1 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:14,280 Speaker 1: Welcome back to another episode of Cutting the Distance. Today, 2 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:16,000 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna have a guest. I'm just gonna go 3 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:17,960 Speaker 1: over some listener questions. You know, a lot of times 4 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:20,439 Speaker 1: we interview somebody, we talk about turkey hunting, and maybe 5 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:23,160 Speaker 1: some of those tactics are too advanced, or maybe those 6 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:25,639 Speaker 1: tactics don't make sense to him yet. So I've been 7 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: getting a lot of questions by maybe a big game 8 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 1: hunter or somebody just wanting to get into turkey hunting, 9 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 1: and they've got a lot of questions on what do 10 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:35,160 Speaker 1: they need, what's a minimum, what do they have to have, 11 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 1: What's you know, something that's nice to have but not 12 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:40,960 Speaker 1: necessarily needed. 13 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 2: So I was just gonna take. 14 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:45,040 Speaker 1: Today's time and just kind of go over that for 15 00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 1: a new turkey hunter. 16 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:48,599 Speaker 2: You know, it's the middle of January, late January. 17 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:51,080 Speaker 1: Now, turkey hunt's kind of right around the corner, and 18 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:52,640 Speaker 1: for those that haven't did it, it may be a 19 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 1: little bit of a daunting task on what do you need? 20 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 1: And if you're a beginner turkey hunter or a season 21 00:00:57,760 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: turkey hunter, there may be a few things you can 22 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 1: pick up during this episode that you did or didn't 23 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 1: already know. So the first thing we're gonna go, We're 24 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 1: gonna we're gonna skip the listener questions today and we're 25 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:16,160 Speaker 1: just gonna go into a list of questions that that 26 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:18,240 Speaker 1: I've kind of copy and pasted in here from people 27 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 1: over the over the last couple of months they want 28 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:23,039 Speaker 1: to get into Turkey, and then we'll go through those. 29 00:01:23,200 --> 00:01:26,399 Speaker 1: So what do you need as a minimum to go 30 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:30,560 Speaker 1: out in the Turkey woods? I would say ideally you're 31 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:35,280 Speaker 1: gonna have to have either one a twenty you know, 32 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 1: or a twelve gage shotgun. With some of the new ammunition, 33 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:39,240 Speaker 1: you can actually get away now with some of these 34 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 1: four tens with specific ammo loaded four four turkeys, you know, 35 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 1: with the with the with TSS coming online the way 36 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 1: it has, and some of the things you've been able 37 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:55,200 Speaker 1: to do with some of the smaller shots, four ten 38 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 1: is now a very very good option for the youth 39 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:02,080 Speaker 1: or for anybody on turkeys. I would say twenty and 40 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:07,640 Speaker 1: twelve gages are still more widely used, just a little 41 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 1: more range, a little denser pattern typically, So you either 42 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:13,760 Speaker 1: need a shotgun or if you want to take on archery, 43 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 1: you know, turke handing out of the gate, your bow 44 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 1: set up will will do as well. You know, there 45 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:21,919 Speaker 1: are other states that allow for other other weapons, but 46 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:26,119 Speaker 1: for for today, we're just going to talk shotguns and 47 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:30,799 Speaker 1: and archery equipment. Shotgun is easy to understand. You're you're 48 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:34,239 Speaker 1: looking to get a hit on the head, neck area, 49 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:37,440 Speaker 1: you know. And we're going to get into to AMMO 50 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:39,240 Speaker 1: a little bit as well. But one thing you need 51 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 1: to do is find a good ammunition. And I just 52 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:44,959 Speaker 1: mentioned TSS, and I would say TSS makes the four 53 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 1: tens a viable option. But if you're if you're wanting 54 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:49,880 Speaker 1: to do this on a on a budget and don't 55 00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:53,640 Speaker 1: want to shoot a shotgun shell that's anywhere from five 56 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:58,160 Speaker 1: to fifteen dollars a piece, I would recommend you you 57 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 1: just you got a pattern your gun. But there's a 58 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:03,800 Speaker 1: lot of different manufacturers out there that make you know, 59 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:07,160 Speaker 1: fours and fives and six's, whether it's heavy shot, whether 60 00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 1: your state allows lead or copper plated lead, whatever it 61 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 1: may be. Just go pattern your gun. And when I 62 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 1: go to pattern my shotgun, I'm not looking for a 63 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:21,120 Speaker 1: certain number of hits within a certain you know area. 64 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:22,760 Speaker 1: I know a lot of people talk about, you know, 65 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:25,519 Speaker 1: three to four hits within the neck and brain area. 66 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:28,200 Speaker 1: What I'm looking for is I typically draw like a 67 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:31,959 Speaker 1: ten inch circle, which and then within that tenant circle, 68 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:36,040 Speaker 1: I'm looking for a very even, uniform and as dense 69 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:38,119 Speaker 1: of pattern as I can get. I want there to 70 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:41,760 Speaker 1: not be you know, too many areas in there that 71 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:44,120 Speaker 1: that doesn't have a BB within like a one inch circle, 72 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 1: you know, out out to about thirty yards, and then 73 00:03:47,640 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 1: checking for the the effect inness is that that load. 74 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: You know, some of these tss that I do shoot 75 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:56,119 Speaker 1: out of my twelve gage, you know, I can keep 76 00:03:56,160 --> 00:03:58,240 Speaker 1: that sort of pattern density all the way out to 77 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 1: fifty or sixty yards just because there's so many of 78 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:05,200 Speaker 1: those number eights or number nine's in that shot that 79 00:04:05,840 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 1: you know, my my pattern is is viable, you know, 80 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 1: out to that fifty yard range. Now do I want 81 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 1: to shoot a turkey out there? Ideally? No, But knowing 82 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:20,719 Speaker 1: your gun's capabilities and also, uh, you know, with that load, 83 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 1: you need to you need to find the load. 84 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:25,960 Speaker 2: That your gun with your choke shoots. Well. 85 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:27,919 Speaker 1: Just because your buddy has the same gun you do 86 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:31,359 Speaker 1: and the same choke you do and search uh you know, 87 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 1: shoots a certain type of AMMO doesn't necessarily mean that 88 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:37,360 Speaker 1: that gun is going to shoot identical to your buddies. Now, 89 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:41,240 Speaker 1: the chances of it shooting similar are more likely, but 90 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:44,359 Speaker 1: you still need to go pattern and test your own gun, 91 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:47,479 Speaker 1: your own load to make sure that that's you know, 92 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:50,800 Speaker 1: a good option. Now, if you're going out with archery gear, 93 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:53,360 Speaker 1: there are different trains of thought. You know, they've got 94 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:58,960 Speaker 1: you know, a lot of broadhead companies have specific you 95 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:03,160 Speaker 1: know broadheads with with very large cutting diameters for you know, 96 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 1: shooting them in the head. They're also you can use 97 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: standard you know broadheads, expandables, fixed blades and uh you know, 98 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:15,520 Speaker 1: shoot them in the vitals just like you would. You know, 99 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 1: like like you're big game hunting, I personally, you know, 100 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,200 Speaker 1: aside from the kill zones that are put on the 101 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:25,279 Speaker 1: turkey targets, I've never went out and archie hunted turkeys 102 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:27,600 Speaker 1: until this year. And so you know that's one thing 103 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 1: that I'm going to have to educate myself on a 104 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:33,679 Speaker 1: little bit more. Is based on shooting angles and uh, 105 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,480 Speaker 1: you know, vitals kind of where where I'm gonna need 106 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 1: to aim, you know, on a on a big game, 107 00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:41,240 Speaker 1: I've kind of got it dialed. You no matter which 108 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 1: angle the animal is, I know where the vitals are, 109 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:45,160 Speaker 1: where I can get through what that bone structure looks 110 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 1: like on a turkey. I'm gonna have to kind of 111 00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:50,159 Speaker 1: refresh where the vitals sit, you know, if it's not 112 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:52,520 Speaker 1: a headshot, where where's a good shot. And then also, 113 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 1: you know, an archery hunter has got the big drawback. 114 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:00,320 Speaker 2: Of not being seen. 115 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:02,279 Speaker 1: Why you try to draw your boats a lot of times. 116 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:04,480 Speaker 1: If if these tombs are in full strut or whatnot, 117 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:07,120 Speaker 1: you need to figure out when you can draw your bow, 118 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:12,640 Speaker 1: not be seen and be able to be an efficient archery, 119 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:16,040 Speaker 1: you know, turkey hunter. So with that said, those are 120 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:20,560 Speaker 1: kind of the two things you need to turkey hunt. 121 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 1: And you know, aside from a license or a tag 122 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 1: for your respective state or the respective area you want 123 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:30,240 Speaker 1: to hunt, I would say that's really all that's required 124 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:35,320 Speaker 1: for turkey hunting. A weapon, a tag, and license. Everything 125 00:06:35,360 --> 00:06:37,159 Speaker 1: from there on turkey hunting is going to be a 126 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 1: bonus or a luxury at that point. 127 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:44,839 Speaker 2: Do you need calls? No? Do you need decoys no? 128 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:46,280 Speaker 2: Do you have to have a blind No. 129 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 1: There's a lot of things you can do, especially on 130 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 1: certain turkeys that are patternable or if you scout them, 131 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 1: you can just set up on their their travel paths 132 00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:59,520 Speaker 1: and do just fine. Now, that isn't why I set 133 00:06:59,520 --> 00:07:01,679 Speaker 1: out every spring to turkey hunt. I want to interact 134 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:03,400 Speaker 1: with the bird. I want to get them to gobble. 135 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:05,760 Speaker 1: I want to be on their path. But being a 136 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 1: well rounded turkey hunter, being able to use some of 137 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 1: that scouting and some of that path you know, pathways 138 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 1: and stuff that the turkeys just naturally want to use, 139 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:16,720 Speaker 1: will go a long ways in allowing me to be 140 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:20,120 Speaker 1: in the right spot to call them in. So let's 141 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:24,680 Speaker 1: go into t like camo does. Do you need specific 142 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:29,280 Speaker 1: leafy suits or will any camo do? I guess I'll 143 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 1: start off it. That really depends on whether you're in 144 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 1: a blind or not. If you're in a blind, black 145 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 1: clothes on a travel path would work just fine. Like 146 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:41,000 Speaker 1: you don't need to have you know, the best camo. 147 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 2: Out there. Now, I will. 148 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 1: Say movement is more important or lack of movement is 149 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:51,760 Speaker 1: more important than camo in my opinion, whether you're wearing 150 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: the best camo completely concealed, if you move at the 151 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 1: wrong time when that turkey can see you, if they 152 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 1: if they detect anything out of the norm, they're gonna 153 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: typically bust and you're not going to get a second 154 00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:07,640 Speaker 1: chance at them. If this is a new turkey hunter, 155 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:10,480 Speaker 1: you haven't got a chance to experience just how much 156 00:08:10,560 --> 00:08:12,920 Speaker 1: they pick up and how slight of movement they will 157 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:16,120 Speaker 1: pick up. You'll be you'll be in for a surprise 158 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:19,160 Speaker 1: when you go to you know, to to move your 159 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 1: foot or your foots a sleep and you move one 160 00:08:21,200 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 1: way or the other way, they're there. 161 00:08:23,560 --> 00:08:24,640 Speaker 2: They they will pick it up. 162 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:28,679 Speaker 1: So when I'm turkey hunting, movement is sloth like slow. 163 00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:30,320 Speaker 1: If I've got to bring the gun up, if I've 164 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:35,440 Speaker 1: got a pan, everything is very deliberate and very very slow, 165 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:38,360 Speaker 1: like over exaggerated slow to get my gun in position, 166 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:41,600 Speaker 1: unless I need to make a quick shot or I 167 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 1: can swing really quick and no, I'm gonna get on it. 168 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:46,720 Speaker 2: Everything else I do is very subtle. 169 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:49,680 Speaker 1: We'll get into calling in a little bit, but even 170 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 1: as far as running box calls, pot calls, mouth calls, 171 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:55,040 Speaker 1: if that movement's involved and you think they can see it, 172 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:58,080 Speaker 1: you need to be smart about when you're calling and 173 00:08:58,120 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 1: when they when they can pick it up. So Camo, 174 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 1: I say, it's best to wear a cameo that fits 175 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:06,960 Speaker 1: in with the area you're hunting. You want to you 176 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:11,840 Speaker 1: want to be as natural and and and you want 177 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:15,800 Speaker 1: to disappear as much as possible, and you're surrounding myself. 178 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:18,120 Speaker 1: I'm a tree sitter. I don't like to be in 179 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:21,400 Speaker 1: a blind I don't you know, put myself buying a 180 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:23,360 Speaker 1: pile of brush. I found that I can't shoot as 181 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 1: well if I and and while you're trying not to 182 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:27,959 Speaker 1: make noise, if you've got to swing your gun or 183 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:31,000 Speaker 1: you you know, try to get drawn in a brush pile, 184 00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:34,200 Speaker 1: it's going to be detrimental. So I try to sit 185 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 1: in front of a clear tree, let the tree break 186 00:09:36,240 --> 00:09:39,640 Speaker 1: up my my outline and use that to my advantage. 187 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 1: And uh, you know, when you set up on the tree, 188 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:45,440 Speaker 1: one thing you need to be looking for as a 189 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:47,760 Speaker 1: turkey hunter is that you've got clear shooting lanes out 190 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:50,320 Speaker 1: in front of you that you didn't give yourself, like 191 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:53,520 Speaker 1: little small slivers on where you expect that turkey to 192 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:54,360 Speaker 1: be coming from. 193 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:56,439 Speaker 2: So camo. 194 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: Not acquired, but definitely, in my opinion, adds to you know, 195 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:06,640 Speaker 1: the success of a turkey hunter. And let's you get 196 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 1: away with a little bit more movement. Now on the 197 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 1: same topic as camel, like, are there any you know, 198 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:14,560 Speaker 1: absolutely do not it to white turkey hunting, and I 199 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:19,079 Speaker 1: would say colors that you'll see on turkeys that you 200 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:22,840 Speaker 1: want to shoot. So let's say a Tom reds, whites, 201 00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 1: and blues. You know, the color of tom turkey's heads. 202 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: You especially on public land, maybe not as important on 203 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:33,120 Speaker 1: private land, but I would still definitely avoid those colors. 204 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:37,559 Speaker 1: Don't wear red, white, and blue, if at all possible. 205 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:43,559 Speaker 1: You know why you're wire hunting. It's just it's there's 206 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 1: no need to, and all you do is open yourself 207 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:48,679 Speaker 1: up to the potential of somebody that doesn't identify their 208 00:10:48,679 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 1: game very well. You know, there's been lots of horse 209 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:54,440 Speaker 1: stories of people being shot in the Turkey woods, so 210 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:57,960 Speaker 1: we just want to avoid that if possible. One thing 211 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:00,520 Speaker 1: that does kind of go along with camel as well 212 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 1: is face mask. 213 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:04,319 Speaker 2: Is there any need for face covering? 214 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:08,280 Speaker 1: And I don't have any scientific backup for this, but 215 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:12,720 Speaker 1: I feel like a turkey both eye eye contact and 216 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:14,960 Speaker 1: like facial recognition, Like it's one of those things that 217 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:16,120 Speaker 1: a turkey will pick up. 218 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:20,920 Speaker 2: More so than not. And so I always wear a 219 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:23,000 Speaker 2: face covering as much. 220 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:26,079 Speaker 1: Of my nose, my mouth, you know, chin everything that 221 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 1: I can basically just leaving my eyes exposed, I found 222 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:33,640 Speaker 1: seems to get me picked off a little less than 223 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:38,439 Speaker 1: than by by you know, not wearing a face covering 224 00:11:38,559 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 1: or just having face paint on or whatever it may be. 225 00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:47,560 Speaker 1: A full covering mask seems to be the ticket. Let's 226 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 1: move into scouting. You can be the greatest color in 227 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 1: the world. 228 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 2: You know you can. 229 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:56,120 Speaker 1: You can travel a bunch of distance, you can do 230 00:11:56,160 --> 00:11:57,680 Speaker 1: a lot of things to make up for this. But 231 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:01,240 Speaker 1: I feel like all of that aside scouting your area. 232 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 1: Knowing where the birds are at, knowing where the birds 233 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:06,120 Speaker 1: want to be, is going to be one of the 234 00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:08,160 Speaker 1: best things you can do to ensure that you're going 235 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:12,640 Speaker 1: to have some success come your spring season. With that said, 236 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 1: we also need to be very wreck you know, we 237 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 1: need to recognize and be conscious of those If you're 238 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:23,120 Speaker 1: scouting earlier, let's say, into March or early April, that 239 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 1: flock and where those birds are at is going to 240 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:29,480 Speaker 1: change fairly drastically from from the start of that scouting, 241 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:32,080 Speaker 1: you know, mid March, to the start of hunting season 242 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 1: in April. And so if you were to go on 243 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 1: a scouting trip mid March and come back over on 244 00:12:36,280 --> 00:12:39,439 Speaker 1: the opener, you know, April fifteenth, come back over on 245 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:41,600 Speaker 1: your trip May first. Whatever it may be, those trickies 246 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 1: are going to be a different areas. The flocks are 247 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:46,640 Speaker 1: going to look different than the dynamics of those flocks 248 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:49,320 Speaker 1: are going to be different. And so the closer you 249 00:12:49,320 --> 00:12:52,160 Speaker 1: can scout two season and ensure that those birds are 250 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:55,400 Speaker 1: where you think they are, the better likelihood of them 251 00:12:55,400 --> 00:13:00,560 Speaker 1: being there is which you know not to be obvious, 252 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:03,120 Speaker 1: but but the closer the yard of season. It's just 253 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:05,840 Speaker 1: something I've heard over and over. They went and scouted 254 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:07,920 Speaker 1: middle of March there antsy coming off a winner to 255 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:11,959 Speaker 1: go to go look for you know, turkeys, They find them, 256 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:13,680 Speaker 1: and then they go back in the middle of April. 257 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:15,960 Speaker 1: And then the next message I get is where the 258 00:13:15,960 --> 00:13:17,720 Speaker 1: turkeys out? Why aren't they in that area where I 259 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:21,200 Speaker 1: had them? Everywhere, you know, typically during the you know, 260 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:24,200 Speaker 1: whether it's human pressure, whether it's just areas they want 261 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:26,000 Speaker 1: to be in. Did they fallow the snow line up? 262 00:13:26,040 --> 00:13:29,840 Speaker 1: It just really depends where you're hunting and what those 263 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:31,480 Speaker 1: birds want to do. I know, the place we hunt 264 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:35,679 Speaker 1: in Kansas, the earlier in the season, the better that 265 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:39,360 Speaker 1: property holds the birds early. But then as the as 266 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:42,600 Speaker 1: the you know, spring goes on, those toms continue to 267 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:45,760 Speaker 1: disperse and cover more ground, and kind of they don't 268 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:49,280 Speaker 1: all leave his property, but they definitely become thinner on 269 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:52,040 Speaker 1: some of those properties. Here in Washington where we're hunting, 270 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:54,440 Speaker 1: you know, mountain country. A lot of times we still 271 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:59,040 Speaker 1: have snow fairly low middle of April, and as you know, 272 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:03,560 Speaker 1: May Mega moves on and that snow line's moving up. 273 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:05,320 Speaker 1: Some of those birds will walk up the mountain with 274 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:08,680 Speaker 1: the snow line. So you could see those birds move. Yeah, 275 00:14:08,679 --> 00:14:10,440 Speaker 1: they're only five hundred feet up in elevation, but they 276 00:14:10,520 --> 00:14:12,439 Speaker 1: might be a couple miles away as they as they 277 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:14,000 Speaker 1: moved up. So you got to keep all of that 278 00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:16,960 Speaker 1: in mind as you're scouting for birds and then kind 279 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 1: of where you're gonna find them come season. Do you 280 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:37,600 Speaker 1: need decoys or not? I always have decoys with me. 281 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:38,720 Speaker 2: You know. 282 00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:41,080 Speaker 1: When I first started and couldn't afford anything, it was 283 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 1: a lot of like the Flambeau little foam folder decoys 284 00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:47,800 Speaker 1: I could throw in the back of my vest. Now 285 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 1: I tend to carry a life sized Dave Smith around 286 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 1: with me, at least a hen, if not a hen 287 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:59,800 Speaker 1: and a jake. I will say, especially in Kansas on easterns. 288 00:15:00,440 --> 00:15:02,760 Speaker 1: When we were running and gunning in Washington last year, 289 00:15:03,080 --> 00:15:06,440 Speaker 1: we did pack one of the hens around, but we 290 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:09,080 Speaker 1: didn't have as much time to set her up. On 291 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:12,840 Speaker 1: certain scenarios. It's been a little hit or miss. Sometimes 292 00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:16,360 Speaker 1: you will see, you know, birds decoy perfect, They'll they'll 293 00:15:16,360 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 1: see the decoy, they'll come in. Other times they'll see 294 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 1: the decoy maybe out of place, or it just it 295 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 1: surprised them and it hasn't worked. So I would I 296 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:28,920 Speaker 1: would recommend everybody play with it see if it works 297 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:30,840 Speaker 1: for you. I've had great success with them, and I've 298 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:33,240 Speaker 1: had times where I wondered, like, huh, I wonder if 299 00:15:33,280 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 1: I didn't have a decoy out there, if it would 300 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:37,200 Speaker 1: have worked. So it's it's really trying to find your 301 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:40,800 Speaker 1: own way to hunt. I always have decoys with me, 302 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 1: whether we elect to use them or not. As a 303 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: different story, if I'm in I would say my general 304 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:49,960 Speaker 1: thumb is if I'm in a spot where that decoy 305 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:53,240 Speaker 1: can get the tricky's eyes off of me, or can 306 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:54,840 Speaker 1: be seen from a long ways away. You know, if 307 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 1: they're gonna be on a on a power line meadow, 308 00:15:57,840 --> 00:15:59,720 Speaker 1: or or they're gonna be somewhere where they can see 309 00:15:59,760 --> 00:16:01,880 Speaker 1: along ways and that decoy can get their attention. 310 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:03,080 Speaker 2: Will typically put it out. 311 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 1: If we're in tight, if we're in the timber or 312 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:09,000 Speaker 1: a bird, it's not the visual is not going to 313 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:12,440 Speaker 1: be to our advantage, then we'll typically leave, you know, 314 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: just set the bag next to our chair. 315 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 2: And go with that. 316 00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:25,119 Speaker 1: Do you need to bring blinds or makeshift ground blinds 317 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 1: out in the woods. I'm I don't like being tied 318 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:31,920 Speaker 1: up in an area. Now, if you've got really good 319 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:34,800 Speaker 1: info and you've scouted well, and you know birds are 320 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:37,840 Speaker 1: likely to come by, you know, get your blind out early. 321 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:41,200 Speaker 1: Make make it so it's not you know, surprise that 322 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:43,360 Speaker 1: the turkey on Opening Dale beside. You know, all of 323 00:16:43,400 --> 00:16:44,920 Speaker 1: a sudden a blind shows up. 324 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:47,080 Speaker 2: You can use them. I like to be more mobile. 325 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:48,760 Speaker 1: I like to kind of run and gun, regardless of 326 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:51,920 Speaker 1: whether I'm you know, hunting Easterns or or Rio's or 327 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 1: Marriam's here in Washington. 328 00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:55,880 Speaker 2: I like to stay mobile. 329 00:16:56,280 --> 00:16:58,280 Speaker 1: But on that same thread, what I do like to 330 00:16:58,320 --> 00:17:01,400 Speaker 1: do is carry some pruning shears because a lot of 331 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:04,359 Speaker 1: times there may be brush that's in a way or 332 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:06,840 Speaker 1: an area where you want to set up where you've 333 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:09,840 Speaker 1: got good visibility, but some of the brush, like within 334 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:14,119 Speaker 1: five to ten yards, makes it so you can't. You 335 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:16,919 Speaker 1: can cut that out of your way, cut it out 336 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:18,680 Speaker 1: in a way where you can still see, but kind 337 00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:23,919 Speaker 1: of gives you some concealment. And that's That's one thing 338 00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:26,399 Speaker 1: I do like to do is cut myself into a hole. 339 00:17:26,440 --> 00:17:29,440 Speaker 1: I've got good visibility, maybe not giving up my entire 340 00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:32,359 Speaker 1: face by cutting out limbs and making so that you 341 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:35,560 Speaker 1: can see out and get a shot if needed. So 342 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:40,920 Speaker 1: rather than carry blinds or concealment cloth or makeshift blind material, 343 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:43,560 Speaker 1: we typically bring shears and we can we can kind 344 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:46,879 Speaker 1: of brush ourselves in or add some brush as. 345 00:17:46,680 --> 00:17:52,520 Speaker 2: Needed, so that kind of goes for gear. 346 00:17:52,560 --> 00:17:55,120 Speaker 1: The last thing I'll talk about, and I would say 347 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:58,359 Speaker 1: this is definitely a luxury, not a requirement. There have 348 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:00,399 Speaker 1: been plenty of days where I've got call kind of 349 00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 1: stuffed in all my pockets, says do you need a 350 00:18:02,880 --> 00:18:05,080 Speaker 1: vest or do you need a pack of any sort? 351 00:18:05,119 --> 00:18:08,600 Speaker 1: I grew up Tricky Hunton. I always had a vest 352 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:10,720 Speaker 1: of some sort. You know, back in the day, I 353 00:18:10,760 --> 00:18:13,359 Speaker 1: think I was running like a primos. One of Will's 354 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:15,320 Speaker 1: vest that was, you know, I had all kinds of 355 00:18:15,359 --> 00:18:18,760 Speaker 1: pockets and holes and you know, striker holders and showholders 356 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:21,200 Speaker 1: and why I loved it, there is room for everything. 357 00:18:21,240 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 1: It was pretty heavy, and on some of these warmer 358 00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:27,280 Speaker 1: days when you get into early May, becomes a warmer option. 359 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:32,359 Speaker 1: It seemed to be a lot nowadays. You know Paul 360 00:18:32,520 --> 00:18:35,000 Speaker 1: fhf He's designed an Apex belt. I was able to 361 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:39,359 Speaker 1: test it. You know, last year they released it limited 362 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:41,359 Speaker 1: release here prior to twenty three and then it should 363 00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:43,679 Speaker 1: be a full release for twenty four. I really like 364 00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:46,480 Speaker 1: it because it's really streamlined. It allows me to keep 365 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:49,080 Speaker 1: a chest pack on it, lets me have some some 366 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:51,800 Speaker 1: pockets on the belt. But it's it's a very lightweight, 367 00:18:51,880 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 1: breathable system. And I don't feel like I've got a heavy, 368 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:57,960 Speaker 1: cumbersome vest on as I hunt. So a vest is 369 00:18:57,960 --> 00:18:59,920 Speaker 1: another one of those things where it's not a requirement. 370 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:03,040 Speaker 2: It is. It is a luxury. 371 00:19:03,080 --> 00:19:06,800 Speaker 1: But for those that have them, or can afford them 372 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:12,280 Speaker 1: or want them, it can definitely be a nice addition. 373 00:19:12,520 --> 00:19:18,639 Speaker 1: For sure, you get the season and a lot of guys, 374 00:19:18,680 --> 00:19:22,159 Speaker 1: you know, you need to locate turkeys and and this 375 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:27,240 Speaker 1: is different whether I'm in Kansas or around home in Kansas, 376 00:19:27,240 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 1: a lot of times we may not even roost birds 377 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:31,760 Speaker 1: because they typically if they don't get bumped off of 378 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:35,760 Speaker 1: those trees, they will typically roost in those same trees. 379 00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:37,280 Speaker 1: So a lot of times we will go out at 380 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:41,440 Speaker 1: night listen, but we're not so dead set on roosting 381 00:19:41,480 --> 00:19:44,639 Speaker 1: those turkeys as we are. Let's say we're in eastern 382 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:47,320 Speaker 1: Washington and these birds are falling the snow lineup, or 383 00:19:47,359 --> 00:19:50,360 Speaker 1: these merriams are all over the mountain side. They will 384 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:53,480 Speaker 1: roost potentially in a different spot night after night after night. 385 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:57,119 Speaker 1: And we found that if we don't go roost birds 386 00:19:57,160 --> 00:19:59,160 Speaker 1: here in eastern Washington, or you know, the same goes 387 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:02,159 Speaker 1: for the Idaho mountain birds or so on Montana birds, 388 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:05,280 Speaker 1: it's a little more important. So we go out every night, 389 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:08,560 Speaker 1: you know about that time of fly up, so I 390 00:20:08,560 --> 00:20:13,119 Speaker 1: would say, you know about you know, sundown on. You know, 391 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:15,360 Speaker 1: they'll be on the ground for another twenty twenty five 392 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:17,280 Speaker 1: minutes and then eventually they'll fly up, and then you've 393 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 1: got about a thirty to thirty five maybe even a forty. 394 00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:20,639 Speaker 2: Five minute window. 395 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:23,520 Speaker 1: We found over there, Well, those birds will talk a 396 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:25,919 Speaker 1: lot while they're in their roost, so we will, uh 397 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:28,119 Speaker 1: if we're driving roads, if there's a county road, if 398 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:30,119 Speaker 1: we're in on a ridge system, we'll go in there 399 00:20:30,160 --> 00:20:35,640 Speaker 1: and just listen after, you know, after fly up some 400 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:38,360 Speaker 1: calls you can use during that time. You can use 401 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:41,359 Speaker 1: your your out hooter, you can use crow calls. One 402 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 1: of my favorite nighttime locators, which I do not use 403 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:46,560 Speaker 1: during the daytime because I don't want them to feel 404 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:48,920 Speaker 1: that there's a coyout on the ground, is just a 405 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:53,359 Speaker 1: quick coyout. How it's a great nighttime locator. We seem 406 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:56,240 Speaker 1: to get really good responses out of that. So we'll 407 00:20:56,240 --> 00:20:58,000 Speaker 1: go up get to a good vantage, just like you're 408 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:00,200 Speaker 1: trying to locate a bugle or anywhere up high where 409 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:03,920 Speaker 1: you can hear a lot of country and locate a bird. 410 00:21:03,960 --> 00:21:06,040 Speaker 1: Then if we need to, we can drive to a 411 00:21:06,080 --> 00:21:08,360 Speaker 1: lower area, try to get a better pinpoint on them, 412 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:11,640 Speaker 1: and then make sure we've got a good idea because 413 00:21:11,640 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 1: in the morning we're gonna want to start there. That's 414 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:19,800 Speaker 1: where we're gonna start our hunt. When you do find 415 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:22,040 Speaker 1: a roost tree, if you've got them pretty you know 416 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:24,159 Speaker 1: pretty well defined that. The next thing I like to 417 00:21:24,160 --> 00:21:26,359 Speaker 1: do is get on on X or if you know 418 00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:29,120 Speaker 1: the area really well and try to figure out which 419 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:31,840 Speaker 1: way they're going to pitch out of that tree. If 420 00:21:31,880 --> 00:21:33,680 Speaker 1: you haven't got a chance to see them pitch out 421 00:21:33,680 --> 00:21:35,919 Speaker 1: of that tree, if you haven't had a chance to 422 00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:38,960 Speaker 1: see what they do in that area. A lot of 423 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:40,680 Speaker 1: times we set up. 424 00:21:40,640 --> 00:21:42,600 Speaker 2: Wrong in the morning. Are we going kind of blind? 425 00:21:43,160 --> 00:21:44,520 Speaker 2: And we just set up close to the. 426 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 1: Roosting birds and they typically pitch out the opposite direction. 427 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:52,600 Speaker 1: So put a little thought into where you think that 428 00:21:52,640 --> 00:21:55,840 Speaker 1: bird is going to pitch and why, and then that 429 00:21:55,880 --> 00:21:58,919 Speaker 1: could definitely help. And even more so, you don't have 430 00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:00,240 Speaker 1: to be so close to the bird. You can go 431 00:22:00,240 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 1: out one hundred and fifty hundred yards if you think 432 00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:05,119 Speaker 1: that that's where that bird's gonna gonna push out or 433 00:22:05,160 --> 00:22:08,639 Speaker 1: feed or you know where they're gonna strut, definitely go 434 00:22:08,760 --> 00:22:12,439 Speaker 1: that direction rather than, you know, just just below the 435 00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:16,560 Speaker 1: tree somewhere. Now, with that said, I seem to always 436 00:22:16,600 --> 00:22:19,520 Speaker 1: struggle regardless of where I set up on a roofs tree. 437 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:22,359 Speaker 1: It seems like the bird always wants to do something 438 00:22:23,600 --> 00:22:25,199 Speaker 1: you know that that I don't want them to do, 439 00:22:25,280 --> 00:22:26,880 Speaker 1: or go direction I don't want them to go. 440 00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:29,920 Speaker 2: And I've always struggled, like you do. Some tree helps. 441 00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:31,440 Speaker 1: You always want to get their attention or at least 442 00:22:31,480 --> 00:22:35,080 Speaker 1: let them know you're there, versus being completely quiet, hoping 443 00:22:35,119 --> 00:22:37,119 Speaker 1: that you pick the right direction. And I always kind of, 444 00:22:37,520 --> 00:22:39,600 Speaker 1: you know, go back and forth. And there's been some 445 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:41,800 Speaker 1: times where it's worked great, and there's been some times 446 00:22:41,800 --> 00:22:44,800 Speaker 1: where it's like I shouldn't have, shouldn't have made a sound. 447 00:22:44,840 --> 00:22:46,680 Speaker 1: So it's really up to you to kind of figure out, 448 00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:51,199 Speaker 1: you know, what what you what you want to do, 449 00:22:51,320 --> 00:22:52,879 Speaker 1: if you want to make a sound, or if you 450 00:22:52,920 --> 00:22:54,920 Speaker 1: want to alert them of your location so at least 451 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:58,240 Speaker 1: they know there's no real right or wrong answer there. 452 00:22:58,280 --> 00:23:00,560 Speaker 1: But I would say typically lean towards at least making 453 00:23:00,600 --> 00:23:03,399 Speaker 1: some really soft tree helps and then putting the call away. 454 00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:09,159 Speaker 1: So let's get into you know, one thing that a 455 00:23:09,160 --> 00:23:12,119 Speaker 1: lot of people for me spring turkeys about using the 456 00:23:12,119 --> 00:23:15,040 Speaker 1: calls and the vocalizations and getting these things to come 457 00:23:15,080 --> 00:23:22,080 Speaker 1: in on a string if possible. So what vocalizations as 458 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:23,960 Speaker 1: a turkey hunter do you need to be able to 459 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:27,879 Speaker 1: make to call a burden? I would say, if you 460 00:23:27,880 --> 00:23:30,920 Speaker 1: can only learn one sound, just your typical seven to 461 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:34,600 Speaker 1: nine note yelp is going to be, you know, your best, 462 00:23:34,920 --> 00:23:36,480 Speaker 1: your best call that you can go out in the 463 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:39,760 Speaker 1: woods with now not saying that you're limiting yourself because 464 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:42,880 Speaker 1: being able to have the ability to cluck per bubble, 465 00:23:43,119 --> 00:23:47,520 Speaker 1: you know, bubble cluck, cut, you know, any of those 466 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:50,159 Speaker 1: sort of calls can add to the realism, especially if 467 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:52,720 Speaker 1: they're doing it out in the woods. But going out 468 00:23:52,760 --> 00:23:55,520 Speaker 1: there with a minimum of the ability to yelp will 469 00:23:55,520 --> 00:24:01,919 Speaker 1: be to your advantage. How do you mimic realistic turkey 470 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:06,200 Speaker 1: calls rather than what you hear everybody do When I'm 471 00:24:06,280 --> 00:24:10,960 Speaker 1: testing turkey calls, or when I'm when I'm you're researching vocalizations, 472 00:24:11,040 --> 00:24:14,160 Speaker 1: or maybe I'm I'm recording audio. A lot of times 473 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:16,440 Speaker 1: I just go to real turkey sounds. I go out 474 00:24:16,480 --> 00:24:18,560 Speaker 1: to video clips of real turkey sounds. I don't try 475 00:24:18,560 --> 00:24:20,879 Speaker 1: to sound like another caller. I go to try to 476 00:24:20,920 --> 00:24:25,800 Speaker 1: sound like realistic turkeys, real turkeys. YouTube is a great 477 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:28,600 Speaker 1: spot to go listen to real turkeys do their thing 478 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:32,000 Speaker 1: and call. You know, we always try to we always 479 00:24:32,040 --> 00:24:34,359 Speaker 1: try to put their calling into a perfect little cookie 480 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:36,760 Speaker 1: cutter box, you know, a seven to nine note. Yep, Well, 481 00:24:36,760 --> 00:24:38,520 Speaker 1: guess what you can go on YouTube and listen to 482 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:41,560 Speaker 1: a turkey rattle off fifty or sixty ELPs in a row. 483 00:24:41,800 --> 00:24:44,080 Speaker 1: You can also hear turkeys very subtly. 484 00:24:44,480 --> 00:24:47,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you know they'll do like four 485 00:24:47,119 --> 00:24:47,520 Speaker 2: y ELPs. 486 00:24:49,040 --> 00:24:52,240 Speaker 1: You just need to go and decide for yourself what's 487 00:24:52,320 --> 00:24:54,000 Speaker 1: realistic turkey calls. 488 00:24:54,280 --> 00:24:56,480 Speaker 2: And uh, you know what you need to do to 489 00:24:56,560 --> 00:24:57,160 Speaker 2: mimic those. 490 00:24:57,920 --> 00:25:00,639 Speaker 1: Now, with that said, one of the the main questions 491 00:25:00,640 --> 00:25:04,760 Speaker 1: I get manufacturing turkey calls is which ones do I 492 00:25:04,880 --> 00:25:09,800 Speaker 1: need or which ones should I get? I always recommend 493 00:25:09,960 --> 00:25:15,679 Speaker 1: mouth diaphragms for people that are learning or experienced. The 494 00:25:15,720 --> 00:25:19,680 Speaker 1: best thing about mouth diaphragms is the movement is minimal 495 00:25:20,040 --> 00:25:22,159 Speaker 1: and it allows you to have access to your weapon. 496 00:25:23,119 --> 00:25:25,359 Speaker 1: Any other call that I know of, aside from a 497 00:25:25,400 --> 00:25:28,800 Speaker 1: mouth diaphragm, will require you to use your hands in 498 00:25:28,840 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 1: some form or fashion number one, making more movement number two, 499 00:25:32,840 --> 00:25:35,000 Speaker 1: not allowing you to have access to your weapon at 500 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:37,320 Speaker 1: the same time. So mouth calls are always number one, 501 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:41,400 Speaker 1: but the level of difficulty in learning those is typically 502 00:25:41,480 --> 00:25:45,240 Speaker 1: higher than the other calls. So but I always recommend 503 00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:47,720 Speaker 1: you at least get one and practice and give it 504 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:53,320 Speaker 1: a shot. From there, I would say box calls and 505 00:25:53,359 --> 00:25:56,600 Speaker 1: pot calls or sometimes equally is easy to learn. I 506 00:25:56,640 --> 00:25:59,800 Speaker 1: would say boxes maybe easier. You know, you got to 507 00:25:59,800 --> 00:26:01,879 Speaker 1: box call typically made out of a wood base with 508 00:26:01,920 --> 00:26:05,639 Speaker 1: a wood paddle, and by running those over and creating 509 00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:08,399 Speaker 1: the friction from the base to the paddle, you get 510 00:26:08,840 --> 00:26:11,920 Speaker 1: you know, a turkey yelp or a turkey sound. You 511 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:15,440 Speaker 1: can you can cluck on a box call, you can purr, 512 00:26:15,640 --> 00:26:17,719 Speaker 1: you can yelp, you can do a lot of things 513 00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:20,240 Speaker 1: and very easy to use just by swiping the paddle. 514 00:26:21,240 --> 00:26:23,960 Speaker 1: Pot calls are made out of a multitude of materials. 515 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,480 Speaker 1: I would say the most common would be a wood 516 00:26:26,520 --> 00:26:31,520 Speaker 1: pot or a plastic pot with slate, glass, aluminum copper, 517 00:26:32,560 --> 00:26:36,760 Speaker 1: a slate tech type material, a material that's kind of 518 00:26:36,760 --> 00:26:41,080 Speaker 1: an engineered material, and typically you will use a peg 519 00:26:41,119 --> 00:26:43,720 Speaker 1: with that. So you use a striker on top of 520 00:26:43,560 --> 00:26:48,280 Speaker 1: the conditions surface. So by making small semi circles or 521 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:52,800 Speaker 1: oblong circles, small j's, by dragging your striker down, you 522 00:26:52,840 --> 00:26:56,600 Speaker 1: can get your purrs sharp pushes down the board. You 523 00:26:56,640 --> 00:26:59,560 Speaker 1: can get your clucks or cuts, depending on how loud 524 00:26:59,600 --> 00:27:02,560 Speaker 1: you want those. And those are typically going to be 525 00:27:02,720 --> 00:27:05,240 Speaker 1: also a lot easier to run, a little less movement 526 00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:07,919 Speaker 1: than box calls, but maybe a little more difficulty in 527 00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:12,239 Speaker 1: learning to run those those are those are kind of 528 00:27:13,000 --> 00:27:15,440 Speaker 1: the three calls. Now, there's a lot of other specialty calls. 529 00:27:15,440 --> 00:27:19,359 Speaker 1: We've got tube cutting calls. We've got spring box calls 530 00:27:19,400 --> 00:27:21,000 Speaker 1: where you know there's a there's a spring and you 531 00:27:21,040 --> 00:27:23,960 Speaker 1: can push your push your pullpin calls. But I would 532 00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:25,600 Speaker 1: say the majority of your turkey calls are going to 533 00:27:25,640 --> 00:27:30,520 Speaker 1: be mouth diaphragms, box calls, or pot calls. Now that 534 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:35,560 Speaker 1: you're out there, can you recommend, you know, calling sequences 535 00:27:35,560 --> 00:27:38,720 Speaker 1: for different phases of the hunt? How does varying your 536 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:42,720 Speaker 1: cadence affect your responsiveness all of this stuff? So it's 537 00:27:42,800 --> 00:27:44,960 Speaker 1: very tough on a hunt to go out there and 538 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:47,560 Speaker 1: tell you exactly how you should call. Now, I'm gonna 539 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:50,159 Speaker 1: leave you with a few things. Is when you're out 540 00:27:50,119 --> 00:27:51,919 Speaker 1: in the woods, what are the other turkeys doing? Are 541 00:27:51,960 --> 00:27:55,879 Speaker 1: those hands being very very voisious? Are they being to 542 00:27:55,920 --> 00:28:01,320 Speaker 1: the point of overcalling? Are they being aggressive? So you're 543 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:04,440 Speaker 1: kind of you're kind of reading, kind of reading the room. 544 00:28:04,920 --> 00:28:07,360 Speaker 1: How are the other turkeys responding? How talkative are they? 545 00:28:07,720 --> 00:28:09,480 Speaker 1: But then the other thing you're gonna do is, how 546 00:28:09,560 --> 00:28:12,200 Speaker 1: is that tom that you really want to come into 547 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:15,639 Speaker 1: your location? How is he responding to your calling? Is 548 00:28:15,680 --> 00:28:18,480 Speaker 1: he fired up when you cluck? Is he fired up 549 00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:19,000 Speaker 1: when you yell? 550 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:20,000 Speaker 2: Is he fly? You know? 551 00:28:20,160 --> 00:28:23,600 Speaker 1: Is he fired up? On this or that? Last year 552 00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:26,240 Speaker 1: in Washington, I was there with my good buddy John 553 00:28:26,280 --> 00:28:30,600 Speaker 1: and Simon in eastern Washington, and you know, we don't 554 00:28:30,640 --> 00:28:31,240 Speaker 1: typically pull. 555 00:28:31,240 --> 00:28:32,880 Speaker 2: We've always got a box call with us. 556 00:28:34,160 --> 00:28:36,080 Speaker 1: We've always got what you know, all of our calls 557 00:28:36,119 --> 00:28:38,400 Speaker 1: with us, but there's just some that we use more 558 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:42,920 Speaker 1: than the other. On this particular hunt, we kept coming 559 00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:45,640 Speaker 1: back to my box call, which is the meat eater 560 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:48,800 Speaker 1: X Phelps box call. There was something about it, whether 561 00:28:48,840 --> 00:28:51,200 Speaker 1: it was the time of the year, whether it was 562 00:28:51,600 --> 00:28:55,080 Speaker 1: you know, quietness, whether you know, whether it was elevation, 563 00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:59,200 Speaker 1: whatever it may be. We could get turkeys to respond 564 00:28:59,240 --> 00:29:01,160 Speaker 1: to that box call better than we could our mouth 565 00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:03,680 Speaker 1: diaphragms or our pot calls. So it was one of 566 00:29:03,720 --> 00:29:06,360 Speaker 1: those things where just because what those turkeys in the 567 00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:09,560 Speaker 1: field wanted to hear, what they responded to, we picked 568 00:29:09,640 --> 00:29:12,080 Speaker 1: up on that and we used that box call more 569 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:14,320 Speaker 1: so than not. Now, it did add some difficulty, like 570 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:17,360 Speaker 1: I said before, is we're trying to call those birds 571 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:20,200 Speaker 1: into our location with a box call. It's sometimes very 572 00:29:20,320 --> 00:29:23,440 Speaker 1: very tricky for me. My right arms got to move, 573 00:29:23,840 --> 00:29:25,600 Speaker 1: you know, to the extent of you know, five or 574 00:29:25,640 --> 00:29:27,920 Speaker 1: six inches on the end of the paddle. So a 575 00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:29,520 Speaker 1: lot of times when we were setting up, if I 576 00:29:29,560 --> 00:29:34,160 Speaker 1: wasn't the shooter, I would set up, maybe more so 577 00:29:34,560 --> 00:29:37,400 Speaker 1: out of out of the visible, you know, area of 578 00:29:37,400 --> 00:29:40,000 Speaker 1: that turkey. I would kind of go hide myself, which 579 00:29:40,000 --> 00:29:41,920 Speaker 1: wouldn't be ideal if I was calling for myself, but 580 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:44,840 Speaker 1: calling for my buddies, I was able to make work. 581 00:29:45,920 --> 00:29:47,680 Speaker 1: One time I was the caller and the shooter. We 582 00:29:47,680 --> 00:29:51,920 Speaker 1: were being very strategic on listening where the bird's gobble was, 583 00:29:51,960 --> 00:29:53,920 Speaker 1: how close we thought they were, can we hear them 584 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:56,520 Speaker 1: spitting and drumming, And then at some point I was 585 00:29:56,520 --> 00:29:59,240 Speaker 1: gonna have to put the box call down and just 586 00:29:59,240 --> 00:30:01,040 Speaker 1: hold onto my gun and hope that that was enough 587 00:30:01,040 --> 00:30:04,720 Speaker 1: to finish him. So using kind of all of those 588 00:30:04,800 --> 00:30:09,200 Speaker 1: cues throughout a hunt to decide whether or not, you know, 589 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:11,560 Speaker 1: you need to keep using that call or you may 590 00:30:11,640 --> 00:30:13,520 Speaker 1: run into a turkey that doesn't care if you're yelping 591 00:30:13,560 --> 00:30:16,880 Speaker 1: the mouth diaphragm, a pot call, or a box call, 592 00:30:17,040 --> 00:30:21,080 Speaker 1: or any combination thereof. So you're really one. Like I said, 593 00:30:21,080 --> 00:30:22,560 Speaker 1: I don't think you can go wrong if you if 594 00:30:22,600 --> 00:30:24,200 Speaker 1: you listen to all the other turkeys in the area, 595 00:30:24,280 --> 00:30:26,800 Speaker 1: how how loud are they being. You know, if you've 596 00:30:26,800 --> 00:30:28,920 Speaker 1: got boss hands that are just real squawky, you may 597 00:30:28,960 --> 00:30:30,680 Speaker 1: need to get squawky because you're trying to call him 598 00:30:30,720 --> 00:30:33,600 Speaker 1: away from her. Or number two, if that bird just 599 00:30:34,080 --> 00:30:37,080 Speaker 1: soaking up everything you throw at it, continue to go 600 00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:37,880 Speaker 1: down that path. 601 00:30:38,920 --> 00:30:43,720 Speaker 2: You know, during during your call ins, different terrains is one. 602 00:30:43,840 --> 00:30:46,440 Speaker 1: One of the other things is how do you you 603 00:30:46,440 --> 00:30:47,920 Speaker 1: know is there a difference when you're hunting him in 604 00:30:47,960 --> 00:30:50,640 Speaker 1: the mountains of Washington versus the open fields or the 605 00:30:50,680 --> 00:30:53,440 Speaker 1: open meadow you know country at Kansas And I would 606 00:30:53,480 --> 00:30:56,600 Speaker 1: say yes, but it's more so on the subspecies. 607 00:30:56,640 --> 00:30:58,920 Speaker 2: I would say it was a question about terrain. 608 00:30:59,680 --> 00:31:04,600 Speaker 1: But the stubborn Easterns of the Midwest are a completely 609 00:31:04,600 --> 00:31:08,440 Speaker 1: different animal than than our Miriams out out in the west. 610 00:31:08,440 --> 00:31:11,560 Speaker 1: You know, you've got big, thunderous gobbles or a bigger bird, 611 00:31:11,840 --> 00:31:15,000 Speaker 1: but an Eastern is very very stubborn and sometimes very 612 00:31:15,120 --> 00:31:17,520 Speaker 1: very hard to get them to give up your location. 613 00:31:18,480 --> 00:31:21,280 Speaker 1: It's when they do give up their location they sometimes 614 00:31:21,280 --> 00:31:23,200 Speaker 1: seem to care a little bit less about your calls. 615 00:31:23,200 --> 00:31:24,760 Speaker 1: And I know this all depends on the time of 616 00:31:24,800 --> 00:31:28,560 Speaker 1: the year, but Easterns more difficult. You go out west 617 00:31:28,600 --> 00:31:31,880 Speaker 1: and we're hunting our rios and our Miriams a lot 618 00:31:31,880 --> 00:31:34,800 Speaker 1: more talkative, a lot easier to get to say something. 619 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:38,040 Speaker 1: Early in the morning or middle of the day. When 620 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:40,880 Speaker 1: I'm hunting Merriams or rios, I feel like I've got 621 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:44,040 Speaker 1: a good chance all day long. Where when I'm hunting 622 00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:46,880 Speaker 1: Easterns in Kansas or wherever it may be, I feel 623 00:31:46,880 --> 00:31:49,000 Speaker 1: like at times I just need to set up on 624 00:31:49,080 --> 00:31:52,520 Speaker 1: a travel corridor, maybe do some you know, a little 625 00:31:53,160 --> 00:31:55,560 Speaker 1: real subtle calling every hour or so, and just hope 626 00:31:55,560 --> 00:31:59,840 Speaker 1: that they want to walk by me. So that's one 627 00:31:59,840 --> 00:32:05,720 Speaker 1: of the big differences now terrain. I've always felt turkeys 628 00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:08,040 Speaker 1: would rather come uphill do a call because if they 629 00:32:08,080 --> 00:32:12,200 Speaker 1: run into danger, they can pitch away from the danger. 630 00:32:13,240 --> 00:32:15,040 Speaker 1: So that's one thing I always try to keep in mind, 631 00:32:15,080 --> 00:32:18,360 Speaker 1: either on contour or calling them uphill. Imagine if you're 632 00:32:18,400 --> 00:32:22,360 Speaker 1: trying to call a bird downhill and they they run 633 00:32:22,400 --> 00:32:24,560 Speaker 1: into danger, they can still just run up the hill, 634 00:32:24,600 --> 00:32:26,920 Speaker 1: but it puts them at a disadvantage versus just being 635 00:32:26,920 --> 00:32:28,520 Speaker 1: able to pitch off the hill. They don't want to 636 00:32:28,560 --> 00:32:32,880 Speaker 1: pitch out over the danger of what may be there. 637 00:32:34,040 --> 00:32:37,080 Speaker 1: So that's that's really when it comes to terrains kind 638 00:32:37,120 --> 00:32:40,280 Speaker 1: of what I'm thinking of as I as I go 639 00:32:40,400 --> 00:32:44,120 Speaker 1: into that, you know, setup can that turkey get away 640 00:32:44,120 --> 00:32:47,160 Speaker 1: from danger? Are they going to be comfortable? And uh, 641 00:32:48,080 --> 00:32:50,960 Speaker 1: you know, look at it from from that that standpoint. 642 00:32:51,360 --> 00:32:54,480 Speaker 1: Aside from that, like and that's kind of that's kind 643 00:32:54,480 --> 00:32:56,680 Speaker 1: of my advice for a turkey hunter. You know, a 644 00:32:56,720 --> 00:32:57,960 Speaker 1: lot of people think you need to have all the 645 00:32:58,000 --> 00:33:02,040 Speaker 1: specialty gear, I would say, a weapon, some understanding of 646 00:33:02,560 --> 00:33:04,880 Speaker 1: being able to make some turkey calls, and then it's 647 00:33:04,920 --> 00:33:06,920 Speaker 1: really just spending time out in the woods and understanding, 648 00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:11,520 Speaker 1: you know, understanding the birds. You know, as I've said before, 649 00:33:11,520 --> 00:33:13,680 Speaker 1: I've got lots of podcasts that goes very very deep 650 00:33:13,720 --> 00:33:18,040 Speaker 1: with doctor Chamberlain and some of these research biologists that 651 00:33:18,120 --> 00:33:21,520 Speaker 1: talk about like we get into you know, nesting cycles 652 00:33:21,560 --> 00:33:23,920 Speaker 1: and why you know, turkey hunting maybe better later in 653 00:33:23,920 --> 00:33:26,560 Speaker 1: the season and early you know, we we talk about 654 00:33:26,640 --> 00:33:29,560 Speaker 1: hunting pressure, we talk about all those things, but it's 655 00:33:29,800 --> 00:33:34,200 Speaker 1: very basic, you know, the foundation of turkey hunting. I 656 00:33:34,240 --> 00:33:36,360 Speaker 1: wanted to do this podcast to really just kind of 657 00:33:36,360 --> 00:33:41,360 Speaker 1: say what you need, what you don't need necessarily, but 658 00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:44,280 Speaker 1: what what are kind of some of these luxuries? And uh, 659 00:33:44,640 --> 00:33:46,280 Speaker 1: you know, turkey hunting is just a blast. You know, 660 00:33:46,440 --> 00:33:49,840 Speaker 1: some people out west, you know, love to hate on 661 00:33:49,880 --> 00:33:50,600 Speaker 1: turkey hunting. 662 00:33:51,080 --> 00:33:53,080 Speaker 2: You know it's we should be spring bear hunting or 663 00:33:53,120 --> 00:33:53,600 Speaker 2: doing something. Man. 664 00:33:53,640 --> 00:33:55,840 Speaker 1: I absolutely love it when I can get an animal 665 00:33:56,160 --> 00:33:59,360 Speaker 1: to interact with me, regardless of what they say. It's 666 00:33:59,480 --> 00:34:02,520 Speaker 1: very very simi to elk hunting, I get something to 667 00:34:02,600 --> 00:34:05,040 Speaker 1: respond with a locator call. Something I didn't talk about, 668 00:34:05,040 --> 00:34:06,920 Speaker 1: But you can use all of these locator calls. You 669 00:34:07,000 --> 00:34:09,560 Speaker 1: locate them, you take a guess at where you think 670 00:34:09,600 --> 00:34:11,719 Speaker 1: they are, you move in as close as you can 671 00:34:11,840 --> 00:34:14,279 Speaker 1: without busting them, and you sit down and try to 672 00:34:14,280 --> 00:34:17,759 Speaker 1: call them in. Very very similar to elk hunting. Yeah, 673 00:34:17,920 --> 00:34:20,399 Speaker 1: I'm calling in a twenty pound turkey instead of an 674 00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:24,480 Speaker 1: eight hundred pound screaming elk, But the game itself is 675 00:34:24,560 --> 00:34:30,680 Speaker 1: similar and I love everything about it. And if you 676 00:34:30,719 --> 00:34:33,000 Speaker 1: have any other questions for me or my guests on 677 00:34:33,080 --> 00:34:36,480 Speaker 1: the upcoming turkey episodes that we're just starting to get into, 678 00:34:37,120 --> 00:34:41,719 Speaker 1: please email them to us at CTD at Phelpsgame Calls 679 00:34:41,760 --> 00:34:43,440 Speaker 1: dot com, or you can send us a message on 680 00:34:43,480 --> 00:34:45,440 Speaker 1: any of our social media platforms and we'll do our 681 00:34:45,480 --> 00:34:48,080 Speaker 1: best to get them plugged in here. But with that said, 682 00:34:48,440 --> 00:34:51,560 Speaker 1: turkey hunting isn't some big, giant, complicated thing where you 683 00:34:51,600 --> 00:34:55,200 Speaker 1: need all this fancy gear, weapon tag. Do a little 684 00:34:55,200 --> 00:34:57,520 Speaker 1: bit of scouting, learn how to call, and go hunt 685 00:34:57,560 --> 00:34:58,680 Speaker 1: and have a blast to spring. 686 00:34:59,040 --> 00:35:06,759 Speaker 2: Thank you everybody, and