The most widely used hunting technique for spring turkey hunting is to locate a tom on the roost before sunrise, setup nearby, and use decoys or calls to get the tom to come into range. But, what do you do if you don't get a tom within a couple hours of sunrise?
When you are scouting for turkeys you should learn the lay of the land. You want to know where the ravines, gullies, streams and fences are; obstacles that a turkey may detour around or may not cross. You also want to know the topography of the land; the elevation of hills and valleys, so you know if the birds are above or below you when you hear them.
While you are scouting look for tracks, particularly tracks in the 2 1/4 inch and larger range, with a deep or clear imprint of the middle toe with the scales showing. This indicates a large heavy bird, usually a tom.
Turkey hunting is challenging, exciting and in some cases becomes addictive. TurkeyÕs senses are extremely keen - even your heart pounding can make the turkey vanish like a puff of smoke.
Understanding what types of habitat turkeys prefer helps you to locate them during the spring hunting season.
Okay, okay, I realize that the term "rut" does not apply to turkey breeding behavior, but I thought it was a good way of getting your attention. Over the years as a guide and writer I've learned that one of the best ways to hunt any animal is to use the right tactics at the right time. In order to do that we have to understand how the animal is acting at the time that we hunt it.
The 1, 2, 3 Rule: Tom turkeys can't walk or strut and gobble at the same time. They generally stop walking or strutting, then stick their neck out and gobble. The number of times a tom gobbles can give you clues as to what the tom is doing, and where it is.
Fall turkey hunting is not the same as spring turkey hunting, because the birds are motivated by different needs. To be successful you have to use techniques suited to the needs and habits of the birds at this time of the year. Fall turkeys are not interested in breeding, the toms are not gobbling, and they are beginning to regroup.
