Author Topic: Winter scouting advice? (Read 421 times)

New Hampshire · « **on:** December 09, 2004, 11:48:31 AM »

Well Since winter is coming and the deer season is over with its time to do some prepping for Turkey season. This will only be my third year out but I still have not bagged me a birdie yet. So Im thinking that, now we have a snowmobile to use, I might do a little winter scouting while out ice fishing or looking for sheds. So Is there any advice anyone can give on searching for birdies in the snow? I know things are different in the winter as opposed to hunting season, but is there any important information that can be gleaned from winter scouting? Any tips or advice is welcomed.
Brian M.

Greybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2004, 05:28:53 PM »

Quote

Well Since winter is coming and the deer season is over

What in the world are you talking about? Deer season ain't over until Jan. 31 of next year. Just now getting started good. Heck it only opened up on Oct. 15. You really gotta talk to your Game and Fish folks and get that season lengthened.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2004, 01:11:28 AM »

Aint that true Graybeard! Unfortunately I wasnt able to start Bowhunting this year, but that changes next month with the new bow. Come next year Ill have from Sept. 15(ish) to Dec. 15(ish) to hunt not only deer, but turkey too, with the bow. But despite only being out deer hunting for just over a month I sure had one fun year! Now hopefuly I can make turkey season just as fun with a nice ole boss gobbler :-D .
Brian M.

dukkillr · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2004, 07:36:02 AM »

there's not much use in scouting turkeys this time of year... they'll be entirely different come spring...

New Hampshire · « **Reply #4 on:** December 10, 2004, 05:21:38 PM »

Dang, thats what I was afraid of. Oh well it was a nice thought at least.
Thanks,
Brian M.

dukkillr · « **Reply #5 on:** December 10, 2004, 07:38:07 PM »

well don't let me stop you from getting out and looking for turkeys... if you ever want to hunt in the fall you could be scouting now... turkeys tend to be in the same place each fall, it's just that once they start to split up in the spring their patterns change completely.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2004, 02:05:35 AM »

Ahhhh, now youve got my attention! Here in NH turkey can be hunted with bow (and all day for that matter, not just till noon,) the same time as deer, meaning a full three months. Ive been toying with the idea, but just have no clue right now how to really go about it. Dogs are illegal to use, so I cant bust a flock like that. Ive rad that trying to run into a flock wont do any good, we just aint fast enough. Heck, Ive thought about using a remote controlled car, but even I think its a bit of an "out there" idea, so I can imagine what my buddy was thinking. The only suggestion that even remotely comes close to being practicle for me is that one expert suggested firing a shot over the flock. But I dont know how the Fish and Game dept would look upon that when your supposed to only be using bow. Hmmm, maybe thats another good topic thread I should start here.
Thanks,
Brian M.

dukkillr · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2004, 06:31:30 AM »

surprisingly enough you can usually run into them if they are near a tree line... earlier this fall here in KS i scared about 20 into a treeline by letting them see me from a ways off. Once they were in the trees i put my girlfriend in the treeline past them and then I started trying to drive them towards her by walking loudly through the woods. I got about 30 yards from the group before I saw them. When I did see them I ran straight into the group and they exploded everywhere like a covey of quail, mostly going down the treeline towards the girlfriend. This is the way i kill most of my fall turkeys but it wouldnt work for bow hunters or people in heavy timber.

Where I went to college in the Ozarks there were no treelines to keep them in place so we'd find them at dark when they flew up to roost. Once we found them we would knock them off the roost and pay attention to roughly where they went. The next morning we'd set up near where they went and use a raspy hen call. This tactic was very effective and would work for a bow hunter in the woods. In the fall the turkeys want to be in a big bunch and most of them are young birds... if you can get them seperated and then sound like an old hen they'll try and re-establish the group with you in it.

fall turkeys can be painfully supid, if you go after them you'll get a chance at some point, good luck.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2004, 02:31:14 AM »

Thank you dukkillr. Sounds like the beginnings of a plan :twisted: .
Brian M.