Is turkey hunting better in the fall or spring in Texas? Or is it a wash? Never been and would like to give it a go.

Only took turkeys in the fall. Haven't had the opportunity for spring, but have heard spring is a bit easier because they are "in rut" so to speak.

I think it's a lot more fun in the spring. I enjoy calling them in. I don't even shoot them although it would be very easy. I just enjoy seeing them on my ranch.

docb said:

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I think it's a lot more fun in the spring. I enjoy calling them in. I don't even shoot them although it would be very easy. I just enjoy seeing them on my ranch.

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I've heard that as well. Wish I could gitta spot for spring hunts.

Fall has been a bit random for me.

Spring by a mile because you are calling them in. Most fall turkeys are shot as camp meat under a corn feeder. You can call in turkeys but the calling is different. I would suggest finding a place to give it try in the spring - my favorite hunt.

Spring turkey hunting is like elk hunting. Find where they are sleeping and eating, get in between, go back and forth calling one in, and have the thrill of seeing him come right into your lap (or the mind numbing frustration of them hanging up).

Fall turkey hunting is like pig hunting. Stare at a feeder until they show up, pick one out, shoot it, and go home.

Where do you live? I can make a recommendation for some public land that you could try if you don't have access to private land.

And finding a private place isn't as hard as it might appear. Talk to all of your buddies who have ranches or leases that have turkey. A lot of folks hate them and think of them as corn thieves. I have had access for the last twenty years to a ranch in Junction that the owner just doesn't give a flip about turkeys. On the other extreme, there are land owners that recognize there a lot of folks looking to get Rio as part of their gran slam and will pay in excess of $1500 for a 2.5 day hunt. No middle ground as I have been searching for that diligently and can't find it beyond my spot in Junction.

Anytime you want to hunt turkey, you can get one. They're not the brightest animal to hunt. And IMO, the easiest.

Not bright, I agree. But I think you're crazy if you say you can get one anytime. Especially if we're talking spring hunt with a shotgun. Which is how Turkey should be hunted imo.

Sitting down with your back against a tree before first light listening for the first clucks and gobbles erupting from a roost in the spring shotgun in your lap is the greatest hunting experience there is. Calling to a gobler and sparring with him slowly coming in talking to you all the way and taking him at 20 yards is just magical. You will fail many more times than be successful. Buying a few calls and practicing till you can be convincing to that gobler being able to sit perfectly still, shotgun resting on your knee, heart pounding so hard you know the turkeys surrounding you have got to be able to hear it is such a great experience. When I was a young man there was man from Coffeyville, Alabama named Ben Rogers Lee Spinning funny Turkey hunting stories and winning calling contests everywhere he went. He was an inspiration to many hunters back in the 70 s and 80 s .

Nothing better than hearing the woods wake up and that first gobble. Until you hear that first gobble, your mind is questioning everything about your choice of where to start. And nothing like how quick it turns when you have spent all morning without a reply, and bird fires up within a couple of hundred yards.

Or when you realize where you set up shop next to a big rattlesnake

Been there