Turkeys do not have a well-developed sense of smell because of the relatively smaller size of the olfactory lobes. So, they are not going to smell out a hunter tracking them, however, they may outsmart him with their incredible vision and hearing.
Do turkeys smell you?
Like most birds, they only have a couple hundred taste buds, which is about 9000 less than a human. This means turkeys have a pretty limited palette and are only able to sense flavors like sweet, sour, acid and bitter. Their sense of smell is equally weak.
Does scent matter for turkey hunting?
Turkeys have a very poor sense of smell, so you don’t have to worry about scent-masking clothing or playing the wind while turkey hunting. The turkey’s other senses — namely its razor-sharp eyesight and amazing hearing — more than make up for its olfactory inadequacies.
Do deer hang around turkeys?
Each species trusted the other’s best sense for mutual safety. Single, yearling deer often mix in with a flock of turkeys for the same reason. The more eyes and ears around the safer you are and the deer’s single, but sensitive, nose upped the safety factor for all concerned.
Do wild turkeys have a keen sense of smell?
Smell. “Smells are interpreted by the olfactory lobes in the forepart of the brain,” Dickson said. “These lobes are small in the turkey and probably indicate a poorly developed sense of smell.” Eriksen adds, “The olfactory sense in most birds, including the wild turkey, is poorly developed.
What is the best time to call turkey?
When To Call A Gobbler. OK, so let’s narrow it down to the time of day. In my view, the best times of the day are right off the roost, then again from about 8:30 to 9:30 when more hens start to leave the gobbler to go lay an egg, and again from about 11 until noon.
What smell do turkeys hate?
These include peppermint oil, citronella, lemon, cayenne pepper, chili, garlic and vinegar. By using this information, we can apply these strong scents to areas that we want the birds to stay away from.
Should you bathe before hunting?
Your regular clothes, right down to your underwear, should be washed in scent-free detergent with no dyes or perfumes. When possible, take a shower with scent-eliminating soap and shampoo just before you head for the woods and use the scent-eliminating deodorant too. Never ever wear cologne or scented deodorant.
How do you get scent free when hunting?
7 Steps to “Scent-Free” Hunting
- Wash your clothes in a quality hunter’s detergent.
- After washing them, dry your clothes outside if possible.
- To a whitetail…you STINK!
- Don’t put your hunting clothes on until you get to your area.
- Treat your boots and clothing with a quality scent elimination spray.
Will turkey scare off deer?
Occasionally, sportsmen speak to deer being afraid of wild turkeys, either because they don’t like the commotion of their scratching in the leaves, or perhaps the two just avoid contact.
Do deer spook turkeys?
Another common occurrence, especially if you’re hunting in woods with numbers of deer is when an unseen deer comes into your calling location and either sees or smells you and gives an alarm call. The deer will run off, and so will the turkey.
Will deer come out if turkeys are out?
Deer will leave the area when turkeys come into an area. Turkey will also run the deer off a feeder.
How often should you call turkeys?
every 15 minutes
Push button call
But don’t call too often – less is more. Calling every 15 minutes or so and starting off quieter and then getting more aggressive/louder as the day goes on are good rules of thumb. If you hear a hen, try to mimic her exact vocalizations.
How far can you hear a turkey gobble in the woods?
As a general rule a gobble made in a tree can be heard twice as far as one made on the ground. That same “twice-as-far” rule applies to all other turkey sounds.
How early should I be in the woods for turkey hunting?
Time of Day: Since Turkeys make their nest in trees and on the ground in wooded areas, one of the best times of day to hunt is first thing in the morning. Get out to your blind early and listen for the yelps, cackles, and gobbles of turkeys as they start in search for breakfast.
What are turkey afraid of?
Scare away problem turkeys
It’s easy to scare turkeys away by making noises (try waving your arms and yelling or blowing a whistle), popping open an umbrella, throwing tennis balls, or dousing the turkey with water from a hose or squirt gun. A leashed dog may also be effective in scaring a turkey away.
Why do turkeys chase you?
Each bird is dominant over or “pecks on” birds of lesser social status. Turkeys may attempt to dominate or attack people that they view as subordinates, and this behavior is observed most often during breeding season.
Can turkeys smell DEET?
Bringing a good insect repellent for turkey hunting will help avoid this issue. Since turkeys don’t really rely on their nose, you can use a spray (e.g., DEET, natural options, etc.) without spooking them.
How long does human scent last in woods?
Scent stays on the ground and on the things we touch for about 2-3 days. When it rains, it is mostly washed away.
Can deer smell human body odor?
ANSWER: Under normal conditions, a deer can smell a human that is not making any attempt to hide its odor at least 1/4 mile away. If the scenting conditions are perfect (humid with a light breeze), it can even be farther. So they are pretty impressive.
Can deer smell you in a blind?
No matter how hard you try to cover or hide human scent, a deer can still detect it. Seasoned hunters know to stage upwind of their quarry whenever possible to circumvent a whitetail’s incredible nose. Spraying scent-eliminating sprays on new blinds, chairs and gear can help immensely.