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

The Beginners Guide to Calling Coyotes

Thanks to the excitement that it offers, coyote hunting has become quite popular in North America. The purpose of this blog post is to provide beginners with a few tips that will help ensure your success at calling coyotes.

The first crucial step to being a success is scouting the area. Keep an eye out for signs such as scat and tracks to indicate that there are coyotes present. You might consider taking notes as to where you see coyotes repeatedly so that you can target these areas specifically. Seek out areas where there is prey that coyotes will be hunting such as rabbits, deer, mice, and so on. This will help to make sure that you are able find some coyotes.

The coyote’s sense of smell is amazing. For this reason it is vital to pay attention to the direction of the wind at all times and to make sure that you position yourself with the wind in your face or in a crosswind. If you are using one of the remote controlled callers available, position it upwind of where you are positioned, putting you in the perfect spot as the coyote circles. If it is possible, you should also keep the sun at your back so that the coyote has trouble seeing you or hidden in the shadows where you will be concealed from his view.

Thirdly, camouflage is essential for successful coyote calling. Blending into the surroundings is important. You will want to also make sure your face and hands are covered as human skin is extremely reflective and the coyotes will be able to spot you easily if any skin is visible.

Finally, the calling itself, and getting it right, is vital to your success. Items that are widely available today including the Foxpro Firestorm, the Foxpro Prairie Blaster, and the 100 sound Foxpro Fury Std. make it easier than ever to sound like a distressed rabbit, a coyote cub, or other animal that these predators will be on the hunt for.

These are just a few basic tips to help the beginner. Taking some time to study them and learn their habits will help you become a successful coyote hunter. Before you know it, you will be hooked for life! If you have any questions, like always, you are more than welcome to contact us. We love to hear from our customers!