Awesome day!

[ATbuckhunter]

Before I start I should probably warn you guys that I have only turkey hunted a a handful of times, so feel free to correct any mistakes. 

 

I got into the woods around 6:00 and left my decoys home so I wasn't really happy to begin the day out. I spooked 3 deer in the field but I thought it was cool to see a doe and her two fawns. About 10 min later I see a hen at 20 yards yelping her head off for 10 min which I thought would bring a gobbler in but that was a no go. 2 min later I see a fox on his way down to where the hen was but left when he smelled me and my father. Around 9:30 some guy starts popping off .22 rounds about 100 yards away but that happened to make a couple gobblers start gobbling. I tried calling from my position but they didn't hear a thing so I decided to move closer. I set up in a good spot so I hunkered down and started calling. They were hammering after every call so I played hard to get which drove them even more mad. They covered a good 80 yards in the woods in a matter of 1-2 min. They came to about 40 yards and started strutting and clucking but they were hung up. I didn't want to shoot at 40 because I was using steel shot and 40 yards was my grey zone. They started getting nervous around 35 yards and started to walk away. I fired 2 shots at around 40 yards but I didn't get one. If the would have gave me a good shot at 35 yards I would have a nice long beard to show you guys. This is only the second time i have been able to call in a turkey and it was a good one. Remember I barely turkey hunt so i'm still new at this and for those who might ask, I never use lead in anything hunting. Lessons learned- Don't forget decoys and buy some hevi-shot or bismuth instead of steel. Even though this is my first day out this season and might be the only day I can get out due to college and finals, I can only smile on what a wonderful day it was. I think i might be hooked on this spring turkey hunting. Sorry for the grammar mistakes...i'm still amped up on the whole thing.

[Lawdwaz]

Well, you're screwed now.

 

 

You are a turkey hunter.  Your mistakes can easily be corrected.  Research turkey loads, spend a few bucks and pattern the gun.  Get a good alarm clock so you can get your butt into the woods at 5am.  The decoys aren't a deal breaker, sure they can help but I'd better most gobblers are killed without a one.

 

Knowing how and where to set up are very important, more so than any decoy. 

 

Get your schooling done and then start preparing for next spring!

[MACHINIST]

Yup great advise in above post.Steel doesn't hit as hard as lead or the substitutes.Definitely try some turkey loads and see how they pattern.The decoys aren't a must and half the time I don't use them.I go through a period that has me using a jake/hen setup the first week or 2 depending on how the react to them.Then I pull all decoys till the last week or so and just use a lone hen

[ants]

Now you will be turkey hunting for as long as you can walk (or until you merry an overly  controlling woman). Don't let that happen. I have lost many friends to that….truly sad….

Get some non toxic shells, other than steel,  and pattern them to your gun/choke. It makes a big difference.

Edited May 27, 2014 by ants

[ATbuckhunter]

Ya i think i'm pretty much addicted now. I think i'm going to go and get some hevi shot magnum blend reduced recoil. Any one have experience with that shell?

[MACHINIST]

No but hevi blends shoot great out of most guns,I switched to Winchester Longbeards this year and they kick less than the hevi blends by shoulder feel to me.I would try them then just some run of the mill turkey loads.Also look at getting a decent choke for your gun.I shot the Primos jellyhead for the last 2-3 years but recently tried a Sumtoy choke and it held the pattern a little better and I gained another 5 yards if I need it.I still try to strive no more than 40 yards though.My next choke I wil try will e a indian creek choke tube.

[ATbuckhunter]

No but hevi blends shoot great out of most guns,I switched to Winchester Longbeards this year and they kick less than the hevi blends by shoulder feel to me.I would try them then just some run of the mill turkey loads.Also look at getting a decent choke for your gun.I shot the Primos jellyhead for the last 2-3 years but recently tried a Sumtoy choke and it held the pattern a little better and I gained another 5 yards if I need it.I still try to strive no more than 40 yards though.My next choke I wil try will e a indian creek choke tube.

The problem with run of the mill loads is they are lead. I don't use lead in any ammunition so heavi shot or bismuth is where i have to look.