Top Ten Recommendations for Turkey Hunting
1. Pack a pen light in your field sack. It can come in handy early in the morning, especially in the dark on the way to your blind. Point it directly at the ground to look for obstacles that you might trip over or step on (e.g., twigs that might “snap”). Also, in the dark, you never know if another hunter is setting up in your general proximity. You can use the light to signal the hunter of your presence. We’ve done this many times, especially on state land.
2. Spend some quality time scouting your hunting locations before your hunt. This is very important because turkeys are rather routine in their actions. Try to determine these patterns! A trail camera will help a lot in this.
3. You need to be very quiet! Once in position and after you start calling do not move! Turkeys have unbelievable eye sight. We would swear they can see you blink your eyes.
4. Spend some time practicing your calls, but don’t worry if you are not an expert caller. You’d be surprised how forgiving the turkeys can be.
5. Do not over call! Early in the morning, call once or perhaps twice every 30 minutes. Later in the day, call maybe once every hour.
6. Stay focused! Many times, when you least expect it, turkeys will surprise you and come in from a direction that you least expect.
7. Position yourself, preferably where your back is up against a big tree and you are in position to make the shot in a direction from where you expect the turkey to approach. Once in position, limit your movement.
8. Typically, since you will be getting up very early during the “T-hunting marathon”, learn to catch some cat naps … you’ll need them.
9. Pack something to drink and eat. We like sports drinks.
10. It’s definitely a good idea to pack your vehicle the night before the hunt and to organize your T-hunting gear such that you don’t need to think when preparing to venture out to your blind, in the dark, early in the morning. If you want to learn more about hunting gear, have a look at our night vision scope and spotting scope guides too.