How to Turkey Hunt

Few things in hunting rival the excitement of a tom turkey’s thundering gobble from the limb before first light. When that gobbler struts into range and you make a perfect shot, it’s one of the most thrilling hunts in America. Plus, you’ll have delicious wild turkey meat to bring home.

Leaving the woods with a longbeard draped over your shoulder requires skills, knowledge, and patience. To be successful, you’ll need a basic understanding of turkey behavior, calling, and the right gear. In this guide, we’ll cover:

– Finding places to hunt turkeys

– Understanding turkey behavior and sign

– Calling turkeys

– Turkey hunting gear

– Turkey guns and shot placement

– Turkey hunting tips

In general, turkey numbers are strong and you can chase them almost anywhere in the lower 48. Turkey hunting is relatively affordable and provides an accessible way into the sport. Here’s how to get started.

Find Places to Turkey Hunt

Turkeys thrive in diverse habitats across the country, but they require specific habitat ingredients. Turkeys need trees for roosting, open areas for feeding, and thick grassy areas for nesting cover.

Search your state’s website for a distribution map of turkeys. Once you have a general understanding of where turkeys live, you need to find a place to hunt them. This breaks down to either private or public land.

Private Land

For new turkey hunters, getting access to private land is the perfect training ground. Start by asking neighbors, friends, or family who have prime turkey habitat. The larger the property, the better. You can also lease ground from an individual or timber companies, or join a local hunting club or camp.

Public Land

If you can’t get access to private hunting ground, there are still plenty of opportunities on public land. You’ll need to scout and avoid other hunters. Check your local hunting regulations, but most state forests, wildlife management areas, state natural areas, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and Bureau of Land Management lands allow turkey hunting. There are also private lands that allow public hunting access, such as walk-in areas, voluntary public access areas, logging company-owned lands, conservation easements, and managed forest lands. Use GPS mapping systems to locate potential spots with a variety of terrain features that aren’t easy to access.

Understanding Turkey Behavior

Spring turkey hunting revolves around calling in male turkeys (toms) with female turkey (hens) noises. Toms gobble and strut to entice receptive hens.

Identifying Toms, Jakes, and Hens

Toms are adult male turkeys with full tail fans, long beards, and larger body size. Jakes are subadult male turkeys with shorter feathers and smaller body size. Hens are female turkeys.

Basic Turkey Behavior

Turkeys roost at sunset and fly down at sunrise. They look for other turkeys, feed, or breed using vocalizations and their excellent eyesight.

– Roosting: Turkeys roost during the night in ridge tops, creek bottoms, field edges, and isolated woodlots.

– Gobbling: Toms use gobbling to locate nearby hens.

– Strutting: Gobblers strut to attract hens and establish dominance.

– Spitting and Drumming: Gobblers make spitting and drumming sounds to communicate their presence.

– Hen Vocalizations: Hens use yelps, clucks, cutts, purrs, cackles, and putts to communicate with other turkeys.

Reading Turkey Sign

Tracks, scat, feathers, scratching, strut zones, and dust bowls can indicate turkey presence.

Tracks

Turkeys have three toes, with gobblers leaving larger tracks than hens.

Scat

Turkeys have specific droppings depending on their gender and some turkeys bathe in dust patches.

Feathers

Multiple feathers in an area indicate turkey presence.

Scratching

Turkeys scratch the ground to feed on insects or mast.

Strut Zones

Strut zones are areas where turkeys strut to attract hens.

Dust Bowls

Dust bowls are patches where turkeys bathe to maintain their plumage.

Calling Turkeys

Turkey hunting relies on auditory communication. Learn how to call turkeys using box calls, mouth calls, friction calls, and locator calls.

Turkey Calling Tips

Calling turkeys effectively requires practice and understanding a tom’s attitude. Adjust your calling strategy based on the turkey’s response.

Basic Turkey Hunting Gear

Essential turkey hunting gear includes shotguns, loads, choke, camo clothing, calls, decoys, vest, insect repellant, binoculars (optional), and turkey hunting boots.

Turkey Guns and Loads

Turkey-specific shotguns and TSS turkey loads can enhance accuracy, but a regular shotgun can work as well. Consider barrel length, choke tubes, action, and sights when choosing a turkey gun.

Patterning Your Shotgun

Patterning your shotgun helps determine its point-of-impact and pattern density. Adjust your sights or aim to achieve a dense pattern within a 10-inch circle.

Shot Placement

Aim for the turkey’s neck and head to ensure an ethical shot. Avoid shooting turkeys in full strut or in the body.

Turkey Hunting Tips

Follow these tips for a successful turkey hunt:

– Sit still, be safe, and walk slowly.

– Be ready to shoot and keep your head on the gun.

– Keep your calling simple and be prepared for bugs.

– Learn how to butcher a turkey.

Becoming a Turkey Hunter

Becoming a great turkey hunter takes time and experience. Understand turkey behavior and adapt to changing conditions. With practice and patience, you’ll become a successful turkey hunter.