I want to go turkey hunting

[Goshawk]

New member here. I want to begin planning a spring 2014 turkey hunt. I know nothing about turkey hunting except that I will have to travel way south to find turkeys. I live near Fraser Lake BC and plan to travel to the Kootneys with my wall tent camp and my longbow and 12 guage so I need to find some public land to camp on that I have a chance of finding turkeys. Any help will be greatly appreciated!!! Bob

[bcbrez]

Hey Bob, check out the turkey contest threads for some info. There are lots of good areas between Creston and Grand Forks that hold plenty of birds on public land.
Do you have any specific questions?

[Goshawk]

Hello bcbrez. I really don't know enough to ask good questions. I have a nice slate and striker turkey call, is there a good video on calling available? Do I need one of those pop up blinds and decoys and what are some good ones? I have a pretty good idea how to set up my longbow and arrows( I build longbows) but I need some guidance on 12 ga loads. Can I use lead shot? What size? Are specialised turkey loads necessary? I have been reading all the turkey threads and theres lots of good info and pics of beautiful birds. Right now I am thinking I have to hike around and use a crow or owl call to locate some birds and then find where they roost and try to set up within a couple hundred yards and call one when they fly down in the morning. Thats just from reading, I really have no experience and have only seen a few turkeys from the highway when traveling. Bob

[Bobfl]

GRAND FORKS CRISTINA LK slow this yr. The only turkeys out where carring guns

[bcbrez]

Hello bcbrez. I really don't know enough to ask good questions. I have a nice slate and striker turkey call, is there a good video on calling available? Do I need one of those pop up blinds and decoys and what are some good ones? I have a pretty good idea how to set up my longbow and arrows( I build longbows) but I need some guidance on 12 ga loads. Can I use lead shot? What size? Are specialised turkey loads necessary? I have been reading all the turkey threads and theres lots of good info and pics of beautiful birds. Right now I am thinking I have to hike around and use a crow or owl call to locate some birds and then find where they roost and try to set up within a couple hundred yards and call one when they fly down in the morning. Thats just from reading, I really have no experience and have only seen a few turkeys from the highway when traveling. Bob

Hey Bob.

I find it's best to have a few different calls on hand. They may respond to one and not the other on any given day. I like box calls best but when using a bow a mouth call would be ideal if you know how to use them. I haven't used pop up blinds at all but that's not to say they aren't effective. I bought one just the other week because I want to start bringing my son out with me. If I know an area I want to set up in I usually just use some camo fabric to make a blind with, it's light and compact when you have to move locations or need a quick set up. As for shot gun loads I haven't put much thought into it. I like lead #6s and a good choke makes all the difference. I would pick up a decoy if you don't have one, even a cheap hen decoy from Canadian Tire or Walmart will work. Might be what you need to pull a bird into bow range. Just make sure not to set it up between you and where you think the turkey will be coming from or you will be in his line of sight when you go to draw your bow. You pretty much have the right idea on locating birds, just walk around or drive in the mornings and evenings with locator calls to try and pin point roosts. Anyways hope this helps, lot's of time to practice your calls a get more info before next spring.

Nick

[Goshawk]

Thanks Nick!! I plan to practice calling and get my 11-87 patterned. I would really like to get one with my bow but will take one with the shotgun if necessary. I have never spent any time down south there so I'll just have to drive down and look around. I am retired so I can take as much time as it takes to find some birds. Bob

[mangerover]

Hey Bob
I have a great goshawk longbow and will drag around an oldfart I thought you had enough turkeys up there.
are you still crafting the best bows in BC

["No Choke"Lord Walsingham]

Great idea Sir!

Sounds like you are on the right track and with the ability you have to dedicate many days afield you are sure to learn much about Turkey hunting your first time out, in the least. If you do decide to go the route of using blinds/concealment, you may wish to look into getting a decoy or few, too (to go along with your calls). None of this is truly necessary; however, if you find that style of hunting appealing then it may well present an excellent option.

Looks like you've got your bow situation sorted, yet be sure to study up on shot placement as turkeys are unique in their requirements for a humane harvest. There are special broadheads designed to decapitate Turkeys though I have no experience with them, they seem strange and gimmicky to me yet no need to knock them unless I nock at least one and dislike it.
As for loads for 12G, there are plenty avaliable and you may use lead loads in BC. Most every manufacturer offers a load either outright dedicated to Turkey or that could easily be adapted for use on these beautiful birds. Two of the most renowned loads for Turkey of which I am familiar as of this writing is Hevi-Shot (which is not a lead load, but a non-toxic tungsten blend with a higher density than lead) Turkey, excellent especially if you have a extra full choke.
Hornady makes a great cartridge called the "Hornady Heavy Magnum Turkey" that doesn't require any special (re extra full) choke. Ultimately there is a profound amount of information available on the subject!

All it takes to is to get out there and have at it. If you wish, you may acquire a wide array of gadgetry and special loads yet none of this is truly necessary as people have been harvesting Turkey for a very long time prior to develop of Turkey hunting as an aspect of an industry based on hunting.

Happy Hunting!

[Good Old Outdoors]

I was new to turkey hunting last year as well, I asked all the questions and met some great people off here that helped me out and showed me around. We hunted hard for about 5 days and saw a couple nice birds! Never got a shot but was I ever hooked after that!
Thanks again for all the tips, memories and the good times out Al and Nick.

[300H&H]

Check out all the old threads on turkey hunting/calling.
Primos has a good turkey calling dvd. Worth every penny ($15.00).