Kyle Hicks' Favorite Equipment

EDITOR'S NOTE: We're interviewing Kyle Hicks of Baker, Louisiana, an expert turkey hunter, to help you get revved-up for turkey-hunting season -- due to begin: in Florida the first part of March; around the South in mid-March; and in other states the first of April; and lasting through May and sometimes June in certain parts of the U.S.

Question: What's your favorite locator call?
Answer: My favorite locator call is an owl call --probably because I use it so much and get such good response from it in the morning. You can build up a lot of confidence in it. Later in the day, I find a crow call works pretty good.

Question: What series do you run on your owl call?
Answer: I start off mainly with a single note just one really bright note to get out there. Then I'll wait a minute to see if I get a response. If not, sometimes I'll try the single note again or move on to the "who cooks for you, who cooks for you all" routine that everyone uses.

Question: How long do you continue to use the owl call?
Answer: It depends. If I get other owls around me going, and with this Palmer Hoot Tube that H.S. Strut makes, usually you blow it one time, and all the owls start acting up. Once that happens I let the real owls do a lot of the work. If not, I'll do it every five to 10 minutes; it just depends on the situation.

Question: How much confidence do you put into decoys?
Answer: A good bit if I'm hunting big open areas and fields. Sometimes I find that decoys can work well, but I've also found that sometimes they work against me. An old turkey that's seen them once or twice may step out there and realize the hen's not moving. Using decoys when you hunt turkeys is a hit-and-miss thing. Sometimes you're going to hit a homerun and other times you're going to miss. But be sure to check the state where you're hunting to know if using turkey decoys is legal.

Question: Had you rather be able to see the turkey coming from a long way off where he may be able to see the decoy and come in, or would you rather get close to him so that when you see him you can shoot him?
Answer: I like to get close to a turkey because when I get close to him I want to go ahead and do the deed.

Question: Tell me about the new choke tube that you're shooting and why you're shooting it.
Answer: It's the Undertaker Choke Tube made by Hunters Specialties. It's the best choke tube I've ever screwed to the end of my gun. You can get up there with No. 4s, 5s or 6s and can shoot some incredible patterns. This choke tube is tight, and it holds a pattern well.

Question: And for $20 its something everyone can afford right?
Answer: Correct. You look out there on the market and most of your good top made choke tubes will run you $60-$75 and you're able to pick this one up for $20. You can't beat that.

Question: How much more do you think hunter will increase his ability to take turkeys by shooting that choke tube?
Answer: I think these choke tubes will definitely improve their patterns. By no means are we encouraging hunters to shoot turkeys out there at 50 yards. You still want to get them in there close and when you get them at 30 yards and in there is no doubt. Take into mind every gun is going to shoot a little different no matter what choke tube you're using. Your barrel may be just a little bit bent, making you pattern a little high, a little right, a little left. When your gun is doing that, you need to put an iron sight on there and really sight that shotgun in tight.