Turkey Hunting Tips
Turkey Hunting -- Tips on Getting a Gobbler
If you are searching for some turkey hunting tips to make bagging a bird easier next turkey season, you have come to the right place. Having a good knowledge of turkeys and turkey hunting gear will get you that much closer to having a nice, plump bird you shot yourself on the dinner table.
The first thing you need to do before going turkey hunting is get the appropriate license for your state, and if you have never had a hunting license before, to take a hunter firearms safety course. Usually you need to pay an extra fee to get a turkey permit added on to the basic hunting license.
The first thing you need to do is acquire the firearm that is the best one for hunting turkeys. Most hunters use a 12-gauge shotgun. One of the best turkey hunting tips is to get a pump or an autoloader that can fire three shots. Turkeys can be tough and should you miss with the first shot and get him with the second, you will want a third cartridge ready just in case he still tries to get away.
The big firearm manufacturers, Browning, Remington, and Winchester--all make 12-gauge autoloaders and pump shotguns that are just right for turkey hunting. In fact, their offerings for turkey hunting even come with camouflage finishes. They also have much shorter barrels than older guns which make them easier to maneuver, and fiber-optic scopes are standard now, making it much easier for your shot to hit a gobbler.
Here are some more turkey hunting tips:
* Scout for turkey locations all through the year and especially in the two weeks before the season begins.
* During spring season, look for locations that would make good nesting spots for the hen.
* Once you have found a good location, look for dusting areas, scratchings, and worn strut zones. It is best to use binoculars so don’t get too close and give yourself away.
* To locate turkey roosts, look for feathers on the ground near a tree as they will lose some flying up and down to the branches. Also look for droppings on the ground in the same area. Turkeys like trees close and even hanging out over a water supply. Cedars and pines are good choices. They also like to fly onto the roost from a higher ridge and then leave in the morning by flying downward.
* Look for turkey dusting areas. These are spots where turkeys have scratched out the soil and scattered it over themselves to keep themselves clean. The spot will be littered with feathers and droppings.
* Listen for gobbling turkeys.
* Once you know where turkeys are spending the various parts of their day, you can pick a spot from which you will be able to shoot.
* The best place to shoot a turkey is the neck.
* Learn to use turkey calls. A cluck from a turkey call will often put the turkey in a better position for a good shot.