DEEP-WOODS TOMS
For an exciting change-up this turkey season, try these run-and-gun tactics for tree-hugging spring gobblers
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Use a padded knee rest to keep your gun up and ready#2 TRAVEL LIGHTLY
Running-and-gunning in the big woods is all about mobility, so only carry lightweight gear and minimal accessories. That not only allows you to move quietly and unencumbered through thick brush and uneven terrain, it also makes for quick and efficient set-ups when a gobbler replies from an unexpected direction, or from closer than anticipated.
My entire turkey-hunting rig consists of a shotgun and shells, a camo balaclava and weather-appropriate clothing, and a couple of calls in a fanny pack with a foam seat clipped onto the strap. I also use small, padded gun rest that straps onto my leg above the knee—a good reminder my firearm should always be up and ready for showtime at a moment’s notice. Later in the season, I also carry a bug net and Thermacell in my fanny pack to keep the mosquitoes and blackflies at bay.
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A suitable shotgun or bow is at the heart of the entire endeavour, and the choices are endless and highly subjective. If you’re using a shotgun as I do, just make sure you’ve patterned your choke of choice at multiple distances before heading out. Typically, a full choke or tighter is recommended, depending on the distance you are comfortable shooting. I’m always striving for close encounters within 15 metres, however, so I rarely use extra-full or turkey chokes unless I know the birds are frequenting more open terrain than I prefer to hunt.