Turkey Season!

[DaddyMac]

Whats everyone using to call them in...I use the 'ole woodenbox.

Diaphram calls. Last one I bought was Primos, before that a few HS Strut.

[2forISU]

Quincy, Il has some good areas around it.

[illinoiscyclone]

I go with these few:

ML Lynch box call, I have tried others and have never been nearly as satisfied


and the black widow, not the best out there but the best that I currently own
]


and regular mouth calls sound better to me, but to the gobblers it seems that the double or triple reed double v cut sounds best.

[jay moe]

As for the first question, I am in the process of trying to figure that out. The rules say that if you are a full time student who attends an Iowa university and lives in the state, you are allowed to buy in-state tags. So I think so.

As for the public land, I am still debating about that. My dad has been shot at in public land before by some pollack who didnt speak english, so that is discouraging. I have a couple of buddies who'll take me out hunting in Denison, but I'd like to go before class. I also have private land on an outfitter in central illinois (well over 1300 acres which is what we can deer hunt), which is about as prime as it gets, but the wait is killing me.



I have what is called a breeding jake which sits upon just any ol hen. we then usually use another 2 hens pretty similarly as you do. I have a problem where I usually set them too close to me, but I always try to keep them all within 40 yds and within about 45 degrees of each other, straight out from me.



I have some other questions about tags. Are tags only good for one county? Are they good for only one season? Where can you get them? What do you need to buy them, just a license?

Your tag is good for the zone you are hunting in. I hunt zone 4 in southern Iowa, my tag is good there. It is also only good for the season you buy it for. There are 4 seasons in Iowa, excluding the youth season, you can buy a tag for any of the first 3 seasons and one for the 4th season so you can possibly bag 2 birds. You need to have a valid hunting license to purchase a turkey tag.

[cybsball20]

IF I go this year, it will be my first with a bow.... any tips?

[jay moe]

IF I go this year, it will be my first with a bow.... any tips?

Have a good blind and good aim. It is tough, you have to get them in pretty close. Good luck..

[DaddyMac]

IllinoisCyclone,

You had probably call the DNR and find out about your status for resident or non-resident. If you can't get a resident tag, it looks like you're out of luck as the non-resident application period already passed back in January.

To amend some of the things Jay moe stated, if you are labelled non-resident and are able to get a tag as such, I'm pretty sure that the 2nd season is resident-only. (check that - I thought it was, but can't find it listed as such anywhere. Must be confused with the youth season) And I think non-residents can only get one tag, meaning only one season - not sure about that however. BTW, non-resident for Story county, Boone, Marsha or northern Polk is Zone 7.

Good luck.

IA DNR: Wild Turkey Index

Edit. Looks like you can get them anytime if any are left. There is a quota for non-resident tags. I couldn't find anything about out-of-state students getting a resident tag. I've never heard of such a thing, but haven't hadn't any reason to inquire either.

[illinoiscyclone]

IllinoisCyclone,

You had probably call the DNR and find out about your status for resident or non-resident. If you can't get a resident tag, it looks like you're out of luck as the non-resident application period already passed back in January.

IA DNR: Wild Turkey Index

I just did and I got the go ahead to buy in state permits.
Thanks!

[NebrClone]

I had 30+ turkeys wondering through my backyard this winter.

[jay moe]

Diaphram calls. Last one I bought was Primos, before that a few HS Strut.

I like to use slate or ceramic calls with a good striker. Have about 3 of them that all have a different sound. Not good with the mouth calls yet, just don't have enough practice in to sound right.

[DaddyMac]

I just did and I got the go ahead to buy in state permits.
Thanks!

Great! Best of luck!

[DaddyMac]

I had 30+ turkeys wondering through my backyard this winter.

And you live where exactly ???

I like to use slate or ceramic calls with a good striker. Have about 3 of them that all have a different sound. Not good with the mouth calls yet, just don't have enough practice in to sound right.

My brother is a fantastic hunter. Turkey hunts bow as shotgun just isn't much of a challenge for him anymore. He uses slate and sounds great.

I prefer diaphram (about 12+ years) just so I can call when they're close and I need to have the hands on the shotgun.

And when I practice, it drives my Vizsla nuts....

[DaddyMac]

IF I go this year, it will be my first with a bow.... any tips?

Do you have a blind?

#1 thing I've been told about blind hunting, when you spot the birds, close those back windows so you aren't a sillouette inside there. They will spot that and bolt.

(never occurred to me )

[jay moe]

And you live where exactly ???



My brother is a fantastic hunter. Turkey hunts bow as shotgun just isn't much of a challenge for him anymore. He uses slate and sounds great.

I prefer diaphram (about 12+ years) just so I can call when they're close and I need to have the hands on the shotgun.

And when I practice, it drives my Vizsla nuts....

I have been working with a mouth call, just not to good at it yet and not brave enough to use it in the field. Agree with you on having your hands free, it can be a little dicey using a slate call at times......Do you hunt in the fall also?

[NebrClone]

South of Fremont, NE. I here them every day when I am out.