© By Othmar Vohringer
On my recent turkey hunting trip where I had to share the woods with an army of other hunters one thing became very obvious to me. A mistake many hunters make is to overcall. Turkeys that have experienced a lot of hunting pressure don’t call much and often don’t call at all. If you call too much and to often these birds will instantly know that something is wrong.
Another thing I often heard during that week is loud calling in the morning right at dawn. When turkeys wake up they are like you and me, they do not talk much and certainly not loud. If your setting up near a roosting tree wait until you hear the turkeys awaken and then use soft tree yelps to start things of.
If your setting up on a smart public land gobbler set up where he can’t see you until he is close enough to shoot. Use pot and box calls instead of mouth-diaphragm calls. You may have to wait for a long time for the tom to come to your calling. Public land toms often approach slowly and without making as much as a sound.
Don't pester a turkey with too-many calls. No gobbler likes a chatterbox. If a tom responds to your call, wait 15 minutes before calling again. If he responds again, that means he's on his way to you. Don't call him again, he heard you and is on its way. Give the bird time to come to you.
Many hunters are not patient enough and walk away, while the tom is quietly making his way to them. Patience will put more turkeys on the ground than world-championship calling will. But don’t stay all morning either, if a tom does not come to you within an hour try to locate his position and move ahead of him using available cover to stay out of the gobbler’s sight. On the new location, closer to the tom, set up quietly and call again.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.
Tags: Turkey Calling, Public Land Turkey Hunting Tip, Public Land Turkeys
Monday, April 26, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
A day at Grouse River Outfitters
© By Othmar Vohringer
Hunters from Kelowna, BC and surrounding area turned out in full force to visit Grouse River Outfitters in Kelowna, where Jim Walker and myself made a in-store turkey hunting clinic appearance. The event had been promoted for weeks in the store, local newspapers and on hunting forums in our province. The turnout was great as many hunters and fans came out to chat with us, or get product recommendations and turkey hunting tips from the pros. After the store closed at 6 pm we all headed up the road to the Kelowna Fish & Game Clubhouse for a four hour mammoth turkey hunting seminar.
Glenn Fallis, owner and president of Grouse River Outfitters (right), is happy about the turnout of customers and the success of the event. More and more outdoor goods storeowners begin to realize the potential and promotional value in-store clinics have for their business in promoting the business and getting people interested in the outdoors.
Groups of customers soon gathered around Jim Walker and me to get tips on turkey hunting tactics and calling. As a pro staff member of ASAT Camouflage I was able to convince many hunters why ASAT is without a doubt in my mind the best camouflage for turkey hunters.
Jim Walker (right), Primos Game Calls pro staff member and professional game caller, and myself pose for a picture before the four hour marathon turkey hunting seminar held in the evening at the Kelowna Fish & Game Clubhouse just up the street from the Grouse River Outfitters store. It's not often that two turkey hunting experts come together to share their knowledge with hunters. Jim started the evening off with talking about different turkey calls and the sounds they can produce followed by hands on demonstrations. Then it was my turn to talk about different tactics and strategies that can be employed to bring a tom within shooting range. At the end of the seminar Jim and myself were available to answer questions. One of the attending hunters said it best; "I learned today more about turkey hunting from Jim and you than I would have otherwise in a lifetime."
This was the last spring turkey hunting seminar and I am pumped to head out next week in my quest for a British Columbia gobbler.
To learn more about my promotional appearances and in-store-clinics visit here.
To learn more about my seminars visit here.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.
Tags: Turkey Hunting, Grouse River Outfitters, Turkey Hunting Seminar, In-Store Hunting Clinic, Primos Game Calls, ASAT Camouflage
Hunters from Kelowna, BC and surrounding area turned out in full force to visit Grouse River Outfitters in Kelowna, where Jim Walker and myself made a in-store turkey hunting clinic appearance. The event had been promoted for weeks in the store, local newspapers and on hunting forums in our province. The turnout was great as many hunters and fans came out to chat with us, or get product recommendations and turkey hunting tips from the pros. After the store closed at 6 pm we all headed up the road to the Kelowna Fish & Game Clubhouse for a four hour mammoth turkey hunting seminar.
Glenn Fallis, owner and president of Grouse River Outfitters (right), is happy about the turnout of customers and the success of the event. More and more outdoor goods storeowners begin to realize the potential and promotional value in-store clinics have for their business in promoting the business and getting people interested in the outdoors.
Groups of customers soon gathered around Jim Walker and me to get tips on turkey hunting tactics and calling. As a pro staff member of ASAT Camouflage I was able to convince many hunters why ASAT is without a doubt in my mind the best camouflage for turkey hunters.
Jim Walker (right), Primos Game Calls pro staff member and professional game caller, and myself pose for a picture before the four hour marathon turkey hunting seminar held in the evening at the Kelowna Fish & Game Clubhouse just up the street from the Grouse River Outfitters store. It's not often that two turkey hunting experts come together to share their knowledge with hunters. Jim started the evening off with talking about different turkey calls and the sounds they can produce followed by hands on demonstrations. Then it was my turn to talk about different tactics and strategies that can be employed to bring a tom within shooting range. At the end of the seminar Jim and myself were available to answer questions. One of the attending hunters said it best; "I learned today more about turkey hunting from Jim and you than I would have otherwise in a lifetime."This was the last spring turkey hunting seminar and I am pumped to head out next week in my quest for a British Columbia gobbler.
To learn more about my promotional appearances and in-store-clinics visit here.
To learn more about my seminars visit here.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.
Tags: Turkey Hunting, Grouse River Outfitters, Turkey Hunting Seminar, In-Store Hunting Clinic, Primos Game Calls, ASAT Camouflage
Monday, April 05, 2010
Foul weather toms
© By Othmar Vohringer
When the weather is cold, wet or windy many turkey hunters stay in camp. It is commonly assumed that hunters don’t have a chance when it rains or the wind is howling or when the temperature suddenly takes a nosedive.
Sure, these conditions aren’t the best turkey hunting weather unlike the warm, still and clear mornings. But when the weather turns the turkeys still have to eat and tend to their daily needs, and while they may not gobble as much as on a “perfect turkey day”, some lovesick toms still respond to your calling and make for some exiting experiences.
In the past I had some of my best hunts on some of the worst days weather wise. To start with you will have the woods and fields to yourself. To me it almost seems that turkeys know that when the weather turns bad hunters stay home and that makes them more relaxed.
One time I heard a gobbler during a thunderstorm. Each time when the thunder rolled trough the small valley and lightening flashed in the sky the toms would sound off as if in competition with the thunder. Just for the heck of it I started calling and sure enough one of the toms came very close, but never to where I needed him to make a clean shot. Still, it was a very exiting experience seeing that tom coming through the pouring rain gobbling his head off at me.
If the weather is nasty I try to get closer to the roosting tree. Provided the terrain permits me to approach the roosting tree unseen by the turkeys I like to get within 50 yards or even less. I set up where I can see the birds still roosting in the tree. By daylight, as soon the tom get ready to fly down, I start calling and that often entices him to fly from the tree and come right in.
Hunting turkeys in bad weather is not easy but then again the only time you don’t have a chance to bag a tom is when you stay in camp. If you planed a day of hunting, maybe even have taken a day of work, then go regardless of what the weather conditions are like. Like I said you can’t bag a tom if you stay home.
Photo Caption: Sandy Okonski shot her first ever gobbler on a rainy, wet and cold May morning. Read the full story here
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.
Tags: Turkey Hunting, Bad Weather Turkey Hunting Tip, Foul Weather Toms,
When the weather is cold, wet or windy many turkey hunters stay in camp. It is commonly assumed that hunters don’t have a chance when it rains or the wind is howling or when the temperature suddenly takes a nosedive.Sure, these conditions aren’t the best turkey hunting weather unlike the warm, still and clear mornings. But when the weather turns the turkeys still have to eat and tend to their daily needs, and while they may not gobble as much as on a “perfect turkey day”, some lovesick toms still respond to your calling and make for some exiting experiences.
In the past I had some of my best hunts on some of the worst days weather wise. To start with you will have the woods and fields to yourself. To me it almost seems that turkeys know that when the weather turns bad hunters stay home and that makes them more relaxed.
One time I heard a gobbler during a thunderstorm. Each time when the thunder rolled trough the small valley and lightening flashed in the sky the toms would sound off as if in competition with the thunder. Just for the heck of it I started calling and sure enough one of the toms came very close, but never to where I needed him to make a clean shot. Still, it was a very exiting experience seeing that tom coming through the pouring rain gobbling his head off at me.
If the weather is nasty I try to get closer to the roosting tree. Provided the terrain permits me to approach the roosting tree unseen by the turkeys I like to get within 50 yards or even less. I set up where I can see the birds still roosting in the tree. By daylight, as soon the tom get ready to fly down, I start calling and that often entices him to fly from the tree and come right in.
Hunting turkeys in bad weather is not easy but then again the only time you don’t have a chance to bag a tom is when you stay in camp. If you planed a day of hunting, maybe even have taken a day of work, then go regardless of what the weather conditions are like. Like I said you can’t bag a tom if you stay home.
Photo Caption: Sandy Okonski shot her first ever gobbler on a rainy, wet and cold May morning. Read the full story here
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.
Tags: Turkey Hunting, Bad Weather Turkey Hunting Tip, Foul Weather Toms,
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Turkey Hunting on Public Land
© By Othmar Vohringer
Hunting gobblers is a challenge at the best of times but on public land it gets that much tougher. On public land you’re not only try to outsmart the turkeys but other hunters as well. Talk about a challenge.
Rather then walk around the property try to scout from your vehicle by driving around. Stop frequently and call. Note on your map or log a way point on your GPS where you hear a tom gobble. Do not use a turkey call to locate a gobbler, instead use a crow or owl call. To many hunters use turkey calls to locate birds and all it does is make them call shy, especially on public land. Be prepared to drive up to 50 miles and mark as many spots as possible where you hear gobblers. The more locations you select the better the chances are you will get a bird on opening day.
Turkeys on public land hear many hunters call and more often than not will not come any closer unless they see another turkey. So using decoys is smart and so is changing the calling frequency. Listen how others in the area call and then be just that little bit different. Often this is all that is needed to fool a tom into believing that you’re not a hunter.
On public land be a bit more aggressive and take more chances you have nothing to lose only to gain. If you get a response try to get as quickly as possible close to the tom and set up. If it doesn’t work don’t hang around for to long. Get up and move to the next location you marked on your map or logged into your GPS. However, don’t let the fast pace and excitement of the hunt make you oblivious to hunting ethics and safety.
If you spot another hunter, move on and hunt in a different area. If you see or hear another hunter working a tom, quietly leave that area and find a different spot. Be respectful of other hunters and always remember no turkey is worth getting injured or loosing a life over it.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.
Tags: Turkey Hunting Tips, Public Land Turkey Hunting, Spring Gobbler Tips
Hunting gobblers is a challenge at the best of times but on public land it gets that much tougher. On public land you’re not only try to outsmart the turkeys but other hunters as well. Talk about a challenge.
Rather then walk around the property try to scout from your vehicle by driving around. Stop frequently and call. Note on your map or log a way point on your GPS where you hear a tom gobble. Do not use a turkey call to locate a gobbler, instead use a crow or owl call. To many hunters use turkey calls to locate birds and all it does is make them call shy, especially on public land. Be prepared to drive up to 50 miles and mark as many spots as possible where you hear gobblers. The more locations you select the better the chances are you will get a bird on opening day.
Turkeys on public land hear many hunters call and more often than not will not come any closer unless they see another turkey. So using decoys is smart and so is changing the calling frequency. Listen how others in the area call and then be just that little bit different. Often this is all that is needed to fool a tom into believing that you’re not a hunter.
On public land be a bit more aggressive and take more chances you have nothing to lose only to gain. If you get a response try to get as quickly as possible close to the tom and set up. If it doesn’t work don’t hang around for to long. Get up and move to the next location you marked on your map or logged into your GPS. However, don’t let the fast pace and excitement of the hunt make you oblivious to hunting ethics and safety.
If you spot another hunter, move on and hunt in a different area. If you see or hear another hunter working a tom, quietly leave that area and find a different spot. Be respectful of other hunters and always remember no turkey is worth getting injured or loosing a life over it.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.
Tags: Turkey Hunting Tips, Public Land Turkey Hunting, Spring Gobbler Tips
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Turkey Hunting Seminar in Keremeos, BC
© By Othmar Vohringer
On March 28 my wife and I drove to Keremeos, BC were I was scheduled to give a turkey hunting seminar. The event had been organized by the Keremeos - Cawston Sportsmen Association and about 39 people attended, which was a great turnout considering that this is only a small club. Among the visitors where Ken Sward, he organized the event and is also the manufacturer of the Pak-Kart big game packing carts. Other guests included award winning outdoor writer William R. Duff and a representative of the BC Wildlife Federation. My hunting seminars quickly become very popular in British Columbia. My club seminars are specially designed to serve as a fund raiser for the hosting clubs and organizations.
Setting up my seminar display. Second from left is Ken Sward, Wildlife Director from the Keremeos - Cawston Sportsmen Association and organizer of the seminar. In the middle of the picture is William R. Duff, a fellow outdoor writer and member of the Outdoor Writers of Canada from Keremeos. The hunter on the far right took advantage of all the additional free information material available.
My turkey hunting seminar display consisting of; camouflage, turkey calls, decoys, pictures and information leaflets for the National Wild Turkey Federation and my own found great appeal with the seminar visitors.
The guests listened to what I had to say and made notes. Turkey hunting is still relatively new to British Columbia and hunters a re eager to learn more about it.
The hunters were eager to ask questions. After each segment of the seminar I make a question and answer segment about the previous topic. This gives the visitors the opportunity to actively take part in the lecture and ask questions about things they might no have fully understood and that were not covered.
At the end of the seminar I let every visitor play with the turkey calls and gave instructions where needed. All in all this was a great event. My wife and I made may new friends and enjoyed the warm hospitality extended to us by the organizers and visitors of the seminar.
On our way to Keremeos and back home I watched out for turkeys while Heidi was driving. We haven't seen any turkeys but we did see about 10 deer in a small woodlot next to the highway. This mule deer do posed for a photograph.
To learn more about my seminars visit here.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.
On March 28 my wife and I drove to Keremeos, BC were I was scheduled to give a turkey hunting seminar. The event had been organized by the Keremeos - Cawston Sportsmen Association and about 39 people attended, which was a great turnout considering that this is only a small club. Among the visitors where Ken Sward, he organized the event and is also the manufacturer of the Pak-Kart big game packing carts. Other guests included award winning outdoor writer William R. Duff and a representative of the BC Wildlife Federation. My hunting seminars quickly become very popular in British Columbia. My club seminars are specially designed to serve as a fund raiser for the hosting clubs and organizations.
Setting up my seminar display. Second from left is Ken Sward, Wildlife Director from the Keremeos - Cawston Sportsmen Association and organizer of the seminar. In the middle of the picture is William R. Duff, a fellow outdoor writer and member of the Outdoor Writers of Canada from Keremeos. The hunter on the far right took advantage of all the additional free information material available.My turkey hunting seminar display consisting of; camouflage, turkey calls, decoys, pictures and information leaflets for the National Wild Turkey Federation and my own found great appeal with the seminar visitors.The guests listened to what I had to say and made notes. Turkey hunting is still relatively new to British Columbia and hunters a re eager to learn more about it.The hunters were eager to ask questions. After each segment of the seminar I make a question and answer segment about the previous topic. This gives the visitors the opportunity to actively take part in the lecture and ask questions about things they might no have fully understood and that were not covered.At the end of the seminar I let every visitor play with the turkey calls and gave instructions where needed. All in all this was a great event. My wife and I made may new friends and enjoyed the warm hospitality extended to us by the organizers and visitors of the seminar.On our way to Keremeos and back home I watched out for turkeys while Heidi was driving. We haven't seen any turkeys but we did see about 10 deer in a small woodlot next to the highway. This mule deer do posed for a photograph.To learn more about my seminars visit here.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.
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