Fall Turkey Hunting Questions

[Specklebelly]

I had my first "real" turkey hunt this spring.  I have gone several times before but this was the first year I actually had a good place to go with lots of birds.

Well, now I am hooked.

My question is, Oklahoma has a fall turkey season each year.  Do you hunt them the same way in the fall, like you do the spring?  I mean with decoys and calls etc.?  What is different in fall and spring.

Any responses and hunting info is appreciated.

Thx

[slik1]

There is no comparison to fall and spring hunting. Fall hunting is mainly concerned with FEED. They are slaves to their stomachs in the fall, as with the spring, they are concentrating on getting L--D or breeding activities. You have to use a scatter and call technique. You mainly deal with young birds in the fall, and you have to change your calling sounds and tactics. Do you know what a kee-kee run sounds lilke? I have been hunting spring and fall birds in ny and pa for over 30yrs. You have to surprise a flock of turkeys, scatter them and then call them back to your location. You have to use young turkey calls and combine them with old turkey calls. It is complicated if you have never heard the language. A kee Kee sounds like this: high pitched whistle, high pitch whistle, yelp yelp yelp. Almost sounds like a dog yelping alfer being spanked. If you are still interested, keep posting and I will tell you more.   slik 1

[oso45-70]

speklebelly

To add to what slik1 has said there is another trick that works in the fall.
since the turkeys are concerned about filling their craw, you conceal your self in a brushy spot and take a stick and scratch the leaves around you with 3 or 4 quick strokes to make it sound a turkey scratching for food. wait 2 or 3 minutes and repete as you do your calling. I know how much this turkey hunting can get into your blood, ITS THE GREATEST. Good luck to ya, Hope you do well..........Joe.........

[dukkillr]

I've killed them by calling them in the fall although it's not nearly as much fun as spring hunting.  The last few years I've hunted them like you hunt pheasants.  When i see a group of them I let them see me and then run into a tree line.  Then it's just a matter of blockers and pushers.  When you get into a big group (80-100 are not uncommon) all hell can break lose.  I'd say it's the most fun way to fall turkey hunt although it wouldn't work in places where there are no tree lines.  

The thing i'm continually amazed at hunting like this is how predictable they are.  They will not leave that tree line even if two groups of people are closing in on them from either end.  Usually when they fly they fly straight down the tree line.  Frequently they'll say put exactly where you last saw them go into the trees.  

When you get into a good bunch of them this type hunt is an absolute riot.  I'd recommend it to anyone.



On the above hunt I had The Woman at the end blocking and I pushed 40-50 turkeys towards her.  I shot myself out of shells (2 3/4" 6s), fell in a creek, dropped by my lucky model 12 in mud, and finally killed my 2.  When I got to the end of the tree line she'd shot twice and had 2 laying beside her.

[oso45-70]

dukkillr

Its always good hunting when you have a nice looking lady with you and when she can shoot its all the better. Good going........Joe.........

[Buckskin]

Another technique, which is actually very effective during the spring and fall is to pattern them.  They aren't as predictable in the fall as the spring because there is more food around, but still have ruts that they get into.  As I sit here typing I am watching 2 big gobblers that got lucky this spring, yesterday there was a bearded hen behind them.  The toms come out every day, morning and night.  One of them will find a broadhead this fall.  I shot my 2 this spring both over 25 lbs, and one with a very thick double beard (8 and 10").  They both came in to calls gobbling there heads off, but I had a pretty good hunch that they would be coming.