The spring is the best breeding period for turkeys. So, if you think about going for turkey hunting, you should go during spring. This is because they easily respond to calls during this season and display some exciting moments for onlookers.
Through bow hunting, the wild turkey has been saved from extinction as the wildlife reserve can boast of about 7 million turkeys across the nation. In 1930, the population of turkeys was approximated to be about 30000 throughout the country. Thanks to the state wildlife agencies, the National Wild Turkey Foundation, and the state hunters that worked together to save the turkeys from extinction.
But bowhunters find it challenging to catch the turkeys because they have long-range eyesight and hearing, such that you can’t get close. In contrast, it can be fun to hunt with a bow because you can trick them into coming close by “talking their language.” You’ll also need the appropriate tools to hunt a wild turkey.
Coupled with that, you need to be equipped with its technical know-how and the techniques involved to catch the bird. If by any chance, the bird is killed, you also need to know how to care for the meat.
Gear
The wild turkey can view objects for as wide as 180 degrees and in full color. This makes it tasking for hunters to get close to it. So, if hunters want to achieve this, they need to be costumed in a full camouflage that blends with the environment.
This camouflage could include a face painting or mask, camouflage sleeves, gloves, trousers, and hat. In your best interest, it is advised that you don’t wear either blue, red, or white color when going to hunt. This is because the turkey’s head comprises of those colors.
Turkey Calls
Making turkey calls is fun and essential in turkey hunting. There are four fundamental types of turkey calls: slate calls, box calls, diaphragm calls, and the push-button calls. Slate calls are easy to learn and can produce various calls ranging from soft to loud calls to draw the turkey closer.
Box calls are easy to use but require some practice to make some genuine sounds. They are used to attract turkeys from far distances. Diaphragm calls are the most artistic calls produced from the roof of the mouth, by forcing out air over the latex reed.
Although it may not be easy to learn, with enough practice, you will know how to use it with time. Since this call is made independently by the mouth, you can always ready your bow while calling. The push-button type of call is easy to use and does not require much practice to use.
Apart from these calls, other types of calls used for hunting turkeys are owl calls, crow calls, and locator calls. In the real sense, all calls can be termed as locator calls as long as it makes the turkey responds.
Blinds
Blinds are used by bow hunters to conceal the bow. With blinds, bows will be drawn and shot without drawing attention from the bird. Blinds are compact and can be moved to sites for the easy and great hunting experience.
Tactics
To hunt a turkey, there are several tactics you can use. The common tactic used is called “roosting.” This occurs when a hunter goes as early as possible to a hunting site, to hunt turkeys using the sounds from their early morning gobbles. Turkeys gobble at virtually every loud sound in a tranquil environment.
These gobbles let hunters know the location of the turkeys. A turkey call can also be useful at this time, but you need to be careful that you don’t scare them off after you might have attracted them to your site.
Shot Placement
The core part of a turkey’s body is small compared to their outward appearance. Therefore, you have to be careful, so you don’t miss your target. If the turkey comes into range puffed up, you have to be patient until it comes out of its strut.
You can then aim for the heart region of the turkey, which is just behind the joint at the shoulder. Other shots that can render the bird dead include the frontal shot, headshot, rear shot, and lots more. These placements are not ideal for amateurs because it requires unique ability and experience.
Conclusion
Springs is a great time to go hunting in the woods. Visit any archery store near you to get the right gears and get into the woods for an exciting experience.