Dumb newbie questions...

The title explains it all. I am new to sport of calling in turkeys thought if I gave a heads up that some of these questions might be dumb or even possibly obvious then I wouldnt get grilled by others (which is frequently what happens on L.L. in EVERY forum) Anyways here we go. I hope others add their questions and that there are a few generous experts out there... This is my second year of hunting turkey in this state. Out west the birds are tame and we basically drove them to each other. Obviously not going to work here. I believe that I am very proficient at making the basic calls, know the importance of camo, etc. First question: When guys go out are they locating gobbling birds before setting up? Im talking about a new area that I may not have had time to scout and know that they show at 4 every day.. If locating do you just walk around with an owl call or some type of turkey call???? until you get a response OR are people setting up in an area they think looks good and waiting until one comes their way (again a new area that for many reasons you might not have scouted prior)? This sounds obvious but I just want to make sure. If you do a locator call are you always going to get a response OR just because you dont get a response is there a good chance one is around (example, I was on private property tonight that holds birds but did not once hear a turkey) Second question: How long will you stay in that area before moving on?. Again, Im asking under the assumption that you are getting no gobbling activity. I have all day saturday and have access to many different properties...If I get no activity should I continue onto the next or give it time.? 3rd. Under the short season structure if I stay all day on property with nothing is it best to continue and dedicate my time or is it time to move on (for some reason both years the birds seem to move off the private land a few weeks before season....they are there all winter long!)? 4th.. Final question for the night....Ive been told that there is a ton of gobbling in the early morning as they get off the roost. What is the rest of the day going to look like? Will they be as vocal during different times or will they "turn off" later in the day? I know that you cant bag a bird from your couch but is there prime times to be there and times that really dont produce? (thinking with two very little kids its best to make the wife happy and dedicate my time away to those prime times - as a result I get more time away if Im not gone for 15 hours a day. Thanks again for all the responses. I hope others add questions. Turkey hunting seems to be a fairly complicated sport that takes guidance and time to master....

as far as if there are prime time ive seen alot of birds hunting roost areas in morning and evening before but most of my turkey encounters / kills have been later morning 8 to noon dust bowls and strut zones. And as far as hunting techniques you can read all the books and article you want but the turkeys definately dont read those books lol.

If you know where they're roosting, when should you put yourself in the area to catch them before they fly up? 1pm, 2pm, 3pm? Not sure what time they fly up and how far they travel before they do so?

I've killed birds at all times of the day so go when you can. IF you know where birds will be at 4 each day; be there at 3:15 and be ready. Don't say a word and wait for them to show up and shoot one. Ambushing a bird is fun too. Do lot's of scouting, be where they want to be and be very careful and quiet. When on the move, always think there is a bird in front of you; move slow and be concealed. Good luck.

1st Question- When I hunt a new area I like to get to an area I feel birds will be roosting in. Big oaks, silver maples or other large trees are good roosting trees. I get there early, maybe an hour or more before sun rise. As I get to the spot I look for escape routes for me to bug out on in case I have to move in on a bird. I look for easy access to different areas. I pay attetion to open fields, open areas in the woods. I also look for any obstacles such as a creek, fence, road or downed trees. Anything that would block a turkey from getting to me. I normally use a owl hooter at the first sign of light to see if I can a response. I also pay close attetion when natural critters like crows or geese fly over- alot of times gobblers will fire up to these sounds and you won't have to do anything but listen. If I don't hear gobbling or bird activity I will set up where I can see the farthest. This way I am hunting and scouting at the same time. If a hour or so goes by without any action I get up and do some walking and calling to see if I can fire up a bird. 2nd question- If you have lots of ground to cover, cover it. If nothing is happening at the first spot move on. 3rd Question- You have to let the birds tell you what to do. If it is a dead sea and you have not heard or seen a bird, go to one of your other properties. 4th- Normally morning is best for gobbling- The toms are gathering their hens and looking to breed. The tom will normally breed his group of hens and then go looking for more. I have killed most of my birds after 8:00 in the morning. Normally when you fire a bird up after 8 or so, he is hot and willing to work. the morning gobbling gives you a idea of how many birds are in the area and where they go after fly down. The morning helps you put the whole picture together as to what they are doing, where they are going and why. Also- Anytime before a front comes in is a good time to be in the woods. Just like fishing critters get active before a storm. The afternoons can also be good because the tom has bred the available hens. mid morning to early afternoon I use the walk and call tactic while I sneak through the woods. I will call every 100-300 yards depending on the terrain and the conditions. Windy conditions will require a little more calling and calm conditions it will be less. I also call anytime before I crest a hill or round a corner. I hope the bird will give himself away and let me know where he is. When walking and calling, check behind you, I have had birds come out behind me and start following me. If you come across a nice looking spot, set up for 15-30 minutes and see what happens. If you get a bird to respond to you and depening on how far away he is, set up or get as close as you think you can. Alot of times the bird will gobble and then shutup- if this happens figure he is coming to you and get ready. Good luck!

I believe on an average day only 1 out of 4 toms will be actively vocal. That means many toms will not gobble to your attempts to locate them and may come in silent. Be patient. If you have seen birds in the area, they are most likely still around. When you call and a bird answers, it is obvious he has heard you and may come in, when he gets ready to. I have busted many birds by calling, and not getting a immediate response, decided to move and bumped a bird coming in quiet. Most of us have made the mistake of trying to force things to happen. Remember, turkeys don't wear a watch and have nothing to do and all day to do it!................

You have some valid questions however, there is no real good answer to them. Locator calls will work at times but don't think that since you didn't get a shock gobble there are no huntable birds in the area. As was mentioned scouting and observation will go a long way to putting you on birds and setup locations. I prefer to stay out of the woods until I am actually hunting. Locator calls worked great 20 years ago, not so much now. Pick a good area that you know holds birds and you will eventually be successful. I used to run and gun a lot and had succerss doing it. The last few years, I have had better results just staying put in an area I have confidence in. Birds will gooble at fly up in the evening and again at first light. Sometimes they gobble a lot, sometime very litte if at all. The amount of gobble can indicate how hot the bird is but that's not an absolute thing either. Birds can and do come in silent far too often. Turkey hunting is as complicated as you want to make it. These birds are not all that smart but they can be unpredicable at times. Good Luck.

none of your questions are dumb....I'll keep this simple,I too have hunted my share of western birds, the differance is out there no one is driving up and down the roads for a month before and a month or more of the season blowing on everything from crow calls, owl calls to goose calls..THIS ONLY EDUCATES THE BIRDS AND ENTERTAINS YOU, so just scout, glass, listen-- quietly.If your limited on time, hit the first couple hours of daybreak, listen for them, then hightail it to within your calling range, plant yourself and softly call...and sparingly.Keep it simple, keep it fun...good luck hope this helps, i'm sure others here can fill in the blanks also.Its worked for me, if I score one this year(bow) it will be my 28th...enjoy your hunt