Hunting Articles
Common Turkey Hunting Mistakes
Introduction:
Ok, We all know you cant believe everything you see.We all watch our favorite hunting show and see the dedicated hunter (actor) dropping a Tom every time. They don't inform us that a lot of film editing and weeks are involved to get the shot. It is more likely than not that the real hunter will end with with an empty bag at the end of the hunt. There are a lot of reasons you might go home without a gobbler - poor judgment, poor use of Camo, carelessness or just plain bad luck. Having hunted the birds a few times - I can tell you that TV is definitely not reality. Here are 10 mistakes I have made and have seen other hunters make while turkey hunting.
- Impatience - How many times have you given up, gotten up to leave and scared a turkey away? One good rule to follow is that once you find a hunting site - stay there for at least 30 minutes. There no guarantee that if you had stayed one more minute, a big Tom would walk by. Don't try to be a fortune teller - Longer is always better and it requires discipline.
- Quitting - Most hunters figure that the best hunting is over by mid-morning and head back to the house. This is a big mistake. When you go turkey hunting - plan to hunt all day (some states have laws that you must stop hunting at a certain time, usually noon). Hens may start to leave the Toms and head for the nests - this will make the Toms move around more.
- Hunting Site Setup - A lot of hunters call while walking to strike a bird. A lot of hunters have also missed shots because they weren't prepared to Fire. If you walking and strike a bird - stop. Listen and identify the direction the bird may be coming from. Then find a good site where you can sit or kneel down and continue to call. Make sure the Site has a clear unobstructed view to the direction of the bird. This will ensure that you just don't walk up on a bird and miss a shot.
- Moving too Quickly - A lot of hunters have missed an opportunity to shoot because they made sudden, jerky movements. As the bird comes near, slowly raise your gun up and have it ready. You should get your gun ready long before you actually see the bird. Never choose a hunting site that has a lot of obstruction like limbs that will prevent you from swinging your gun around for a shot. You should choose a site that requires a minimum amount of movement to prepare for a shot. You should always make slow and deliberate movements - even if you think nothing is around.
- Hunting to close to the Roost - Some lucky hunters win the lottery and roost a bird in the evening, therefore setting up a good opportunity at first light. Be sure to mark the sight where you can find it in the morning. When you return to the spot in the morning - slow is better. Don't use a flashlight and don't try to get too close to the roost. It is human nature to want to get as close as possible but this can startle the bird and your back to square one. The goal is 100 yards - if you can get this close then you are in the perfect position.
- Calling Over Cover - There's one fact in Turkey Hunting - turkeys don't like to cross a bunch of cover/barriers to respond to calls. These include but are not limited to streams, creeks, steep hills and gulley, fences, or thick brush and forest. When hunting, be sure to learn the layout of the area you are hunting. It is smart to make a trip before a hunt and visit the area if you can - just to learn the layout and identify possible hunting sites. If a bird is trapped on the other side of an obstacle, you can carefully and quietly try to move to the other side. If its a long move - chances are the bird wont be there when you get there.
- Too much Calling - Ok now you have been calling and finally get a response from a bird. It is very tempting to start calling. Excessive calling can have the opposite effect on the bird you are hunting. A simple few chirps or yelps can do the trick. Soft calling will entice the bird, if you see the bird turning away, call louder to try and entice the bird back. A good tactic is to match a gobblers call for call if he's hot. When using this tactic - if the birds starts approaching - turn it down a notch and let him look for you. Use soft tones unless the birds turns tail and then do as stated above. The environment also plays a factor when calling. If the wind if blowing toward you and from the direction the bird is coming - you will have to call louder for the bird to hear. This is what I like to call Hunter awareness - be aware of the situation at all times.
- Camo! Camo! Camo! - You should wear full body Camo - that means from the tip of your head to your toes. Try to match the pattern to your surroundings. Camouflage everything if possible to include your face, gun and exposed skin. Look here for some tips on how to use Camo effectively. Also check out my Hunting and Military Camo Sections on the Shopping Menu for some great Gear.
- Detecting Turkeys - Again this tip goes back to initially choosing a hunting site or position in which you have a clear view. If a gobbler comes up on you silently - you need to have the ability to react. Always check your hunting or calling site before you leave because a bird can run up on you at the most unexpected time. Active scanning from left to right at different distances seems to be the best method to maintain awareness and scout for birds.
- Taking the Shot - Aim at birds where the neck meats the chest - this will ensure you hit the target. A lot of hunters miss a shot at 30 or less yards and cant believe it. A lot of factors go into the shot - just remember - breathe / Aim / Hold / Squeeze the trigger. It is also a good idea to go out and shoot your shotgun and know the tendencies and patterns of the gun at certain distances. Hopefully these tips will help you bas the bird. Please write us if you have any comments or tips.
