RuralRifleGuy
Active Member
So I've decided that this Spring I want to go turkey hunting, I have never been before, so I have a few questions I hope the knowledgable people here can help answer.
I'm planning on trying Tuckahoe State Park since I don't have the land for it nor do I want to pay the $360 I was quoted for a half day hunt with a guide. Looking at the map of Tuckahoe I'm thinking of parking at the equestrian center and crossing Crouse Mill into the hunting area. Any possible issues with that? I figure it gives me the easiest access to hunting area with the minimum amount of trails to worry about. It also keeps me on the QA side of the creek so I don't have to worry about wandering into the Arboretum by mistake.
As someone new to turkey hunting I have a question about ammo. Looking through the regulations I see nothing regarding shotgun ammo other than it having to be #4 shot or smaller. Do the TSS shells work better than others? I'm seeing TSS for $10+ per round when it's actually available and $50+ for a box of 5 shells has me wondering if it's mostly marketing I'm paying for. I bought a box each of Remington Premier Magnum Turkey High Velocity 1-3/4 oz #5 Copper Plated Shot and 2 oz #4 Copper Plated Shot.
The last two questions are probably going to be more personal experience/opinion and something I'll have to learn by trial and error.
What call/type of call do you recommend for someone new?
What is your preferred method of prepping your bird once it's on the ground? I've seen both the traditional gut and pluck method as well as the skin and filet method mentioned when looking online. I don't generally like to roast full birds except for Thanksgiving so keeping the skin on isn't super important to me, but I'm interested in the pros and cons of each.
I'm planning on trying Tuckahoe State Park since I don't have the land for it nor do I want to pay the $360 I was quoted for a half day hunt with a guide. Looking at the map of Tuckahoe I'm thinking of parking at the equestrian center and crossing Crouse Mill into the hunting area. Any possible issues with that? I figure it gives me the easiest access to hunting area with the minimum amount of trails to worry about. It also keeps me on the QA side of the creek so I don't have to worry about wandering into the Arboretum by mistake.
As someone new to turkey hunting I have a question about ammo. Looking through the regulations I see nothing regarding shotgun ammo other than it having to be #4 shot or smaller. Do the TSS shells work better than others? I'm seeing TSS for $10+ per round when it's actually available and $50+ for a box of 5 shells has me wondering if it's mostly marketing I'm paying for. I bought a box each of Remington Premier Magnum Turkey High Velocity 1-3/4 oz #5 Copper Plated Shot and 2 oz #4 Copper Plated Shot.
The last two questions are probably going to be more personal experience/opinion and something I'll have to learn by trial and error.
What call/type of call do you recommend for someone new?
What is your preferred method of prepping your bird once it's on the ground? I've seen both the traditional gut and pluck method as well as the skin and filet method mentioned when looking online. I don't generally like to roast full birds except for Thanksgiving so keeping the skin on isn't super important to me, but I'm interested in the pros and cons of each.