By: Jones DesChamps
In the final quarter of the academic year, I have decided to introduce a new series. As the winter concludes and spring approaches, I hope to embark on a new and relevant topic for those interested. As the season starts on March 23rd, many turkey hunters throughout the southeast are impatiently waiting to kill their first long beard. In this quarter’s series, I hope to provide valuable advice and tips to any turkey hunters willing to listen. These bits of information may provide zero help to a more advanced turkey hunter, but these tips serve as the foundation for beginners. Once again, take this with a grain of salt as I am absolutely not a professional hunter or have ever claimed to be one.
This week’s tip highlights time and place. Obviously, any good hunter wants to beat their prey to its location. So, arriving at your desired destination thirty or forty minutes early is always a good idea. If hunting in the morning, you want to beat the sunrise with plenty of time to spare, such as to walk through the field or woods while it is still dark. If hunting in the afternoon, I really cannot provide much help. Turkeys can show up at any time or place, so beating a gobbler to its spot becomes a little more difficult.
You must remember that no matter where you are or when you arrive there, you want to limit your movement. Turkeys can detect the slightest movement, so it is necessary to camouflage yourself in either a blind or behind some sort of brush. Trees and logs can be very helpful in providing support for your back, as you may be stuck in a certain spot or position for a long period of time. If you were to need to adjust your position, generally, it is best to shuffle around while you are calling. This can somewhat hide the sounds of your movement, or even further disguise it as a bird. Obviously, if hunting on public land, you need to be aware of your surroundings, so as not to alarm or disturb any other hunters. Remember, when in doubt, use common sense to avoid being heard or seen. Turkeys have a sharp eye and an open ear at all times, so beware of every movement.
So there it is. This week’s tip is simple. Arrive earlier than you think. Use common sense. Be quiet. Limit movement. Be disguised. Be one with the turkeys.
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