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What is the best way to call and hunt during late season turkey?Answer:
H.S. Pro Staff:
During the late season you hear of many different tactics. The thing is many times the older turkeys that were "henned-up" early become vulnerable. Don't change, you still want to sound like a hen, sometimes even more excited than ever. Crank them up and keep 'em coming. Now if there is a lot of pressure on your turkeys and they have had the kitchen sink thrown at them then you may want to back off and be realistic and maybe try things that other hunters haven't. Best of luck.
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This is my second year of turkey hunting, and am not really sure how to hunt them. Should I sit in one area and wait for them to come to me, or locate them and get as close as possible?Answer:
H.S. Pro Staff:
Scout through the winter months to locate birds and watch them until spring comes. They will then break up into smaller groups or by themselves. At this time they are gobbling so you can scout them by listening to them. Now you know where they are and when season comes around you are ready to call them to your location. Remember, always set up above them or level with them.
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If a gobbler is out of range, struttin', and not coming to your call, what do you do?Answer:
H.S. Pro Staff:
Wait him out. If you called to him too aggressively when he could see your location there is a good chance that he is not coming any farther. Let him walk off and try him from a different angle with some softer calling, and try to keep him guessing on your location, or even switch to a different sounding call. Best of luck.
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I'm getting ready to compete in a turkey calling competition what is the best overall advice you can give me?Answer:
H.S. Pro Staff:
The best advice is to stay focused, practice, and try to sound as much like a turkey as you can. Don't let anything intimidate you and if you do the best that you can that is all that you can do. Watch and learn and always strive to do better. Best of luck.
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How far from a roosted turkey should I set up? Is it possible to spook a turkey at night? If you can see the turkey fly up will he fly down in the same spot?Answer:
H.S. Pro Staff:
I like to setup about 100 yards away from most of the turkeys I try to call in. Yes, you can spook turkeys off of their roost at night. Turkeys don't always fly down the same way they went up.
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What should I look for early season when scouting since deer aren't scrape active yet?Answer:
H.S. Pro Staff:
Early season is when you should concentrate on food sources such as clover fields, alfalfa, beans, any lush vegetation in your hunting areas, as well as watering holes, especially if you have had a dry year in your area. This is what I look for when I hunt early season and I hope this will work for you too!
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How should I hunt? The drought and hot weather has caused the corn and other vegetation to stop growing. If the feeding areas aren't there, where next?Answer:
H.S. Pro Staff:
Drought conditions require a hunter to look harder. The deer have to be eating something so it's a matter of finding their food source.
If you have your own hunting ground you may want to look at planting a food plot. If you get any rain in the next month you can plant wheat, oats or clover. That might keep the deer on your property. Otherwise, if they can't find food they will leave to find it. -
I have land with deer sign. I'm not seeing any deer. How can you help me?Answer:
H.S. Pro Staff:
This can be a tough question with many variables. We will try to help and give it our best shot.
First, if deer are leaving sign they have to be spending some time on your place. Next, two important things to look for right now this time of year is the predominant food source that the deer are eating in your area. (This can change day-to-day). If you are in an area that has a lack of water a water source can be your best friend. Deer are like any other animal, including us, they need water everyday.
The next thing is a big variable; how much land are you hunting? If it is a large tract of land, is the habitat conducive to holding deer to your property? You need Food, Water, and Cover to hold deer. If you are lacking on a few of these aspects you may have an area that is a pass-through area and deer are not spending much time there, and maybe it is at night when these deer are in your area.
I know that there are no pinpoint answers but use some of these items to try to figure them out. Deer may not need a large tract of land to live, but they do need the three things that are mentioned above. One other thing that we need to mention is Human Pressure. If you let these deer know you or anyone else is in their home frequently they will pattern your moves and if they know that a predator is in their area they are going to stay away from it when you are there. So please hunt scent-free and tell your buddies to do the same. Best of luck. -
I use a decoy...during the rut, what works better a buck or doe setup?Answer:
Rick White's reply:
They both work well, but I like to use it as a buck during the rut. I have had more luck using it as a buck than a doe during this time. I have also had buck decoys pull a buck away from a doe during the rut. Thanks and good luck.
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Are doe decoys effective in the late season?Answer:
H.S. Pro Staff:
I am sure that a doe decoy can help in late season. I think there are many variables though. First and foremost, the best thing to rely on is the predominant food source. Deer are hungry through the winter months, especially after the rut.
On the other hand, a decoy can relate many things to the deer. It can relay safety to other deer, especially if there has been a lot of pressure and it can relay a good food source and create a visual lure to deer that are out of range.
