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Scouting turkey
#7668739
11/21/19 03:18 PM
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 280
Jiggamitch
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 280 |
I harvested my first turkey this spring and would like to do it again in 2020. There are a couple problems I have though. The private land I took the turkey from does not have a whole lot of birds. I know this because its my parents land and I am out there a lot and have several cameras. I don't want to take from the small population, I want it to grow. That leaves me public land to find a bird. Not a lot of choices in far northTexas for public hunting. I spoke to a game warden in Oklahoma, and he recommended me to a place. Not super far away, but not close either. I have been looking at topographical maps and google earth to get an idea of where to go, but can I really find them without actually traveling up there? What should I be looking for? Is boots on the ground the only real way of finding turkey? I know we're months away, but i want to make sure I'm prepared. Thanks yall.
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Re: Scouting turkey
[Re: Jiggamitch]
#7669044
11/21/19 08:34 PM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 834
D Rogers
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 834 |
Depending on your county, you might have a fall season....I will be turkey hunting this weekend in the hill country. Map scouting can be fairly effective, but the only way to know if the birds are there is to scout for sign. If you have onxmaps, they have a NWTF filter that is basically a heat map that shows how many bird harvests have been recorded in each county. That can be a good way to at least know if there are healthy numbers in an area. If you know the turkey are there, you can locate potential roosting locations on a map. If a property doesnt have many large trees then the few that are there is where the birds are likely to roost, if they are roosting on the property at all. In the spring time, the birds need open spaces like fields or big, open timber with a grass floor. They nest in these locations so their poults will have plenty of bugs and grass seeds to eat once they hatch. For fall time map scouting, locate hardwoods. They will be feeding on mast just like anything else. The further north you go, the closer they will stick to food sources and the more reliable those sources will be.
~Dustin
"Life's complicated, man, like a dang ol' Rubik's cube, man. Talkin' 'bout blue and red, man. Dang ol' get one side, dang ol' messed up th' other side, man."
-Boomhauer
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Re: Scouting turkey
[Re: Jiggamitch]
#7669045
11/21/19 08:37 PM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 834
D Rogers
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 834 |
Depending on where you are located, there are a few options for public land in north texas. Both of the national grasslands hold birds, and there is some COE land up there as well. There are also some public options in central Tx
~Dustin
"Life's complicated, man, like a dang ol' Rubik's cube, man. Talkin' 'bout blue and red, man. Dang ol' get one side, dang ol' messed up th' other side, man."
-Boomhauer
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Re: Scouting turkey
[Re: Jiggamitch]
#7669088
11/21/19 09:28 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,926
unclebubba
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,926 |
Where I hunt in OK, we have a large creek that runs through the property. The birds seem to roost in trees along the creek more often than not. If there is a creek on property, that is where I would begin my search.
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Re: Scouting turkey
[Re: Jiggamitch]
#7669133
11/21/19 10:33 PM
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 280
Jiggamitch
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 280 |
The place I'm looking at has lots of timber close to open crop fields. There is a creek close by as well, but it's the opposite direction of the open fields. I do believe there is a fall season in the county I'm looking at, but I'm wanting to get better with this diaphragm call before I go scare/educate a bunch of birds. When do y'all recommend scouting?
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Re: Scouting turkey
[Re: Jiggamitch]
#7669283
11/22/19 01:15 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,236
Gamblinman
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,236 |
Find the highest ground on the property and be there at daylight a week before the season. You will know quickly.
" I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt turkeys because I have to."
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Re: Scouting turkey
[Re: Jiggamitch]
#7681141
12/06/19 02:43 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,063
Wilhunt
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,063 |
We have a lot of turkey during the spring and summer. Come deer season they disappear until the next spring. Not sure why this happens.
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Re: Scouting turkey
[Re: Wilhunt]
#7682485
12/07/19 04:22 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,236
Gamblinman
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,236 |
We have a lot of turkey during the spring and summer. Come deer season they disappear until the next spring. Not sure why this happens.
Rio Grande species of turkeys have a wide range. Food, water, roost area's and nesting cover are the main reasons. On the property I hunt, we tend to have a lot of toms that stay year round. Its not uncommon to see flocks of 25 to 50 toms running together in the winter.
" I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt turkeys because I have to."
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Re: Scouting turkey
[Re: Jiggamitch]
#7682510
12/07/19 05:05 PM
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 280
Jiggamitch
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 280 |
Well let me know if you need help thinning the flock!
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Re: Scouting turkey
[Re: D Rogers]
#7699524
12/27/19 05:53 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 703
Tjack28
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 703 |
Absolutly ... I've taken my fair share of public land birds...both rio and easterns. Hunted the grasslands, COE lands near Hillsboro, and national forest in deep east Texas. I even had a friend have success up north near the panhandle area, though I've not hunted there yet. Just have to get up there and put in the legwork a couple of weeks before the opener.. Depending on where you are located, there are a few options for public land in north texas. Both of the national grasslands hold birds, and there is some COE land up there as well. There are also some public options in central Tx
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Re: Scouting turkey
[Re: Wilhunt]
#7701557
12/29/19 09:50 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,038
Vern1
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,038 |
We have a lot of turkey during the spring and summer. Come deer season they disappear until the next spring. Not sure why this happens.
Same thing here. We have been seeing a bird here and there and a small group of 4 toms. Deer season is almost over and I have 20-25 birds at feeder 3 of the last 4 days. We usually have a few lighter variations and they didn't disappoint this year:
Cheers, Vern1 Texans since The Old 300 in 1824 NRA Lifetime Member
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