1st turkey season questions.

[dbHunterNY]

After reasing several articles and threads on the interwebs I decided to come to my favorite sparring grounds for  more focused questions.

 

 

looking for reccomendations.

 

1)  shorter barrel or longer barrel on the 12g?  (using a 12g mossy 500) have a 18inch bead sight..  and im looking to get a 24-28inch vent rib for turkey. thoughts?

 

2) have some incoming bass pro gift cards  is the specfic call / box i shoudl look into preferably under $50.

 

3) i know they "see color" and movement and camoflage tend to be even more paramount than deer hunting.   any particular recomendations for the actual process of hunting turkey?

 

4)  based on TV ( ) it seems the preferred spot would be small fields / clearings in the woods  or power line runs / corn fields.  As opposed to being "in the woods"   does this apply for NYS?

 

5)  preferred shot size?

 

6) any other tips you would give your son / grandson  going for his first turkey season?

 

 

Thanks in advance guys!

 

1) 18" is fine or in the low 20's.

 

2) Box call or slate calls are all good.  people call too much and try to get too fancy.  sparingly yelping on a box call works great and it's the easiest to use.

 

3) full camo with mess gloves and mesh face mask.  HS makes them and the head mesh mask open on the top.  skin is bright and shiny when out in the heat closer toward late morning.  you can pull it down off your face and pull it back up quick versus if it had a closed top.  just don't wear snow camo and you'll be fine.  lighter is better for our May season.

 

4) just scout from a distance and listen first thing in the AM and in the PM before dark.  turkeys will be where they are but they make noise to make your job a little easier.

 

5) lead shot use #5 and anything denser use #6 or 7.  don't shoot farther than 35 yards.  aim at head and top of neck.  test setup to see how it patterns using bigger sheet of craft paper or fresh cardboard with a turkey target taped to it.  shoot fresh target a few times at 35 yards.  dozen pellets at least in the turkeys brain or neck/spine and you're probably alright.  when you get a choke make sure it's ok to use with higher density than lead shot.  longer chokes with ports work well most of the time. 

 

6)  kids move a lot.  turkeys are dumb and don't really notice big square things opposed to you.  if you see something but don't shoot it you did good.  if you don't see anything there won't be much excitement or desire to do it again.  put a ground blind up where the turkeys will be.  sit and wait.  call a LITTLE if you're bored.  bring a camera, binoculars, and quiet snacks/drink.

 

...also bring bug spray at least and a Thermacell preferably.  aside from your weapon with ammo it's the second most important thing.

[G-Man]

Hard woods when warm pines in heavy rai n frost or wind