My Turkey Hunting Journey
The sport of hunting turkey is one like I have never experienced. My best friend's dad took me when I was about 16 years old, and I've been addicted to it ever since. I started hunting turkeys on my own when I was 18. After a few years of learning from other hunters and gaining some experience, I took after the birds on my own. These old thunder chickens have given me a run for my money many times. They can be very difficult to hunt, but when it all lines up, the story will be unforgettable. My obsession and passion for these birds have lead me to work with national, state and local groups to preserve this resource. The amazing part of being a turkey hunter is the brotherhood that comes along with the thousands of people who share the same drive and love for the sport of hunting turkeys. I am more than confident that if you follow these tips you will have some measure of success this turkey hunting season.
Equipment & Tools
Before you go traipsing through the turkey woods, it would behoove you to make sure you have the proper items and paperwork necessary to go annihilate some long beards.
- Paperwork & Licensing
Before hunting in any state you have to have the proper license and game tags required by the law. In our case, you can visit the Georgia DNR website to purchase a hunting license which will include your tags for up to three male turkeys (Toms, Gobblers). Also shooting a female turkey is against the law and carries a hefty fine and or jail time.
2. Calls & Decoys
One of the key tools for hunting wild turkey are calls. Many types of calls have come about through the decades, but the main three used by hunters today are:
Box Calls - These calls are made out of wood and are in a rectangular shape used to produce the sound of a hen turkey. These calls are louder and little more versatile. The easiest for a beginner to use.
Slate Call - Also known as friction calls, are made from wood and have a ceramic or glass surface in which a striker is used to replicate the sound of a hen turkey.
Mouth Call - These calls are made of reeds from a durable latex or prophylactic material, and then taped to a metal U-shaped frame. They work by using your tongue to apply pressure and blowing air past the reads.
Shaker Call - Used to mimic the gobble of a male turkey.
In my opinion, the best call a turkey hunter can have is the call of silence. A lot of turkey hunters make the mistake of calling too much. I'm not saying not to have fun and to not call at all. There is only one way to learn the balance between calling or being quiet, and that is experience.
Decoys: Very effective in your efforts to coerce a tom into range. There are numerous ways to set up decoys to make the situation you want to portray for the bird you are targeting. My favorite set up is the "lone hen". Once I have located a bird and can tell that he is committed to my calling, I will slip out into my kill zone and set up my decoy. I mainly use a decoy when I am hunting more open timber, trail ways, or field edges. An experienced turkey is going to be suspicious when he hears another turkey but doesn't see it.
Slate Call - Also known as friction calls, are made from wood and have a ceramic or glass surface in which a striker is used to replicate the sound of a hen turkey.
Mouth Call - These calls are made of reeds from a durable latex or prophylactic material, and then taped to a metal U-shaped frame. They work by using your tongue to apply pressure and blowing air past the reads.
Shaker Call - Used to mimic the gobble of a male turkey.
In my opinion, the best call a turkey hunter can have is the call of silence. A lot of turkey hunters make the mistake of calling too much. I'm not saying not to have fun and to not call at all. There is only one way to learn the balance between calling or being quiet, and that is experience.
The image shown here a of a single hen turkey decoy. The easiest decoy set up to have. Turkey season takes place in the peak of their mating time, so the more you can portray a mating scenario, the more likely you are to get a shot.
3. Clothing
While camouflage may not be as important in other hunting activities, it is a MUST HAVE in turkey hunting. Proper concealment is the best thing a hunter can have. If your prey can see you, then you won't be having any success any time soon. Turkey are well known for their imPECKable eyesight (pun intended). They will see you if you aren't properly camouflaged into your surroundings. Also, always be mindful of your movements when you have a turkey in your sights. They'll bust you in a split second, and you will be leaving empty-handed.
My favorite thing to wear the turkey hunting woods is my vest specially made for turkey hunting. It has cushions built-in so the hunter can comfortable while sitting down next to a tree. My vest also has many different pouches and compartments I can store my calls and other equipment in order to remain hands-free.
Strategies & Tactics
There are a few different ways to go about hunting a turkey in terms of strategy. Each tactic has its own obstacles and difficulties, but nothing you can't figure out with a little experience.
Hunting the roost- The simpler of turkey hunting strategies, but one of the easiest to mess up. It's all about locating the bird and finding where he sleeps. Then under the cover of darkness in the early morning, you slip into the ole tom's bedroom. If you aren't careful you could spook the bird and lose all chances of tagging out on him.
Locating- This is probably the the more rigorous tactic. Reason being, that you spend a lot of time on your feet, and covering ground. You're scanning and looking for fresh turkey sign. You could cover miles of timber and rugged terrain depending on where you are hunting. This can make for a long day of hunting, but can be rewarding if you get the chance at gobbler.
Still Hunting- This has to be the easiest in terms or the lack of physical activity that goes into it. The hunter can set up a blind in a place where turkeys are known to frequent, and sit until you have completed your mission. Not a whole of physical effort or time comes with this style of hunting turkeys.
Locating- This is probably the the more rigorous tactic. Reason being, that you spend a lot of time on your feet, and covering ground. You're scanning and looking for fresh turkey sign. You could cover miles of timber and rugged terrain depending on where you are hunting. This can make for a long day of hunting, but can be rewarding if you get the chance at gobbler.
Still Hunting- This has to be the easiest in terms or the lack of physical activity that goes into it. The hunter can set up a blind in a place where turkeys are known to frequent, and sit until you have completed your mission. Not a whole of physical effort or time comes with this style of hunting turkeys.
History & legacy
Before you take off into the woods, it is important that you know the hard work that has gone into keeping this resource around for generations. The National Wild Turkey Federation has been preserving our ability to turkey hunt since the 60's. The wild turkey almost went extinct in the late 60's, but thanks to the groups like the NWTF, the love of turkey hunting can be shared by many! Please be considerate, and ethical when hunting the awesome critters. I would like to have some around form my son to hunt.
Happy Hunting
Now that you have some basic knowledge under your belt, I am confident that you can start your own journey chasing the illusive "Thunder Chicken". Since I'm not the only the turkey hunter out there that has tips and advice, please seek more information. There more knowledge you have, the better you're experience will become! Enjoy the out doors, and ALWAYS BE SAFE!
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