Turkey Time!

Spring means one thing for hunters – turkey time! Excitement fills the air as toms begin hammering hard. Turkey hunting offers some exciting times, but with so many different techniques and cues, it can also be unbelievably frustrating. I’ve been part of great ambushes that make turkey hunting too easy, but I’ve also had situations where decoying, ambushes and calling never worked. Eventually, a combination of all these things turned out to be the secret to a successful hunt. Don’t get shaken if you are new to the sport. Here are the top five things to remember when turkey time hits.

Calls
Each hunter who hits the woods during the upcoming season will pack away slate, box and diaphragm calls. Numerous calls work, but beginner turkey hunters find slate or box calls work best. Pick up a couple of calls and practice yelps and purrs. Don’t worry about cutting because that technique takes time to master and beginning hunters often find it difficult to know exactly when to use a cutting.

Decoys
Decoys offer a glimpse of hope for potential strutting suiters. Do yourself a favor and snag a Jake and hen decoy.

Paired with a slate or box call, decoys cause the biggest gobblers to lose their minds. Strutting across an open field, gobblers aggressively approach decoys unaware of their surroundings, making it easy for hunters to put a tag on a big ol’ bird.  

Ammunition
Ammo selection reminds me of decoy and call selections. A million options exist, making it difficult to decide. Hunters must determine what they want out of a turkey load. Are the shots going to be longer or shorter? What choke is being used? Hunters can eliminate many of these questions by selecting a load like Ferderal Premium’s 3rd Degree. Developed with three shot sizes in each round, 3rd Degree covers the spectrum easily and works for a wide variety of chokes. Don’t forget to pattern shotguns before heading out this season. It saves time and eliminates any doubt in the field.

Camouflage
Speaking of unlimited offerings, camouflage patterns are as abundant as cow chips on a farm. Dark colors work well since leaves are greening up and winter is disappearing. A turkey’s eyesight remains its number one asset to avoid predators. Limiting movement and covering the body in camo decreases the likelihood of being spotted. Don’t underestimate the need for snake boots this time of year. I hunt in rattlesnake-infested woods, so having something protective is crucial.

Optics
A good set of binoculars contributes to the success on any hunt, but turkey hunting demands a good amount of scouting. That can’t be done without clear glass. The Leupold Pro Guide HD optics exemplify quality and dependability. If you’re looking for binoculars, stick with something lightweight and compact. The BX-4 Pro Guide fits the bill in those categories. When I’m running and gunning for turkey, lightweight gear makes life easier when attempting to grab and go.

Listening to the wings whip off the roost and hearing the morning air crack with a roaring gobble can ramp up the heartbeat of any hunter. Decisions about gear confuse even the most-seasoned hunters. Keep it simple and trim gear down to reduce the chances of anything going wrong when it matters most.  ~ KJ

Kevin Jarnagin
Kevin Jarnagin (KJ) hails from Oklahoma, but quickly established Louisiana roots after joining the Gun Talk team. KJ grew up as a big game hunter, and knows his way around a bass boat. Whether it’s making his way to British Columbia for elk or training with pistols, Jarnagin always seems to find a gun in his hands and adventure on his mind.

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