Turkey scouting

[Esetterman]

Hey guys,
was thinking about heading up towards the poconos to do some scouting on friday.... any suggestions on where to start? looking for public land, my only plan was to get a map out and go... any suggestions?

[Ole 20 Point]

It's been MANY moons since I hunted in that region but when I did back in the 80's the SGLs around Tobyhanna held all kinds of wildlife. There are also many places to pull over and scout in the Delaware Water Gap facility off of 940 (left a short distance from the PA turpike) as well as Brady's Lake much further in same direction. GOOD LUCK!!! :thup:

[mudmarlin70]

Same for me....About eight years since I headed out that way. I'll look at a map in a bit and forward it. I did what you mentioned. I just found what looked good on a map and headed out there. Got out of the truck in the dark and placed a diaphragm in my mouth to get the right call...and whaam! One fired back within a hundred yards of the truck. I blew it on that bird getting too close, but killed another within a half hour of fly down.

I killed a couple more there over the next two years.

[ACEarcher]

I called in three hens yesterday while I was fishing. All the birds in NE PA are screaming. They where being really active a couple weeks ago when the weather was warmer. They've still been struting and gobbling just usually more on those sunny warm days.

[al-thumbs up]

Look for public land with power lines cutting through. Turkeys seem to like power line openings with woods on both sides.

[Esetterman]

i never been up there ... you got any suggestions on some land with power lines?

[mudmarlin70]

Esetterman,
I sent you a message for a place I used to hunt west of Milford off rt. 6. I'll send more on it if you're interested..It's out there...closer to Lake Wallenpaupack. It's been awhile, but it was good in the late nineties, early 2000s.

[Esetterman]

thanks guys illl let you know where i go and what i see when i get back

[ACEarcher]

MudMarlin-

If it's the same area that I know of than yeah it is still good. That whole area is pritty good for turkey.

[mudmarlin70]

MudMarlin-

If it's the same area that I know of than yeah it is still good. That whole area is pritty good for turkey.

Yeah adam, that area was nice. When I drove out there, I passed alot of what looked like decent country, but I was also seeing quite a bit of pressure and not exactly the country I used to like seeing for birds further east on rt 6. This area I passed on to setterman jumped out at me when I saw it and I never did run into another guy there. Closer to the roadway was great nesting habitat and you would get toms lurking on the roost there and when you got further in there was a beatiful ridge that flanked private property and a bottom to the other side that birds always seemed willing to travel long distance to a call.

It's been prob seven or eight years (atleast) though and the understory has probably changed some in those years...but I always worked birds there. I couldnt really remember the cross street I used back then, but I pulled out the maps the other night and as soon as I saw the street, I recognized it.

I was nuts and really hooked on the birds back then...I was in my late twenties and willing to go at it like a maniac all spring long...I would work some nights till 0200 or 0230 and leave straight from work to get out there just before flydown:nuts:. Driving home, I probably looked right about how I look right now at 0330!

[Esetterman]

made it out yesterday drove all day, just took off and wound up in lackawanna state game area seen a grouse there and about 5 toms all had nice beards ... i seen the turkeys from my truck i couldnt get them to gobble which i found weird usually a light tap on the horn or a hand clap and they go nuts, then went over to sgl 127 ran into some guys that said there were lots of turkeys there but i didnt see any sign of any i didnt really get out there though by that time i was interested in the lake i was at and my sandwich i packed

[Ole 20 Point]

Sounds like a good start toward learning where to hunt up there esetterman. Good luck.

[Robbo65]

What would a non resident need to hunt turkey in Pa ? I just bought a cabin near Delaware St Forest , near Marshalls creek. Is there an application period like Jersey?

[mudmarlin70]

What would a non resident need to hunt turkey in Pa ? I just bought a cabin near Delaware St Forest , near Marshalls creek. Is there an application period like Jersey?

Just a non resident license robbo. General season in Pa, no permit needed. Atleast that's how it was a few years back.....dont believe it's changed....but Pa season runs June to June I believe stilll....It was tough to get it (non resident license) past their deer season unless I think you contacted PGC direct. I'm sure Adam would know better than me on Pa now.

ps..can probably give you what was a good rabbit and a few grouse spot near Marshall's Creek. You had to work, but some years you did see a few. Seeing that on the map the other night reminded me of that spot too.

[Esetterman]

Mud,
I didnt get to the spot you told me i spent most of the day lost.... but i plan to check it out before the season starts thanks for the info.... according to my research all you need is general license for turkey in PA

[dslayer]

Esetterman,
I sent you a message for a place I used to hunt west of Milford off rt. 6. I'll send more on it if you're interested..It's out there...closer to Lake Wallenpaupack. It's been awhile, but it was good in the late nineties, early 2000s.


I have a cabin up that way and recently ( the past 3years) there has been so much pressure up there it hasnt been worth it. To tell you a story I had 2 conscutive years that I had gobblers roosted the nigth before the first day. I try to find gobblers way off the road so guys dont walk in on me. But I guess 2 miles off the road is not far enough. Back to back years I have had guys walk in on my and actually in 2007 I watched some idiot blow the bird I was set up on out of the tree. I can't even imagine what it is like closer to the road. If you want my advice that area used to be great. Anymore, I would travle more to the Tobyhanna area. Not as much land to hunt but it lacks roads through big stretches of land. WHich keeps the idiot hunters out.

Let me know if you need any more info. I'd be glad to help

[Robbo65]

Just downloaded Google earth, our cabin is off marshalls creek rd, borders Delaware st forest. Gonna have to check it out, heard a bunch of turkey screamin this weekend up there

[ACEarcher]

Heard up too 10 different gobblers this morning. Infact I opened the window just so I can hear then better. This is such a tease!! I got a good buddy who's down home (Bucks Co) and he said they are gobbling down there too.