| Turkey hunting is challenging, exciting and in some | | | | would not show you. But the main thing to |
| cases becomes addictive. Turkey's senses are | | | | remember: your movement is more important; |
| extremely keen - even your heart pounding can | | | | regardless of how well you are camouflage. It doesn't |
| make the turkey vanish like a puff of smoke. | | | | make you completely visible. Even though you are |
| Basic help in turkey hunting | | | | camouflage, you are still an unnatural form in the |
| Before you can hunt a wild turkey, you have got to | | | | woods. Movement is the greatest enemy of the |
| find them. The easiest way to do this is by locating | | | | turkey hunter. A turkey can detect you 10 times |
| the general areas of the turkey's habitat. | | | | faster than you sense the turkey. |
| • Get a good map of the area you plan to | | | | • The best shotgun and ammunition for |
| hunt. | | | | turkey hunting is the combination that delivers a |
| • Wave or use a locator call like an owl | | | | dense, hard-hitting pattern at 40-45 yards. Practice |
| hooter or crow call or even a turkey call to try to | | | | with a target that portrays a turkey's vital head and |
| get a response. When you hear a gobbler, mark the | | | | neck area. These parts are the ones that you should |
| locator map. | | | | be shooting. You should have at least 8-10 pellets in |
| • Scout for the best location on foot. Check | | | | the vital area at 40 yards. |
| for signs of the bird's scratches, droppings of | | | | • Do not hide so well that you cannot see |
| feathers. This information can help you locate some | | | | what is happening. Blinds are useful for the turkey |
| areas. Check along mud holes, creek banks, pastures, | | | | hunter, but when constructed so well that vision is |
| log roads, fencerows etc. as many trips as possible. | | | | obstructed, it is no longer a blind, and it is a hiding |
| • Never try to get too close to the turkey. | | | | place, as beneficial to the turkey as it is to you. |
| A turkey's eyes, ears and awareness are many times | | | | • Cease from using gobbler calls. Although |
| better than yours. | | | | this call can sometimes be productive, it is also very |
| • Choose a tree that is wider than your | | | | dangerous. In areas where many hunters are located, |
| shoulders. This will protect you from other hunters | | | | you can attract hunters to you rather than turkeys. |
| that might come behind you and mistakenly assume | | | | • Never wear any red, white or blue clothes. |
| that you are a real turkey. | | | | These are the colors of the gobbler's head - the main |
| • Camouflage is almost a must to avoid | | | | target of a turkey hunter. |
| being seen. Wild turkeys have such keen vision. Many | | | | • If another hunter is working a bird, do not |
| turkey hunters usually wear camo suit, cap, | | | | mess everything up by trying to call the bird to you |
| facemask, gloves, vest with many pockets to carry | | | | or spooking the bird. This is very unsportsmanlike. |
| calls and maybe a snack. Also do not forget to wear | | | | The true and experienced hunters do not do that |
| dark colored socks so that when you sit down, they | | | | kind of thing. |