2020 turkey season

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Indiana

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Leadeye

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Jan 19, 2009
    36,686
    113
    .
    Been listening in the mornings for gobblers, nothing yet. Wondering if taxidermists are an essential business.
     

    asevans

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    8   0   0
    Feb 26, 2011
    508
    63
    OMG. I’m getting excited. I can’t wait. Dnr sent out a email that said hunting and fishing are essential activities. I got blasted for not caring about human life on another thread cause I mentioned going fishing during the travel restrictions. I love this time of year.
     

    PracticalJon

    Plinker
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Mar 30, 2020
    2
    1
    Greenfield Area
    Do you know of any good guides or general advice for Turkey hunting? I've done deer and upland bird before, but last fall we saw a good size flock near our house and I'm debating getting a license and taking a crack at it, but I don't know much more than take a shotgun and hide near the edge of the woods.
     

    Restroyer

    Expert
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 13, 2015
    1,187
    48
    SE Indiana
    Do you know of any good guides or general advice for Turkey hunting? I've done deer and upland bird before, but last fall we saw a good size flock near our house and I'm debating getting a license and taking a crack at it, but I don't know much more than take a shotgun and hide near the edge of the woods.

    Lots of good advice on You Tube. It's harder than you might think. We always have an abundance of turkeys all spring right up until our late Indiana season starts and then the hens are on the nests and the Toms must be sleeping off all their lovin' and no show most of the time.
     

    asevans

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    8   0   0
    Feb 26, 2011
    508
    63
    Do you know of any good guides or general advice for Turkey hunting? I've done deer and upland bird before, but last fall we saw a good size flock near our house and I'm debating getting a license and taking a crack at it, but I don't know much more than take a shotgun and hide near the edge of the woods.
    start out and do just that. Find a spot they are hanging out. Listen for gobbles. Then go after him
    AA
     

    openwell

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Mar 31, 2014
    734
    34
    Carmel
    Lots of good advice on You Tube. It's harder than you might think. We always have an abundance of turkeys all spring right up until our late Indiana season starts and then the hens are on the nests and the Toms must be sleeping off all their lovin' and no show most of the time.

    wrong.
    early season toms roost near hens and YOu can't compete with the real thing!

    late season & late morning/noonish are some of best hunts for success.
     

    openwell

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Mar 31, 2014
    734
    34
    Carmel
    wrong.
    Fall turkey advice? for sure.
    Spring is classic locating & calling him to You.[/
    oops sorry.
    i guess buy a blind.
    set up in the middle a thicket.
    Put on some ear muffs.
    good luck
    AA

    yep.
    don't need a blind....
    don't need a range finder or $10 a round 12ga. tungsten shot neither.

    try scouting & don't be drinkin or smokin while watchin youtube guy kill the neighbor's pet Tom.
     

    Hookeye

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Dec 19, 2011
    15,039
    77
    armpit of the midwest
    Spring

    Use a deke and call em to you early in the morning.
    Around 9 am they seem to shut up and turn into ridge runners.
    Not very vocal.

    If you know the area you can set up and bushwhack em late morning.

    I don't hunt after noon. Prefer to leave the birds alone. Think too many spook em trying to "roost" .
     

    Hookeye

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Dec 19, 2011
    15,039
    77
    armpit of the midwest
    Just be sure to use repellents on clothes/skin.
    Hunting north, no ticks.
    Southern IN.............freakin' horrible.
    One of our guys got Lyme disease.

    I use Deep Woods off on skin and Sawyers permethrin on clothes (sprayed and dried in advance per directions).
    Permethrin is nasty (cancer warnings). IMHO ticks are worse.

    Would not hunt southern IN without it.
     

    Hookeye

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Dec 19, 2011
    15,039
    77
    armpit of the midwest
    My biggest tom was shot following hens. The hens were p*ssed off at my lone hen deke in the pasture.
    They (and I) were in woods, tom thundering. I called, they popped out high on a ridge, the hens saw the deke and ran towards it.
    The tom not wanting to lose his 4 hens, followed and I blasted him.

    All other toms I've killed, were with other toms or solo. Called in.

    Have called in birds for others. One had a hen w it, others solo.
     
    Last edited:

    Hookeye

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Dec 19, 2011
    15,039
    77
    armpit of the midwest
    Also, if you hunt deer from a treestand all the time, you might lack the stealth required for turkey.
    No problem, learn from your mistakes. That's part of the fun.
    IMHO it's like elk hunting, in Indiana.

    Sometimes you gotta boogie, other times, slow low crawl.
    Both are harder to do the older you get LOL

    Have not gone last 3 yrs due to torn ligament in foot.
    Am finally able to hit the hills.

    Got my beater 870 Supermag, but am only running Magnum blend 3", w Remington Superfull tube.
    Am starting to get wound up :)
     
    Top Bottom