Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Tools of the trade


IceHawk

Recommended Posts

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Starting to go through my Turkey vest and started practicing some of my turkey calling again. Yes Ill admit I'm no Will Primos ? In fact far from that but I can strike up a cord or two with the turkeys ? As far as calls go Ill start with some of the ones I personally use. 

 

LOCATOR CALLS - I use 3 different ones a Owl hoot, crow, pheasant cackle for location or pinnign down the location of a TOM. Shock gobbles work also but be very carefull it can draw hunters on public land so watch your backside. 

 

BOX- One of the easiest to use a great call for beginners. Easy to make some of the basic sounds on it. In fact probably the most common call in peoples Turkey vests. Tip use a box call rubber band or make sure call is secured or when walking through woods call will make some unwanted noises. 

 

Diaphragm calls-Probably one of the best but also the hardest. Takes some practice and is not for everyone. Some people will have a serious gag reflex when attempting to use one. Positive you can make quick putts purrs, clucks etc with one. Probably the best call to master and best for a ground hunter without  blind. Takes away all hand movements when you got a Tom in close. 

 

Friction Calls- My Favorites I've been using friction calls for years. For Very windy days I use a Crystal top to strike out there cut through wind very loud birds can hear it from long ways off. For reaching up over a ridge distance on a more calm day you cant beat glass kind of a medium range call.  Slate is the one I use when right in the woods calm days and have birds close by a very soft more subtle call that produces great results with birds in closer distances and face to face. 

 

Call conditioners- You will want to add a stone, sand paper, chalk to keep all your calls in good working condition. A high pitch unwanted  squeal will send a Tom running in no time! 

 

Decoys- Big fan of Flextone have a feeding and resting hen and a Jake. Plus I have a Primos B-MOBILE when I have a  aggressive dominate I'm after. At last resort and I have shot couple using a mojo scoot-and-shoot . This is a true rush if you haven't tried it! ?

 

Blinds- Been using Ameristep doghouses for years, Setup 4 of them on my private property's in strategic locations but if all else fails have a vest and seat and will get right up in there faces if I have to.

 

Just throwing out some of the tools of the trade that have helped me be very successful in Harvesting some nice Toms over the years. 

IMG_0791[195].jpg

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • l Love It 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

We sure need lottsa stuff to have fun in the great outdoors. Gotta live mn. 4 seasons of different supplies. ?

  • Yayyyy 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, eyeguy 54 said:

We sure need lottsa stuff to have fun in the great outdoors. Gotta live mn. 4 seasons of different supplies. ?

And 4 areas of the house to store it in ?

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Great stuff IceHawk!! I use friction calls and my trusty crossbow. For decoys I use avian x I will post photos this weekend.

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN
Quote

 

This is one technique you have to try scoot and shoot!  If you haven't Its a rush I've done it a few times! Had one almost run me over 2 years ago doing this always in my truck for those special times. 

 

Edited by IceHawk
  • Yayyyy 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

This weekend i will spraying my blind with tick repellent, my hunting clothes, and boots. So I will be ready 

Edited by monstermoose78
  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Awesome read Tom Thanks that one hit Home!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

This morning and last few days it's been all about trying to get some Turkey patterns figured out on my properties. What I'm seeing is still some winter flocks but they are slowly breaking up more and more. On warm days a lot more strutting open filed observation is being noticed and on colder ones they are hanging in the woods a lot more and gobbling on the roost less. Been finding piles of scratchings in the oaks lately. A tell sign they re eating grubs bugs and worms. Tip- by looking at the scratchings  you can usally tell there direction of travel. The open spot  indicates there forward progress and the pile of leaves there back route from where they came. Turkeys usally scratch with two legs and swipe with one before moving on. Watched a few do this over the years ? With some warmer temps bugs will start in winter wheat fields and once farmers turn some fields they will be grubbing right behind. This morning they were on fire gobbling non stop in the roosts. heard at least 6 different gobblers. One of those mornings you wish you were hunting. ? Think I have a good count on the amount of birds on my properties  seeing   plenty of Toms to be successful now its up to me ?. Hopefully in few more scouting sessions I start to put together a plan. Been one of my harder springs to get a gameplan set. Starting to second guess my sets and don't like to do that.  This weather is throwing me a curve so to speak ? Well hopefully others are getting things dialed in.It all starts next week WED for some me I'm waiting a little longer. But will be ready once B hits ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sign in my usually woods/property is down significantly for this time of year.  Isaac and I found 3 recently used roost locations yesterday, as well 2 heavy scratching areas.  Almost no sign of them using their normal open field areas.

Very little gobbling this morning, an almost zero talk after 7 am.  Maybe the wind made it difficult to hear?

I agree they seem more difficult to pattern this year, but obviously less visible being they are not using the open much at all yet.

Looking forward to the start of the season.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Just bought my license for "C" season.   Unless it's an early spring and the weather looks to be stable I stay away from the earlier seasons.  I've hunted all of the seasons and the most productive fir me have been "C" and "G/H".  Birds are much more pattern able later in the spring.   "A/B" has always been boom or bust for us.  A lot depends on when the flocks break up.  Good luck to everyone and hope you find a big gobbler that comes strutting into your set whatever season you hunt. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN
25 minutes ago, Borch said:

Just bought my license for "C" season.   Unless it's an early spring and the weather looks to be stable I stay away from the earlier seasons.  I've hunted all of the seasons and the most productive fir me have been "C" and "G/H".  Birds are much more pattern able later in the spring.   "A/B" has always been boom or bust for us.  A lot depends on when the flocks break up.  Good luck to everyone and hope you find a big gobbler that comes strutting into your set whatever season you hunt. 

C could be banner this year with the weather we are having. I know one thing A season hunters better have some heaters in there blinds wow ? Always thought about those later seasons but with my work and fishing on my mind never tried them or really had time unless i'm staying out of my boat and that's not happening LOL! . Know a few guys that swear by last two weeks and have repeated success. Fortunately I've gotten my bird and haven't had to use the last two weeks to fill a tag knock on some serious wood ?  Started hunting C and had some success then switched  to B and that has been pretty good to me  harvested most of my birds on it. I know later seasons has advantages way less hunters the lack of pressure  can really settle down a pressured bird. The first 3 seasons every good turkey ground is pretty much flooded with hunters or ones who don't have some are  looking for spots.The birds get educated real quick for sure!  Some of my landowners have been turning guys away a lot lately asking for permission. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Similar Content

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Kettle
      Walked today and yesterday, flushed 9, shot at two and got two. Hopefully next year I'll have a dog to hunt with. Still warm up here, skim of ice on ponds. Weather has been nice. Hopefully walk a bit more the next few weeks. Been pretty cautious walking for birds to not interfere with deer hunters. There sure are not the deer hunters there used to be 
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.