Turkey Hunting Preparation
Anyone that has ever spent any time in the woods turkey hunting knows that luck and a variety of circumstances play a major role in success or failure. Unfortunately, not everything can be prepared for. You can however plan how you will go about preparing for the things that you can control.
There are many factors involved in preparation. Your experience in the woods and knowledge of the land that you hunt is important. One of the important, if not the most important factors is knowing or finding out where the turkeys are located. You have to hunt where the turkey is to be successful. This may sound like common sense but too many times I have heard stories of hunters walking into an area that is not known for turkeys and then wondering why they are never successful.
The only way to locate turkeys is by scouting. You have to put time in the field. Although turkeys can at times be patterned, they are a very cautious bird that will change up on you at a moments notice. That’s why you must be willing to put forth an extra effort if you want to be successful.
There is a lot of walking around involved in scouting and in the actual hunt itself. You need to be in as good a shape as you can. If you hunt in mountain terrain as I do, you know how tough walking up and down hill tops all day can be. If you are not in good physical condition, you are asking for a long day that will dampen your spirits.
Once you have scouted and located your birds, then you need to prepare for the hunt itself. You need to use a good concealment camouflage over your entire body with no skin or bright colors showing. This includes your hands and face. Turkeys have very good eyesight and will pick you out if you are slacking in this area. Turkeys are very familiar with the area in which they live so you have to be able to blend in as not to alert them.
You need to be well versed in the use of an assortment of turkey calls. There are a wide selection on the market today. Hand held calls such as slate calls and box calls as well as diaphragm mouth calls are popular. If possible you need to learn how to use a variety of them. They each have their own unique sound. Watch your favorite hunting show or buy a how to call DVD to help you.
You also need to be proficient with your choice of weapons. No matter how good a caller you are, if you get the turkey in range then you have to be able to make an accurate shot for success. The only way to make this happen is by practicing on a regular basis. Don’t take this for granted. A turkey is not an easy target.
Finally, you need to learn to be patient. There will be days when you will feel that the turkeys have packed up and left the country. If you have done your proper scouting, it’s just a matter of time before success happens. I don’t know how many times I have hunted all day and just when I was about to conclude my hunt, the sound of an eager gobbler has changed my mind.
