Never been but feel the need...

[e_smith06]

I've never been turkey hunting, but the club I joined this year is full of them. There is a group of 4 gobblers that I have seen a bunch this year. All have at least 8" beards. I think any one of those would be a great first bird.
Where should I start? What equipment do I need?
Any suggestions/help will be appreciated.

[gtk]

Caution.. Turkey hunting is addictive, and get's in the way of Crappie Fishing !!

All you need is a couple good calls, box, slate, & something like one of those push-button yelps or learn to use a mouth call..

i like using decoys too...

[ufgators68]

Don't do it. You'll waste countless days and tons of money on one stinking bird that loves to hang up just out of range. Trust me, I know.

A call from Magnolia Game Calls is a must.

[huntall]

It's defiantly addictive! And yep....probably wast a lot of time on a Turkey that will never come, but I love it! Send luckydawg a pm or look at his website. Head crusher calls.
He makes some great sounding calls.

Definitely get a good slate call

[sidog]

I like spring turkey season better than any other time of the year! I got addicted about 30 years ago and I still get excited at the mention of turkey hunting! Not a lot of gear really needed but I buy new calls every year anyway. I use a slate or box to locate and a diaphragm mouth call to seal the deal. There's lots of good videos out there to help beginners learn how to call You might want to try this! Good luck and happy hunting!

[e_smith06]

Thanks all!

[huntall]

A good slate call is hard to beat!

[jv]

Please don't do it......turkey hunting will drive you crazy i know i have been there for over 40 years. The main thing you have to have to be a good turkey hunter is something that can't be bought and that is PATIENCE.....

But if you just have to give it a try then buy yourself a good slate call a good glass call and learn to use a mouth call because when the bird is out about 30 to 40 yards you don't want to be making to much movement cause he will see it.

Know the land you hunting because the turkey knows it very well and most of the time if he wants to get to a certain place then all the calling in the world won't change his mine you have to know it enough so if the bird is headed one way then you need to get between where he is and where he wants to go.

Oh...did i say you needed patience because if a old gobbler is out there with 10 to 15 hens you have all them eyes looking for danger and it don't take but one eye to see it and they gone.

Good luck.

[brewer03]

you are about to enter into to something that you cannot return from. Turkey hunting is a disease that will make you go absolutely crazy but it sure is fun... The one thing an uncle told me along time ago to remember about a turkey is "a turkey has all day to do absolutely nothing and is suspicious of everything".

As JV said patience patience patience is a must.. I like the magnolia game call slates personally cause they really are sweet sounding... I also believe one of my early mistakes that I made was over calling, and not near enuff patience ... good luck and welcome to a place of no return

[e_smith06]

I'm loving these responses hahahaha

[gtk]

i took this vid Sat evening

[bigsteve]

i belive i'm going to hunt this season in ark we saw a lot of birds at trustenholder and white river but i'm going to give them a sportin chance [bow only]looking forward to the challenge.

[stickers]

The only thing dumber than a turkey is a turkey hunter. I must be dumb as all get out. This will be my 40th spring(God willing) of hunting them. Good luck. Let the woods and birds teach you what you need to know.

[patinlouisiana]

I have never been either... The wife bought me a Mossburg 835 Ultra Mag years ago (heavens knows why)
Some day I'll have to give it a try.

[mt]

i took this vid Sat evening

I can see you're gonna need some help!

[Luckydawg]

Did you say Houston? Grew up there and never saw a bird until my last year in HS. They have come a long way since then! Might be going that way we'd or Thursday for a youth hunt. Good luck ! Hollar if I can help with anything!

[e_smith06]

Once again the fishing bug but me right before turkey season. I'm gonna leave the gobblers to y'all, I'm going after the basses.

[e_smith06]

Well, my buddy has talked me into it. We're going in the morning!

[chadbragg]

You'll be hooked!

[huntall]

Well, my buddy has talked me into it. We're going in the morning!

[brewer03]

welcome to the turkeyhood

[e_smith06]

Wow what a morning! We got on a gobbler right at daylight and closed the distance from 500 yards to about 50, couldn't get him to commit so we backed out and went to the spot where I'd seen the 4 gobblers back during deer season. Setup a couple decoys, got settled in and the next half hour was pure outdoor magic. Gobbler was throwing down in the bottom behind us. Tapped a little on the slate, 6 hens and a young jake eased into the field and we watched them for 15 minutes or so. We could hear the gobbler getting closer. When that group showed up there were a jake and a hen and 3 gobblers. (Really kicking myself for leaving the camera in the truck at this point)
The biggest of the three blew up and was strutting around putting on a show. He gobbled at 18 steps away. Then Andrew put the hammer on him.

10" beard, 1" spurs, 20lbs.

It's safe to say I'm hooked. We're going back in a few days to try and get me one.

[e_smith06]

Here's Andrew after he quit shaking lol

[brewer03]

congrats aint nothing like it

[chadbragg]

Congrats! Told ya not to go.