Preparing for Spring Turkey Season

Its right around the corner. It’s been marked on your calendar since the end of the fall season. You’ve been hearing the gobbles of toms in the woods, on the side of the road, in your dreams, and maybe even in your yard. Or you are like me and currently live somewhere there is not a turkey for miles, but you have had your weekend trip all planned out for months now. Regardless of your level of addiction, lets go over some things that might be handy in preparing for the one and only 2016 Spring turkey season. All Camo, All The Time Get your camo gear ready to chase monster toms. I never want to regret having not worn camouflage. Some guys will swear that it doesn’t really matter, or that minimal camouflage is needed when hunting, even when going after turkeys – I will forever disagree with these guys. Turkeys have outstanding eyesight and you should wear camo. As a matter of fact, you should wear as much camo as possible. If possible, cover all exposed skin. Even earth tones will do, if you are in a pinch. Your skin has a reflective quality that is easily seen by wildlife. Would you rather make a non-camo fashion statement in the hunting world and regret it when you are spotted by a puffed out tom? Or would you rather camo up and put that monster down? The answer is obvious. Camo up, ladies and gents. Work On Your Calling You could have been the best turkey caller on this side of the Mississippi last year, but if you haven’t practiced during the entire off season, chances are that you have lost your perfect touch. But don’t worry too much, you can get it back if you practice a week or two prior to opening weekend. You may even be able to perfect a few new methods of calling. If you like the diaphragm call, or if you want to get the hang of it, practice in your car on the way to work or school. If a box or slate is more your thing, go ahead and whip it out in your living room while the wife’s making dinner – see how riled up you can get the dogs. That last suggestion may not be such good advice, but you get the picture. Practice up so you can get that perfect hen-like pitch when the birds get in close. Arms At The Ready Whether you are hunting with your shotgun or your bow, it better be ready to rock come opening morning. That means clean, sighted in, functioning right, new string, fletched arrows, correct shells, killer broadheads, but most of all you need to be practiced up. When on a turkey hunt, it is not uncommon for range to become a huge factor in question. If you are hunting with a shotgun, be sure to go for the tightest full choke you can get, and know exactly how far that thing will reach out to. Take it to the range, try some new shells, figure out what works and what doesn’t. When you are in the field, this will prove to have been an extremely important step. Same goes for your bow. You should practice a variety of shots, predominately from the sitting position. Make sure you know where that arrow is going to hit every time. No one wants to chase down a turkey with an arrow stuck through its breast. Contact Landowners If you are only going to be hunting on your own land, or if you only plan on hunting public land, this won’t apply as much to you, however, its not a bad idea to keep reading and think about expanding your hunting opportunities by finding new land to hunt. Many landowners look at turkeys as somewhat of pests. They defecate on cars and they walk around like they own the place. These are the landowners you should get to know. And if you already know them, be sure to call them up just to chat. After you are through chatting, be sure to remind them of the upcoming hunting season. Unless they signed some type of agreement with the thunder-chickens, which is highly unlikely, then you will probably be invited to come score a bird or two this year. © Marynag | Dreamstime.com – Wild turkey