If you’re interested in taking on the challenge of hunting wild turkey, start off on the right foot with these proven tips.
• Study. Familiarize yourself with the hunting regulations in your area, such as permit requirements, hunting hours, and authorized equipment.
• Know your calls. You can buy many different turkey calls, including the slate tray, the twist-top box, or the diaphragm. However, you don’t need all of them. It is important to practice with them and trust the one that is best used.
• Practice shooting. Taking a fatal shot at a turkey isn’t always easy. Therefore, it is best to practice on life-size models.
• Look. Keep an eye out for turkeys at the end of the day. They perch in trees, which can help you locate them at dawn. Feathers and droppings under mature trees are great clues as to where you can find them.
• Use lures. Two or three lures are ideal for attracting turkeys. They can give you the window of opportunity you need to take your shot.
• Blend with the background. Turkeys have extraordinary sight and hearing. Consequently, show as little skin as possible and keep still. Hiding in a bird blind with a camo pattern should work fine.
• Have patience. Don’t change your location too quickly if your calls go unanswered. Silence may not necessarily mean there are no turkeys nearby.
Good luck on your hunt!
In the US, wild turkey hunting is regulated by individual states. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) provides a guide to wild turkey hunting in each state and updates it annually. Visit nwft.org for information on season dates, bag limits, license fees and other details.