When do you start locating toms?
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When do you start locating toms?
When do you guys start listening for gobbles to locate roosting areas and individual birds?
I usually start listening in February especially if it is warmer than normal.
I usually start listening in February especially if it is warmer than normal.
- jwilkstn
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
I used to start really early like that also, but I've found it only helps for locating very general areas that hold good numbers of birds. They're going to break up, spread out, and claim their own preferred roosts and strutting areas as spring approaches.
Not all those who wander are lost...
- Ack
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
Two weeks before my season opens.
- BigHunt
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
I start in march as soon as the snow is gone. The more flocks I locate the better come season. If I see a flock during winter, 90%chance they will be around that same area come spring
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
I agree the birds will reposition some before the season but I can usually keep track of their movements and it gives me time to locate more toms.
I also use the time to watch how the individual toms interact, to see which are dominant and which are subordinate, which is valuable info when it comes time to set up on the bird.
A lot of the time I know where they are roosting, traveling, feeding and struting from my observations and who doesn't like listening to turkeys wake up on a still morning
I also use the time to watch how the individual toms interact, to see which are dominant and which are subordinate, which is valuable info when it comes time to set up on the bird.
A lot of the time I know where they are roosting, traveling, feeding and struting from my observations and who doesn't like listening to turkeys wake up on a still morning
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
I try and keep tabs on them in spring while shed hunting, but I find it I try to pin them too early they've moved before season opens, like Ack said one to two weeks before season is when I try and key in on toms, up until then its mostly high level intel as to a general area that's holding birds.
- thwack16
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
I have not typically been in a place that I can listen for birds before work. I'm now working 2 miles from the public land I'm going to spend a lot of time turkey hunting on this spring. I'll likely start picking good gobbling weather to listen in the last week of February in preparation for our March 15 opener.
- kenn1320
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
I don't scout turkeys at all. Just go out and call one in and shoot him. I hunt private land, several properties. I don't think I've ever had luck calling one off the roost, though I try every year. Usually between 9-12 timeframe Ill locate a bird or small flock with some yelping and call them in for the kill. Its crazy, Ill spring scout for deer, put in a ton of effort and cant find a nice one to save my life, but turkeys, easy peasy.
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- Hawthorne
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
I don't try anymore. If I hunted a new area I would. I've been hunting the same area for years and their roosting areas havnt changed since the 90s. I did put a trail cam up one year on a dusting bowl that's there every year. I got some great pics of toms a couple weeks leading up to our season.
- oldrank
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
Pretty much the same as Hawthorne for me. On public its useless to locate them around here anymore. They get hammered n are super tight lipped n dont respond to calling much. They are in the same areas they have been for 20 yrs n I find spot n stalk works best for me.
On private they are also in the same place every year. My locating is done the first day I hunt them. With good flocks around here its really pretty easy to fill a tag. This year I plan on reaping with my reaping decoy I made last year. Ill be running till I spot birds n try to move in for the kill behind my large tom sillouette.
On private they are also in the same place every year. My locating is done the first day I hunt them. With good flocks around here its really pretty easy to fill a tag. This year I plan on reaping with my reaping decoy I made last year. Ill be running till I spot birds n try to move in for the kill behind my large tom sillouette.
- Ack
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
oldrank wrote:This year I plan on reaping with my reaping decoy I made last year. Ill be running till I spot birds n try to move in for the kill behind my large tom sillouette.
Careful with the reaping OR....as you've probably read on M-S it's a gray area with the DNR and it could possibly land you a ticket since it isn't "wind movement".
That, and get in shape before you try it....crawling around flat on the ground holding up a deke isn't as easy as it seems!
- Ack
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
I agree that it isn't rocket science to go out and kill any ol' tom without locating them in advance. But something I have been doing the last few years is trying to target better birds by using trail cams before season. Placing them low to the ground in high use areas can give you a good idea on spur size of the toms....then you can target the better ones come season.
- oldrank
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
Ack wrote:oldrank wrote:This year I plan on reaping with my reaping decoy I made last year. Ill be running till I spot birds n try to move in for the kill behind my large tom sillouette.
Careful with the reaping OR....as you've probably read on M-S it's a gray area with the DNR and it could possibly land you a ticket since it isn't "wind movement".
That, and get in shape before you try it....crawling around flat on the ground holding up a deke isn't as easy as it seems!
I didnt see thay thread. I just read it through. Very interesting. I would have never thought the law could be interpreted like that..huh. Maybe they will have a more black n white answer soon.
I actually planned to use it more as a blind to spot birds and not get busted when I crest a vantage point. It has a steak built in. However after reading up on it I will wait till I figure out the legalities. I figured it would be a little more fun for the kids. The sitting n calling seems to bore tgem easily n they arent the greatest stalkers yet. Thx for the heads up
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
A lot of guys make the mistake when they see 50-100 birds this time of year grouped up thinking this will be the numbers they get to hunt come season opener. Our opener is April 26 ish somewhere in there. I will start really scouting and locating birds 3 weeks before season hard until opening day then continue through the season to keep on them if I'm struggling to fill my tag
- BigHunt
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Re: When do you start locating toms?
I've got my eye on a few flocks as we speak! !! Just a matter of time
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