Is there anyone that would let me tag alone so I can learn the sport?

you would have to be a paying quest in our club .

It all evens out in the long run. I learned on private land and got taken to school by ole Tom on many occasion, but then the lessons I learned paid off and the toms started falling. Now I hunt in a club and the competition is fierce. I haven't connected this year yet but there's 3 more weekends left. Hang in there and keep plugging at it. It will eventually work out. Roll Tide Roll

This is the first year I ever thought about quitting. I only kill a bird every two years or so. Every thing I have learned has been on my own and it's been a long hard ride. Next year I am going to ask; beg if I have to to get someone to show me some things. I don't even care if I get to shoot.

That's the way I was cahaba. Then I met some guys on here and other places that have taken me and I have learned a lot this year. Don't give up on em yet.

my first calling lesson the turkey gave me was the gobbler was with two hens so he would not leave them only way i got him was to make the hens fighting mad he followed them to my gun. that was on westvaco land near hwy 13 in TN. once he was on the ground he would not gobble, but the hen would yelp. so i kackled to them they called back, call like they do makes them mad here they come him too.

I have hunted turkeys since the late 60's and I could not have said it any better.

I just sat down and read every bit of this thread again. So much good information in here. I feel sorry for a rookie trying to read it though so much information to try to process at one time.

Always be on the look out for that silent hen out front of the gobbler. I had this happen to couple years ago she busted me b4 the tom crested of the hill.

No schit.

I can't hear it either. I've been watching videos trying to learn a little. I turn it all the way up and still can't hear it.

Scenario: A gobbler is alone in a large field. Hopefully you are around 10 yds from the edge of that field. Watch his BODYLANGUAGE. This is when you don't want to call too much. He wants you to come to him and he can see where you the hen should be. If he struts and takes a few steps your way you might give him a few more soft yelps. Don't get him too fired up, this is when he hangs up. I like to get him a little hot, hear him gobble a couple times, and then just shut it down usually. Scratch with your off hand behind you a little. The ole timer's tip: If he ever starts pecking, he's coming. Just let him come. The feeding is a sign of comfort, and the body language signal that he's committed, knows where you are and is coming to take a closer look.

I've had several guys just starting out tell me about birds that gobbled good for them on the roost, gobbled on the ground and then just shut up. A couple things, he was comfortable on the roost, he flew down where he was comfortable, and he let you know where he was. There's a good chance he may be coming to you and that's why he shut up; he's coming in silent. I usually wait 10 mins or so after he goes quiet, give a nice loud yelp and then shut up again. Basically letting him come in (listen for the drumming) or letting him leave.

For me, I have birds shut up on the ground because in this same scenario, they had to cross thru a pine thicket or just a thick spot in a swamp. I have a LOT of coyotes and they don't want to be heard until they get to where they can see clearer.

The only time I don't like killing one is if I'm calling one in for somebody else to kill. I love the bang flop regardless of who pulls the trigger.

I have never killed a turkey. this is my first year to hunt turkey. I have been one time on public land, but didn't even hear a bird. I have a friend that killed one on opening day at a WMA he said he would help me, but I am stumbling around in the dark.

As noted previously you have two options.

1.)Hook up with an experienced hunter for a couple of hunts and watch what he does and listen to what he says even if it doesn't make sense to you.

2.) Wear out some boot leather and scout, scout, and scout some more. I know some folks that spend more time scouting before the season than they do hunting during the season. That's because their preseason scouting pays off with successful hunts and their season is over pretty quick.

Hang in there. It takes work to kill one but once you do, you will be hopeless!

Dr. B

I can imagine the addiction. I am always thinking about it. If I get a bird I will be sprung!

As bamaeyedoc said, go with someone that does know what they're doing. It shortens the learning curve tremendously. It sounds like your friend is willing to be your teacher.

He is. He is taking me next weekend. I have to work this weekend. Looks like vacation next year for me.

I was fortunate when I started hunting Mr. Tom. My 1st hunt lasted all of 10 minutes. I called in a jake and rolled him. I thought there was nothing to it. The following Saturday I got schooled. I ended up shooting a big one early in the afternoon, but not after I had made several mistakes that like yekrut said I learned from and corrected. I've matched wits with old toms as well as some I thought were dumb as dirt. The thought of getting up early in the morning before 1st light and setting up in the woods in hopes of matching wits with one of these birds is worth every minute of my time. Throwing a soft yelp out there in the unknown and to be answered by a thunderous gobbles excites me to no end. It's one on one. I don't win them all, but I have won my fair share. Good luck in your pursuit and be safe.