SUCCESSFUL TURKEY HUNTING
As a wild turkey hunter and a sportsman:
I will hunt the wild turkey fairly;
I will insist on a good shot;
I will handle firearms safely;
I will obey and support all game laws;
I will respect the land and the landowner;
I will avoid interfering with other hunters;
I will educate others about ethical turkey hunting;
I will appreciate the beauty of the wild turkey;
I will share responsible wild turkey hunting with others;
I will work for wild turkey conservation;
I will promote the preservation of the turkey hunting tradition.
Wild turkey hunting provides the sportsman with a raw excitement that few forms of hunting can rival. The following "Successful Turkey Hunting" information is taken from the National Wild Turkey Federation "HUNT SAFELY" program.
Wild turkeys are wary and elusive birds, and they provide a tremendous challenge to hunters of all ages, Wild turkey hunting is unique, challenging sport that has no equal in the hunting tradition.
Throughout the nation, there are hundreds of thousands of safe, successful turkey hunters. But every year, there are a few situations where hunters accidentally shoot other hunters while turkey hunting. And its not just young, inexperienced hunters causing these accidents. In one state, turkey hunters who accidentally shoot other hunters have an average of 17 years of turkey hunting experience. How can this happen?
Experienced spring turkey hunters know the sights and sounds a turkey makes as it struts into shotgun or bow range. Fall turkey hunters know the sights and sounds of a flock of young turkeys feeding along a hillside or even the quiet but majestic presence of a flock of old gobblers as they feed through a stand of oak or wild cherry. Because of this experiences, a hunter who receives these sights and sounds may "see" a turkey that really doesnt exist. He may "think" he hears a turkey cluck or yelp, or he may "think" he sees a turkeys head or silhouette coming towards his calling location. It happens to experienced hunters every year and it can happen to you A responsible turkey hunter will be 100% sure he identifies his target before taking the safety off his firearm.
Expert turkey hunters from around the nation agree that the strategies that lead to successful turkey hunting also lead to safe hunting. Heres how you can be sure to have both.
Preparing for the Hunt
The first step is to locate a place to hunt. If it is privately owned, be sure to get the landowners permission before scouting or hunting. Contact your state wildlife agency for locations of public hunting land. Scout your hunting area before the season. Locate areas of recent turkey activity.
The clothes you wear to hunt are critically important. Complete camouflage is best, including hands and face. Never wear sharply contrasting colors, or the colors red, white, or blue. These colors appear on the heads of gobblers, and someone may mistake them for a turkey. Be sure that white socks, T-shirts, and other non-camouflage clothes do not show. Pennsylvania turkey hunters must know and obey the hunter orange laws for spring and fall turkey hunting seasons. Use florescent orange also as a covering for that successful turkey you harvest and carry out of the woods. Many turkey hunting vests, hats or coats, are now equipped with orange strips. Use them.
Poor vision can lead to accidents. Be sure to have your eyesight checked and corrected before going afield.
The Spring Hunt
Select a calling location in a fairly open area turkeys often are hesitant to walk into thick brush. If possible, sit with your back against a tree that is wider than your shoulders and taller than your head. This will break up your outline and protect your back from unethical hunters who may be stalking in behind you. However, do not sit behind a deadfall or other cover that will obstruct your vision; try to maintain at least 50 yards visibility in each direction.
As you are selecting your calling location, remember not to get too close to the bird, or you will flush it off of the roost. A distance of 100-150 yards is usually close enough.
Calling
One of the marks of a successful turkey hunter is the ability to call. Those who consistently bring wily turkeys to their calling positions have mastered the birds basic vocabulary, and they know how to call, when to call, and when not to call. They learned from real turkeys, other hunters, and from tapes and videos. Here are a few tips:
If Turkey "Hangs Up"
This is the most frustrating part of turkey hunting. Youve done your homework and made some good calls, but the turkey wont come into range.
Dont be too eager to change your location, especially if the turkey has been silent for awhile. The bird may still be coming to you. Also, unseen hunters may mistake your movement for the bird theyve heard in the area.
If you decide to change calling locations, remember:
The Pay-Off
If everything comes together right, youll have a spring gobbler strutting right into your position. The following tips will help you bring that turkey home:
Real turkey hunters know that success is not measured in the length of the beard or spurs, or even the tagging of a bird. Success is measured in the enjoyment you receive from participating in the great sport. Its the gobble, not the gobbler, that makes this hunt so special. The sound of the turkey on a distant ridge is enough to fill your game bag with wonderful memories. And the times you are able to outsmart one of the wariest creatures in the woods well, thats just icing on the cake.
Working a gobbler in close enough to see him strutting and gobbling is a thrill that is unsurpassed in sport hunting. Even if you do not get the opportunity for a clean shot kill, the challenge has been met with success, for you will be able to come back another day to hear, see, and work that gobbler. Thats what spring turkey hunting is all about, now you have mastered one of huntings special opportunities.
Fall Season
Turkeys behave differently in the fall than in the spring. Most hunters try to locate a flock of turkeys, scatter them, and then try to call individual birds back to a central location. Considerable scouting is required to locate flocks and pattern their daily movements. Once you have scattered a flock, wait about ten minutes before beginning to call. Fall calling to young birds requires a different turkey sound than spring hunting. Listen and learn a fall turkeys vocabulary by using tapes or videos on turkey hunting and calling.
Young birds, scattered, often begin calling shortly after the break. Listen to their calling, try to imitate their pitch and rhythm, and dont move as they often come straight in to your calling position.
Turkey Hunters Checklist
As you prepare to enter the turkey woods, review this short checklist to ensure a safe and successful hunting experience:
Defensive Turkey Hunting
The National Wild Turkey Federation has developed a list of defensive turkey hunting techniques you should follow.
Turkey hunting is a privilege, not to be taken lightly or abused. Hunter responsibility is a serious matter, do not let your desire or peer pressure to kill a turkey jeopardize your safety or the safety of your fellow turkey hunters. There is a challenge to developing outdoor skills to call in and harvest a wild turkey. A close, clean, one shot kill is the ethical way to take a turkey, whether with shotgun or bow and arrow.
Develop your hunting skills, learn about the out-of-doors, hone your calling techniques, and above all respect the wildlife you pursue. Wild turkey populations in recent years have doubled, doubled again, and then doubled again. Habitat and their environment are key to their future. Turkey hunters, as sportsmen and conservationists, have the opportunity to protect this environment.
If you do not belong to the Pennsylvania State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, take this opportunity to join. Follow the membership icon on our home page or below to the N.W.T.F. home page and become a member. Get involved in your hunting sport and in the local area where you turkey hunt. Remember, a membership in the National Wild Turkey Federation is also a membership in your State Chapter and your Local Chapter.
If you currently belong to the N.W.T.F., renew your membership at a fund-raising banquet, local chapter membership meeting, state chapter convention and sports show, at one of the many booths or shows attended by your chapter, or by returning your renewal application. After you renew your membership, sign up your turkey hunting buddy as a new member.
Take a young person hunting, your sport depends on it.
Send mail to panwtf@go2pa.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2000 Pennsylvania Chapter- National Wild Turkey Federation
Last modified: November 20, 2003