How to find turkeys on public land?

[DaveP]

Go deer hunting during deer season and you will see turkeys.
Go Turkey hunting during turkey season and you will see deer.
Go Rabbit hunting during rabbit season and you will see a 12 lb bass.

Yup!

 

[John from MD]

Cracked corn and game cams will let you know if they’re around but cannot use that to lure them during the season. You might also capture pics of all kinds of critters as well. Also I found they like to bed in the pines if any in the area.

This. I have plenty in my back woods but it is not public land.

 

[Derwood]

Lots of good ideas already shared. Here is one other -- If we get snow between now and the season, put out some corn and a camera the day before. Then follow their tracks n the snow back to where they're roosting. That should give you a general idea. Then try to figure out what they are eating when you're not feeding them corn.

Sitting at high points along power line cuts where you can see a great distance can help. One of the best methods is to ask people in the area if they've seen turkeys crossing roads anywhere. Most people remember if they've had to stop their car for them.

 

[Sundazes]

Also, lots of turkeys on i95 heading into DC and 495 in general.

I dont think you can legally shoot them.

 

[msinc]

I will add that this time of year they seem to answer a really raspy call easier than they will a typical yelp. Get out there and do some calling and see what answers.....first light is always good, but you can also try first "hour"........I have had gobbles this time of year if I do a barred owl call, but not always. Best of luck and good hunting!!!!!

 

[OneGunTex]

Roosting them in a tree never did much for letting me know where they were going to, especially during fly down in the morning. It does let you know where they are roosting no doubt.

While I agree that success calling birds down off the roost is low. ... HOT DAMN when it works is it awesome!! Talking to those birds on the roost. ... "yelp yelp GOBBLE yelp GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE" and then 20 minutes later he's thundering in. Ooh it gets your blood going

(The rest of the time, turkey hunting is cold wet and miserable. But when it's good, damn is it good)

 

[Doco Overboard]

If you get a gobble, and you know where they go when they come down.
They know exactly where your at.
More listening than calling and patience is the key element for successful turkey hunting.

 

[remrug]

If you get a gobble, and you know where they go when they come down.
They know exactly where your at.
More listening than calling and patience is the key element for successful turkey hunting.

If you are new to turkey hunting and only learn one thing today, make it Brian's last sentence.

 

[28Shooter]

I've seen a lot of turkeys in public parks on the weekends...oh wait, you probably mean the kind with feathers...sorry.

I used to see a number of them up in Elk Neck State Forest.

 

[hobiecat590]

OP, in MoCo try Mckee-Beshers but wear a flak jacket. Seriously.

I don't see Hipsley Mill WMA listed but on the West side of the road you I used to see some turkeys 20 years ago. Good luck.

\https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Maryland_wildlife_management_areas

 

[akalma]

I don't see Hipsley Mill WMA listed but on the West side of the road you I used to see some turkeys 20 years ago. Good luck.

\https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Maryland_wildlife_management_areas

It is called Patuxent River State Park Hunting Area, here is the map, Hipsley Mill Rd parking is on the third map from the top:

https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Documents/PRSP-All-HuntingAreas-Maps.pdf