Once you uncover a gobbler while turkey hunting, the first thing stage is to move in nearby and call him into range. Your purpose is to slip in as close as you can without spooking him. Then you “set up” and attempt to call him close enough for a shot.
Bear in mind: while coming close to a turkey, if he traces you, he’s gone! Be mindful not to be seen. Terrain and growth usually dictate how near you can get before setting up. Seasoned hunters seldom approach inside 100 yards. They may set up as far away as 300 yards if the ground is even and there is little foliage to cover up their movements.
Use the land to your advantage as you come close to an ol Tom. Stay behind hills, thickets or other features that will block your movements. Walk as quietly as possible in the leaves, and don’t bust any sticks during the turkey hunt.
When setting up, pick a location that offers the gobbler an uncomplicated course to your location. There should be no creeks, gullies, fences, thick undergrowth or other barriers between you and the bird. Also choose an area that is on the same contour or to some extent above the turkey’s location. Don’t try to call an old tom down a steep slope. Pick an area that provides you with a considerable view of your background.
Sit against a tree, stump or other object that is wider than your back and taller than your head. It will hide your outline and protect your back from a hunter who might move in behind you. Face the turkey’s direction with your left shoulder (for right-handed shooters), this provides you with a greater mobility of your gun when aiming. Above all, keep your movement to a minimum as you call. If the ol Tom is working toward you, then goes soundless , don’t move. Sometimes gobblers will sneak in silently .
If you set up and a gobbler answers your call but won’t come close, you’re going to have to change your game plan. You may need to circle around and call from another location. You might change to yet another call. If you’ve worked him a long time and he’s still hung up, you might leave the gobbler and come back in a couple of hours and try once again. Many hunts require several moves and/or strategy adjustments.
Once you get a bird working to you, get your gun up on your knee pointed in his general direction with the stock against your shoulder. When an Old Tom finally walks within range (inside 40 yards), wait until he steps behind a sapling or other obstacle to move your gun. When he reappears, aim carefully at his head/neck junction, and then squeeze the trigger. When an Old Tom struts, the neck is compressed and the head is often partly hidden by feathers, making for an even smaller target. If the gobbler is strutting, wait until he extends his neck to shoot. A clean, one-shot kill should be the objective of every single hunter.
It’s a fantastic moment when a long beard answers a hunter’s call. This is when all the scouting and planning pay off. It may not always end in bagging the bird, but that’s part of the chase and the memories. If you pay attention to a veteran turkey hunter, you’ll note that the hunts most often remembered are those where the Old Tom, and not the hunter, won.
Visit http://www.turkeyhunting247.com/ for more information on turkey hunting and some great turkey hunting articles