| Are you a novice turkey hunter who would like to | | | | effective calling in a the right location. Cultivating a |
| improve your shotgun skills? When it comes to | | | | good box call or slate call is a great way to scout for |
| successful turkey hunting skills, there are many small | | | | turkeys. Let us say that it seems you have |
| considerations that you can take that can help you | | | | perfected the perfect yelp for attracting male |
| take successful aim at your prey. Here are some tips | | | | turkeys. Where should you be in relation to the |
| for improving your turkey hunting skills. | | | | turkey in order to get the best possible shooting |
| Prepare for Optimal Turkey Hunting Circumstances | | | | position? The best location you can find should ideally |
| Before you prepare to take aim, take the time to | | | | find you on equal elevation between you and the |
| set up the right kinds of circumstances for success. | | | | gobbler. Avoid calling a gobbler uphill. Calling a turkey |
| Spend the day before you go hunting scouting out | | | | downhill is usually not very productive, either. |
| the location. Late afternoon is a good time to go | | | | Shooting Practice Pays Off in the Woods |
| turkey scouting. What exactly are you looking for? | | | | Do not assume that your shotgun will allow you to |
| Look for signs of turkey activity, including, most | | | | shoot and hit every gobbler that comes your way. |
| importantly, turkey sounds. You will want to scout at | | | | Your goal is not to wound or cripple a bird, which is |
| least until nightfall. When it is dark, turkeys will fly up | | | | what can potentially happen if you neglect to pattern |
| into the trees to roost for the night. They do this in | | | | your shotgun before the hunt. Before heading out to |
| the evening, close to dark. If you think you may | | | | the woods, practice patterning your shotgun at 30 to |
| have missed seeing the turkeys going to roost, but | | | | 40 yards. You will ideally want to practice with a large |
| you suspect that they are up there in those | | | | piece of paper using a turkey head target. This will |
| darkened boughs, you can elicit a response by | | | | allow you to see the heart of your shotgun's pattern. |
| hooting like an owl or crowing like a bird. This is a | | | | Practice using different shot sizes, including 4, 5, or 6 |
| good way to get a response from nearby turkeys. | | | | shot. You will, of course, also want to practice |
| However, if you do not hear anything, do not | | | | judging distance. Using a decoy can also provide good |
| despair. This does not mean that there are no | | | | shooting practice. You may want to place the decoy |
| turkeys up in the trees—they may be simply fast | | | | at a fair distance to help determine range. Don't be |
| asleep or not in your immediate area of the woods. | | | | afraid to practice with aids, even if you have never |
| However, if you do hear a response, this means that | | | | tried these before. Colored beads, two-power scopes |
| you have successfully set up your hunting area for | | | | and laser dots can help eliminate misses. |
| the next day. If you are able to make it a practice | | | | Aiming to Hit – Tips that Get Results |
| to note where the turkeys are roosting, you are | | | | Here are some general tips that can help you get the |
| much more likely to experience a fruitful hunting | | | | best possible shooting aim at all times. One of the |
| season the next day. | | | | most adequate types of shots can be had with a |
| Finding the Perfect Location to Take Aim | | | | tightly choked 12 gauge with a number 6 premiums, |
| One of the most successful parts of setting yourself | | | | and a 2-¾ inch of shot. This is a good choice for |
| up for turkey hunting success is to learn to use | | | | clean kills under 50 yards. |