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October 05, 2009
Fall Turkey Double Shot - 10
Rain. Wind. Gloom of day. Still carrying my two NY turkey tags. It's open until Nov. 20 in the area where we hunt 'em and we'll be back there soon. Other states will follow in a bit. Stay tuned. On downtime, I caught up with nationally competitive turkey caller, call designer, and hardcore Ohio hunter Josh Grossenbacher of Zink Calls to check his pulse on hunting fall longbeards and the best mouth call for kee-keeing. SH: You've roosted a fall longbeard flock, and know their preferred food source. How does Josh Grossenbacher hunt 'em? Set up near the roost? Set up on the travel path? Set up on the food source? JG: In a situation like this, the first thing I would put into perspective would be how much time I have to work on this flock of longbeards. If I only have a few hours to hunt before work, my approach would be get as close as possible in the pre-dawn darkness to these roosted gobblers while staying far enough away without being detected. Knowing where they are feeding I would setup an ambush between roost and feeding sights, trying to make it a quick successful hunt catching them right after they hit the ground on their way to feed making it a quick hunt. The disadvantage to this approach is the possibility of bumping these longbeards and ruining their predictable pattern for possible future hunts. With time to hunt this flock all day I would pack a lunch and snacks and find a nice cozy spot where I can sit with good cover and wait. If these longbeards are as predictable as they have been I will have no problem waiting all day for them. I will call very little, maybe 3-4 times per hour, with just clucks and gobbler yelps. The disadvantage to this type of setup is time. Most turkey hunters lack patience (myself included); long sits are hard to handle. I really like to cover ground and hunt aggressive, but in a situation like this the long wait will usually pay off if the birds have not been disturbed and are still on the same pattern.
SH: What reeds do you prefer in a diaphragm for kee-keeing? Single? Double? Others? Why? JG: In a kee-kee call I prefer a double reed with the top reed being heavier latex and the bottom reed being lighter. With the lighter reed on bottom it makes it easier to control your whistles while the heavier reed on top makes it easy to get deep raspy yelps. Zink Calls does have a kee-kee style call coming out this year. It is a double reeded ghost-cut style call named the Lost Lady. These calls can be ordered at our shop by calling 1-(877)-LEG-BAND or check us out at: www.zinkcalls.com/
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Comments (10)
Steve, good info, and I thought with the title you were going to describe what should have happened to me Oct 1st. Ran a good ways to get in front of a flock headed to roost, barely beat them there, as they come over the hill, I realize I'm not in a very good spot because of the lip of the hill, but still they are or will shortly be in range. Just about the time I'm thinking of shooting the bird in front it putts and I shoot, they all start scattering, I apparently missed the bird and in disbelief I shoot at one going away. As I stand there watching the flock of 6 or 7 birds scatter and thinking I've apparently missed twice, but at least I've set myself up for a good morning hunt, and how in the **** did I miss twice!? Nearly an hour later and almost home I yell at myself in the car as I realize I still had a modified choke tube in from dove hunting. Hopefully I can tell you a story with a happier ending (not from the turkey's point of view) before the month is over.
Hey Levi,
How are ya man? Might have been good to sneak back in there the next morning, and try to call them in as they assembled after your flock bust and scatter the day before? Maybe your schedule didn't make it possible to do that, but it could work next time? Good story either way, even with the misses. Thx.
Several years back (October '06 actually) I killed a NY fall turkey after missing it on the first shot, and my buddy missed one clean, but we got a good flock scatter after that. It was late afternoon so we headed down the mountain. Next morning he went right back in there before fly down, and called one in for the kill. Bad to good and all that.
I have an old 870 Wingmaster 12 G. (modified choke) that is deadly at 20-25 yards. Killed both a 1992 & 1993 NH spring gobbler with it in fact (same maple tree setup; same mod choke; I have no life and keep track of this stuff!). I've missed turkeys with all the chokes though, and will again no doubt. Any of us who hunt them enough know that's part of the game . . . plus you get to hunt some more!
Thanks as always for keeping us posted here at the SZ. Almost like being in turkey camp . . . good luck!
-S.
In the early fall I use a model 1100 12ga. extra full turkey choke loaded with 2 ¾ “ #7 ½ Hevi-Shot Remington waterfowl load; deadly for the heavy cover close in work.
Later season switch back to #5s.
Been hitting a period when the turkeys hear me call they head the other direction. A gobbler the other day started gobbling so much I was wishing him to shut up so he would at least hear my calls. He did eventually and never saw or heard him again.
Be careful what you wish for. ;-)
Hey charlie elk,
Those surviving fall turkeys know the distinctive calling sound of the Wisconsin Assassin is all!
Good discussion point the #7 1/2 Hevi load. Unfortunately it's not legal for turkeys everywhere. Wish it were. Would rather have wildlife managers drop #4s from the options. Like you, I go #5s (or 6s) . . .
-S.
P.S. I was using a similar load this morning in New Hampshire when I missed a chip shot on a gorgeous opening day greenhead(inland waterfowl zone). Beauty is in the eyes of the shotgun holder, I guess. Don't blame the load though in this case, but the naturalist gunner who watched the drake mallard instead of slapping cheek to stock. How many years do I have to do this before I learn?! Have a good one guys. Fall turkeys coming on this end, but not soon enough! . . . -S.
P.S.S. I stretched the truth on "similar load." Truth is I was packing Wingmaster HD #4s on this morning's waterfowl hunt (teal and woodies around too), but like charlie elk, I lean heavily toward smaller shot (again, 5s & 6s) for that head & neck turkey poke matched with the tight extra-full choke. (Can't use 7 1/2s here.) In all honesty, I do carry some small non-tox stuff for the rare snipe encounter on a waterfowl hunt . . . had the 4s in on the whiff. Anyhow since we're on the subject, which loads do you SZers prefer in the turkey woods? Are 7 1/2s legal where you hunt? -S.
In Missouri, I don't think there's a minimum shot size, I use 6 because I started using a 16 gauge and they make pheasant loads for 16 gauge, but not turkey loads, I switched to a 12 gauge and still use 6 because I can shoot a 2 3/4 shell have a tight, full pattern without beating myself up. I have thought about reloading my own for a while now, maybe some 7 1/2 or 8 mixed in with 5 and 6. I have also thought about switching to non-toxic, it sounds like you can get better performance than lead, but it does cost more...What have you guys seen, or think about it?
Hey Levi. Don't know about the other guys, but I've used Remington's Wingmaster HD loads(tungsten/bronze/iron)since 2006 when they first hit the market. Have killed birds around the country with it. Tagged birds in Florida, Texas, Vermont and Maine with it this past spring. Reliable. I've also leaned heavily toward Winchester's turkey loads over the years as well with excellent success. Back in the early to mid 1990s I was a Federal guy like many turkey chasers. As all offerings go, I like 3-inch #5s & #6s, but have done fine with 2 3/4-inch shells too. Remington. Winchester. Federal. They're all good. I'm a 12 gauge guy, but my dad went with a 16-gauge man for turkeys (spring and fall)during my Pennsylvania days growing up. -S.
Levi, depending on the demands of a particular hunt I use lead or one of the "heavy" shot loads. At the range penetration is much better with the hevi shot. Even the small pellets completely penetrate 3/4" plywood at 25 yds. My gun gets better performance out of the waterfowl loads on turkey than from the turkey loads.
Fortunatly I have a good supply purhased a couple of years ago for $4 per box of 10. Now they are asking $30 per 10 box! Which is why these days I am using some lead too. Much less expensive.
P.S. Steve, you might be onto something...
Going dig deeper into my call drawer and pull out some oldies but goldies for the hunt tomorrow. Change things up a bit.
Those Rem Wingmaster HD are very good shells. The cost is a bit much around here. Although ammo prices are tracking down somewhat.
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Steve, good info, and I thought with the title you were going to describe what should have happened to me Oct 1st. Ran a good ways to get in front of a flock headed to roost, barely beat them there, as they come over the hill, I realize I'm not in a very good spot because of the lip of the hill, but still they are or will shortly be in range. Just about the time I'm thinking of shooting the bird in front it putts and I shoot, they all start scattering, I apparently missed the bird and in disbelief I shoot at one going away. As I stand there watching the flock of 6 or 7 birds scatter and thinking I've apparently missed twice, but at least I've set myself up for a good morning hunt, and how in the **** did I miss twice!? Nearly an hour later and almost home I yell at myself in the car as I realize I still had a modified choke tube in from dove hunting. Hopefully I can tell you a story with a happier ending (not from the turkey's point of view) before the month is over.
Hey Levi,
How are ya man? Might have been good to sneak back in there the next morning, and try to call them in as they assembled after your flock bust and scatter the day before? Maybe your schedule didn't make it possible to do that, but it could work next time? Good story either way, even with the misses. Thx.
Several years back (October '06 actually) I killed a NY fall turkey after missing it on the first shot, and my buddy missed one clean, but we got a good flock scatter after that. It was late afternoon so we headed down the mountain. Next morning he went right back in there before fly down, and called one in for the kill. Bad to good and all that.
I have an old 870 Wingmaster 12 G. (modified choke) that is deadly at 20-25 yards. Killed both a 1992 & 1993 NH spring gobbler with it in fact (same maple tree setup; same mod choke; I have no life and keep track of this stuff!). I've missed turkeys with all the chokes though, and will again no doubt. Any of us who hunt them enough know that's part of the game . . . plus you get to hunt some more!
Thanks as always for keeping us posted here at the SZ. Almost like being in turkey camp . . . good luck!
-S.
Hey charlie elk,
Those surviving fall turkeys know the distinctive calling sound of the Wisconsin Assassin is all!
Good discussion point the #7 1/2 Hevi load. Unfortunately it's not legal for turkeys everywhere. Wish it were. Would rather have wildlife managers drop #4s from the options. Like you, I go #5s (or 6s) . . .
-S.
In the early fall I use a model 1100 12ga. extra full turkey choke loaded with 2 ¾ “ #7 ½ Hevi-Shot Remington waterfowl load; deadly for the heavy cover close in work.
Later season switch back to #5s.
Been hitting a period when the turkeys hear me call they head the other direction. A gobbler the other day started gobbling so much I was wishing him to shut up so he would at least hear my calls. He did eventually and never saw or heard him again.
Be careful what you wish for. ;-)
P.S. I was using a similar load this morning in New Hampshire when I missed a chip shot on a gorgeous opening day greenhead(inland waterfowl zone). Beauty is in the eyes of the shotgun holder, I guess. Don't blame the load though in this case, but the naturalist gunner who watched the drake mallard instead of slapping cheek to stock. How many years do I have to do this before I learn?! Have a good one guys. Fall turkeys coming on this end, but not soon enough! . . . -S.
P.S.S. I stretched the truth on "similar load." Truth is I was packing Wingmaster HD #4s on this morning's waterfowl hunt (teal and woodies around too), but like charlie elk, I lean heavily toward smaller shot (again, 5s & 6s) for that head & neck turkey poke matched with the tight extra-full choke. (Can't use 7 1/2s here.) In all honesty, I do carry some small non-tox stuff for the rare snipe encounter on a waterfowl hunt . . . had the 4s in on the whiff. Anyhow since we're on the subject, which loads do you SZers prefer in the turkey woods? Are 7 1/2s legal where you hunt? -S.
In Missouri, I don't think there's a minimum shot size, I use 6 because I started using a 16 gauge and they make pheasant loads for 16 gauge, but not turkey loads, I switched to a 12 gauge and still use 6 because I can shoot a 2 3/4 shell have a tight, full pattern without beating myself up. I have thought about reloading my own for a while now, maybe some 7 1/2 or 8 mixed in with 5 and 6. I have also thought about switching to non-toxic, it sounds like you can get better performance than lead, but it does cost more...What have you guys seen, or think about it?
Hey Levi. Don't know about the other guys, but I've used Remington's Wingmaster HD loads(tungsten/bronze/iron)since 2006 when they first hit the market. Have killed birds around the country with it. Tagged birds in Florida, Texas, Vermont and Maine with it this past spring. Reliable. I've also leaned heavily toward Winchester's turkey loads over the years as well with excellent success. Back in the early to mid 1990s I was a Federal guy like many turkey chasers. As all offerings go, I like 3-inch #5s & #6s, but have done fine with 2 3/4-inch shells too. Remington. Winchester. Federal. They're all good. I'm a 12 gauge guy, but my dad went with a 16-gauge man for turkeys (spring and fall)during my Pennsylvania days growing up. -S.
Levi, depending on the demands of a particular hunt I use lead or one of the "heavy" shot loads. At the range penetration is much better with the hevi shot. Even the small pellets completely penetrate 3/4" plywood at 25 yds. My gun gets better performance out of the waterfowl loads on turkey than from the turkey loads.
Fortunatly I have a good supply purhased a couple of years ago for $4 per box of 10. Now they are asking $30 per 10 box! Which is why these days I am using some lead too. Much less expensive.
P.S. Steve, you might be onto something...
Going dig deeper into my call drawer and pull out some oldies but goldies for the hunt tomorrow. Change things up a bit.
Those Rem Wingmaster HD are very good shells. The cost is a bit much around here. Although ammo prices are tracking down somewhat.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)