Most people who hunt fall turkeys find it considerably different than spring gobbler hunting. They also find it more challenging, and that says a lot. Spring turkey hunting itself is a test of outdoor skills.
Fall archery turkey season is underway, and despite the dry, hot 2011 summer, there are plenty of birds for hunters.
Indiana’s fall turkey season opened Oct. 1 for archery hunters and runs through Oct. 30. It will close and then reopen Dec. 3 and continue through Jan. 7.
The firearms season opens Oct. 19 and is open five days through Oct. 23 in some northern counties, however in southern Indiana counties including Perry, Spencer and Posey, it will continue through Oct. 30.
Fall turkey season is different from the spring hunt when toms are attracted to calls due to the mating season.
And while fall gun hunting can be challenging, I can’t imagine shooting one with a bow and arrow. But some people love it because of the challenge and also because it is one of the earliest hunting seasons.
Fall turkey hunting in simple terms involves less calling and more scouting to find the birds--at least that is the experience of most hunters. Some hunters say the secret to fall birds is breaking up a flock and then waiting for the birds to come back into shooting range whether with a bow or shotgun.
Matt Lindler, a friend who worked for the National Wild Turkey Federation suggests several tactics can be used successfully during fall hunts, depending on the locality and state laws.
“Historically, one of the most common tactics is to sneak up on a feeding flock, run through the middle of it to break it up. The goal is to get the birds to fly in different directions,” said Matt.
He then suggests using a “ki, ki” type distress call or a “lost hen” type call to encourage the birds to reassemble. “A long series of yelps (10 or 12) works, progressively getting louder and longer.”
According to Matt, a group of gobblers also will regroup, but it usually takes them longer.
No comments:
Post a Comment