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Turkey Hunting

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Did You Know? Fun Facts Game Lands & State Parks Interesting Items Links & Addresses	National Wild Turkey Federation Recipes Turkey Hunters Code of Conduct Tips & Tricks

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Is Wild Turkey Hunting Safe?
Wild turkey hunting is four times safer than playing Ping-Pong, and you are 50 times more likely to take a trip to the emergency room if you play golf.
 Why is turkey hunting so safe?

Did you know that during the winter months Gobblers often travel in flocks together?
I have seen as many as 12 longbeards together in one flock 
Submitted by Rich from ButlerWebs.com

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     "Turkey hunting is the fastest growing hunting activity in the nation," said NWTF CEO Rob Keck. "Turkey hunters contribute significantly to the economy and their license dollars and excise taxes they pay on hunting gear go a long way toward restoring and managing wildlife populations."  Respectively, hunters spent $20 billion on trips and equipment, while anglers spent $35 billion, and individuals who participated in both sports spent $15 billion.
     "Sportsmen and women are one of the most influential demographic groups in this country," said Melinda Gable, executive director of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. "While economic analysts worried about a looming recession in 2001, American sportsmen were doing their part to keep the economy in motion. Not only are hunting and fishing traditional activities in American culture, but they also have an economic ripple effect on Fortune 500 companies and small-town family businesses."
      While hunters and anglers are widely acknowledged as the major source of funds for healthy fish and wildlife populations, sportsmen get little recognition as a major force in our economy through the money they spend in pursuit of their pastime. These statistics show in the most compelling terms that hunting and fishing aren't just leisurely activities, but major contributors to the national economy.  Source:  7/1/02 Newsletter from the NWTF (we are members.)

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For links to each of the 50 US States Department of Natural Resources
official Web sites, see ButlerWebs' separate page:  STATE DNR LISTING

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The following  is an article that I enjoyed, cut out a long time ago and would like to share with you.  It worked for me! (Submitted by Rich of ButlerWebs.com)

 Morning Whistle

  Give your owl hooter a rest and try the latest trend in locating turkeys: high-frequency calls patterned after dog whistles. We all know. that a faint scream of an overhead jet can shock birds into gobbling; These new calls, inaudible to humans, do likewise.
     On a spring hunt in Missouri last year we tried MAD Calls' Dead Silence whistle, and were able to get gobblers to respond four out of six times-about average for locator calls. One word of caution: As with any locator, don't overuse ,these high-register blowers. Give a tom the chance to gobble on his own. If he does you've got a better chance of making an inconspicuous approach toward the roost tree than if you reveal your position by calling.
     Once you've slipped within 125 yards or so of a gobbler roaring from his roost, sit down and read the situation before you begin calling. You need to determine the situation you're up against so you can key your yelping strategies to the bird at hand.
    If the tom is gobbling hard and you hear no hens tree calling, don't be tempted to call to him too early. Over-calling to a roosted bird is one of the biggest mistakes hunters make. That gobbler will stay on his limb and wait for the excited hen to fly down and walk beneath his tree; when she doesn't comply, he may sense something is amiss, and fly off away from your position. Instead, hold your calling until dawn brightens the woods. When you think it's about time for the gobbler to pitch down, toss out a soft tree yelp to let him know you're there. If all goes well, he'll boom back a gobble. When he does, shut up. The gobbler is hot for love and he knows where you are.
    However, if the turkey fails to bellow to your first call, yelp a little louder. If he still doesn't honor your calling, sit tight. Let him pitch down, then hit him with a spirited fly-down hen cackle. From there, vary your calling between passive and aggressive, matching the grounded tom's response.

From Outdoor Life February 1996
Spring Turkey Hunting written by Michael Hanback

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Note from Linda & Rich:
This happened to us the first day of the 2001 Spring Gobbler season here in Pennsylvania (April 28, 2001):

    We got up real early for Linda's first time hunting (she only hunts with a camera.)  It was cold, of course, and we spent several hours in the woods.  The only exciting moment was when we heard two gobblers in the distance.  Unfortunately we could not entice them within shooting range.
    We finally gave up and went home to warm up and then went out to run some errands.  Around 4 in the afternoon, we pulled into our local Wal-Mart parking lot and you'll never guess what flew right in front of us!  You got it!  A huge Gobbler!  He almost landed on the Wal-Mart sign!

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National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)
"About the NWTF:  In 1973 when the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded, there were an estimated 1.3 million wild turkeys and 1.5 million turkey hunters. Thanks to the work of state wildlife agencies and the NWTF's many volunteers and partners, today there are an estimated 5.6 million wild turkeys and approximately 2.6 million turkey hunters. Since 1985, more than $150 million NWTF and cooperator dollars have been spent on over 18,000 projects benefiting wild turkeys throughout North America.
The NWTF is a 450,000-member grassroots, nonprofit organization with members in 50 states, Canada and 11 foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport.  For more information on the National Wild Turkey Federation, call 803- 637-3106; check out our web site at www.nwtf.org or E-mail questions to the NWTF.

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Wines to Serve with Your Turkey Dinner:
Chenin Blanc, Johannisberg Riesling, Loire, Sauvignon Blanc

For a more complete wine guide, see ButlerWebs' General Webs for
Alcoholic Beverages in the Recipes, Food & Beverage Section

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As a Responsible Turkey Hunter, I will:

1. Not let peer pressure or the excitement of the hunt cloud my judgment.

2. Learn and practice safe hunting techniques.

3. Hunt the wild turkey fairly.

4. Know the capabilities and limitations of my gun or bow and use it safely.

5. Obey and support all wildlife laws and report all violations.

6. Respect the land and the landowner and always obtain permission before hunting.

7. Avoid knowingly interfering with another hunter and respect the right of others to lawfully share the out-of-doors.

8. Value the hunting experience and appreciate the beauty of the wild turkey.

9. Positively identify my target as a legal bird and insist on a good shot.

10. Share responsible turkey hunting with others and work for wild turkey conservation.

Courtesy of the National Wild Turkey Federation

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Before the Hunt:

	Check with your doctor if you have any medical concerns.
	Hunt within your physical limitations.
	Let your hunting partners know if you have any physical limitations.
	Let someone know where you are hunting and when you expect to return.
	Work to have a basic understanding of first aid.

During the Hunt:

	Never carry an uncovered decoy any distance.
	Set up against a tree that is greater in diameter than the width of your shoulders and taller than your head.
	From a seated position, identify the clearest line of vision to your front. Establish a sight line that allows you 100 yards visibility. Then set your decoy(s) approximately 20 yards from your position.
	Should you see other hunters (especially close to your line of sight) call out to them in a loud, clear voice. Their presence has already compromised your location and a soft call may only confuse them instead of alerting them to your presence.
	If you are calling over decoys and elect to move to a new location, check carefully to ensure that no one is stalking your decoys. Check before leaving your set up. Should you see someone in the area, the previous rule applies.

Courtesy of  The Caller Magazine

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• If all you want is to hear turkey gobble, then inciting one to gobble equals success. But if persuading the bird to come within range of your shotgun or bow is your goal, then success is measured not by how the bird gobbles, but  by whether or not it is moving toward you.  If you understand the difference you will become a successful turkey hunter.

• The best natural sound to produce a shock gobble that I've found is a  coyote howler and locator call.  They go ballistic in the mornings with that one.

• After the season, put you diaphragm calls in a baggie and then place them in the refrigerator. This will keep them conditioned for next seasons hunt.

• If you hear a hen on one side of you and a Tom on the other, move between them and use the real Hen's noise to call the Tom. It works!

• Turkey tracks over 4 1/2" long are gobbler tracks. Hen usually have tracks that are 3 1/2" long or less

 For more tips & tricks, see ButlerWebs' separate page for:
Hunting Tips & Tricks

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	Boss Calls  P. O. Box 844, Sandston, VA 23150-0844 919-965-5139
	Madd Turkey Calls A Division of Outland Sports Inc. 4500 Doniphan Drive, Neosho Drive, Neosha MO 64850
	Midwest Turkey Call Supply
	Morgan's Turkey Callers, LLC
	National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) "About the NWTF:  In 1973 when the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded, there were an estimated 1.3 million wild turkeys and 1.5 million turkey hunters. Thanks to the work of state wildlife agencies and the NWTF's many volunteers and partners, today there are an estimated 5.6 million wild turkeys and approximately 2.6 million turkey hunters. Since 1985, more than $150 million NWTF and cooperator dollars have been spent on over 18,000 projects benefiting wild turkeys throughout North America. The NWTF is a 450,000-member grassroots, nonprofit organization with members in 50 states, Canada and 11 foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport.  For more information on the National Wild Turkey Federation, call 803-637-3106; check out our web site at www.nwtf.org or E-mail questions to the NWTF.
	Ohio Turkey Hunting - Ohio's Wild Turkey:  Superb Spring Hunting Season Anticipated - From The Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife.
	Quaker Boy Turkey Calls 5455 Webster Road, Orchard Park NY 14127  1-800-544-1600
	Scoring Your Turkey
	Truglo Turkey Hunting Sights P.O. Box 1612, McKinney, TX 75070   (972) 744-0300
	TurkeyCallers.com
	Turkey Hunting Secrets - Everything you need to know to become a master turkey hunter. (Link verified 4/23/03)
	Wild Turkey Hunting Network The Virtual Wild Turkey Hunting Information Center.
	WildTurkeys.com
	Wild Turkey Hunting Network The Virtual Wild Turkey Hunting Information Center

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We also have many other great links for hunters,
so be sure to see ButlerWebs' special links page...
Links for Hunters

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For links to each of the U. S. States Departments of Natural Resources
official Web sites, see ButlerWebs' separate page:
State DNR Listing

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This page was last edited 01/26/05.