I would say time has made me a more successful turkey hunter. Being semi-retired versus working multiple jobs in the past has made me more successful these past few years. Woodsmanship, calling, and patience/time would be my big three. I find it hard to compete with hens off the roost, but a Tom that breaks away mid-morning looking for new action is much easier to harvest. In some cases, they are coming back to something they ignored just a few hours before. Being able to hold tight & wait until a Tom fires up on his own has been my best ticket to success. In the past, multiple work schedules hindered all that. It's fun to start thinking about spring turkeys!
Dale, Every February the RU-vid algorithm kicks in, and I get some more Dale Outdoors! Your videos helped me kill my first 3 gobblers. I got into hunting later in life and your videos are the absolute best! Keep up the great work!
I just wanted to say. Been hunting all my life. But my family never was in to turkeys. Later in life , now, I am a self-taught turkey hunter. It has been a big grind learning everything by myself. However, what a rewarding endeavor! I can't say enough how enjoyable & rewarding the pursuit of a gobbler is. This Spring, my first bird will be on the table, I guarantee. Partly because of your help. Thanks so much for all your videos, sir. Just a tremendous asset, most especially for us hunters learning on their own. Good luck to everyone going out this Spring & Fall wherever you are. 👍
The old fellow who got me started turkey hunting had been a turkey hunter for 50 years. I asked him what made a good turkey hunter? He didn’t hesitate to say “Woodsmanship” I’ve been at it for years now and can’t tell you how true what he said was.
Dale, I’ve been applying your woodsman-ship methodology to bowhunting turkey and I must say it can be done but is a different beast no doubt. Last season I hunted with no blind and did a public land spot and stalk up to 20 yards with only a mouth call (no decoys) and made a standing shot within a timber edge. It would be cool if you provided some emphasis with this method to archery factors such as movement as opposed to only gun. Great content and thanks for your knowledge! 🦃
Winter of deer prep comes to a sudden halt in April for turkey season for 5 weeks. I love turkey hunting and believe that knowing when, where, and how to move in the bush (woodsmanship) is crucial, especially in early season with no vegetation. Calling is secondary in my opinion. Impatient guys bump more turkeys than they ever know are there. Love your work Matt.
Love the content. As a WV native that’s the fun part is running the hills trying to outsmart them. Only time I use decoys and blinds is when I’m bow hunting them
I believe your exactly right about the woodmanshlp this generation sets in a blind with decoy and if the turkey don’t show up their home in a couple hours
I’d like to hear more about picking setups. My personal favorite is hunting just off a ridge top and calling the bird over the top or around a point or fold in terrain. I find if you’re close but they can’t see you they will come looking.
Getting away from other Pa. hunters than Woodsmanship ,calling and a little luck doesn't hurt either. Great to see your videos back and counting the days till May 5th.
Yep you’ve got it nailed Dale, you just forgot to mention one thing. Patients, over the years I’ve had more guys tell me the bird shut up on them and couldn’t get him to respond so they waited just a bit and then decided to move and BUSTED.
Here it is! Muhwahhaha! Keep it coming, Matt. I'll tell ya I have shot the 12 guage longbeard for a long time, but last year, I bought some apex greenleafs, and they are deadly. The longbeard are plenty for me, because most of mine are with in 20 yards, due to the terrain, and the long beard just work perf3ctly and are a third of the price. Now the apex is deadly, I mean DEADLY! I shot 2 with them last year, and they are just no flop deadly. I agree with you on the woodsmenship, but you have to be pretty good with a call, too.
Awesome video. I believe woodsmanship is even more important for bow hunters. I expect my missed Autumn hunt will make me a better Spring turkey hunter. Arizona opens in May.
I view this in a slightly different perspective, I believe that calling is a critical subset of workmanship this not only encompasses being the best caller that you can but how and when to use those calls and when to be silent and patient
Love your vids. Hunting in Florida is different. Land goes from flat to wet. Yes have clear cuts, smz, tall pines and swamp. Pasture in some places. I'd appreciate your input on techniques for that terrain.
I have gotten to were I dont watch turkey hunting much on tv, seems it's always out of a blind and they are calling continuously. Like they are trying to sale the call. Turkey hunting has never work like that for me. Each tom has been somewhat different from the other I think woodsmanshop is a must and I still mess up some, and calling is a must and yes I still mess up some. That's the game. Dont forget the wine, it worked awesome fore last year.
Can you suggest some or any Videos on how to LOCATE Turkeys 🦃 better. I live in Louisiana and I’m pretty sure Louisiana has the LOWEST POPULATION of Turkey. The Estimated Population is less than 50,000 Birds. I have not been able to kill a Turkey here in Louisiana after 7 Seasons. I’ve killed Birds in Texas and Missouri, but not here yet!!! Thanks for ANY help you can give.
BTW hunting out of a blind or box stand is not turkey hunting. Unless you are with a child or someone that is not physically able to not be in a blind.
If you want to shoot a turkey, you have to go where the turkeys are and be where they will go. Learn that first, then call them. Calling where there aren't any, or calling where they won't go, won't get a turkey.
I do both and im a killer lol take my calls i will still fetch me a turkey i hate the guys that say i seen him again same corner the field gobbled twice every call hot as a firecracker stood up there for a half hour again hens came past and they all went into the woods lol people are idiots anymore and cant or just dont think like a hungry hunter and hunt like your starving and you will get em easier than ever before lol
