Turkey hunting is a time-honored tradition that blends the thrill of the chase with the satisfaction of a successful harvest. For those new to the world of turkey hunting, it’s essential to understand the basics before venturing into the woods. In this Hunting Wild Turkey 101 guide, we’ll cover everything from the types of turkeys you might encounter to the gear you’ll need, hunting techniques, and even tips on preparing and cooking your hard-earned bounty.

Wild Turkey is the first wild game I ever hunted. My journey to becoming a hunter started 12 years ago when I was invited out by a family friend. I was an apprentice chef at that time and fascinated by the fact there were wild turkeys roaming the fields outside the small town where I was living. I had no idea that there were wild turkeys. I thought the turkey was a domesticated bird much like a chicken. As a curious young chef I wanted to taste the difference. Little did I know that it would be one of the most memorable hunting experiences of my life.

When it comes to springtime pursuits among sportsmen, no one can argue, the wild turkey reigns supreme. The thrill of calling in a gobbling tom makes turkeys the whitetail deer of the spring. But for those sportsmen who desire something a little more western, a little more wild and much larger game, the black bears of the American West and on up to Canada is where the real action is found.

Springtime; the weather is getting warmer, the birds are out, and for most outdoorsmen, you are back inside daydreaming of next fall. Some may see springtime as the time of year to hang up your hunting boots and practice your range shooting. However, that is not totally necessary. While springtime hunting takes some thinking outside of the buck, we’ve compiled five springtime hunting opportunities for you to pursue this “offseason” in this comprehensive spring hunting guide. 

In more than 30 years of turkey hunting, I’ve seen it happen hundreds of times. A hunter is working the turkey woods, walking and calling every so often to strike a gobble, when suddenly he hears one rocket back in reply. Sometimes the bird is closer than he expects and at that moment, I’ve seen hunters just dive for the nearest tree in a virtual panic, worried the tom was going to just bust right into sight.

You still have a turkey tag left attached to your license, or even worse, you haven’t filled one yet. Don’t panic…yet. Whether your season is still measured in weeks or mere days, you can do this. You just need a little luck and possibly, may want to switch up a tactic or two.

So how can we be assured that our shot will be perfect each and every time? Two obvious answers are getting to know the weapon and practice, practice, practice. The third and most important answer is choosing the correct sight, something that will get us on target fast and accurately with little or no error.

The first time I hunted in central Massachusetts, I was shocked at the proximity of houses interwoven in the woodlots we were hunting. One minute I was walking down a logging path that seemed to be as remote as anything you’d find in the Adirondacks, the next I was treading by a dude mowing his lawn with his kid swinging a few feet away. This is the truth of all suburban hunting.

It’s funny the things that sometimes remain in our minds. They don’t have to be life altering events or items of historical significance. Each year during our wild turkey hunting season I recall a seemingly insignificant incident that happened years back.

Luke Clayton puts the good ol’ into good ol’ boy like few people can. The easy going Texan with the deep Lone Star baritone hosts his own outdoor radio show familiar to many sportsmen in the state. He’s also an accomplished writer who not only pens columns and stories for newspapers and several Texas hunting mags, but he literally wrote the book on hunting and fishing in Texas. Ok, well, he wrote a book called Hunting and Fishing in Texas…pretty much the same thing.

It happens every year. We hear tales of the new guy who stumbles into the woods for the first time, scratches out a few calls and nails a big gobbler before the sun clears the horizon. But what you don’t hear are stories about the film crew and hunting pro who spend a full week in prime turkey country but fail to fill a tag or footage. We also don’t hear about the well-seasoned hunter who ends the season empty handed. For every beginner’s success there are dozens of other hard-luck stories in which hunters spend day after day in the woods without connecting.

A turkey gobbling his head off on the roost can excite a hunter like few other sights or sounds. The excitement can be short lived if the old Tom has already made up his mind to fly down away from you. A fired-up gobbler at midday is different. He’s likely without hens and looking for love. There’s a good chance he’ll aggressively close the distance to your calls.

For those who love gamebirds, gobblers are some of the most beautiful spring and fall-time harvests. We’re all familiar with turkey breeds in the U.S., but they have a vibrant cousin down south—M. ocellata, the ocellated turkey. This unique bird, found only in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and Central America, has some key (often striking) differences from its American relatives. Bearing a beautiful blue head, bright orange nodules, and feathers not too far off from a peacock’s, this World Slam checkmark is a sight to behold. With our guide, you can get a head start on your next Ocellated Turkey hunt and work towards that elusive World Slam record.

Colorado beckons outdoor enthusiasts with its breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife. For hunters, the state offers many opportunities to connect with nature and engage in their favorite hobby. However, hunting in Colorado requires more than just enthusiasm; it demands an understanding of the state’s regulations and proper Colorado hunting licenses.

With hunting season over for the Southern half of the United States and winding down in the northern reaches of the wild turkey’s range, for many turkey hunters, the next couple of weeks will be their last gasp to fill those final tags. If you’re one of the lucky band of brothers (and sisters) still trying to make magic, give these tips a try to put yourself in position for a shot.

Spring turkey season is upon us. While hunters in some states have already had their first chance to get out in the field, others may still be waiting in anticipation for their turn. However, the time for everyone to spend some time in the shade listening to those toms gobble is here. If you are lucky enough to have tagged your first bird already, you may find yourself to be among those who are asking, “What now?” 

It can be one of the most critical decisions a turkey hunter makes; where to set up when he hears that longbeard gobble. And, typically, he must make it fast. But, unless the bird is right on top of you, take a moment and choose your spot wisely. Dropping down in the wrong spot can put you in a slight depression or behind brush that may obstruct your view—and shot. Or it can leave you unnecessarily exposed or sitting facing the wrong way from where the bird wants to approach. Here’s how to choose a spot that will provide the perfect turkey hunting ambush.

Turkey season has come upon us! Not many things can rival the sound of calling and hearing those big old toms gobble back at you. We had the pleasure this season of being able to hunt not far from the coast of Morrow Bay in California and were able to bag a few gobblers to bring home to the fam. This recipe is a play on the good old chicken piccata recipe that’s super quick, easy, and doesn’t disappoint. If you’ve never had piccata, well, you’re in for a treat because when you pour the sauce over the top everyone will think you’re a five-star chef. I spiced this one up with some jalapeños and wild turkey but feel free to use any pepper or bourbon; you can also omit the peppers and just use white wine if you’d like to go the classic route. Any way you slice it, you’re bound to love this dish.

As we progress later and later into turkey season, hunters should remember things grow a little more dangerous as undergrowth does likewise. Turkey hunting safety should be at the front of your mind when taking to the late-season woods. The only time this writer has really been shaken during a hunt was the time I inadvertently pointed my shotgun at the head of another hunter nearly 15 years ago. The other hunter was using his gobble call, quite lustily, while creeping through the woods.

In iSportsman’s Master the Call Series, we’ll look at different calls of the wild turkey and discuss what the call is good for, when to use it and share with you from the web a good example of what it sounds like and how it to make the call.

Dove fields become less crowded after the opening days meaning two things: one, there will be fewer people putting birds on the move and two, it leaves more opportunities to fill your daily limit. Whether you go it on your own or are just hunting with a few good buddies, try these strategies for more frequent shot opportunities

Mushroom hunting is something I enjoy for a number of reasons. First and foremost, I absolutely love the taste of morel mushrooms. I don’t care if you fry them, bake them, sauté them, or whatever, they taste incredible. Secondly, mushroom hunting is something the whole family can participate in together.

While food plots remain a popular land management method for deer hunters to provide nutrition to the landscape and attract deer, a more successful approach involves improving the quality of the overall habitat located on their property. As iSportsman covered in the recent article, Manage Your Land to Minimize Coyote Predation, time and energy spent on trapping predators is often better directed into improving the overall landscape so wildlife has a better mix of forage and hiding cover.

It has now been well documented that deer, particularly fawns, can be primary prey for coyotes. And as coyote breeding season is in full swing and coyote spotting becomes more frequent, it’s natural to wonder how their presence will have an impact on the ecology of your land. There are many things to consider when it comes to preventing human/animal conflicts or deer/coyote conflicts. Coyote populations are difficult to control, but there are things you can do to help minimize their presence and impact.

Just about every sporting goods store has an isle dedicated to seed blends that are guaranteed to draw deer like flies to honey, or so they seem. The brand names cause the reader to envision herds of record-breaking bucks grazing like fat cattle and all you have to do is scatter their magic seeds.

With another duck season ending, you may be thinking of mounting a duck. Taxidermy falls in and out of fashion as the years go by, but a few things remain consistent: everyone — even those outside of the hunting community — knows exactly what bad taxidermy looks like and well-done taxidermy is something that can be maintained and passed down through generations.

The number of projectiles in birdshot loads depends on the type of birds the shotgunner is planning to shoot. Generally speaking, the larger the bird, the larger the pellet. Goose hunters may load their guns with shells containing just over a hundred pieces of shot. Quail and dove hunters will likely choose shotshells with four or five times that number.