Turkey hunting basics
By Shawn Wagner, wildlife manager, Arizona Game and Fish Department

It’s been said, “If turkeys could smell, nobody would kill one.” Well, this may be true. Turkeys are one of the most cautious and wary animals in the woods. They have keen eyesight and can hear a twig break in the woods for an unbelievable distance. The following tips will give you advantages you’ll need to be successful in pursuing these wily gobblers this spring.

Don’t be seen. Choose camouflage clothing that blends with the habitat you’ll be hunting. Make sure you are completely covered. Gloves, facemask and a hat are a must. Be sure all your gear, including your gun, is camouflaged, too. Turkeys can pick up glints from metal objects a long way off. Once you set up, do not move. If the turkey sees you, you may never get a chance to see him.

Set up in a good spot. When you get a gobbler to answer a call, you’ll want to get in fairly close and set up. Remember, the tom may come in quickly to find the hen it thinks is beckoning him. Pick a large tree or rock you can sit against, and try to sit in the shade if you can. This will help hide any of your movements. Face the direction the turkey is coming from, but angle your shoulders slightly away from the bird’s direction so that your shotgun fits more comfortably. Sit with one knee bent so you can rest your gun on your knee with the butt of the gun in your shoulder, because you may be in that position for a while. Getting pre-set will minimize your movements when the bird arrives. Try to move only your eyes to scan for the first glimpses of an incoming tom.

Make the call. Place your favorite call next to you so you can use it without much movement. If the turkey is in view, use the call when it’s behind a tree or rock, so it won’t see you moving. Mouth calls are more difficult to use than hand-friction calls, but they are the best for calling without giving away movement. Lower your call volume as the turkey closes in. Preseason practice is the key to sounding convincing during the season, no matter what type of call you use.

Make the shot count. The turkey should be within approximately 40 yards to ensure a good hit. Aim for the neck of the bird. Make any adjustments to get your shot lined up while the turkey’s head is behind a tree or bush, or even behind his tail if he is strutting. Take the shot when the turkey has his head stretched out to maximize your target area. And, be sure to keep your head down on your stock when you shoot. A lot of people miss because they picked up their head to look.

Good luck, and as always, make sure of your target and beyond.