find places I believe will be productive for listening. I prefer a high point from which to listen and watch. However, I don’t get too close to the areas I expect to find turkeys. Additionally, I always get to listening spots early. I don’t mind sitting or standing around in the dark waiting for a turkey to gobble. In fact, there aren’t many things that I would rather do. The anticipation is a great part of the whole process. I like to let them gobble on their own. I don’t use any calls, and when I hear them, I don’t try to close the distance. I will, however, mark it on my photo/map, and think about the best approach for when the season begins. I never bring a turkey call with me while scouting. I understand the temptation to call to one to hear him gobble, but calling before the season, to me, is a foolish endeavor. I am a turkey hunter, not a bird watcher. I don’t want him close to me until it is time to hunt.
From my experience and everything that I have been taught, I cannot see any logical reason to call to a turkey before the season starts. The whole process of scouting is designed to get you into the best position possible to kill a turkey as soon as possible when the season begins. Calling up a turkey before the season is counter productive for a number of reasons. One reason is that is educates turkeys to calling. Another reason is that the education goes to another level in the event that you spook turkeys at this time. I don’t want a turkey to know that I exist until he hears my first call of the season. Listen and watch from afar, and let the turkeys do what they normally do. You will have to adjust to them when the season starts, so it makes more sense to make those adjustments with a shotgun in your hand.
During this phase of scouting, I focus on where those turkeys are gobbling, and where I see them at different periods throughout the day. I cannot be out there everyday, but I also make sure that I keep in touch with the landowner or the person who is always around to find out when and where they are seeing turkeys. Many times I don’t hear too many turkeys gobbling before the season. So, when they do gobble, it is important to make sure you mark that on your map or jot it down in a journal. If you wait until the morning before the season and a turkey doesn’t gobble, you may be in a bad position to make a move on him when you do find him. You need to locate them before the season starts.
Put it Together
Knowing the property you hunt is invaluable to the turkey hunter who wants to be on turkeys come opening day. If you study aerial photos, talk to someone with intimate knowledge of the land, and have spent some time walking the property, you can put that together with what you have heard and observed to be where you need to be come opening day. Once the season opens, it doesn’t mean that you will necessarily kill a turkey because you worked hard before the season. There are countless things that can go wrong even if you are well prepared. With time and experience, you will learn what works best for you. I never count a turkey until I have my foot on his noggin or my hands around his feet. Good luck. •
