I know this question has probably been asked to each of you many upon many of times but please bare with me. My step-father got me into hunting when I was about 14, all he is really into hunting is deer, dove, and ocassionally small game.

At this time I am 20 and really only hunt deer. I have gone out everyday I have been able to since I was 14 and have shot 3 deer to date(button buck, spike, and a doe) Woot! hehe anyways I really want to give a go at Turkey hunting but have never been and have no one to teach me but the videos I buy which as you all know make it look so easy!

My question is... what is a good way to get into turkey hunting if ou dont have anyone to teach you nor the land to hunt... I would like to stay away from the public land because people now-a-days scare me. I have heard so many horror stories and have had my own incidents on public land that have scared me off. Do most of you guys hunt private land for turkey, do you guys do guided trips, or maybe even do an un-guided trip on a hunting reservation? Anyways thanks for all the help fellas... would love to hear how everyone got started hunting turkey.

Hey Neal I started hunting a few years ago. I had some really good people to go with to get me started. I get to hunt on some private land but also hunt on public land also. If you hunt public land try going during the middle of the week less hunting pressure.

And to be honest I have learned the most from being by myself. The birds are the best teacher you can have. All the birds that i have killed I have been by myself. That and there is some great post and posters on this site.

The most important is you can't kill them if you don't go I try to hunt everyday and this is why I have been able to take a few birds.

Neal, I watched all the TV shows, Tapes, DVD's that I could. . My firsy bird came from a hunt with Freddy. I learned a lot from him that you might not get from these other methods. When you get around these experienced guys, be a sponge! Soak it all up! Make a point to go to Roanoke to the cookout. You won't be sorry. You will meet some of the finest people, eat some of the finest food, and spend some of the best quality time there is! Nothing beats being out in the woods. Scouting an area, finding feathers, finding dropings, finding a dust bowl, etc. Nothing beats setting up in those areas you scouted and hearing a bird on the roost, flying down, and gobbling his head off. I had a hunter come in on me on public land (cause I called so pretty I guess), I just stood up and stepped out of my blind, waved my hand, and he nodded and walked off the other way. Turkey hunters I have met are not typical of all hunters. They seem to be a cut above the ordinary. Good luck!

Thanks for the replies fellas. This year I am going to try my best to be at the cookout. One of the things that turns me off of turkey hunting is that I have spent hundreds of hours out in the woods hunting deer and have never come across a turkey.

Then again I hunt on base in Chesapeake and I dont believe they even have a turkey population in Chesapeake. hehe but one time I was hunting in Chickahominy and I got out of my stand got to my car and was driving down the road and a hen ran across the street in front of me... I grabbed my gear and ran after it lol =p I tried sneeking in the woods and laying some calls out for a while and never got a response =P Funny times though.

FlatLand... where about in Hampon do you live? Were pretty close to each other. Anyways thanks again for the replies fellas...

Sorry im at work and forgot to login on the above post.

Neal, I live down near Buckroe Beach. Maybe we could hook up for a hunt this spring.

Ron

I also learned from watching tv shows. Although don't expect all the sucess you see there (ha ha). I have hunted for 6 years now and killed three nice birds and passed on a few jakes. Still can't use a mouth call though. The hardest thing for me is to know when not to call. I have spooked a few birds by having them too close and i would reach for the box (oops). the people on here are very knowledgeble and have helped me a great deal just by watching their stories... thanks guys and good luck to you

Flat... I would love that! Just dont make fun of me lol because im a turkey newb! I will probably drill you with questions lol.

Turkeymature, Will Premos says, "most hunters call to much and too loud!" That sounds about right to me as well. I tend to want to keep making something happen. It is difficult for me to sit for an hour or more in one spot and only call a few times.