When spring comes, turkey hunting is on the agenda. Turkeys are considered to be a big game among all game animals and are one of the most popular sport animals among hunters.
This guide will provide you with information regarding public land turkey hunting regulations, hunting timing, tips and essential hunting equipment, which can be helpful to you in targeting the turkey that you are after, and bag it successfully.
Turkey Hunting Regulations
Hunting or releasing turkeys without department authorization is prohibited at any time or by any means. There are certain rules and regulations that hunters must follow when hunting turkeys, without facing severe penalties.
License requirements
A wild turkey permit and hunting license must be carried at all times by a turkey hunter during spring/fall hunting. In some states, you can not directly buy a permit; you will need to apply for the turkey tag via a random drawing. Check the official wildlife department for the requirements and don’t miss the deadline.
Mandatory harvest reporting
A wild turkey harvested by hunters (including those who are exempt from being required to possess a license) must be logged and reported to the government. This rule is applicable both in spring and fall.
Tag a wild turkey
It is required that hunters who killed the turkey correctly and legibly fill out and attach the tag (including the name of the property and county) to the turkey as soon as possible. It must stay attached while transporting the animal.
How to Locate A Public Hunting Spot?
Conduct E Scouting
To start with, it is possible to use a digital mapping app to conduct e-scouting. You can likely identify a proper hunting spot with the help of a hunting app, such as onX or HuntStand. In the case of hunting on public lands, you should use your app to locate all the public parcels in the area that you intend to hunt.
Identify Turkey Signs
Knowing what signs and droppings turkeys leave behind will help you scout for them, including droppings, tracks, scratching, and dust bowls. It is evident that wild turkeys inhabit the area based on a number of signs.
Droppings
Hunters can identify wild turkeys by their droppings, which also indicate the bird’s gender. Approximately two-inch long and shallow “J”-shaped droppings are from gobblers. In contrast, hens leave a small pile.
Tracks
Three-toed tracks are left behind by both hens and gobblers, but the gobbler’s middle toe is longer than the rest.
Scratching
The area around the roost site is often characterized by heavy scratching. In wild turkey scratching, the V-shaped marks are easily recognizable. Scratching can be found on the forest floor as well as along the edges of fallen logs and limbs on the ground.
Dusting Sites
Dusting is a frequent habit of wild turkeys. In the soil, the birds create shallow depressions or bowls by repeatedly dusting themselves there
What Is the Best Time to Hunt Turkey?
When it comes to the best time to turkey hunt, Spring and Fall are the two seasons when turkey hunting is most popular.
Spring Turkey Season
Most states have prime turkey hunting season from April to May. Hunts during the spring tend to target gobblers. A group of male gobblers is at their peak breeding season in spring, making it the best time of year to hunt turkeys.
Hunting in the spring can be an advantage because male turkeys are most vocal at this time of the year, seeking to attract hens with their gobbles. Hunters can use this to their advantage by mimicking the sounds of those hens in order to attract toms to their location.
As the turkeys are not yet in flocks in the spring, they are more spread out and easier to trick and lure into your calls.
Before calling turkeys, hunters should practice their calls so they sound convincing. Waiting for the right time and being patient are key to getting a successful kill.
🔔To check the detailed spring turkey season dates for different states, read this: Spring Turkey Seasons Dates&Limits By States.
Fall Turkey Season
Autumn is the time when turkeys are actively moving around. As the days become shorter and the temperatures start to drop, these birds display a range of activities that make them easier targets for hunters.
Another factor that makes fall a preferred season for turkey hunting is the challenge it offers. In contrast to the breeding-focused behavior of turkeys in the spring, fall hunting demands a distinct skill set.
Lastly, fall turkey hunting frequently happens at the same time as other hunting seasons, like deer or waterfowl hunting. This creates perfect conditions for hunters to pursue various game species and make the most out of their hunting adventure.
Hunts during the fall tend to target either sex. It is more difficult to call in or hunt turkeys during this time of year because they congregate in larger flocks.
Wild Turkey Legal Hunting Hours
Half an hour before sunrise and half an hour after sunset is the legal hunting time.
What Equipment Do You Need for Hunting a Turkey?
Your turkey hunt will be successful if you have the right gear. These pieces of equipment work equally well for the fall and spring turkey seasons.
Clothing
Be concealed at all times, turkeys have excellent eyesight and can easily spot bright colors from a distance. For a better blend into the environment, you should wear camouflage clothing during the turkey hunt, as well as gloves and a face mask. There should never be any red, white, blue, or black clothing on you. It is also vital to have a pair of turkey hunting boots.
Shotgun or Bow
For hunting wild turkeys, shotguns are popular weapons with gauges such as 10, 12, 16, and 20. Also, it is most commonly to use a full choke tube, since it provides a tighter pellet spread, as well as the best range.
Most turkey hunters will use 4- 6 shot loads, which are small enough to cause serious injury while still being able to travel long distances. Due to the smaller size, hunters can also use lighter loads, reducing recoil.
Another method is to use a bow. Hunting turkeys with bows and arrows is a controversial practice that also poses significant challenges for hunters.
With this technique, hunters can remain hidden and get close to turkeys without triggering their alarm systems. In addition, it allows for a more precise shooting experience compared to using a gun.
Turkey Hunting Vest
Turkey hunting vests often come with pockets that hold equipment and accessories, such as masks and gloves, to disguise their identities. Most turkey hunting vests are equipped with a nice seat on the bottom for when you sit for long periods of time while hunting.
Turkey Calls
Calls are used a lot by hunters to bring gobblers within shooting range. Your hunt is successful or not depending on the calls you have and how proficient you are at using them. Knowing the right calls to use and when to use them is essential to successful turkey hunting.
👉Read more: 7 Best Turkey Box Calls
Turkey Decoys
In order to make your hunting trip more successful, it is beneficial to use a turkey decoy in order to draw the turkey’s attention away from you and towards the decoy. With this method, you can get closer to the turkey for a more accurate shot.
Tips For Successful Public Land Turkey Hunt
In order to make your turkey hunting experience as safe and successful as possible, here are things to remember:.
Choose the right hunting spot
It is important to choose the right hunting spot that has a solid background with a width greater than the width of your shoulders and a height greater than the height of your head.
Be skeptical when turkeys call
Always adopt a skeptical attitude when you hear a turkey calling. It is quite possible that when you hear a turkey call, it is coming from a turkey, or it may be coming from another hunter, because good callers sound just as convincing as those turkeys themselves.
Find Less Pressured Locations
Most hunters stick close to the parking lots and easy-access trails. To find less pressured birds, you should scout deep into the woods or look for overlooked spots that require a long hike or crossing difficult terrain.
Hunt in the Mid-Day
Many public land hunters head home by 9 am or 10 am if they don’t hear any gobbles. However, 10 am to 2 pm can be the best time because hens often leave the gobblers to go to their nests, leaving the males lonely and more responsive to your calls.
Conclusion
It is not an easy thing to hunt public land turkeys since it is more competitive and stressful. So, make sure you prepare yourself for the hunt as much as possible. With the right knowledge and techniques, you can ensure a successful turkey hunt each year.
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