Photo Credit: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
I would not, should not, could not consider myself an expert turkey hunter! In fact amateur would be flattering at this point. This year, I decided to buy a turkey permit for the first time after tagging along on my boyfriend's hunt last year. The hunt has been going for 23 days now and I have yet to even take a shot at a bird. I may not have a bird yet, but I certainly have learned a thing or two about what not to do! Hopefully, my mistakes will be to your advantage.
First off, I would highly recommend not skipping out on the first week of the hunt like I did. This time of year turkeys are all grouped up, as the toms (mature male turkeys) try to do their dirty deed with as many hens (female turkeys) as possible. After the first week or so, birds become scattered. Partly because hunters put pressure on them and partly because as hens are bred, they leave the group to begin nesting. Turkeys in larger groups are easier to find. Simple as that.
Second, wait just a little longer. Now isn't that the exact opposite of what I just said? Well, this applies to once you are already out hunting. As you are calling and waiting for a Tom to gobble back at you, don't get impatient. After calling and waiting, calling and waiting, the sun moved into the afternoon sky, and birds were keeping their beaks sealed shut. The sound of nearby hikers were all I could hear, which was discouraging. I got up and hiked. Hoping to find turkey scat or some sign there were even turkeys nearby. Just as I approached an area I felt certain would have turkeys strutting that evening, there were hikers. Not just quiet respectful hikers, but rather loud obnoxious teenagers. Bellowing and wailing for who knows what reason. I was done and ready to call it quits for the day. As I hiked back, I crossed through the grassy clearing I originally sat in. Low and behold a tom and two hens stood at the edge, about 25 to 30 yards from where I sat earlier. Now at 60+ yards I had no chance. The birds caught sight of me and disappeared into the oak. Needless to say, had I sat and waited it out another hour, I surely would have had my shot. If you hunt in high traffic areas, birds may not always talk. Be patient and wait a little longer. That weary tom may just take his sweet time coming to you.
Third, do not hunt with a 3 year old. As much as I love my sweet son to death, a 3 year old simply does not jive well with turkeys. Sure they have a lot in common. Both are about the same size and weight. Both can create loud echoes you can hear for miles if the canyon is shaped just right. However, both cannot exist in the same location, especially if your 3 year old finds roley-poley bugs (potato bugs) one minute and then has a huge melt down the next when he loses said roley-poley bug because "that was his favorite roley-poley". If you want to enjoy time with your toddler, take them on the mountain to hunt turkeys! If you want to shoot a turkey, I would suggest little man (or gal) visit grandma for the day.
Lastly, just enjoy your hunt. I may not have gotten a bird, but I observed an array of wildlife species including mountain goats (from afar), deer, a golden eagle and a nesting kestrel.
Now that you listened to my story, and my extremely amateur advice, here is a little advice I found to be useful from talking with coworkers and my boyfriend before the hunt began:
Turkey hunting can actually be a really dangerous sport. Please don't be one of those people who are trigger happy. Know your target. People often hunt with decoys and use turkey calls. Do not mistake another person or their decoy for a real turkey. To help protect yourself, always put your back to something solid like a large tree. If someone points a gun in your direction, show yourself and speak in a loud and calm voice.
Public lands can be difficult to hunt with so many other hunters competing for a bird. To enhance the quality of your hunt, don't be afraid to hike. Fewer and fewer people are willing to travel very far without their truck or 4 wheeler. Turkeys are easier to hunt where people aren't pressuring them.
Understand turkey ecology. Turkey's strut in the Spring. They tend to gather in groups in large open areas to breed. They are found in very different areas in the Spring than where you would expect to see them during a Fall hunt. Also recognize that the breeding season start and end dates really fluctuate depending on weather, elevation, and latitudinal differences, so try (if possible) to select Spring hunts that line up as closely as possible to when birds are strutting. This provides you with the best opportunity.
As for calling, I received so much variation in opinions and responses I could not suggest one particular call over another. The best recommendation I received was to have more than one call type. If one type doesn't work, try another. Sometimes that Tom will ignore a box call, but will come to a push button call. Toms are also very territorial, so letting out a gobble may just piss that big boy off enough to head over for a fight (a fight you'll win with a shot gun, I hope).
Decoys can help you or hurt you. You need to make sure you set them up close enough to you that you can get a shot. Knowing the distance to each decoy can also help you judge the distance of a turkey as he approaches. This will help prevent you from underestimating or overestimating your shot. Additionally, do not put yourself and your decoys in a direct line of sight with where you anticipate your turkeys coming from. Turkeys have excellent eye sight, so off setting yourself from your decoys will help them focus on your decoys, not on you and your slight movements as you call or prepare to shoot.
Hope you enjoyed the read and found some of the tips useful. If you have other good tips and advice, please feel free to share!