Turkey

[Goosemaster]

Box and pot calls for me. When I first started it was diaphragm mouth calls and I did very well with that. Somewhere along the way I developed a gag reflex and the diaphragm calls make we want to puke.

Run & Gun is best with the diaphragm call because it keeps hand and arm movement to a minimum.

I may scout at dark 30, but rarely do I find myself hunting until about 8 or 9 AM. Will do 2-3 sits between say 8 and 2:30. Occasionally will sit in a blind with a good view the last 2 hours of the day. Mostly to pattern the birds but my son has shot one on the last day of the season 10 minutes before sunset ... in the rain.

I start hunting as soon as I can see. Most of the birds I've gotten, I've gotten before 8:00 a.m..

I hunted first 30 years mouth call almost exclusively. I still use them and make my own. Did you ever try cutting them? A buddy also makes em and uses zero tape. Its the metal frame with reeds. I personally use a longbox for locating if I’m using turkey calls, also for roosting birds.
Last year in NH I had a bunch of birds I’d circled around on. I used a mouth call cause I figured I was somewhat close. Nothing….
I grabbed a longbox, cutt on it LOUD trying to reach out to wherever the birds went. Darn things hammered close, I bet woulda been in sighting distance if the ground wasn’t so broken up. Told the guy with me to sit quick. Within seconds birds were in range.
Just a side note for any box call guys. A longbox does everything a short box does plus more. Its way louder yet if you hold the soundboards (sides) it’ll tone down a bit. Same goes for short boxes just more limited

I can't use a mouth call, never could get the hang of that.I prefer a pot call with a wood scratch thing. I also have different types of camo, woods, and field. I prefer hunting in the woods.

 

[Bob Peters]

I got all the calls. I'd say pot calls are my favorite, slate and glass. We had turkeys come in and hang up last year, 3 of them. My buddy whispered "should I call?" I shook my head no, he uses too much volume. I grabbed my pot, and every time the turkeys put their heads down to peck for food, I'd make the absolute quietest clucks and yelps I could. 60 yards away each time the turkeys would look instantly at the decoys. I did this 3 times, always making sure the turkeys were not looking. They came in on a string.

The early am zero dark thirty obviously can work, but the best time to kill a turkey is between 10 and 2. Usually I jump in the woods about 830 or 9am.

 

[Bowguy]

Lots of guys always like mid day. Roost a bird, you’ll be more often than not, done within 45 mins of daylight. I’ve killed birds mid day but I’m usually done much earlier

 

[Goosemaster]

I was wondering if there are any public land bow hunters on here?