Turkeys are a challenging animal to hunt. Sometimes a bit too challenging, especially if we’re not prepared. Yes, I have shot turkeys when I wasn’t completely concentrated on hunting turkeys. For example, during the fall season, when I was primarily hunting deer. Specifically, I remember waiting for a deer to show when a single gobbler silently walked up a game trail toward my feeder. I’m left handed and he was to my right, offering me a relatively easy shot with almost no movement necessary on my part.
RUN, RUN, RUN!!!
Turkeys are a challenging animal to hunt. Sometimes a bit too challenging, especially if we’re not prepared. Yes, I have shot turkeys when I wasn’t completely concentrated on hunting turkeys. For example, during the fall season, when I was primarily hunting deer. Specifically, I remember waiting for a deer to show when a single gobbler silently walked up a game trail toward my feeder. I’m left handed and he was to my right, offering me a relatively easy shot with almost no movement necessary on my part. My only wish was that I had my shotgun and didn’t have to use my rifle. Nevertheless, I came home with turkey breast instead of venison backstrap. A shutout by no means, and I was very happy.
Big ol' Rio Grande and happy hunter
You can be, too if you hunt turkeys in the fall or spring seasons. All you have to do is accept the fact that you aren’t guaranteed to see any birds. Nor are you guaranteed to be able to bring one home with you if you do happen to see any. You could do everything like you’re supposed to, but if he’s not interested, you can’t make him come in. If you’re prepared, and try your hardest, you have every reason to leave the woods and head for home with your head held high.
Where you goin', turkey?
How to you become prepared for turkey hunting? Learn how to call. This will help you during spring turkey season. Read up on literature that cites specific examples on different strategies for calling the big brown birds. There are times to be agressive, times to call less and times to put the call down. Just remember, they’re suggestions and not every bird will act like he is “supposed” to.
Learn how to camo yourself. Turkeys have great eyesight. Have you ever seen a turkey squinting? Me neither. If you’re going to hunt from ground level, which makes it extra exciting, you have to be very hidden. Of course dress head to toe in camouflage, including gloves and facemask. Also, eliminate glare from your gear. Shiny guns, binoculars, water bottles and the like are not going to help you bag a bird! Here’s what I think is most often overlooked: Make sure you’re not backlit. Take some time to gather branches to build a back drop that breaks up your silhouette. If leafy branches aren’t easily accessible, sit down in front of a cedar tree or some other structure that is going to provide enough natural cover for your body and gear. Don’t forget where that turkey came from when I was in the deer stand. It didn’t come straight at me. It walked up from my side. He didn’t see me because luckily, my profile was broken up at all angles. Not just from the front or the back. Also, sit still and be quiet. That’s part of blending in with your surroundings, especially if your surrounded by a tree that’s not fidgeting or coughing.
Looked for deer, found turkey instead!
Unless you’re hunting primarily for deer, use a turkey decoy. I’ve never had a hunting experience where the turkey is coming closer, spots the decoy, becomes disinterested, then leaves the area. Unless it falls over and spooks the bird, I think they can’t hurt having one around. Plus, they help take attention away from you.
Like a Boy Scout, you should be prepared. Take the effort to get ready for the turkey when he comes strutting OR sneaking in! If he’s a no show, at least you were ready!
