Are You Ready for Spring Gobblers?
There is perhaps no better test for an outdoorsman than turkey hunting, which is why a successful Spring gobbler hunt is one of the most fulfilling experiences one can have with a shotgun. It’s a test of preparedness, a surprisingly tough battle of wits against a bird with a brain the size of a walnut, and at times, a coin toss. The idea is simple but the execution is difficult. Your movement matters, your reactions matter, and small mistakes can cost you the day. To help make your season a success, we’ve gathered some tips and tricks to keep in mind as opening day approaches.
Scout Your Area
This is a great exercise to get out in the field when the cabin fever starts kicking in during late winter. Finding your perfect Tom isn’t the goal here, so just focus on finding where the flocks are in your area. You want to find where they’re feeding, get an idea for where they’re roosting, and get some trail cams set up in areas where you see signs of the flock. At this point, you’re not calling to the birds, just observing and making mental notes of how you’re going to tackle the upcoming season. You know what they say about preparation…
Goodnight Tom
If you can follow a Tom to his roost you’ll know exactly where to set up shop the next morning. While the pre-season scouting is a bit more general in nature, roosting a bird requires getting in close. With patience and keen observation finding where the birds are roosting is one of the best ways to increase your chances of success if you have all your other bases covered. If you know where they’re sleeping, you’ll know where they’re going to wake up.
Time to Talk Turkey
Pulling the trigger when a bird is in your sights is the easy part. Getting the bird into your sights is the hard part. Through your pre-season scouting and roosting you’ll be able to hit the ground running on opening day and get to the right general area, but calling the Tom in close enough for a kill requires “talking turkey.” There are many, many different types of calls and we could probably write an entire article just on turkey calls (and we probably will), but if you’re just getting started we recommend keeping it simple. It may seem counterintuitive to start with a diaphragm call because they’re a bit harder to use than others, but start perfecting that call now and you’ll be set for life. Turkeys have impeccable eyesight, which is why all the camo is necessary, so why blow the hunt with a call that requires physical body movement if there are alternatives? Throw a few of them in your car to practice during your commute (avoid this if you take public transit), and take advantage of the myriad of tutorial videos on YouTube. Your turkey calling game can make or break a hunt, and it will take years to master, but this is also where a lot of the reward comes from. Bringing in a Tom close enough for a kill shot through your “conversation” with the bird is one of the most thrilling parts of any hunt you can do.
Choose the Right Equipment
You’re going to need camo, and lots of it. Check out our Henry Camo Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt and our Henry Hunter’s Supreme Coat. You’ll need to find a pattern that matches your local hunting grounds and deck yourself out from head to toe, but don’t stop there. Ideally, your shotgun will be camouflaged as well. Our Steel Single Shot Shotguns are a perfect choice for the hunt, so use some camo wrap on the buttstock and barrel and you’ll be good to go.
The most important thing about Spring Turkey season is to get out there and enjoy it! Whether you are looking to make this your first ever hunting season, you’re looking for a different hunt to pursue, or you’re a seasoned vet, the best time to start is now.
Is your home state one of the Top 10 best states for turkey hunting?
Read this article from the NRA’s American Hunter to find out »
