7 Tips for Turkey Hunting with Kids

1 | Take Those Screens

For a long time, I balked at phones or video games on the hunt. After a while, I realized we were coming home early way too often. When I started to let them bring an electronic device along, our hunt times increased drastically.

A good book serves the same purpose.  

2 | Teach to Call

Basic yelps, clucks and purrs aren’t that hard to master on a slate or push-pull call. Calling to a bird, or even helping just a bit, transforms a hunt into a one-on-one challenge. There are times when the ability to sound like multiple birds comes in handy as well.

3 | Keep Them Comfortable

It's hard to be still and patient when you have a root digging into your backside and you can’t feel your left foot. Today’s lightweight blinds offer protection from wind and rain and they conceal movement.

Add a couple of lightweight folding chairs and spend the day in comfort. Don’t skimp on clothing. A warm kid is a happy kid. A pocket full of beef jerky and a bottle of water or a candy bar or two helps when stomachs start to growl.

4 | Pick the Right Gun

Turkeys aren’t made of steel. There are a multitude of turkey-specific, 20-gauge loads on the market today. Couple those with a small-frame, 20-gauge pump or autoloader and you have a combo that even the most petite kids can handle with ease. Make practice fun by shooting light target loads. 

5 | Call Turkeys Close

Get the bird inside of 30 yards before calling the shot and a 20 gauge with quality ammo will get the job done.

6 | Keep It Fun

The most essential thing you can do to hunt with your kids again is to keep things fun.

Don’t press. When a kid says they are done, then that usually means they are done. 

7 | It's All Good

The most important part of the hunt is spending time with your kids in the outdoors. Tagging a turkey is just a bonus.

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This Realtree.com post was first published Feb. 20, 2017.