P
rime calling locations are very similar
to prime real estate, location is the key
and most of the best spots are very hard
to come by. One of the most important
keys to calling in gobblers is setting up in
the right location. But,
what makes an area
good for calling in a
gobbler? The first rule
of thumb for turkey
hunters - It's always
easier to call a turkey
to a location where it
wants to go anyway.
Which means, if you
know the area and the
habits of a gobbler well enough, you
can set up in spots where he is comfortable and used to traveling through anyway, making your job of calling that
much simpler.
But, how do you find those perfect calling locations? Here are some general
scouting guidelines to help you find the
right calling location.
Year-round Scouting
I scout year-round for turkeys while I am out hunting other game or just
looking around the countryside. Everybody I know also helps keep me informed
since it's a well-known fact I'm a turkey hunting fanatic. I like to keep notes on
the locations where I see turkeys and what time of
day I see them. This especially helps during the fall
season when birds are very predictable, but it can
also be helpful for the spring season.
The spring migration of turkeys will vary a lot
depending on where you live and what types of
turkeys you’re dealing with. The western turkeys,
Merriam's and Rio Grande, will often travel up to
10 miles or more to get to preferred areas for
spring or winter. The Easterns are generally using a
much smaller range and have most of what they
need for year-round survival in a smaller area of
several square miles.
Pre-Season Scouting
Scouting two to three weeks before you hunt will help you find a general
area that has good numbers of turkeys in the spring. Just because you see a
huge flock of gobblers using an area while deer hunting in the winter does
not mean those birds will be there four months later in the spring. Turkeys do
not necessarily use the same areas for both winter and spring, and they often
migrate from their winter habitat to their spring habitat right about when the
season begins. Places that are completely void of turkeys one week, will be
turkey heaven a week later. In the winter, their minds are basically on finding
high-energy food sources like acorns and agricultural crops, and simply staying alive. In the spring, they are looking for food sources which are now
changing to more insects and green matter, and the hens are also looking for
good nesting habitats. That's why it’s important to do most of your scouting
as close to the season as possible. When I’m out doing early scouting, I like to
think like a hen and look for good nesting areas that have open areas nearby
where the hen can take here poults to feed.
Precision Scouting
If all has gone well, you now have a general area located and are trying to
find key areas to increase your chances of success. Now is the time to begin
looking for specific locations including roosts, strut zones, scratchings, and
dusting areas. All of these areas, and the travel routes in between, are good
places for setting up to call in a gobbler. When you begin this phase of scouting, a good pair of binoculars and some good boots are a must since you are
going to cover some ground. When you’re out scouting, try not to disturb the
turkeys; seeing you walking around might make them leave an area. Just be
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