Turkey Hunting season prepare for it
February 19th, 2006 by Administrator
Turkey Hunting season prepare for it Opening day of turkey season is March 25, but it’s time to start planning.
The first order of business is to find a place to hunt. Private property is usually best because of lower hunting pressure, but public land can be very productive, too.
There is military-base land, national wildlife refuges, national forests and 95 wildlife management areas open to the public. Details on these hunting grounds can be found in the DNR hunting regulations booklet (also on www.gohuntgeorgia.com).
Twelve WMAs have quota turkey hunts. Although the deadline to apply for the hunts has already passed, many of these areas allow hunting for the general public after the quota hunts are over. Big Lazer, Blanton Creek, Joe Kurz, Oconee and Wilson Shoals all permit nonquota hunting after the quota hunts.
The majority of the WMAs allow turkey hunting for the public the entire season, which runs through May 15. Signing in at the check station is required. Some areas can be crowded on opening day and some weekends, but those who can hunt weekdays and later in the season will find more room.
Lands reasonably close to the Atlanta area with good turkey populations are Redlands WMA with 37,500 acres and Oconee WMA’s 4,800 acres. Cedar Creek and the Oconee National Forest have 40,570 acres to the east. Northward are Dawson Forest’s 25,000 acres and 17,300 acres at Lake Russell. On the west side is Paulding Forest with 29,677 acres.
The key to successfully hunting public lands is to get away from the other hunters. A tom turkey that is gobbling loud often will attract other hunters.
Areas that have easy-access roads and trails will receive repeated hunter traffic. Look for remote areas with few roads. Parking areas with numerous trucks should be avoided.
Public-land birds can be spooky and call-shy. Therefore it is sometimes best to call sparingly and be very patient. Many times a gobbler will sneak in without gobbling, and the hunter should be ready.
Pre-season scouting is a good choice, too. Look for tracks, droppings and feathers and listen for gobbling. Find where the flock is roosting and feeding.
Roosting a bird the night before a hunt is the best way to ensure action. The last hour of the day, cruise the woods or roads quietly and call and listen for a gobbler. When one is heard, most likely he will be roosting nearby for the night. The next morning, the hunter can set up where the gobbler will likely fly down.
By ERIC BRUCE
For AJC Gwinnett News