Hunting Rios are exciting and a challenging. However, a Rio is not an Eastern. There are a couple of differences to keep in mind if you have never hunted a Rio Grande gobbler. Make no mistake, the differences are not meant to foreshadow any negative experiences when hunting Rios. In fact, if you are a hardcore turkey hunter from the south or eastern states, you are in for a thrilling experience. In fact, you might just fall in love with hunting the Rio Grande Turkey.
How will hunting Rios differ from hunting Easterns?
With any type of turkey hunting, there are countless challenges to overcome in order to bag a mature gobbler. This statement stands true regardless of the different sub species you hunt throughout the US.
Based on my experience of hunting both the southeast and hunting out west, there are a couple of big differences I have observed while hunting the two sub species of turkeys.
Eastern birds and especially Eastern turkeys in the south, seem to get a tremendous amount of pressure from hunters when compared to their western cousins. Simply put, there are more hunters per square mile in the turkey woods every spring in the southeast then out west. Trying to hunt in the east or southeast can be frustrating when you constantly run into other hunters. It is also frustrating constantly trying to overcome the challenges of hunting educated birds day in and day out due to the immense pressure turkeys face every spring in the east.
Another difficulty associated with hunting Easterns is the fact, you often have to relay a lot more on sound when compared to hunting Rios due to the habitat Easterns are native to.
However, the biggest difference I have noticed hunting Rios compared to hunting the Eastern turkey is the fact, Easterns by nature, are not as vocal throughout the day compared to Rios.
Eastern turkeys are difficult to hunt however, having said that, Rios are difficult to hunt in their on right. You have to be able to adjust to hunting Rios and quiet frankly, hunt a Rio like a Rio instead of like an Eastern. Let’s talk about the differences and what to expect on your first hunt for the beautiful Rio Grande turkey.
The first big difference:
Numbers
I have been lucky enough to go on a couple hunts out west. To be more specific, I have hunted west Texas and the western part of Oklahoma. Although the terrain in these two places were a little different, the number of turkey sightings were fantastic. If you hunt in the southern states, chances are you get excited about just seeing a gobbler. Well, go to west Texas or western Oklahoma! It is common to see eight or nine flocks of turkeys in a day! The sheer number of birds are remarkable. Of course the terrain out west is open and a hunter can scout with binoculars without ever leaving the side of his or her truck.
The second huge difference: Rios are Vocal
A Rio, by nature, is a very vocal bird. The first afternoon I hunted a Rio, I remember hearing more gobbles from noon until dark then I had heard all year while hunting my home state of Louisiana. It was an amazing experience. After talking to some local hunters in west Texas, they informed me, Rios tend to be more vocal as the day goes. This was a total shock to me being from Louisiana. Not only are they more vocal during the middle of they day, they respond to calls better in the afternoon due to the fact they get separated from the hens. While the same phenomenon is true for Easterns based on my experience, Rios respond to a call much better during the afternoon.
How to hunt Rios
If you have a tight budget don’t worry! There is plenty of public land in Kansas you can hunt for a fraction it cost to hire an outfitter. There are plenty of Rios in the central and western parts of this state. However, if you can afford an outfitter, I recommend you do so the first time you attempt to kill a Rio. You will get a decent understanding of how the locals hunt them with success. You can also apply their tactics next time you go at it on your own.
Secondly, concentrate your scouting efforts to finding food and water sources. Rios will periodically go to water multiple times during the day. Another great tip, if you go early in the year, hay stacks where cattle are being fed are great food sources for Rios. Also, look for well used trails going to and from water or food. Rios travel a huge distance daily, look for corridors going to and from food and water sources.
Finally, cover ground and hunt as many hours in the day as possible. Unlike Eastern turkeys, Rios will work a call regardless of what time in the day it is. You have a great chance at bagging gobbler in the afternoon if you can get him fired up. In fact, every Rio I personally have killed was in the afternoon.
As far as calling techniques go, call at a Rio like you would call an Eastern. There is a common misconception that the windy conditions out west hamper a turkey’s ability to hear your call. So most first time Rio hunters call loud as possible. There is no need in such. I witnessed a guide call in a gobbler from 200 yards away with a 15mph cross wind blowing. Call at a normal tone and try to feel out how the gobbler is responding to the call.
Summary
There is no true secret to hunting the Rio Grande turkey. Follow the tips shared in this post and you should do well. If you hunt Easterns, then make the adjustments recommend above and enjoy the excitement. Rios are a blast to hunt!
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