13 replies to this topic

[HC Nomad]

I would like to give Turkey Hunting a try. I have all the equipment for turkey hunting, but I have no idea where to start looking for the birds. I live in Lodi California. There is not much public land in the area. Does anyone have an idea where I should start looking? Just a general area to start looking. I am not expecting anyone gave me exact directions to their honey hole.Thanks

[Thumper Dunker]

I know of two spots but your going have to watch and wait till Shooter John or Ehd are away from thier homes At John place you might have a chance at a nice rooster to .Ehds place have some dogs that might be a problem. Ok I no clue about turky hunting but others here can tell you good luck. Oh ya welcome to this place great bunch of people here.

[HC Nomad]

Thumper DunkerI saw Johns pictures, but I didn’t think Sacramento PD would be to happy with me even if I do have a valid hunting license. Judging by my dogs reaction to me practicing my turkey cal, Ehds place would not work either.Nice hearing from you. Thanks for making me feel welcomed.

[mac]

The best I can recmmend for public places is up nar Brownsville (Yuba County) or Spenceville. Spenceville will be overloaded with hunters for Turkeys - used to be great spot when I was a kid (30yrs ago) to hunt. Nowadays you take your risks...can't really think of any other areas -- most are private ranch areas.

[lefttyhunter]

Harlan County , Kentucky has lots of Turkey on public land. Oh you mean California. The best you can do is buy some drinks for a DFG warden. There are vineyards in Nappa County that have wild turkey's keep in mind a guided hunt on a private ranch in Cal can go up to $600 so slipping a Ben Franklin to a vineyard foreman might not be so bad. GoodLuck;Leftyhunter

[nevjohn]

I dont know if this is public land or what, but I saw a pretty good group this morning along Hiway 99, south of Elk Grove. Son and I went to Auburn this morning, and south of Elk Grove, on the east side of the hiway, between that flooded area north there are alot of Oak trees, and these birds were just feeding maybe 50 yards off the pavement. Again, dont know if this is public or not, but just a heads up. First time I ever saw a big group like that.

[SpokaneSlayer]

Did someone say turkey hunting? 2 more months!!!  turkey2.gif   53.53K   59 downloads

[steadyrock]

Gobble Gobble!I live down south (Orange County), and last fall when I drove the kids out to Julian to go apple picking there looked to be some good Turkey grounds out that way. Does anybody know of a good area that's NOT more than 3 hours from the OC? I grew up hunting upland birds (mostly pheasant) in Idaho as a kid, but now that I'm here I haven't been hunting in a LONG time. Would LOVE to go again this year though, once the season opens up. Is anybody in my neck of the woods willing to take me as a ride-along, in the interest of getting a former hunter reintroduced to the sport? (I'll even buy the first few rounds of beer afterward as a way of saying thanks)

[lefttyhunter]

Check out this month's Cal Game and Fish magazine ( available at any magazine stand)there are turkey's in the Los Padre National Forest. I imagine the further you hike in away from the roads the better plus do has much pre season scouting has you can.Leftyhunter

[lefttyhunter]

Check out this month's Cal Game and Fish magazine ( available at any magazine stand)there are turkey's in the Los Padre National Forest. I imagine the further you hike in away from the roads the better plus do has much pre season scouting has you can.Leftyhunter

[lefttyhunter]

My bad I should of said the Cleavland National forest.Leftyhunter

[sertshark]

I'm from the central cal area as well. I am also new to turkey hunting. I know people from Tuolumne, Mariposa and Calaveras counties that all say they "see" a "bunch" of turkeys when they are driving to work. Though we hear a lot about Spenceville, Lake County, Mendocino, etc, I think there are other options too, but it's hard if you don't know someone with property-which I don't. If you come upon some good areas, let me know because I am also from your part of the state. I think I am going to actually try Merced County, near McClure Lake. I may also take my chances and drive to Payne Ranch, but right now I am weighing known turkey populated areas (with a lot of hunters) such as Payne Ranch or Spenceville vs less turkey populated areas (with less hunters) such as Tuolumne, Calaveras or Mariposa Counties. I guess I better get on it, Turkey season opened two days ago and the only turkey my gun has shot was drawn on some paper. Ha Ha.

[mac]

sertshark, I go boating at McClure almost every weekend during the summer and have always seen turkeys around there. Always thought it'd be a great spot to go. Is there any public land access around there to hunt? I'd surely be interested in going next week sometime.

[sertshark]

Mac,I heard a very nice (17lb) bass was pulled from McClure. I used to love to go there to catch those spots! Funny you ask because I just purchased a BLM map of the area. I've never hunted around there, but my BLM map shows public land around at least a portion of the lake. I haven't actually seen the area in awhile, so I'm not sure of access. I'm pretty sure a good portion upstream is BLM. At least the map looks that way. You probably already know of the national forest in the area- not accessible by boat, but within fairly close driving proximity. My BLM map seems to show both sides upstream are BLM, practically to HWY 49. Then again, sometimes these BLM maps confuse me the way they outline propery/ surface area. Maybe someone can clarify because I'll be there soon with my shotgun.