Let's talk turkey

With the deer season over I am now starting to think about turkey hunting. I public land bowhunt for turkeys as well. What are some of your techniques that you like to use on public land. Me personally I have a bungee blind that I am going to give a try again this year.. I like to ride the dirt roads and call and as soon as I locate a bird I move in, set up my bungee blind and then start praying.

I've bow hunted the birds a few times. I focused my efforts on bowhunting only areas. I didn't do much running and gunning when I was using my bow, instead, I would scout extensively before the season, and locate roosting areas that I could set up on before dawn, and found spots with open shooting lanes. Had this work several times, having birds in range, but none ever offered a kill shot. What really beats all is that the day I put the bow down and took the shotgun out to the other area I hunt, I had a Tom come in at full strut right off the roost, and turn his fan to me. I had to wait for him to turn around to take my shot. I could have easily drawn and killed that one with the bow.

That's funny. That's how it always happens.

Turkeys are like Ninjas to Me. I honestly feel like they check their calenders and know the seasons better than I do. I have family who live on the skirts of the national forest. When driving out to see them, and turkey is out of season, its not uncommon for them to stand all in the road and just look at You. I know there fearless at this time of the year, they stare down a f350 with a wild eyed redneck at the wheel, and just go on about there business not caring. Then season opens and they vanish. I have come across one prepared, unfortunately He seen Me first and he knew what I was thinking before our eyes met. I do like trying to hunt them, would Love to eat one Ive hunted.

Turkeys are scarce around the area I hunt in Shawnee National Forest..about a 1000 acres behind my house. I've seen one turkey the whole deer season this yr. However, I did see some fresh scratching yesterday.

My friend up here has been trying to get me to go to Tenn. to his dad's farm to hunt turkey. I did ride down there with him one day last summer and there were turkeys everywhere. In people's yards, along the roads and in his Dad's pasture behind his house.

Bout a 2-1/2hr drive..right before you get to Nashville going south from here..may go this coming season.

Does anyone know the turkey hunting regulations for the new 7,000 acre tract Big Rivers WMA in Western Ky

Hoyt, you might try Kentucky. Right across the river from you is a bunch of birds. I find it surprising Shawnee doesn't have many. There are several public parcels here that have good hunting if you're willing to work for them. Tenn is good tho!