Words to the Wild
Turkey Tips
By
Garry Labelle
Garry Labelle
As another season approaches, the wild turkey population in Ontario continues to soar and hunting opportunities increase, and more people are trying to bag a gobbler. Here are some basic tips to help you out.
Making The Call
Practise basic calling techniques using diaphragm,slate and box calls. Which ever you pefer practise, learn how to mimic a hen turkey clucks,yelps and purrs. Try to use more than one calling device. These birds are unpredictable when you call sometimes gobblers run right to you or just stay out of range for your shotgun or bow. If one call does'nt work you can always move on to the next and hopefully bring that Tom in.
Scouting
Scouting is all about finding the birds without letting them know you're there. Keep a distance using binoculars. If your driving around on concession or boundry roads stay close to your vehicle. Watch and listen, throw some shock calls at them to gauge their location and determine where to set up in the morning.
Practise basic calling techniques using diaphragm,slate and box calls. Which ever you pefer practise, learn how to mimic a hen turkey clucks,yelps and purrs. Try to use more than one calling device. These birds are unpredictable when you call sometimes gobblers run right to you or just stay out of range for your shotgun or bow. If one call does'nt work you can always move on to the next and hopefully bring that Tom in.
Scouting
Scouting is all about finding the birds without letting them know you're there. Keep a distance using binoculars. If your driving around on concession or boundry roads stay close to your vehicle. Watch and listen, throw some shock calls at them to gauge their location and determine where to set up in the morning.
Blind and Decoys
Ethier using a ground blind or a tree as back cover, use shadows and natural shapes. Maximize your shot opportunities. Don't rely solely on camouflange clothing, also try wearing black inside your blind. For decoys I use a Jake and Hen. Toms looking for romance also can be provoked by jealousy. I haven't had the chance to use a Struttin decoy, but they look promising.
Hopefully these tips will put you on the right track.
Ethier using a ground blind or a tree as back cover, use shadows and natural shapes. Maximize your shot opportunities. Don't rely solely on camouflange clothing, also try wearing black inside your blind. For decoys I use a Jake and Hen. Toms looking for romance also can be provoked by jealousy. I haven't had the chance to use a Struttin decoy, but they look promising.
Hopefully these tips will put you on the right track.
