Heirloom Turkey Call Update

© By Othmar Vohringer

Heirloom Turkey Calls announces a new product that will make it a snap to convert any cheap run of the mill box and slate type calls into a quality product. The solution is replaceable copper surfaces.

Brian Warner owner of Heirloom Turkey Calls had this to say about his invention. “Copper has for generations been used to make bells because of its excellent sound qualities and this holds true when it is applied to a turkey call. Originally designed for Heirloom Turkey calls, this surface has proven to be just as effective on other manufacturers calls and can even be used as a repair for a cracked slate or glass surface. Simply peal away the backing and affix the new Copperhead surface above the damaged glass or slate and you’re back in the hunt. No glues, tapes, or drying time, and no need for chalk on your box call lids!”

The copper surface has turned out to be a great idea because a person can take a cheap knock off call and improve the quality of the sound for such a low price or keep his Heirloom call in perfect order with such a simple process.

Priced at $7.00, a fraction of the cost of a new call, you can afford to keep one in your vest as well as on your calls. Should the need arise, you can peel the old surface off and replace it with a new one or even just lay the new surface over the old. Copperhead Replaceable Calling Surface set also available for $14.00. Best of all, the Copperhead is completely waterproof and that is very important since the best time to hunt is in weather conditions when all other hunters stay home.

Visit the Heirloom Website and see the complete lineup of top quality turkey calls made by hunters for hunters.

Tags: Heirloom Turkey Calls, Slate Call, Box Call, Turkey Hunting, Turkey Hunting Tips

Scatter a Turkey Flock and Score.

© By Othmar Vohringer

One of the easiest methods of scoring on a fall turkey is to scatter a flock of birds and then wait for the flock to assemble again. Here are three tips of different flock scatter tactics that have produced time and time again.

Scatter Tactic Tip #1

Scout an area for a turkey roosting tree. It may not be the same tree where the turkeys roosted in the spring so you really should go out and look around to find that tree. Roosting trees are easily identified. You either observe a flock of birds where they are heading before dusk and follow them at a safe distance to their roosting tree, or look for feathers and droppings under a likely roosting tree.

Wait until it gets dark and the turkeys are roosted. Then slip undetected under the tree. Once under the tree start making a racket. Holler at the birds, throw sticks in the treetop, do whatever it takes to drive the birds off the roost. Then go home and get a good rest and sneak back near that tree before dawn. Set up near the roosting tree using good head to toe camouflage and wait for the birds.
The turkeys naturally will return at daybreak to the roosting area to try and get back together. You do not need to call, but if you want to call use a kee-kee run, the assembly or the lost yelp.

Scatter Tactic Tip #2

The most popular method for hunting fall turkeys is to sneak undetected up on a flock of birds. The idea here is to get as close as possible without alarming the birds then run towards them as fast as you can waving your arms and yelling at them. Try to make this attack a complete surprise and penetrate the flock as deep as you can to split them up in different directions as they take off flying.

One caution please. Never run with a loaded gun. Make sure that your gun is unloaded before you rush the flock. Do not use this tactic on public land when you know or expect other hunters to be in the area. You do not want to spoil other hunter’s tactics or run the risk of being shot at by mistake. Also know the terrain well, as you run like a world champion you do not want to trip accidentally over a wooden log, a hole in the ground or a stone and break a leg or worse.

Watch in which direction the birds are flying and then try and get between the birds set up and call with lost yelps, assembly yelps and kee-kee runs. The other turkeys will think that you’re one of the lost birds and will come looking for you.

Scatter Tactic Tip #3

This is the same tactic as the one above but instead of exerting yourself with a mad-dash-sprint you can use a turkey-hunting dog. Several states have legalized the use of hunting dogs for fall turkey hunting. Read your states hunting regulations. When the dog busts the flock leash it and proceed as above by mimicking a lost turkey with your calling.

Here is a less common tactic and one that I have never tried but have been told works very well: The dog finds an individual bird or flock and then points them, like pheasant dogs do. The moment the hunter gives the appropriate command the dog flushes the bird and the hunter shoots the turkey on the wing. Below you can watch a video clip of the two different tactics commonly used when hunting with a turkey-hunting dog:


Video courtesy of America Gun Dog.

Tags: Fall Turkey Hunting Tips, Hunting Dogs, Kee-Kee Run, Lost Yelp, Public Land Turkey Hunting, Turkey Flock

NWTF Commitment to Hunters’ Rights

In the News.

Source: U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance


The National Wild Turkey Federation has reached a milestone, having donated more than $1 million to the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and the fight to protect hunting in America.

On Oct. 5 at the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Senior Vice President of Communications Tammy Sapp presented a $100,000 check to Rick Story, USSA senior vice president. The contribution makes NWTF one of the top donors of all time to the nation’s leading sportsmen’s rights advocacy organization.

“This benchmark speaks volumes about the NWTF and its deep and steadfast commitment to the defense of outdoor sports,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president & CEO. “Its investment in the battle to protect sportsmen’s rights has paid dividends for hunters from Maine to California.”

The NWTF and USSA have partnered on many projects to promote and protect hunting. The team, along with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, established the Families Afield program to eliminate unnecessary hunting age restrictions and ease hunter education mandates for first time hunters.

"Removing youth hunting barriers is one way to help ensure the future of our hunting heritage for generations to come," said Rob Keck, CEO of the NWTF. "By fighting for sportsmen's rights, the USSA is making a significant difference and we're proud to support them."

The NWTF has also fought alongside the USSA to ensure the defeat of ballot issues to ban bear hunting in Alaska and Maine, defeat legislation to ban dove hunting in California, and vanquish a bill that would have kicked sportsmen off of the New Jersey Fish and Game Council and replaced them with environmental and animal rights activists. In Ohio, the two organizations worked to protect dove hunting at the ballot box.

“The NWTF understands that the anti-hunting threats to dove hunting or bear hunting are the tip of the iceberg, and if one of those pastimes falls, the turkey hunters will be one of the next in line,” said Pidgeon. “Its support of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance demonstrates its commitment to the future of all hunting and wildlife conservation nationwide.”

The USSA is planning to use the funds on its programs, which defend hunters from antis’ attacks and expose their agendas, show sportsmen that their rights are at risk, and inspire the next generation in the outdoor heritage.

Tags: National Wild Turkey Federation, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Hunters+Rights, Turkey Hunting, Turkey Conservation Program