QUESTION:

Hugh,

First of all, I want to say that I really enjoy the show.  It's nice to have a program that you can sit down with your family and watch and not have to worry about what the kids are going to hear or see.  Keep up the good work, I appreciate what you do.  I have hunted and fished all of my life, but have never got into turkey hunting.  It's something that I have always wanted to do, but never got around to trying.  I wanted to ask you, what is the best way to get started in the sport?  What type of call would be the best for someone like me with little or no experience using a turkey call?  I also wanted to get some pointers from you about how to pick the right spot to hunt.  I've noticed in the woods while deer hunting that turkeys leave sign where they have been, kind of like a scrape.  Do you hunt relatively close to where this sign is, or is hunting on the edge of a field better?  Any advice that you have would be greatly appreciated.  I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely, 

Clint E.
Lexington Tennessee 

ANSWER:

Clint,

Thank you for your e-mail and kind words about the show.

The best way that I know of starting to turkey hunt is to pair up with someone that already hunts turkey and is willing to share their experiences with you. That may seem hard to do but you can join a local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and get involved with other fellow turkey hunters and explain to them what you are trying to do. This to me is the best avenue because you can involve your entire family with this program.

The best turkey call that I can think of to start out on is a box call. You can purchase one at any store or Bass Pro Shops in Nashville and along with that call pick yourself up a CD that has the actual turkey sounds on them that you can practice to. Hunter Specialties has a great CD out that covers that very thing.

As for the location, when you are deer hunting you can see turkeys going through feeding, they will pass that way again but it might be awhile. Look for places where they have been scratching and feeding, but look for one extra ingredient, feathers. Feathers tell you that the birds frequent this place often, the more feathers that you find means that the place is being used on a more regulated schedule.

Shelves on the side of ridges that overlook fields are prime targets for gobblers, it gives them the advantage of strutting and being seen by many hens at one time. Corners of fields are excellent places to set up also.

I hope that this helps you and if I can be of any further help, please don't hesitate to let me know. Also, please send pictures to us of your successes in the field or on the water.

Hugh