Consumes River - Arno Turkey Hunt

[FishHuntEat]

Never thought I’d be lucky enough to actually draw a DFG hunt but here I am. I just learned that I drew the 4/26 Turkey hunt at Consumes River - Arno. Never harvested a turkey, nor hunted Consumes, so if anyone could share insights, experiences, and/or things to avoid about the Consumes River - Arno area (and the DFG hunt process generally) I would be eternally grateful.

Thanks!

 

[ilovesprig]

Never thought I’d be lucky enough to actually draw a DFG hunt but here I am. I just learned that I drew the 4/26 Turkey hunt at Consumes River - Arno. Never harvested a turkey, nor hunted Consumes, so if anyone could share insights, experiences, and/or things to avoid about the Consumes River - Arno area (and the DFG hunt process generally) I would be eternally grateful.

Thanks!

I know nothing about the Consumes hunt, but I have friends that probably do...Also, have you ever attended a NWTF Spring Turkey Tune-Up?

Gear wise...What do you have?...Shotgun, shells, camo, calls, etc.?

 

[FishHuntEat]

Never attended a NWTF event but yes, have my shotgun, turkey shells, camo, box calls, etc. I’ve done plenty of upland hunting but just never hunted turkey.

I ended up finding some old online posts from several years ago which proved to be helpful. Sounds like there is a 4:30am check in and you’re assigned one of four areas in the Arno zone. Posts indicate success rates are pretty high so time for me to read up on turkey hunting and pray I’m lucky enough to harvest gobbler.

If anyone has any experience with these type of state managed hunts, your willingness to share your experience would be great.

 

[180ls1]

Never attended a NWTF event but yes, have my shotgun, turkey shells, camo, box calls, etc. I’ve done plenty of upland hunting but just never hunted turkey.

I ended up finding some old online posts from several years ago which proved to be helpful. Sounds like there is a 4:30am check in and you’re assigned one of four areas in the Arno zone. Posts indicate success rates are pretty high so time for me to read up on turkey hunting and pray I’m lucky enough to harvest gobbler.

If anyone has any experience with these type of state managed hunts, your willingness to share your experience would be great.

I haven't done that hunt but no doubt others around here have. Keep participating, sharing, helping others, showing up to events and related and no doubt it will be reciprocated.

 

[BangBangBrandon]

My buddy won a hunt at the Little Dry Creek area for the 2nd year in a row. We're heading up for a hunt on 4/13. I'm not familiar with Consumes area, but if its anything like little dry creek, then yes, I remember a 4:30 check in on the day of the hunt. We were able to scout as much as we wanted. Turkeys were everywhere and it was well managed. The rangers were cool as hell and answered all our questions. Definitely fun. Last year we had great weather every day with turkey out and moving around. Day of the hunt POURED rain and shut down the turkey. Never even heard one but saw a couple hens. Super bummed but glad for a redemption hunt this year. Good luck to you!

 

[FishHuntEat]

My buddy won a hunt at the Little Dry Creek area for the 2nd year in a row. We're heading up for a hunt on 4/13. I'm not familiar with Consumes area, but if its anything like little dry creek, then yes, I remember a 4:30 check in on the day of the hunt. We were able to scout as much as we wanted. Turkeys were everywhere and it was well managed. The rangers were cool as hell and answered all our questions. Definitely fun. Last year we had great weather every day with turkey out and moving around. Day of the hunt POURED rain and shut down the turkey. Never even heard one but saw a couple hens. Super bummed but glad for a redemption hunt this year. Good luck to you!

Awesome. I appreciate the info. Good luck to you and your buddy on 4/13.

 

[TrapLine]

You can go out the evening before to roost them. If there is another hunt the day before you have to wait for their hunt time to end, 4:30ish I think, before you can get on to scout. DFG personel will be at/near the entrance while hunters are atill out.

These draws are a good experience, all the properties I have been on have been really nice.

 

[FishHuntEat]

Thanks Trapline. I plan to call DFG early next week and bend their ear. I really want to know the zones within the area so I can also do some e-scouting. I appreciate your input.

 

[JNDEER]

You can go out the evening before to roost them. If there is another hunt the day before you have to wait for their hunt time to end, 4:30ish I think, before you can get on to scout. DFG personel will be at/near the entrance while hunters are atill out.

These draws are a good experience, all the properties I have been on have been really nice.

Think things have changed recently. No scouting and hunt ends at 1300 now.

 

[HATCHET1]

Does anyone actually kill anything on these Hunts? Asking for a friend...as he wants to put in.

 

[FishHuntEat]

Think things have changed recently. No scouting and hunt ends at 1300 now.

For future reference if anyone draws this hunt.

 

[FishHuntEat]

Does anyone actually kill anything on these Hunts? Asking for a friend...as he wants to put in.

I sure as hell hope I do! Other forums state it’s a good hunt as it gets almost no hunting pressure except for the handful state sponsored day hunts throughout the year.

 

[FishHuntEat]

Hunt recap (no turkey shot). Check in for the Arno zone was 4am (hour forty five prior to shooting time), we handed over our waivers and picked one of four zones. DFW uses an ONX QR code so you know the barrier of each zone.

DFW employee drove us through several gates and released us about 1/2 mile from Zone 3. Rain and wind so expectations were low (at least per the DFW employee). Hiked though seriously tall grass (thigh to waist high) to get to a tucked under a tree facing a field and bordering some forested area. The wet, tall grass certainly made it difficult to see the birds though they started gobbling shorting at 6.

Rain throughout the morning but one specific bird kept talking. Unfortunately my slate got wet and started to sound like crap. Adjusted positions two times but couldn’t get the bird to leave his hidey-hole. Waited until 11:30 and called it a day.

Got back to the truck and was the second to last group to leave (7-hunters total). DFW employee confirmed no one bagged a turkey which is a nice consolation prize…sorta.

Thanks to everyone who reached out with advice. It was greatly appreciated.

 

[WaterDawg]

Great effort. You’ll get em next time.

 

[HATCHET1]

Turkey hunting...uggh

 

[ilovesprig]

FHE,

Great effort...

Hunting turkeys in the rain sucks, but you never know...Most any pot calls is almost useless, if it's wet at all...Learn to use a diaphragm or invest in a wet box call...A lot of companies make them.... H.S. Strut (Field Champion) and Primos (Weatherboard) are two brands to look at.............

H.S. Strut Field Champion Natural Wild Turkey Box Call With Silencer Plus - New! | eBay

Listing as used doesn’t look like it has been used much does not come in original package

www.ebay.com

 

[FishHuntEat]

FHE,

Great effort...

Hunting turkeys in the rain sucks, but you never know...Most any pot calls is almost useless, if it's wet at all...Learn to use a diaphragm or invest in a wet box call...A lot of companies make them.... H.S. Strut (Field Champion) and Primos (Weatherboard) are two brands to look at.............

H.S. Strut Field Champion Natural Wild Turkey Box Call With Silencer Plus - New! | eBay

Listing as used doesn’t look like it has been used much does not come in original package

www.ebay.com

Thanks ilovesprig. Even with shitty weather, wet boots, and non-functional slate call it was a great time. I’ll check out these calls.

 

[FishHuntEat]

Forgot to post the photo of the zones. Hopefully helpful if someone else draws this hunt.

 

[chrisamx]

Hunt recap (no turkey shot). Check in for the Arno zone was 4am (hour forty five prior to shooting time), we handed over our waivers and picked one of four zones. DFW uses an ONX QR code so you know the barrier of each zone.

DFW employee drove us through several gates and released us about 1/2 mile from Zone 3. Rain and wind so expectations were low (at least per the DFW employee). Hiked though seriously tall grass (thigh to waist high) to get to a tucked under a tree facing a field and bordering some forested area. The wet, tall grass certainly made it difficult to see the birds though they started gobbling shorting at 6.

Rain throughout the morning but one specific bird kept talking. Unfortunately my slate got wet and started to sound like crap. Adjusted positions two times but couldn’t get the bird to leave his hidey-hole. Waited until 11:30 and called it a day.

Got back to the truck and was the second to last group to leave (7-hunters total). DFW employee confirmed no one bagged a turkey which is a nice consolation prize…sorta.

Thanks to everyone who reached out with advice. It was greatly appreciated.

I had Gray Lodge few years ago. Scouted day before hunt, temps 89 degrees. Next day, winter storm heading our way, preceded by hurricane force winds. Went home empty handed.

It takes a lot of luck to draw, and one needs luck of weather as well.