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I hunt in MS and AL. Turkey behavior varies regionally, but here is some general advice. Decoys were only made legal about 10 years ago or so down here. I use them with good results. I carry 2 hens usually, maybe a jake decoy or tom during different times of the season, depending on activity. I use a slate call mostly, and supplement with a mouth call when they get close and I need both hands on my shotgun.

Whether using decoys or not, you need to locate birds in the morning using shock calls, like owl hoots or crow calls (they'll even shock gobble to a car door slamming, although that's not ideal lol). These loud calls will get a reactive, "territorial" call from gobblers still on the roost or ones that have just flown down. Once you hear one, move quietly within 200 or so yards (terrain dependent) and set up your blind and decoys (if using). I use a yelp call the vast majority of the time, with purrs (feeding call), cackles (birds flying down, over streams, other obstacles), and clucks ("come here" call, like a yelp). I don't call often, probably about once every 15 or 20 minutes, but I do make other sounds, like scratching in leaves to sound like turkeys feeding. Gobblers will typically respond to your yelps if they are interested and you should be able to gauge when they are coming toward you by the increase in volume of their gobbles. The decoys serve more as a distraction than as a direct attractant usually- they keep the birds eyes diverted from you.

If you get a gobbler that won't come to you, consider moving toward it. Turkey hunting is far more active than deer hunting- don't be afraid to get up and move.

If you have a gobbler located pretty good, but it won't come to you, and you feel like you can't get closer, wait for him to fly up to his roost just before sundown- you will easily hear his loud wingbeats as he goes airborne. Make note of his location, then get up the next morning when its black as midnight, before dawn, and return to his location as quietly as possible, without using light (or as little as humanly possible). Set up closer to him while he is still having naughty dreams of his girlfriends, then when he wakes up around first light, yelp at him a few times and its likely he'll fly down straight to you or very close. Then you just shoot him.

Sorry if the above sounds condescending- its super basic stuff that you probably already know from reading elsewhere, but it works most of the time. I learned how to turkey hunt from my Dad and Granddad, who have been killing turkeys for a loooong time. I'm not as good as they are, but the basics are universal.

I recommend picking up a couple turkey books for more ideas and tactics, as well as good stories to get you hyped. The Old Pro Turkey Hunter by Gene Nunnery is a great book that I recommend- its old school fundamentals, tips, tricks, and stories.

You'll want to hunt in northern california, though I have seen some birds in the Fresno area. I only hunt public land and it is very tough to find birds but that's the game.

Archery for your first time may be frustrating so I would recommend the general season but if you can do both and extend your season, go for it.

Decoys are a plus if you have them and you find a good spot to to call in a bird and play the waiting game. As for calls, a good box call is really all a beginner needs Something like this. I also use mouth calls; I've had some from HS Strut, Knight and Hale, and Zink. I tend to like the Zink calls the most (more comfortable in my mouth but to each his own)and I usually go with a double reed because I'm not super advanced. If you are going to use a mouth call, practice, practice, PRACTICE.

Only some areas need an application but most places are open in general here in california because Turkeys are part of the upland game stamp and not considered "big game" like in other states that have them zoned.

I don't know if you are a reader or have time to consume a book before season, but I'm gonna recommend a couple of books. The first is Ray Eye's Turkey Hunting Bible I read his beginner turkey hunting book and it is replete with years of knowledge and written in a good ol' boy way that I love. This includes most of the information in that plus a bit more. Cannot recommend this enough for first hunting.

The second is Hunting Pressured Turkeys by Brian Lovett This contains a bit more advanced stuff once you get the basics.

I got a used 12ga magnum 870 wing master and a turkey choke. Go shoot your gun and get to know it!

You need a call of some sort. I got mouth calls because they are cheap and fun to play with. I am also birdless after two seasons so take with a grain of salt.

My hot tip on camo is to find something at a thrift store. I bought my shirt oversized and can pull it over however many or few layers I need to be comfortable. Gloves, mask are worth it but not easily found at a thrift store.

This camp chair was a game changer for my second season this year https://www.amazon.com/ALPS-OutdoorZ-Backwoods-Mossy-Bottomland/dp/B07CB21LM3?ref_=bl_dp_s_mw_5044187011
With the long sits that are required (and my bony ass) my first season was misery. These chairs bring your knees up so the gun is already in a good spot, gives back support, and keeps me comfortable and able to stay still.

ALPS OutdoorZ NWTF Grand Slam Turkey Vest, Standard Obsession https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EUUREF4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0PvPybJBZ6FEV

Anyone looking for a best, I suggest this one. Just got it on Amazon for $100 off. It took a couple weeks to come in and just arrived yesterday. I loaded it with my gear today and tested out the seat/frame. I'm impressed so far. Going to take it out in a couple weeks to really test it out while I'm scouting.

Yeah, this was by far the closest I have ever been to a turkey and it was pretty big so I may have messed the shot placement up a bit. I am Wasp Jak-Hammer SST mechanical broadheads to shoot in the future. I will be sure to take my time and hopefully another bird won't escape. If another turkey escapes, I don't see how I can keep hunting turkeys with the big weight on my conscious.

http://www.amazon.com/Tenth-Legion-White-Tom-Kelly-ebook/dp/B0081UFP6A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453946863&sr=8-1&keywords=the+tenth+legion

edit: Oh wait. You mean you don't do Kindle books. Yeah, I don't know then. I'm all digital on books these days.