What's Your Preferred Method For Fall Turkey?

[DirtTime]

Being my first year ever hunting turkey in the fall as a specific game, I am curious how you all prefer to hunt them.

I think I will find a roost and hunt that as much as I can in the morning and evening. In between I think I will do a slow walk looking for that one turkey that likes to be a loner and try to get a shot.

I highly doubt I will try that 50/50 thing called scatter and call back.

 

[wdswtr]

Too watch them walk on by while I deer hunt is would be my preferred way to hunt them. 

[DirtTime]

Mine too most seasons. But, no bow this year, and I am not about to let the perfectly good shotgun I just bought go to waste. I have to buy the tags anyway for spring, I may as well use them and be in the woods hunting something while I wait for the NZ gun season to open.

[G-Man]

Track, scatter and call back is what I've always done, but recently I did go with dogs and as I get older the scattering gets easier using them, can't run to fast anymore,that dam age thing creeping up on me

[DirtTime]

Track, scatter and call back is what I've always done, but recently I did go with dogs and as I get older the scattering gets easier using them, can't run to fast anymore,that dam age thing creeping up on me

 

I had actually never heard of scatter and call back until a week ago. I thought it was people being wise ashes to see if a hunter would charge a flock of turkey like a nut case. LOL. Not for me, Noway I could scatter them I would just scare them and all go in the same direction. I don't run so fast anymore either. LOL

[Uncle Nicky]

My pup is ready (I think), so I am going to have her try & find & scatter the birds for me this year.

I had actually never heard of scatter and call back until a week ago. I thought it was people being wise ashes to see if a hunter would charge a flock of turkey like a nut case. LOL. Not for me, Noway I could scatter them I would just scare them and all go in the same direction. I don't run so fast anymore either. LOL

Just fire a shotgun blast over their heads, that will scatter them also.

[dbHunterNY]

spot between roosting and food source.  call like a boss hen and mimic her.  many of them come right in until she gets bothered and comes over to investigate.

[G-Man]

I had actually never heard of scatter and call back until a week ago. I thought it was people being wise ashes to see if a hunter would charge a flock of turkey like a nut case. LOL. Not for me, Noway I could scatter them I would just scare them and all go in the same direction. I don't run so fast anymore either. LOL

Your missing out a scattered flock fills the woods with turkey calls for hours, my nephews are getting old enough to become the runners if my friend dog isn't available, a whole camp.ca n go to a break up spot for hours and everyone can call in a bird!!#

[DirtTime]

No dog and no kids. No way my chubby ass will be able to break them up. But, who knows, might give that method a try. Not sure about blasting a round. Maybe on the private land I hunt. But If I have to hunt the SZ, that will be public land. I know bow hunters will be in the area, so I am not sure I want to just blast off rounds I don't have too. I would normally be hunting deer with a bow in the fall as well. Just not this year.

 

As for taking anyone with me? That won't work out so well. Most of my friends and family don't hunt, and the few friends  that do, lets just say I refuse to hunt with them and leave it at that.

 

Most of what I am reading says calling in the fall is good, but you have to call specifically for a tom/jake or a hen. So, I am asking people what they like and what has worked. 

 

[G-Man]

Just stay above the ridge and listen for them below, easier to go down hill, even if you don't get a perfect scatter just move in a direction some of the birds went 75 to 100 yards sit for a few minutes and call, you'll have a blast!

[G-Man]

You and multiple break birds as well if they split in 2 groups and fly follow one and try to break it again a lot of young birds will fly 50 to 100 yards and roast in tree. If it's a good size group they will stay together, a secondary break can yeild a bigger multi directional scatter,

[Pygmy]

Busting a flock is definitely my first choice...I like to listen near known roost sites in the morning, and when the birds start tree talking I just walk in under the roost trees and flush them, hopefully in several directions..

However, many times you don't get a chance for a bust..Don't short change blind calling in the fall..Find an area with a lot of fresh scratching and just settle in and get comfortable...Call every few minutes with soft yelps and clucks, trying to sound like a contented feeding flock..Scratch in the leaves..I have called in entire flocks that way, as well as singles and small groups..

[DirtTime]

How well will an owl call to startle them work in the fall? I have used them in the spring and had some luck getting them to wake up.

[G-Man]

You can get them to shock gobble in fall same as spring on roost and you may here Jakes gobbling all day, as well as fighting purrs

[growalot]

I like sitting in my stand and listen for them ...then call them in...depending on stand location...I have had them pitch off the ridge above me and glide through the woods nearly landing in my lap...it's pretty fun...best is getting to the stand way before light and as the dawn slowly approaches you realize the turkey are in the tree limbs around your head!

[jjb4900]

 Not sure about blasting a round. Maybe on the private land I hunt. But If I have to hunt the SZ, that will be public land. I know bow hunters will be in the area, so I am not sure I want to just blast off rounds I don't have too. 

I second the not blasting off rounds especially if you don't know who or what is around you......unless you just shoot into the ground right in front of you, sure you may piss off other hunters but it's no different if you were making noise small game hunting and shooting. I think your idea of setting up near the roost is a good idea, they probably call to regroup after fly down.

[Skillet]

I always have good luck in the freezer aisle at 'ol grandma Wegmans place.

[DirtTime]

Thanks for the tips folks.

I will be heading out in the morning to give it a try. Most of the area is pines, and there is scat in many different areas. I really didn't scout them too much, my scouting was looking for deer sign and where/what they are doing. I know, scouting is a big deal. I am excited to be heading out in the morning and trying something new, but not as amped up as if was heading after a deer.

I think for tomorrow I will just sit in the am for a little and listed, then do a very slow walk and see what happens.

[greensider]

i bow hunt for deer if a turkey comes by he becomes the target

[DirtTime]

i bow hunt for deer if a turkey comes by he becomes the target

I would have been as well, but when my bow busted and I found out how much it would cost to fix I just decided it was time to make a few choices. Just buy a new bow, or buy a rifle. After a lot of thought for a few months, shooting a few bows and hitting local gun shops, I came across deals on a nice rifle and a shotgun that I just couldn't let them go. So I made the decision. New bow will wait till next year.

I have razzed people about fall turkey, stating the same things greensider. But, I bought the shotgun, when you buy your turkey tags you get the fall one anyway, so why not go out and at least be hunting something. At least that's my reasoning. Why let the tag go to waste, and let a perfectly good shotgun sit ( or just be used for other small game ) while I sit out this years bow season?

 

Glad we all agree deer is the thing to hunt in the fall, but this is in the turkey hunting boards............I will be hunting turkey and small game this fall.