| Turkey hunting is a favorite activity for many | | | | male turkey’s head, and a flash of white can |
| hunters, but it is also just about the most dangerous | | | | draw a shot. Red and blue are the colors that |
| kind if hunting around. Think of the strategies you | | | | hunters use to tell the difference between the male |
| have to use to successfully hunt a turkey – you | | | | gobble and the hen – males have red head and |
| have to hide yourself from view and try your best | | | | female heads are blue. |
| to sound like a turkey – while you are surrounded | | | | When you are calling a turkey in a crowded hunting |
| by turkeys returning your calls and other hunters | | | | area, stick to the hen calls. Making male gobbler calls |
| who are also trying to sound like turkeys. On a busy | | | | is what many hunters like to do when hunting in the |
| day, it can be hard for hunters to tell the difference | | | | fall especially, but since everyone is on the prowl for |
| between the sound of the turkeys and the sounds | | | | a male, your calls will attract even more attention |
| of their fellow hunters, and if you are especially | | | | from your fellow hunters. Even when you are making |
| convincing, the hunter could soon find themselves | | | | hen calls, pay close attention to the activities of |
| becoming the hunted, as other hunters take aim in | | | | other hunters. If you seem to have drawn |
| your direction. To stay safe out there while hunting | | | | someone’s attention, make sure you alert them |
| turkeys, there are a few strategies you can follow. | | | | to your presence by calling out to them. |
| First and foremost, don’t be lax about wearing | | | | If you do find yourself in the crosshairs of another |
| the proper vests. Most states require hunters to | | | | hunter, calling out to them is a good way to disrupt |
| wear bright orange vests over their camouflage, but | | | | them, but you should never jump up to announce |
| many hunters dislike the rule – after all, what is | | | | your presence. When they are creeping up on your |
| the point of camo if you are going to top it off with | | | | thinking that they have a bead on a turkey, your |
| something bright and orange? These vests have | | | | sudden movement may caused them to fire on you. |
| saved many lives, however, and are well worth the | | | | In addition to keeping yourself safe, you have a |
| hassle. If your state doesn’t have any laws | | | | responsibility for the safety of other hunters. Even if |
| requiring that you wear an orange vest, and you | | | | you have taken every safety precaution necessary, |
| want to find a balance between your camo and the | | | | always assume that every hunter out there is a first |
| safety provided by the vest, check out the camo | | | | time hunter who has not taken a single precaution. |
| vests that are part camo and part bright orange | | | | Never fire until you are absolutely sure that you have |
| removable paneling. You should also pair this vest | | | | a turkey in your sights and you have a completely |
| with a ballistic vest under your clothes that will | | | | clean shot. Do not take a shot when you hear or see |
| protect your chest and stomach for stray shotgun | | | | movement but can’t see what has made it – |
| bullets. | | | | it only takes one wrong shot for a tragedy to |
| It is also important to never wear the colors red, | | | | happen, and it is better to lose the turkey than to be |
| white or blue when hunting a turkey. White is the | | | | responsible for the injury or death of another hunter. |
| same color as the ball of fur on top of a mature | | | | |