John's Journal...


First 30 Minutes of Turkey Hunting with Chris Kirby, Larry Norton and the Late Doug Camp

Day 2: More First 30 Minute Turkey Hunting Tactics with Quaker Boy Calls and Mossy Oak Pro Staffer Chris Kirby

Editor’s Note: What you do in that first 30 minutes of a turkey hunt often determines if the turkey will come to your calling, if he won't come to your calling, or if you will or won't bag a bird that day. The first 30 minutes of any turkey hunt usually sets the tone for the rest of the hunt. Let's look at how avid turkey hunters approach that first 30 minutes, and what they do to bag their birds. Chris Kirby of Orchard Park, New York, the winner of the World Turkey Calling Championship, president of Quaker Boy Calls and Mossy Oak Pro Staffer (http://www.mossyoak.com) has won four U.S. Open titles, a Masters' Invitational Championship and seven New York State Championships and enjoys hunting turkeys.

Click for Larger ViewClick for Larger ViewWhen I can tell from the turkey's gobbling that I've set-up in the wrong place, and the turkey is coming to me but will pass for instance on a ridge above me, I don't jump up and run to the top of that ridge. I realize I'll spook the bird. Instead I'll sit where I am and let the tom go where he wants to go. Once I know he no longer can see me, then and only then will I make my move. If the turkey gobbles in the same spot and doesn't come any closer to me, but I'm sure he can't see me, then I'll wait 15 minutes by my watch. If he gobbles again at that same site, I'll get up, move, try to circle the bird and call from the other side of him. Also, if I hear the turkey walking away, I'll get up and move on him. But one of the biggest mistakes I think most turkey hunters make is being too quick to move.

You often can tell the age and the mood of a turkey before you ever see him. If that bird gobbles every breath, then you've got a really-good chance to bag him. However, if he only gobbles about once every 15 minutes, more than likely he's an older bird that's been shot at or called to a lot. The odds of your taking that tom are against you. With older birds that seldom gobble, I'll hold my position, scratch in the leaves occasionally and give very soft calling. I'll cutt and purr infrequently and possibly cutt to him right after he gobbles. Then I'll wait 15 minutes before I call again. You can bag an older bird that gobbles very little if you'll call seldom and be extremely patient. I'm convinced that the one element that has been undersold in successful turkey hunting is patience.

Click for Larger ViewClick for Larger ViewTo learn more about turkey hunting from the masters, get these Kindle ebooks by John E. Phillips, including: “The Turkey Hunter's Bible,”click here; “PhD Gobblers;” click here; “Turkey Hunting Tactics,”click here; and his latest eBook “Outdoor Life’s Complete Turkey Hunting,”click here, or go to http://www.amazon.com/kindle-ebooks, type in the names of the books, and download them to your Kindle, and/or download a Kindle app for your iPad, SmartPhone or computer. Check back at www.nighthawkpublications.com after March 24th for a reprint of John E. Phillips’ popular, sold-out book, “The Turkey Hunter’s Bible” 2nd edition.

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About the Author

John Phillips, winner of the 2012 Homer Circle Fishing Award for outstanding fishing writer by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), the 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the year and the 2007 Legendary Communicator chosen for induction into the National Fresh Water Hall of Fame, is a freelance writer (over 6,000 magazine articles for about 100 magazines and several thousand newspaper columns published), magazine editor, photographer for print media as well as industry catalogues (over 25,000 photos published), lecturer, outdoor consultant, marketing consultant, book author and daily internet content provider with an overview of the outdoors. Click here for more information and a list of all the books available from John E. Phillips.

Tomorrow: The Late Doug Camp’s Turkey Strategies for Hunting Public Lands


Check back each day this week for more about First 30 Minutes of Turkey Hunting with Chris Kirby, Larry Norton and the Late Doug Camp"

Day 1: Quaker Boy Calls and Mossy Oak Pro Staffer Chris Kirby Explains His Turkey Hunting Strategies
Day 2: More First 30 Minute Turkey Hunting Tactics with Quaker Boy Calls and Mossy Oak Pro Staffer Chris Kirby
Day 3: The Late Doug Camp’s Turkey Strategies for Hunting Public Lands
Day 4: More of Doug Camp’s Turkey Hunting Tactics on Public Lands
Day 5: Turkey Hunter and Guide Larry Norton on Using Patience with Hunting Turkeys

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Entry 761, Day 2