Tactics for fall turkey 2013

[Mikey M]

This will be my first year hunting turkey and was looking to be as prepared as possible for my opening season. I will be going out with a semi experienced hunter (girlfriends uncle) and was looking for a few pointers in addition to his knowledge. Such as what type of calls should I use and be practicing, and would decoys work in the fall?

I know full camo is a must and stalking birds is useless, scent isn't an issue and scouting is very important. Im hopefully starting next weekend and every available weekend leading up to Oct 1 to get as good a read as I can.

Am I missing anything? Anything else to consider? All help is very appreciated.

[G-Man]

Learn to follow scratchings, find your food sources where they will be in the fall.(oak flats that are producing, grain fields, ect.callling kee kee and whistle for young birds Or blind calling lost yelp. Best advice after breaking them up, and wait till they start calling, then mimic whatever they do.

[josephmrtn]

This will be my first year hunting turkey and was looking to be as prepared as possible for my opening season. I will be going out with a semi experienced hunter (girlfriends uncle) and was looking for a few pointers in addition to his knowledge. Such as what type of calls should I use and be practicing, and would decoys work in the fall?

I know full camo is a must and stalking birds is useless, scent isn't an issue and scouting is very important. Im hopefully starting next weekend and every available weekend leading up to Oct 1 to get as good a read as I can.

Am I missing anything? Anything else to consider? All help is very appreciated.

All i do in the fall is run and gun!!! me and a few friends all go out... nothing is as fun as running full tilt thru the woods driving/shooting turkeys!!! lol lol

[Early]

Scout a lot....find a roost....set up before daylight, between roost and water....listen to the early birds talk....use a combination of poult sounds:  kee kee, whistle, kee kee run, along with assembly yelps to lure birds to you.  No lucky early...Fall birds are very vocal; stillhunt through the woods listening for them.  When you hear them...use those same calls.  Or, blind call as you move through the woods.

[growalot]

Any time I'm in the woods I'm scouting...look for dust bowls ....they're hitting the beech...basswood and hophorn right now....as well as the small acorn on the ground ...keep an eye out for feathers...and  turned leaf litter...if your bow hunting ...listen carefully ...especially around ridges...at dusk ...you'll hear them fly up...then go in and set up near by in the morning..

[sidewinder]

like all who stated above in regards to using a call. they are correct and even during the fall the birds are very vocal. i will hunt in the am the same way as i do during the spring. during the rest of the day i will mix it up between sitting and calling and stalking and calling. at first light im set up overlooking a small open area between two creek bottoms. during late morning im walking and calling field edges. late afternoon i try to set up between fields and several large trees. yes keep a eye out for feathers, dusting bowls, and acorns along with berries and water. set yourself up at the start with a combination and you will probably at least see a bird or two. the best thing about fall season is that you do not have to worry about time working against you best of luck to you.

[Mikey M]

Thanks for all the tips guys

[Jakester]

anybody want to recommend a particular spot?

[maytom]

Fall hunting is a whole different sport compared to the spring. Not very much gobbling, (maybe some jakes), as can be expected at this time of the year since the mating season ended back in the summer. Like some have already mentioned, knowing where birds are already roosting and travel patterns will help out more as well as a good dose of patience. I'm referring to here is strictly gobblers, polts and hens are very vocal, all depends what you are looking to fill your tag with? A taxidermist once told me that for a flying mount, the best gobbler mount would be a Fall gobbler. reason being, they have a completely new set of feathers after the summer molting, with no broken wing tips, breast feathers, etc.