11 essential turkey-hunting tips from an expert gobbler getter

Wear full camo clothing, including a mask and gloves (photo: Howard Communications)

 

Tip #1  Too many hunters underestimate how challenging turkey hunting can be. Do your research. Learn as much as you can about the birds and hunting them, and, most importantly, do as much pre-season scouting as you can.

Tip #2  Avoid over-calling, as turkeys are clever birds that can quickly become suspicious that something’s up. Never make a turkey call when scouting. Instead, use a crow call or other shock call to locate toms. When prospecting or cold-calling during the season, call no more than once every half-hour.

Tip #3  Be patient. One day, Jim said he saw a tom with 22 hens at 6 a.m. and continued to watch them until 4 p.m. He didn’t call a single time, knowing he wouldn’t be able to pull the tom away. Eventually it was the hens, seeing his decoys, that dragged the tom to within shooting range.

Tip #4  Movement can be a game-ender for turkey hunters. Use pop-up blinds or pop-up screens to mask your movement. Even when hunting from a blind, full camo clothing, including a mask and gloves, is a must.