Turkey Hunting Tips for Beginners

 Have dreams of hearing that first thunderous gobble and bagging a massive spring tom on your hunt this year? This can't-miss episode is a master class in scoring your first wild turkey! Join expert caller Chris as he divulges all his hard-earned secrets for luring lovesick gobblers into range. You'll learn how to scout prime areas and set up ambushes at dawn, cut heart-pounding hen calls to drive boss toms crazy, stay camo'd up head-to-toe with the right gear, and much more. Whether you prefer setting up over that hot roosting area or slowly stalking feeding flocks, Chris has pro tactics to cover every angle. Don't enter the turkey woods underprepared - let this podcast guide from a true turkey slayer be your hunting edge! Hit that play button now for insider tips guaranteed to put a longbeard in your vest on opening day.

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Transcript

Steve: Welcome hunters to another episode of Off the Beaten Path! I'm your host Steve, and today we're diving deep into turkey hunting. Joining me is expert turkey caller and hunter Chris. Chris, thanks for being here.

Chris: Thanks for having me Steve, I'm pumped to share some turkey hunting tips and tactics with the listeners.

Steve: Absolutely. So Chris, let's kick things off by talking about how to find a prime spot for turkey hunting. What kind of areas should hunters be targeting?

Chris: Well Steve, you'll want to look for areas with a mix of open fields, woodlots, and the edges where those two meet. Turkeys roost in tall trees at night but love to feed in open grassy areas during the day. Being close to water sources and natural food like acorns or insects is also key. 

Steve: Makes total sense. And I've heard pre-hunt scouting is super important for finding spots with good turkey activity?

Chris: You got that right. Keep an eye out for signs like tracks, droppings, feathers, and scratching on the ground. And listen up at first light and dusk for those gobbling sounds to hone in on roost trees. Putting in some scouting leg work ahead of time can really pay off.

Steve: No doubt about it. Once you've got your hunting area picked out, having the right gear is crucial too. What's on the must-have list?

Chris: Can't go wrong with a full camouflage outfit to stay concealed - gloves, face mask, the whole nine yards. High-quality turkey calls like box calls and mouth diaphragms are absolute musts for mimicking hen sounds. Your shotgun and ammo obviously. Decoys can also help seal the deal by creating a fake turkey scenario. And a ground blind is nice for staying hidden while you work your magic.

Steve: Lots of key gear to check off that list. Let's talk about using those turkey calls for a minute - why is mimicking hen sounds such an effective tactic in the spring?

Chris: Sure thing. Well the spring is all about mating for those toms, so they're focused on one thing - finding hens. Firing off some sexy yelps, purrs, and clucks on your calls can really convince a lovesick male that you're his girl. It's the perfect way to strike up a conversation and pull him on in close.

Steve: Hah! I love it. Give us a quick rundown on that ideal calling sequence to bring one of those boys into range.

Chris: You got it. Start off with just a loud yelp or two to get his attention and wait for that gobble response letting you know he's interested. Once you're connected, switch over to some soft assembly yelps, clucks, and purrs every 30-60 seconds to let him slowly track in. When he's close, kill the calls and get ready!

Steve: Sounds like a recipe for success to me! Any other chunks of wisdom to share before we wrap up?

Chris: Definitely practice being patient and don't get discouraged if you don't hear anything right away. Sticking to it with consistent calling could make all the difference. Using just one or two subtle decoys is usually better than overdoing it. And of course, make sure to stay downwind! But above all, don't forget to soak in the whole experience and have fun out there.

Steve: Awesome advice Chris. Now what would you say are the key advantages to still hunting versus setting up and calling from a blind?

Chris: That's a great question Steve. Still hunting by slowly stalking and calling intermittently can be really effective for midday hunts or thicker cover where birds may be less vocal. You can sometimes catch them by surprise that way. But for those early morning hours around the roost, there's nothing better than an ambush setup with aggressive calling to shock those toms as they fly down.

Steve: Makes sense to adapt the tactics to the situation. One more for you - how do you prefer to pattern a shotgun for turkeys? Tight chokes or more open?

Chris: For turkeys, I'm usually running a tighter constriction like an extra full or turkey choke. You want that dense pattern to ensure clean, ethical kills within your maximum range, probably 40 yards or so. But an improved cylinder could work too if you plan on taking closer shots. Patterning beforehand is key no matter what choke you choose.

Steve: Awesome insight there. Hunters are sure to be well-prepared after soaking in all this wisdom. Chris, it's been a pleasure having you on, thanks again for joining!

Chris: Absolutely, anytime Steve. It was my pleasure to share some hard-earned turkey hunting knowledge with everyone.

Steve: And thank you folks for listening! We'll be back on the air next week with another episode of Off the Beaten Path. Until then, good luck in the woods and be safe out there!