Hunting turkey is an incredibly rewarding experience. It can also be very dangerous. If you follow the proper precautions and stay within your ability level, though, you’ll have one of the funnest days of your life. You will also have dinner for a long time.
Turkey hunting is an all-season sport, but it’s especially popular during the fall. The spring season is the best time to bag a large tom because the birds are in breeding mode and their gobblers are much easier to locate.
How to hunt turkey in the spring?
Turkey hunters use a variety of tactics and strategies to catch their prey. Here are some tips on how to hunt turkey:
1- Get into position early. Turkey hunters should arrive at their hunting spot well before sunrise so they can get set up before the birds wake up.
2- Then sit quietly and wait for the gobblers to come out of hiding.
3- If you’re going to be hunting from a ground blind, keep your decoys hidden until early morning; otherwise, turkeys might become alarmed by them before you’re ready for them!
4- Decoy properly. To fool turkeys into thinking that another male is running around in their territory, use decoys like artificial owls or other fake bids.
5- Spread around plenty of food! Turkeys love corn and peanut butter; just put a few kernels on top of each decoy so it looks like something’s been feeding on it already.
6- Scout out potential shooting locations before going out on your first hunt. Don’t just go into an area blindly and hope for the best; scout it out first so you know exactly where to be when a bird flies in.
7- Know what kinds of calls work best when trying to attract turkeys in an area where they are known to roam around often (like near roosting trees).
8- Make sure your scent control is up to par. This can be done by using scent elimination products like Scent Blocker or Scent Free products from Hunter Specialties. If you’re not familiar with these products, make sure you read our article about how important scent control is for turkey hunters!
Last but not the least, make sure you have proper gear like Compound Bow and Thumb Release
Types of Turkey Hunting
1- Wild Turkey
Wild turkey is typically found in wooded areas, while domesticated turkeys are raised as food animals on farms. All the buzz is about hunting Wild Turkey.
2- Domesticated Turkey
They’re similar in size, but wild turkeys have dark feathers that can be seen from a distance, while domesticated turkeys have white feathers and can be hard to see from afar. IF you are looking for light fun, choose this one.
Related: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_(bird)
Wild Turkey Season
The best season to hunt wild turkey is in the spring, generally March through June, depending on where you live.
Best Time of the Day
The best time to hunt wild turkey is the morning and early afternoon. Once the sun comes up, it’s too hot for them to move around much.
The best place to look for turkeys is in a field or pasture with long grass. Turkeys are ground-dwelling birds and rarely fly very far from their roosting spot. If you see a flock of turkeys in a field, there’s a good chance they’ll be back at nightfall.
Wild Turkey likes tall grass because it hides them from predators and offers shade from the sun. When you approach a flock, try not to make any noise or move quickly so they won’t fly away.
Hunting Turkey in Afternoon or Evening
Although Morning is the most favorable time but the best way to hunt turkeys in the afternoon is to find a good place where they like to hang out. Look for areas with lots of cover, such as brush and trees, and places where there’s plenty of food – such as corn fields or water sources. Turkeys often congregate near these things on afternoons because they’re easier for them to see predators coming from afar.
If you don’t know where any good spots are, try calling turkeys early in the morning or late in the evening – they tend to move around a lot during these times, so they might lead you right to one!
How to hunt turkey in the fall
Although it’s not turkey season but the fall is also a great time to hunt turkeys. The birds are not only plentiful, but also very predictable in their movements. You will find them feeding on acorns and other seeds that they have stored up during the summer months. They will also be feeding on corn and other crops that are planted by farmers.
The best way to hunt turkeys in the fall is with a shotgun or bow and arrow. Shotguns allow you to take out multiple birds at once, which can be very helpful if you’re hunting large groups of turkeys. Bows are more accurate than shotguns when it comes to shooting individual birds, but they require more skill when it comes to tracking down wounded animals.
Wild Turkey hunting in Rain
It’s not as difficult as you might think.
Hunting turkeys in the rain is an art form, and there are several techniques you can use. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, it’s not very difficult at all.
You can still bag your limit of birds by following these seven tips for hunting turkey in the rain:
1. Be flexible about your location.
2. Consider changing your position during lulls between storms.
3. Use a remote caller during bad weather if necessary (make sure it’s waterproof).
How to hunt Wild Turkey on windy Days
In the days before Thanksgiving, there are few things on the minds of turkey hunters like the wind.
When it’s blowing hard, it can be difficult to hear gobblers and turkeys, in general, seem to be more skittish.
Here are some tips for hunting turkeys on windy days:
1. Be patient and use cover to your advantage – The best way to hunt turkeys on windy days is to take advantage of whatever cover is available and wait until the birds feel safe enough to come out. Use natural or artificial cover as a way to get close, but don’t get too close or all your efforts will be in vain.
2. Don’t try to sneak up on them – when they’re feeling skittish because they’ll hear you coming long before you can get close enough for a shot at one of them. If you want to sneak up on them, wait until they settle down a little bit or until they start moving around again after the storm passes through their area of operation.
3. Avoid calling if possible – Calling turkeys in windy conditions can be challenging because it’s easy for them to hear your calls over their normal noises from just about anywhere in
Do you need Hunting License?
The answer is yes and no. Depending on where you live, some states require a turkey license. In most cases, a combination turkey permit is required if you want to hunt both deer and wild turkey.
However, there are some states that do not require a hunting license for turkeys. These include:
Alabama
Colorado
Florida
Louisiana
Mississippi
North Carolina (except for residents of Carteret, Craven, Pamlico, Jones, Onslow, Hyde and Pitt counties)
Pennsylvania
Make
Public Land or State Land vs Private Owner
If you’re leaving for turkey hunt on private land, it’s pretty simple. All you have to do is get permission from the landowner. If you plan on hunting public land, it’s a little more complicated. You’ll need to acquire a state hunting license and tag.
Turkey Hunt Season Dates
Turkey season dates vary by state and species. The following is a general guide to turkey hunting seasons in the United States.
Eastern Wild Turkey Season Dates
April 1 to May 8: Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana
May 9 to May 30: Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia
June 1 to June 20: North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida
Western Wild Turkey Season Dates
April 1 to April 30: Colorado, New Mexico and Utah
May 1 to May 15: Arizona (Central only), California (North only), Idaho (Southern half), Nevada (Northern half) and Oregon (Southern half)
May 16 to June 20: Washington State
South Dakota Turkey Hunter
There are three different seasons for turkey hunt in South Dakota: spring, summer and fall.
In the spring, turkey season starts on April 1st and ends on May 31st.
In the summer, there are two separate seasons; one from June 20th through July 10th and another from August 10th through September 15th.
The fall hunting season begins on September 16th and ends on December 15th.
Turkey hunters can use any type of shotgun ammunition or bow during their hunt as long as it’s legal for the area they’re hunting in.
They can also use semi-automatic pistols during their hunt if they’re using a silencer, which is allowed in all parts of South Dakota except for Custer State Park.
Rifles aren’t allowed during Spring turkey season unless you’re hunting with an archery tag.
National Wild Turkey Federation
The National Wild Turkey Federation is the nation’s largest and most active nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the restoration and management of wild turkeys, their habitat, and our hunting heritage.
Wildlife management areas
Since 1937, NWTF has worked to restore wild turkey populations across North America. Today, with more than 500 chapters throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, NWTF focuses on conservation, habitat management, research and education.
It’s mission is to ensure a future for all watchable wildlife through conserving native species and their habitats. The organization has helped protect more than 9 million acres of land through its Landowner Incentive Program, which provides funding for habitat restoration projects that benefit wild turkey call.
Upland Game Bird
The upland game bird is a class of game birds that includes pheasant, partridge, grouse, and quail. The term “upland game” is used in the United States and Canada to differentiate between terrestrial gamebirds and waterfowl. Upland birds are those that live and feed on the ground or on low-growing vegetation.
Typically hunted by shotgun rather than rifle because legs are short and flying short distances when startled is Upland game bird. They also tend to flutter when they run, making them harder to hit with a high-powered rifle than with a shotgun.
Upland birds are usually hunted during the fall season, when they are at their leanest weight.
Migratory Game Bird
Migratory birds that are hunted for food or sport. The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats defines them as species naturally occur in Europe, but do not necessarily breed there. Many of these birds migrate to Europe from breeding grounds further to the south (e.g., North America).
Migratory game bird have been there for centuries in Europe, especially by aristocratic hunters who set out for weeks at a time to find and shoot the most challenging prey. The tradition continues today with organizations such as the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the German Hunting Association (DJV).
Invasive Species of Birds
A serious threat to native plants and animals. Many of these invasive species are birds, and the damage they can do to the ecosystem is very real. The damage that these birds cause is often irreversible and can have devastating consequences for other watchable wildlife.
Invasive Species of Birds
One way that birds can become invasive is through the process of hitchhiking on boats or planes. This means that they can be transported from one place to another without any regard for their impact on the environment or ecosystems. For example, some birds such as starlings and sparrows can be transported by people who want to keep them as pets; however, these birds may also carry diseases like avian flu that could infect other species of birds in their new homes.
Invasive birds like house sparrows and European starlings are known for their ability to adapt quickly to new environments; therefore, they are able to thrive in new places with little difficulty. These invasive species of birds often out-compete native species by taking over their habitats and food sources in areas where they have been introduced.
Youth Hunting
Youth hunting is a great way to introduce kids to the outdoors. It’s a family activity that can be enjoyed at any age.
It’s also a great way to teach kids about wildlife management, conservation and proper hunting techniques.
Most states require that you be at least 12 years old before you can obtain a hunting license and hunt alone. However, many states allow younger hunters to participate in supervised hunts where an adult supervises the hunt and is responsible for the safety of all participants in the hunt. These hunts are conducted under strict guidelines set by state wildlife agencies.
A youth hunt can be held during a regular season or as part of a special youth-only season called “Youth Deer Day” or “Youth Turkey Day.” Youth only seasons are usually held once per year on one Saturday or Sunday in November or December.
Turkey Population
Turkey population is growing. The number of turkeys in the United States increased by more than 21 million between 2001 and 2018, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
In 2018, turkey producers were able to raise more than 19 million birds on farms across the country — the highest number ever recorded.
The reason for growing Turkey population is how they are farmed and raised. Thanks to improvements in breeding techniques, nutrition and veterinary care, turkeys have become healthier and more productive since 2000. The average weight at slaughter has increased from 11 pounds per bird to 18 pounds per bird over that time period.
IS Turkey a species of hen?
Short answer. NO! They do share the same kingdom, taxonomy, class, and order but
Turkeys are a type of domesticated fowl. The word itself is thought to have come from the Latin word for “large gallinaceous bird”.
Turkey hunt is native to North America, where they were consumed by Native Americans prior to the arrival of European settlers. Today, more than two billion pounds of turkey meat is produced annually in the United States alone.
The wild turkey is a shy, ground-dwelling bird found in forests and woodlands throughout North America. It has long been hunted and consumed as food by indigenous people throughout its range. European settlement brought about dramatic changes to native ecosystems across North America; it also led to population declines among many species of watchable wildlife due to overhunting and habitat destruction.
Wild turkey populations were downlisted from Endangered (EN) to Vulnerable (VU) in 2007 after conservation efforts resulted in several population increases since 1980s; however, they remain threatened by habitat loss due to development and fragmentation of their preferred habitats
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