Smokin Tom and Jake

[rugerdogdog]

Kind of a stupid topic I know, but what do you all have planned for the turkey hunt? I'm not wanting spots but just wondering whose going and where? A general area is fine. See I'm going to go but I'm guessing it's going to be a joke. Like the deer opener. It opens on a Monday, I'm sure to try and alleviate some pressure, is that going to keep you from going until the weekend?
For those that have hunted turkeys, (I have not) what is your MUST HAVE gear? Is your call as important as your camo? Can a guy get a turkey with a 30 year old 20 gauge with no camo on it? Whats the minimum shot size and choke for a 20 ga.?
I know a little about hunting them, just what I've learned on the Outdoor Channel, just wanted to hear what everybody does before the big day!

[fixed blade]

I'm going again this year. To the Central area, and the mountains east of Beaver. Yes it is a joke even thou it opens on monday. Last year same thing, it opened on a monday and I felt like it was the opener of the Rifle Deer hunt. I'm hoping to shoot one with my bow.

[str8shtr]

I will be walking around the the northern area with my bow. My must have gear is my turkey vest I just bought it for last years hunt and holy crap what a difference it makes. It has a fold down padded seat and padding on the back its very comfy when your sitting on the ground for hours.

[rugerdogdog]

Fixed, if you're not in love with your spot, or don't have success I know another spot over that way that has been LOADED with turkeys. It's actually a little closer for you than Beaver. I will be trying it on the weekends if my closer spots don't pan out. I would gladly give you directions in a PM if your interested. Its a spot you could even hit on the way home if you don't smoke Tom in the Fillmore-Beaver.

[Joey_B.]

Im not 100% of the seasons and I didnt get a tag (theres a rumor somethin bout over the counter late seasson tag er something). I wouldnt have ANY idea where to start as far as finding birds, although there have been reoprts of em runnin the streets of Logan. Anyway, I have hunted turkeys for years and years and years, wake up well b4 daylight, locate a gobbler, set up on him and call him in. And would gladly do that for anyone that is interested, but you got to have the spot and since I dont have a tag I'd be just callin for you. Ive heard thats not how they are hunted here and thats fine no big deal. I will be out of town from March 5-19. If nebody needs/wants to have a bird called in for em give me a holler. O I really dont want to drive 400million miles either (unless its the weekend and I dont have to drive back the same day).

[rugerdogdog]

You can in fact buy a tag over the counter this year. No limit on the number of tags, you can hunt statewide, and you can buy them right up to the last day of the hunt. May 3rd-May 31st.
I went on what I thought was going to be a scouting trip yesterday. Lots of tracks right where we unloaded the wheelers but then when we went up higher, to where I plan to hunt, there was about 18" of snow still and not a track. So it turned into a fun wheeler ride instead of a calling practice session. I didn't get to try out the slate call I bought yesterday. But my chickens sure do react to it!!!

[F'n A]

I'm looking to go to So UT. I never hunted them before. I'm wondering what the opener will be like and if it is that important to get there that early. Maybe the hunting will actually be better later in the hunt as the pressure goes down. I prefer the deer hunt later.

[Poo Pie]

Came home from work this morning to find my tag had shown up in the mail. Maybe I'll hunt at least one day this year huh fixed?

[Poo Pie]

scouting next week, should be a good time

[Joey_B.]

I think I may hunt some birds while I am back in Alabama.

[rugerdogdog]

So nobody mentioned shot size. What would you all use in a 20 ga.?

[cwp]

They make turkey loads for shotguns. I shoot a 3.5" magnum 4 shot......might be overkill, but they fall right over!
Cory

[Poo Pie]

How's the scouting going? Not so good for me.

[fixed blade]

Fixed, if you're not in love with your spot, or don't have success I know another spot over that way that has been LOADED with turkeys. It's actually a little closer for you than Beaver. I will be trying it on the weekends if my closer spots don't pan out. I would gladly give you directions in a PM if your interested. Its a spot you could even hit on the way home if you don't smoke Tom in the Fillmore-Beaver.

Thank you sir. The main reason I'm going to beaver is my buddy has a cabin their with a pond full of big brookies. He also has got a turkey there, so that's pretty good too. But if that doesn't pan out I'll take you up on your offer.

[Lord Budweiser]

Turkeys are a blast to hunt and an old tom can be tough to get a shot on. If you've never hunted them before, be prepared to hunt like your deer hunting. They are not so easy to hunt on public land here in Utah, it's not like the videos of back east and down south. Hike and call, hike and call, hike and call, unless you have access to private, which I don't! These are the last two I killed-Last year and 2007. I've also killed a Jake as my first bird, but I didn't get a picture of him. He was so cute and tasty!