Hunting Archery Duck Deer

It’s turkey season, but how many of you are thinking turkeys?

It’s not springtime, when the toms are gobbling and strutting. And with all the other seasons getting under way, turkeys aren’t on many hunters’ lists — mine included — of things to chase.

I do have a tag for turkeys, but really don’t focus on them. I personally regard them as a bonus, should one bumble into my shooting lane while I’m bowhunting.

That seems to be the approach many hunters have, as far as turkeys go. But if you are interested in specifically getting a bird for your Thanksgiving dinner, there are several different ways to go about it.

I recently spoke with Jim Schlender, one of the editors of Turkey & Turkey Hunting magazine. I asked him about fall turkeys and how to approach things this time of year as opposed to the spring.

He mentioned flock busting.

Turkeys, hens in particular, will flock in large groups in the fall and will stay together until spring.

According to Schlender, if you know where a flock is roosting, go there early in the morning and get the birds to scatter from their roost and then get settled in against a tree or some other brush to conceal yourself. Wait about 15 minutes, then take a mouth call, slate or a box call, and let out some soft yelps or “ki-ki’s” to draw them back. Hens will likely return to search for what they believe to be a lost hen. The same thing can be done later in the day if you know where a flock is hanging out.

Schlender said early morning flock busting offers a better chance, as the birds won’t have their wits about them and will have more of a sense of urgency to reunite.

If getting a tom is the only turkey you want to bag, it will require a much different approach now than in the spring. Toms aren’t as social as the hens and will either be alone or hanging out with one or two other toms.

The spring is when they are most vocal, obviously, but according to Schlender, toms will in fact gobble in the fall, but more for territorial purposes. Schlender said using a gobble shaker call is the best method for bagging a tom, as the local gobblers are familiar with the other birds in the area. Gobble shakers will make the other toms in the area think there is an intruder and should come looking for them where you should be waiting.

Flock busting may be effective for hens in the fall, but it won’t work quite as well for toms.

Schlender said it could be done, but toms don’t necessarily find it as urgent to get back together as the hens will. Toms simply aren’t as social as the hens and they may get back together at some point (it could very likely be a day or two).

So if you are fortunate enough to have a fall turkey permit in your pocket and want to try something a little different, or maybe the deer in your area aren’t cooperating yet, why not make an honest effort to get a turkey for your holiday feast?

The fall season is much longer than the spring and the best deer hunting is still to come.

Shawn Clark is a local hunting and fishing enthusiast.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS