Spring Turkey was great fun. Where I go I was limited to just the ione spring bird but I can get another in Fall. I have only hunted deer down there. Mostly with a bow and I have had turkeys walk by while I am sitting.

Just how does one go after them in the Fall? Do they respond to calls? Do I need to essentially find a turkey trail and wait for them to walk by?

They call, and can be called in, but it's a different situation altogether...there aren't randy hens and toms talking back and forth looking to get together.

I'd combine your two ideas above; if you can scout a bit and find out the routes they use to get to/from water in the fall, sit on one and call occasionally.

In the area I hunt I'd say about 40% of the birds in the spring come into my spread without making a sound, and in the fall it's more like 75%.

Fish on...

Todd

I know where they roost and where they go to water. Only one surface source. Good idea to sit in ambush.

In my huge experience of two mornings they were different. The first had two hens come in. They were quiet and just eating. Then a tom flew down from the roost area. Quietly. No response to any calling or the decoy.

Next morning the hens again snuck in quietly and fed. Two toms were up at the roost gobbling. They did the for about 10 minutes as the came closer. They were in the trees walking. Then the came into the pasture and both were gobbling and strutting but continued to ignore calling or decoy ( hen). Finally the Jake walked into range and stuck his head out.

There were turkeys visible most of the time but always moving. In Fall they seemed to be in flocks of 20-30 and I ran into them while still-hunting or sitting.

Looking forward to fall.

Me, too!

Just because it can take 3" shells I am considering using my side-by-side for turkey. My mentor advised against it but I didn't ask why. I know that it is two shots instead of 3 but it seems that with turkeys if you miss the first shot they flee fast. Thoughts/advice?

Might be that your mentor was concerned about barrel regulation with the SxS ? Do both barrels shoot where they’re pointed and at what distance ? Maybe and guessing here.

Screw in chokes vs. fixed perhaps ?

Screw in chokes. Haven't actually shot it at targets but it does kill ducks and geese.

Screw-ins solves the “Fixed Chokes” on the double barrel shooting different patterns, and ranging differences with the usual different chokes. - again if any.

IMO, It sounds like you know the gun, and it’s ability to harvest birds, so set it up for turkey to your satisfaction, practice a bit, and go get a turkey. Heck, with the proper ammo and range, I’d take my old 20 Gage Ugi SxS and have a go.

Good Luck

Friend of mine harvested one this year with a .410, which seems seriously undergunned. Will do some practice and patterning.

Nope, a well shot 410 with the right shotshells (Tungsten) and set up properly, are quite capable at harvesting Turkey. As well as the 28 gage, 20, and if memory serves the shot shell stuffers have made the TSS shot and loads for 16 gage shells as well.

I bought a couple of .410s a couple of years ago and have crushed turkeys with them...the key is not let them get too close when your pattern is the size of a golf ball!

With the new TSS shells and an extra tight turkey choke you can shoot easily at 50 yards.

Fish on...

Todd

have a lot more learning to do. Thanks.

C-man, how was your fall hunting for turkeys? I hunted Labor Day Weekend when it opened.

I got kinda lucky...birds were scarce in my zone, but on day 2 a flock of about 20 hens came into range and I managed my very first triple, and it was with my semi-auto Mossberg TSS .410.

Shot a lone jake later that afternoon clear at the other end of the area, and my fall season was over.

My old man hunted for 6 days and saw one single tom, and harvested it, but it was a dandy with an 11" beard. That's the only bird he saw.

Fish on...

Todd

I wasn't able to go. Illnesses and couple of trips to see friends. Already planning spring. Haven't heard anything from the folks whose land I hunt on; will keep checking. Next hope is a deer trip next week for nice antler less venison.

Sounds like you had a fine time. One of my mentors went way east and got a ML whitetail and a couple of turkeys. My masseusse's daughters each got a buck and turkey on the NE side so more nice meat harvested.

Nice for your friends, sorry your trips didn't work out. Hopefully in a few months you'll be back on track!

Fish on...

Todd

I sure hope so. The recent spate of issues has taken my bow weight from 60 to 45 and right now even that is a struggle. Working my way back, though. Getting old suddenly hit me.

Fortunately, Todd, the season ends 12/31 and my host has a crabapple tree full of birds. And, as noted elsewhere, I was able to bring a little 3x2 home to feed us some.

Got to gp tp Goldendale and hunt the same ranch. Had 35 birds in front of me this morning at first light. Lots of strutting toms. One reasonably dumb Jake came within range and plans are now being made for some smoked turkey.

Excellent...good work!

Fish on...

Todd