Turkey Blog with Steve Hickoff

Steve Hickoff is Realtree.com's editorial director and turkey hunting editor. He’s been beaten by more birds than he can remember. Still he kills enough to eat well, and fool with beards, spurs and fans until the next season. Pennsylvania born and raised, Maine is his home base now. A full-time outdoor communicator with a couple university writing degrees, he chases spring gobblers and fall flocks around the country.

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5 Quick Tips for Hunting Merriam's Turkeys

January 15, 2019  |  Turkey Blog with Steve Hickoff

Eventually, most hardcore wild turkey hunters venture out West in pursuit of the Merriam's subspecies. Check out these turkey blog tips on how to make the trip successful.

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Top 5 Merriam's Turkey Hunting States

January 10, 2019  |  Turkey Blog with Steve Hickoff

Some turkey hunters say Merriam's are easy. Not in my experience. Spring snows are often factors. High altitude. Dangerous cats. Birds that walk miles from the roost. Steep mountain climbs up skinny elk and deer trails. You earn it. Oh, you can arrange for easy hunts. Chip shots. Outfitters, eager...

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Turkey Hunting: New Federal Premium 2019 Shotgun Loads

January 8, 2019  |  From Galleries

HEAVYWEIGHT® TSS extends its deadly reach on gobblers with five new offerings, including blended loads that combine No. 7 and 9 or 8 and 10 Tungsten Super Shot. Editor's note: As always, be sure to check current shot-size regulations for the state you're turkey hunting.

SUV Driver Helps Kid Escape Aggressive Turkey Gobbler

December 18, 2018  |  Turkey Blog with Steve Hickoff

Aggressive wild turkey gobblers seem to make viral news on a regular basis these days. As birds continue to spread into suburban neighborhoods, such "attacks" have become commonplace. A Wisconsin boy recently felt the brunt of a longbeard bent on establishing pecking order. Go here for the rest of the...

8 States Where You Can Turkey Hunt in January

December 18, 2018  |  Turkey Blog with Steve Hickoff

Now that deer season is over for some of you, but still underway just a bit longer for others, the notion of turkey hunting has probably crossed your hunter's radar. Got the urge to travel for winter turkeys, or to hunt your home state if it includes the following places?...

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Top 5 Winter Turkey Hunting States

December 4, 2018  |  Turkey Blog with Steve Hickoff

For some of us, wild turkey hunting isn't just a spring deal. We think about the bird every day. We build calls in the off-season. We plan hunts, watch turkeys and go to sleep thinking about them. Opportunities for pursuing the greatest game bird on the planet exist in fall...

DIY Planning Tips for Your Out-of-State Spring Turkey Hunt

December 4, 2018  |  Turkey Blog with Steve Hickoff

You’re thinking about spring turkey hunting away from home. The time to plan is now. Turkeys to Hunt Does the state have good turkey populations? Think of this first before planning your trip. A state with high bird numbers might mean greater hunter competition, of course, especially on public land...

Vermont Peacock Leaves Home to Run with Wild Turkeys

November 27, 2018  |  Turkey Blog with Steve Hickoff

A Vermont woman's pet peacock has run away. For over six weeks now the bird has been in the company of wild turkeys. Last week, she even requested the help of Vermont Fish & Wildlife (VF&W). And VF&W in turn posted this on Facebook: As reported by WCAX3 this past...

5 Tips to Plan Your 2019 Spring Turkey Hunts

November 27, 2018  |  Turkey Blog with Steve Hickoff

What you do now – especially the questions you ask – can help make next season's gobbler-chasing campaign successful. 1. Permit and Lottery Hunt Deadlines? Such details can easily be forgotten during your busy days deer and duck hunting. Spring's hunts are far from your mind but shouldn't be. Check...

3 Ways to Salvage Your Fall Turkey Hunting Season

November 20, 2018  |  Turkey Blog with Steve Hickoff

Maybe you're in a bit of a rut. Field sitting day after day can get pretty old as turkey hunting goes. Try these three tactics to put your tag on a fall bird. Locate by Cold Calling Fall turkeys before fly-down – or moving on the ground, even if silent...

Give Thanks

November 13, 2018  |  Turkey Blog with Steve Hickoff

Almost always after killing a wild turkey, I whisper: "Thanks." Sometimes I'm alone; sometimes I'm with a buddy. I'm moved. I'm grateful. My hands are almost always shaking, even after all these years. It never gets old. I'm forever amazed I got to do it one more time. And I'm...

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My Top 5 Favorite Turkey Recipes from Realtree's Timber 2 Table

November 8, 2018  |  Turkey Blog with Steve Hickoff

Cooking wild turkey you've hunted and tagged extends the experience by putting food on your family's table. It adds meaning to Thanksgiving Day . Realtree's Timber 2 Table blogger Michael Pendley is an avid wild turkey hunter, father of three hunters, and husband to another. He knows his way around...

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