I've done more in the spring, using 3" mags, think remington nitro's, can't seem to find one of those to see what size shot, might have been steel, same as I use for geese, which may or may not be desirable, they work for me as I don't do a lot of bird hunting, some years more than others.
I won't even pretend to be an advanced turkey hunter, but from observations I've made during the fall, the young ones are not too wary of you, often times will fly up if you stumble upon a flock, adults stay on the ground, but will scatter quickly at times, other times you may get an opportunity to fire and take one. I've run into em more times unexpectedly than not.
Seems early in the morning, after they have roosted in trees, they will drop down in and call each other in, flock up, especially where the sun is shining, to soak up some heat, then it's off to feed. We usually go in early and try to avoid areas they may roost, though with the numbers of them, that is not always possible, they scatter, crapshoot whether you'll see em again or not. They seem to like high areas with pine trees around here.
In the afternoon, I have stumbled upon entire flocks, without spooking them, sometimes they don't seem to care, other times they quickly move on. Funny, seems to happen when I arrive at my deer stand, could easily take a few, but they are either out of season or I have the wrong weapon.
Knowing when and how to call is important, though I am no expert, I've duplicated what I've heard when they drop down from the trees, seems to be the best chance to get em to come over, which does not always happen. Spring is different, cause you are looking for the Jake, and I've got plenty learn still on that, though I have been able to get hens within reach, always a good experience to be out there no matter what for.
Often times, observing an area well in advance of the season will provide some valuable information to a hunter, I like to keep track of em from Feb. to May, same in the fall, though they are around, harder to see and find, this time of year, they should be after grasshoppers in fields. I had a flock with a full brood of young pass right by my front step near the bird feeder, in the past I have taken video of them on the lawn, over 70 adults, all healthy birds, darned things thrive around here. I like feeding em in the winter, but they have a lot of resources with the crab apples, (cherry size) on the trees, a few will fly up and knock em off the rest of the flock will chow em down, this time of year they are not afraid of you, I've walked up to them with my camera and got footage of that Tom fanning and directing traffic, seems to be the last one to scurry away.
They have good eye sight, you need to be well camouflaged, including your face, and a blind or similar means to blend into the background, making minimal movements, while calling and until you raise your weapon to shoot.
Well, there might be some useful information to add to this, I definitely could learn a few things myself, but best of luck and just enjoy the hunt and the time out, that is the best part of it.
