Being Prepared for Spring Turkey Hunting

If you are like a lot of hunters, you may already have cabin fever and you just cannot wait for the next hunting season to begin. The good news is that spring turkey hunting season is just around the corner in most states. Not only will you be able to get outside, but you will also be able to enjoy hunting in some warmer weather once again.

One thing you will want to be when the day finally comes is prepared. You will be disappointed in yourself if you get out into the field to hunt and forgot some of the essential items that every turkey hunter needs to have. You might want to consider purchasing a hunting pack to carry all of your items in.

A good backpack can be especially handy for everything from a hunting seat to some snacks. Other things that you should consider bringing are decoys and turkey calls, shells for your gun, and some water to drink. A good hunting knife has a way of being handy when you least expect it to be, and so it always a good idea to keep one of them in your bag too.

Some people also like to carry a rain parka, first aid kit, and a map or even a GPS of the area they will be hunting. If you like the idea of taking a map but do not want to deal with having to fold it up, consider using an online map service where you can print it out onto a 8” x 11” piece of paper - it will fold up much easier than a standard map does.

A few other items to take with you include a good source of light, in case it is still dark when you head out, and a good solid pair of binoculars so that you can have a great view of the turkey and you can tell if it is a tom or a hen. Bringing these items along will help ensure that you are well prepared for the hunt. Some people also like to carry a camera when they hunt. This way they can share the experience with family and friends. It is also one way to document the hunt.

Take some time, a week or so before hunting season starts, and scout the area where you plan to turkey hunt. Going out and scouting too far before the start of season might be misleading because you might see a lot of turkeys that will no longer be there since they will go a long way on their search for food. Scouting early in the morning, even before dawn might help you spot the turkeys. If you scout later that day, look for other signs such as droppings, bedding areas, scratching in the ground, and so on.

If you have any hunting stories you would like to share, we would love to hear them! We also welcome any additional tips that you might have to offer. Please feel free to leave us any comments that you might have. 

Photo courtesy of Fired Up Outdoors