As we reluctantly say good bye to deer and duck season, it's time to start gearing up and looking forward to turkey season. In this post, we're going to talk about just that; preparing for turkey season, what sort of opportunities may be available, and any alternative options for those that are either unable to put in the time, or just don't turkey hunt.
For those that don't already know, there are five different subspecies of wild turkey: the Osceola, the Eastern, the Rio Grande, the Merriam, and the Oscillated. Osceola's are the smaller of the bunch and are only located in South Florida, they look very similar to the Eastern which is much more widespread. The Eastern is perhaps the most common of the subspecies ranging all over the United States and even parts of Canada. Merriam's are located throughout the Rocky Mountains and tend to have beautiful white tips on their tail feathers, they are probably one of the more easily recognized subspecies. Rio's , as they're called have perhaps one of the more diverse habitats, ranging from the continental climate in Kansas, all the way down to the subtropical climate of South Texas and Mexico. Finally, the Oscillated, perhaps the most colorful yet definitely the strangest of the subspecies, it has multiple colors ranging from blueish purples, to aquamarine colored greens. The Oscillated turkey can only be found in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and is perhaps one of the more challenging birds to hunt.
I myself am fairly new to turkey hunting, but I'm going to share as much as I can and hopefully something may stick and help you harvest that bird of a lifetime. First off, unlike deer and hogs, turkeys see in full color, so good concealment is a must, but even more so, their eyesight is nearly unparalleled so it is imperative that you remain motionless if possible. Today, there's been many successful hunter's that throw caution to the wind and crawl across a field behind a fan and end up having big Tom's come running to them. Honestly, I've never tried this but I would love to one day, this season my challenge is to take one with my bow and I think that's enough to hope for in itself.
Setting up: If you plan to hunt out of a blind, I suggest you get it set out sooner than later and get it brushed in well, otherwise, find yourself a tree to sit against, grab some branches and conceal yourself. you want to put your decoys 15-30 yards away from you and off to the side from where you think the birds will come out, the reason why is to limit the chances of being spotted. I know many older toms get weary so a piece of fishing line tied to a decoy may add that little bit of stimulus needed to bring him in.
Calling: One of the biggest mistakes hunters make is over-calling. Turkeys have a phenomenal ability to pinpoint the exact location of where the calls are coming from. If you start your yelping and get an instant gobble, settle in and get ready because he is most likely on his way. If you don't know where the birds are, a crow or owl call will work as a "locator call". Hit the call and listen for a gobble, then head towards him. If he's responding, I personally wouldn't hit the crow call more than three times before setting up. Purrs, clucks, cuts, and the classic yelp alone are really all you need to bring in that gobbler, so practice up and get ready for opening day.
Opportunities: Unfortunately, we don't all have access to private land to hunt on, but luckily, there are plenty of options. Wildlife Management Areas provide many great opportunities, check online or with your local Wildlife office to find out where you can hunt and what your options are. You can also look into hiring an outfitter, without being able to put in the time to scout, this may be your best option, however, make sure you shop around and find out what fits your budget best. Finally, farmland, no matter where you are, I'm sure there's an agricultural field or ranch close by, you can always ask the land owner for permission. When you meet with him/her, make sure you're respectful, polite, and well dressed; even if they say no, leave a card or your contact information, and thank them for their time. You never know, they may change their mind later or give you a call once deer season comes around.
Other Off-Season Options
You can get a head start on your scouting for the next deer season, and potentially set yourself up for greater success by going shed-hunting, it gets you out in the woods and you never know you may find something you missed last season. You can also plant a food plot to provide a source of nutrients for your deer during the summer months when their antler growth is just beginning. Lay out minerals, supplements, and set up a feeder if need be. Companies like Advanced Wildlife Solutions, spend countless hours of research to provide us with products that get results. Who knows, you may see that buck you passed this season, and with proper nutrition and minerals, I guarantee he'll be even better next season.
Thank you for reading, I honestly can't tell y'all how much I appreciate the support. Please feel free to check out my Instagram and let me know what you think, what topic you would like to see next, ect.
Thank you again for your time, good luck this season, and God bless!
-Chris Johnson
