As hunters we sometimes encounter wildlife with notable physical characteristics or behaviors that beg for a nickname. Wild turkeys are no exception. Lover Boy , Squints, Selleck and Curly were some of my favorite photography subjects who earned a special moniker that set them apart. Turkeys I’ve hunted that shame...
Spring breeding season for wild turkeys is a stressful time, especially for dominant gobblers. Most of a gobbler’s energy is focused on displaying, gathering hens, breeding and battling rivals. As the season wears on, hens enter the egg-laying period. Gobblers are left to spend a portion of the midday hours...
It’s the gobble that pulls us out there, but it’s the adrenaline rush that keeps us there. And it’s the sight of that magnificent bird, just before we set him to flopping, that makes the whole thing worthwhile. But after it’s all over with, we have things left over. What...
Wild turkeys communicate three ways — vocalization, body language and behavior. Beyond mastering turkey calls and their messages, an understanding of turkey body language and behaviors can be a strategic tool when hunting. Turkey “talk” in all forms communicates mood, status and/or intent. Some signals are subtle. Some not so...
Few game animals are tougher than a wild turkey that’s been pressured . They can give even the most seasoned longbeard killers fits. It’s just how things are. But one thing is for sure: Pressured turkeys are still killable turkeys. You just have to adapt your tactical approach to fit...
People chase turkeys in May. Therefore, turkey hunting in hot weather is common this time of year. And this isn’t just restricted to those who hunt in May. Florida in March can be flat-out brutal. Georgia in April can produce a sizzler, too. Regardless of when and where you’re hunting,...
As do most hunters, I dream of hunting foreign lands and horizons unknown. Going places I’ve never been and hunting groups of birds I’ve never hunted is something I dream of on those cool spring nights. Not only that, but sharing hunting camp with old friends and new is what...
Turkey gobbler dominance battles vary from simply a menacing look, threatening body posture and chase, to full-blown, down-and-dirty combat. Wing flogs and spur jabs are the more common behaviors in gobbler fights. Beak stabs, facial and wattle pinches, beak-gagging throwdowns and shoving matches are the hallmarks of a serious and...
Public land. Most of us have a love-hate relationship with it. We love it because of the access to hunting it provides us. We hate it because the game we chase on it is generally much smarter than their private-land counterparts. Try these seven unique setups on your next public...
I like change. I realize many people don’t. But being that I do, I like trying different methods of hunting. Over the years, enjoyment for trying different tactics has opened up doors to new ways of killing turkeys . And some of them might sound weird . All of that...
These four-legged demolition teams are literally taking over, damaging nesting and brooding habitat and competing for food sources. Feral hogs are not welcome on the Randle Farm. Since 2010, our Alabama county’s been a hotspot in their range expansion. We’re in an all-out war with pigs to salvage the habitat...
I killed my first turkey with an old Savage double-barrel 20-gauge shooting a 2¾ inch, No. 6 high brass pheasant load. Following a 70-yard standoff where the tom strutted, gobbled, and finally began inching closer after what seemed like an eternity, I pulled the trigger and killed him dead as...
The Realtree Half-Ton Hauler Lift-Assist and Swivel Utility Dump Cart by OxCart is the ideal cart for use around turkey camp this spring. Use it to haul equipment, blinds, decoys, firewood or anything else you may need for a great turkey season. Best of all, the Half-Ton Hauler makes hauling...
There are many intricacies involved in a successful turkey hunt. Calling, camouflage, the right gun and ammunition all contribute to putting a gobbler on your shoulder for the walk back to the truck. One thing that is often overlooked is how you sit to a turkey. By sit to a...
Turkey decoys are all the rage. The designs are endless including mounted real birds, hardbody, softbody, photo-realistic, silk-screened and inflatables. Fakes are a key tool in a turkey hunter’s bag of tricks. They can deceive the wariest of wild turkeys. Some gobbler and hen fakes are so realistic that attacks...
Big timber. It isn't like hunting open-country turkeys . It can be a real pain to chase turkeys in. When all you have is acre after acre of standing timber and forest floor to work with, things can get difficult. But there are things turkey hunters can do in order...
The bulk of my time in the turkey woods these days is spent in the company of one or more of my kids. I still enjoy time alone in the woods, but sharing a love for the outdoors with them is a lot more fun. Trouble is, in today’s fast-paced...
Save a buddy’s turkey season, or maybe your own, with this easy to put together emergency kit. With all apologies to Mr. Disney and his theme park, turkey camp is the "Happiest Place on Earth." Or it least it should be. But even turkey hunters are human, and the hurried...
As turkey hunters, we’re known for nicknaming gobblers, especially the Houdini-like, nearly unkillable ones that taunt hunting skills and haunt dreams. From late-February through mid-May, I enter the wild turkey’s world regularly. Patience, a thick bun cushion and the good Lord have rewarded me with opportunities to capture several nameworthy...
