Twenty Pre-Season Turkey Tips

By Jay Anglin

Wild turkeys are almost as fickle as the springtime weather we experience while hunting them. These and other factors often combine to limit opportunities for turkey-hunting success to just a few hours of hunting per season. Solid preparation is imperative. Serious turkey hunters are prepared to deal with any situation and leave nothing to chance.

Turkey hunting is a fairly simple affair from a gear standpoint, but there are still plenty of things to consider prior to the season. Don’t wait until the day before the season begins to get organized. Here are 20 tips to help ensure you’re prepared for opening day.

ONE. Inspect and try on clothing and footwear. It may be time to replace a faded pair of hunting pants or leaky boots. While turkeys aren’t known for their sense of smell, deer are. Nervous whitetails have ruined countless turkey hunts when they blew and ran right as Ol’ Tom was strutting into the decoys. If you are shopping for new turkey duds, consider buying lightweight scent-control apparel like any one of ScentLok’s many Early Season designs.

TWO. Packable rain suits are game changers when faced with crummy weather. Check for rips and tears that need mending. This vital piece of gear is often put away wet and ends up having that smell. This is a great time to wash them. Run and gun hunters who don’t have a rain suit should seriously consider the investment.

Deer often travel with turkeys, and this doe is clearly alarmed by the hunter. Notice which way the turkeys are headed? Consider scent-control clothing if purchasing new turkey-hunting apparel. Photo by Ryan Groceman.

THREE. Use a large tote such as a Plano Sportsman’s Trunk to store clothing critical gear so you’re always organized and ready to go. If you want to keep your clothing as scent-free as possible, keep it in the ozone and activated carbon-powered OZ Chamber 8k Storage Bag by ScentLok.

FOUR. Remove everything from your turkey vest and make sure the zippers and buckles are working okay, and repair as needed. Again, they don’t last forever and it may be time for a new one.

FIVE. Wash or replace that stinky facemask and make sure you have a backup or two available.

SIX. Go through calls and make sure all of them are in working order – prep them for active duty. Diaphragm calls are often in poor condition and need to be replaced. Take an inventory of what you need and stock up. Keep worn-in mouth calls you’ve practiced with in your vest ready to hunt and have extras available.

SEVEN. Be sure your vest has other essentials such as biodegradable wipes, insect repellent, lens wipes and an energy bar or two.

Turkeys aren’t getting any dumber. Ultra-realistic decoys like those in the Avian-X LCD series help ensure that a turkey’s bionic eyesight stays trained on the decoys, not the hunter.

EIGHT. It’s always good to have backup items such as camo gloves and facemasks, especially if you plan on taking others hunting.

NINE. Pattern your shotgun(s). Try to replicate actual hunting conditions when possible by wearing full head camo, vest and boots. Shoot while leaning against a backrest like you would during an actual hunt.

TEN. Pattern guns with different loads and choke combos. Inexperienced hunters and youths who may have difficulty holding the gun steady should consider using a slightly more open choke that offers a bigger pattern inside of 30 yards. Practice in the comfort zone, not ridiculously long ranges that increase the odds of missing or wounding birds.

ELEVEN. Practice with lighter loads that don’t promote a flinch. Use the big stuff during the actual hunt. Smaller statured hunters should consider using a lighter 20 gauge that offers less weight and reduced recoil.

TWELVE. Clean and adjust your binoculars so they work perfectly for you. If they aren’t working properly or have terrible optics, consider buying some good ones. Also, reputable manufacturers back their glass with great warranties. If your good ones aren’t functioning properly contact the company to learn about your options.

Plano’s large Sportsman’s Trunks provide the ideal way to keep turkey-hunting gear organized.

THIRTEEN. Devices that protect your binoculars and keep them close to your chest are great for turkey hunting. Specialized products like the Tenzing TZ OSS15 are invaluable for protecting quality glass during the hunt.

FOURTEEN. Trim your decoys down to what you really use and keep them in the big tote or available in your vehicle. Today’s decoys work better because they are incredibly realistic. Some are also durable, collapsible and fit neatly into a provided carry bag, such as the broad range of poses and sub-species available in Avian-X’s LCD series. Turkeys aren’t getting any dumber, so it’s time to get serious about your decoys.

FIFTEEN. Even if you don’t hunt from a ground blind often, have one ready for inclement weather or when you have a fidgety hunting partner. They’re also great for early season hunts when there isn’t a lot of vegetation for cover. Select one that has enough room for two or three hunters like the innovative new Ameristep Distorter. Run and gun turkey hunters can also benefit from the fast and highly portable concealment afforded by a smaller three panel blind like the Ameristep Throwdown Blind. This ultra portable model weighs less than two pounds fits easily into a turkey vest.

SIXTEEN. If you hunt public land, make sure no rules have changed since last season.

Most turkey vests won’t last forever. If it’s time to replace yours, consider investing in a Tenzing TZ TR18 Turkey Recliner. This unique vest employs spring-loaded aluminum legs that allow hunters to set up anywhere. It’s also covered by a limited lifetime guarantee. This hunter is also using an Ameristep Throwdown Blind for fast and portable concealment.

SEVENTEEN. If you hunt private land, be sure and check-in with landowners. Ask if anybody else is hunting, where you can and cannot park, etc.

EIGHTEEN. If you plan on traveling, be sure you can get permits. Some states offer leftovers; if you missed the draw or didn’t get in, there still may be hope.

NINETEEN. Consistently successful turkey hunters never leave well enough alone when it comes to hunting spots. Do your homework and scout the countryside. Always shoot for a net gain of hunting property with each new season.

TWENTY. Last but not least, start scouting religiously. Be there early to listen to birds before fly down and then take a ride and see where they are spending time. Do the same in the afternoon. Right before the season, roost a few gobblers to make sure you have options on opening morning.

Turkey hunting may seem like a simple affair, but most hunters should expect to get out what they put into it. With a little bit of preparation and planning, the success factor increases tremendously. Good luck on opening morning.