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Oct-Lull

Oct-Lull

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So my son who is 7 is asking to turkey hunt. Looking for some advice. I turkey hunted one year with a bow about 12 years ago using no decision and a blind. Just went with some guys I worked with. So I don't know much. I would assume using a gun would be much higher success especially if we don't take time to is a blind. Calls I can probably skate by, I have no decoys. Are they a integral part? Is none better than super cheap? Anything will be helpfull
 
All of this is just my opinion.
1) If you don't have a blind then a 7 year old will have a very hard time getting one with a bow.

2) If you don't use a blind you will need to make sure that your son can sit still, especially when it counts. My son has shot a couple just sitting in front of me, but he was a little older.

3) Decoys aren't necessary, but they may help. Based on my past experience no decoys would be better than super cheap decoys. Can you borrow some from a buddy that doesn't hunt during youth season?
 
kelcher said:
All of this is just my opinion.
1) If you don't have a blind then a 7 year old will have a very hard time getting one with a bow.

2) If you don't use a blind you will need to make sure that your son can sit still, especially when it counts. My son has shot a couple just sitting in front of me, but he was a little older.

3) Decoys aren't necessary, but they may help. Based on my past experience no decoys would be better than super cheap decoys. Can you borrow some from a buddy that doesn't hunt during youth season?
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Yeah I was looking into that. He asked me tonight if he could be the shooter, I wasn't sure if that was what he was thinking. He is not ready to bowhunt them so we would be going gun. I would assume a 20 ga with the right load would be sufficient? I know for fact he would prefer to hide in a cedar or brush pile to a blind.

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I would make sure you have dekes, just to keep the eyes off of you guys. You can get some decent dekes for intermediate prices, the new flextime sure are actually really nice lookin and I think the hen is like $35

If you dont use a full blinds even one of the cheap $30 ground skirts that are 18”-24” high might be worthwhile to allow for some movement. I would recommend the blind though as you can keep him out there much longer

Calls - just make sure you don’t over call. Turkeys are vocal but the biggest mistake I think folks make is calling every couple minutes. Should be More like every 15-20

Take you son shooting and only put a 2 3/4” target load in there, just get him use to pulling the trigger and not flinching. Slip the mag turkey load in there during season he will nevert feel it with the adrenaline.
 
Are afternoon hunts not as productive? I am afraid most of the time we will have will be afternoon.

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Oct-Lull said:
So my son who is 7 is asking to turkey hunt. Looking for some advice. I turkey hunted one year with a bow about 12 years ago using no decision and a blind. Just went with some guys I worked with. So I don't know much. I would assume using a gun would be much higher success especially if we don't take time to is a blind. Calls I can probably skate by, I have no decoys. Are they a integral part? Is none better than super cheap? Anything will be helpfull
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Yes do it and have fun with your son! Now you will have a Spring sickness like many on here. I personally started way TOO late in life hunting Turkeys.
I have this HS slate call I no longer use and it’s free. If you’re son wants it send a PM with your address.

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It is a great time and you are sure to make some great memories! Let me know where you are from. My son can't go til 2nd wknd so my dekes would be available if your close.
 
My advice is you can have 500 dollars in decoys and be a world champion caller but if your not where they wanna be then its not worth your time. Scout and scout some more.
 
Actually Just got in from practicing with my boys. Do just as stated above. Have your son practice and pattern with a light trap load with a splatter targets or something to see pattern. I will typically take a shot or 2 with a turkey load myself just to check pattern of the turkey load. I highly recommend using a blind. Gives the kids a lot more freedom to move and get comfortable especially when its time to take the shot. I also would recommend decoys. Might help bring in for a closer shot and takes turkeys attention away from you. enjoy the time in the woods. My boys are really excited to go again this year.
 
For 7 years old. A blind is going to be a must. Also a good shooting stick. You can move around in the blind getting him set up on the shooting stick and the birds won't see you moving. Also a couple of decoys will help bring them in closer. The closer the better. As for the gun. A 2og will work just fine. And you don't need to use magnum turkey loads to kill a bird. All we have used is 2 3/4 upland game loads. 5 shot. And we have killed birds out to 40 with those. A full choke also helps. And a cheap red dot works good also. Then they only have to put the dot on the head and shoot.
 
I have a blind, decoys, a few calls (I always used primarily mouth calls)... You need to borrow them, drop me a PM. I get to the Harpers Ferry area/Waukon area enough to get them to you. I am not turkey hunting this year due to a big project at work
 
flugge said:
I have a blind, decoys, a few calls (I always used primarily mouth calls)... You need to borrow them, drop me a PM. I get to the Harpers Ferry area/Waukon area enough to get them to you. I am not turkey hunting this year due to a big project at work
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I appreciate the offer. I have a blind, and since it's his hunt I will let him choose if he wants to use it. I'm not going to try and run it for him since the whole thing is his idea. A decoy does sound vital and since it's a first try and who knows if he will want to go again if I can borrow a decoy the first time around I think it will be best. If he really likes it he can sake up and get one for next year. Calls, I have a couple diaphragm mouth calls I can use and have practiced with in that past and had a slate donated to him which was very generous and appreciated.

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If your bowhunting a blind and decent decoys are a must imo. Ive had way to many birds skirt setups or offer subpar shots. I would scout the area as much as possible right before season and then just get in their way. They will show up.
 
Evening hunts work great. Find where they roost and set up in their past back to the trees. They change trees depending on the wind and weather. Scout evenings and watch where they head.
 
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