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Turkey Hunting

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Hunting and Scouting Tips

BASIC TECHNIQUES

Although turkeys have certain patterns of behavior, turkey hunting is challenging because wild turkeys are extremely wary and are not totally predictable. Your success will depend on your selection of an area with good turkey numbers, your abilities to use your equipment, your willingness to adapt your hunting techniques to changing situations, your persistence, and a little bit of luck. Mr. Murphy plays a small role too sometimes.

SCOUTING

The first step in turkey hunting is to scout the woods before the season opens. You can start the scouting at home with topo maps and by using the phone to query state biologists on what areas to key in on. If you would like info on aerial photos, computer topo map programs and how to download free topo maps off the Internet I have this on my webpage here: aerial photos or topo maps. Turkeys favor certain areas and will use them year after year if the habitat does not change. A good time to scout in the spring is a week or two before the season, especially if the weather has turned warm which can trigger winter flock break-up and calling by gobblers. Your objective in scouting should be to identify those areas that turkeys frequent. These areas include roosting sites, feeding sites, dusting and strutting areas. Look for turkeys and turkey sign such as tracks, feathers, scratchings, dustings, and droppings. Look for dusting areas with tracks in them or roost trees with droppings and feathers under them. In dry areas, search around water sources for turkey tracks.

If you spend enough time scouting, you will become very familiar with the area and you may be able to determine regular movement patterns of the flock. The best times to look or listen for turkeys include the early morning hours from one-half hour before sunrise until mid-morning, and late in the evening as the turkeys go to roost. Resist the urge to call turkeys while scouting, you'll just educate the birds to your calls. You can shock call to get toms to gobble, but if you yelp up a tom, he'll remember the danger and probably not come to your call again.

Turkey tracks that have a middle toe longer than 4 inches were made by an adult gobbler. Droppings of a Tom are usually long and J shaped, hen droppings are shorter. But, droppings from either can be soft without any definite shape. If leaves are turned over and the ground is moist, birds are using the area. Leaves will be piled directly behind a scratching turkey in a V shape, indicating the direction of travel. Look for turned over cow pies too, as the turkeys love to eat the beetles that congregate underneath the cow pies. Roost droppings look like someone shook a paintbrush of white paint out on the leaves. Dusting areas will have small bowls, or indentations, in the dust where the turkeys squat down to dust themselves. You may find some feathers in a dusting area because the birds like to preen themselves while dusting.

Although gobblers may roost or strut in different areas, you will learn the locations they use most often. If you do not hear gobblers calling, try a crow call, owl call, shock call or predator call in early morning or just before dark. Gobblers will often respond, giving away their location. This is an effective way to locate roosting sites for spring turkey hunting. While scouting, pay close attention to large trees that you may want to sit next to while hunting. Use this time to roughly measure distances for shooting zones. Also note the location of fences, ravines, dense brush or streams that may keep a gobbler from coming to your call during the season. If possible visit the area you will hunt a day or two prior to hunting. This will familiarize you with the land, and you can determine whether turkeys are still using the areas where you saw them earlier.

PLANNING

For fall or spring turkey hunting trips, use the information gathered during scouting trips to plan your hunting strategy before entering the field. Having a well-planned trip can mean the difference between an enjoyable and successful hunt or a disaster. A good safety precaution is to leave your hunting plan, including your location and estimated time of return, with someone at home. You can use a cellphone to call in your GPS coordinates if you have this toys available. If you have put a gobbler to roost the night before, you will know exactly where to set up in the morning.

CALLING TURKEYS

Researchers have identified at least 28 distinct calls in the wild turkey vocabulary. The most effective way to get within shotgun distance of a spring gobbler is to call him by reproducing the sounds a hen makes. These hen sounds can be made with your voice or with some type of turkey calling device. Commercially available turkeys calls fall into two broad categories: friction calls, which produce sound by rubbing two surfaces together; and mouth calls, through which air is inhaled or exhaled.

One other type of call, a shaker, produces gobbles when you shake it in a rapid motion. The easiest calls to master are the friction calls (for example, box, peg and slate, peg and glass, or push button). The major disadvantage is that you cannot hold a shotgun and work them at the same time. This is important because you may spook your wild bird when you put the call down and raise the shotgun. A second disadvantage is that most calls do not always work well if they get wet. Placing the friction calls in a loose plastic bag will allow you to operate them during wet conditions. Diaphragm mouth calls are popular among hunters. They are the most versatile calls but require much practice. They are unaffected by wet weather, allow the hunter to use both hands freely, and can be used without making any discernible movement.

Two other types of calls, the turpin call and the tube call, produce realistic calls, but require hand movement to operate. Shaker calls are the only ones specifically designed to produce realistic-sounding gobbles. No practice is necessary; the sound is the same each time you shake them. They produce only the gobble sound and are not usually considered a requirement for successful turkey hunting. The type of call used is less important than how well the hunter masters calling techniques. The best ways to learn turkey calling are to listen to live turkeys, an instructional tape, and/or an experienced turkey hunter. Turkeys have more than two dozen different calls, but the hunter will rarely notice more than about 10. There are 10 basic sounds the hunter should be able to recognize. Listed below are these sounds and how to use them.

• Tree yelp. This is the first turkey sound heard in the morning. It is a slow, soft, nasal sound, consisting of three or four yelps made only at daybreak from the roost. It is made when turkeys are just becoming visible in trees It is a greeting call to make sure that all is well after a dark night of not seeing or hearing one another. This call can only be heard on still mornings in a roosting area. Tree yelps should be the first call made by a turkey hunter who has set up near a roosted turkey. This is where scouting really pays off. Click here to hear a tree yelp.
• Plain yelp. The plain yelp is the one sound most people associate with turkeys. Turkeys use this sound to communicate with distant birds. The yelp is made by all turkeys in the fall, winter and spring. A yelp from a gobbler is lower pitched, more coarse, and less musical than from a hen. Click here to hear a tom yelp. The plain yelp is best used routinely throughout the morning while hunting. Plain yelps are usually done in a series of two to five in a row and always have a very even rhythm. Plain yelps will evoke a response from a spring gobbler and call him in if he is of a mind to come. It is the standard call when working a spring gobbler. Some hunters use it successfully with an occasional cluck. Click here to hear a hen yelp.
• Cluck. The cluck has several meanings. The sound is a short, soft, single-syllable, non-musical tone. It is used to gain another turkey's attention. If used too loudly it will alarm turkeys. It can be used in the following manner: "cluck (pause briefly), cluck, cluck (pause), cluck (pause), cluck (pause), cluck, cluck." Its major use is to evoke an answering cluck from any nearby turkey. It works well because turkeys are curious about any other turkey sound. Some successful hunters use an occasional cluck with the plain yelp in this manner: "cluck (pause), yelp, yelp (pause), cluck, cluck (pause), yelp, yelp, yelp." Click here to hear a cluck.
• Purr. There are 2 purrs used by hen and tom turkeys. The first purr is a soft fluttering call used by turkeys when communicating to each other, usually when they are content and relaxed. The second purr call is the fighting purr used when turkeys are posturing for a fight or agitated at something. Hunters often use purrs with clucks when gobblers are in close but not quite close enough. Click here to hear some purring.
• Putt. This is a short, sharp, loud cluck. It sounds very similar to the cluck, only the cluck is softer and less distinct. It will not call in turkeys, but you should know the call when you hear it, because it is the worst sound a calling hunter can make. It is the alarm call of the turkey, and generally will be the last call you hear before a turkey departs.
• Cackle. A cackle is an excited call of a hen and is often emitted when flying down from a roost. It is usually a series of 12 or more yelps which rise abruptly in pitch and cadence and then gradually decline in pitch and cadence. The fly-down cackle of the hen has been called the true mating call. Often the yelps are very short and staccato. Turkeys will also cackle when they fly over open water, fields or when jumping down off a deadfall or rock ledge. Another cackle is the assemble cackle made in the fall when the hen calls in the young poults. It's just a slowed-down version of the regular cackle. Click here to hear a fly down cackle.
• Cut. A cut is a short, staccato yelp and is usually emitted by the hen in a series varying in length and cadence. It is often used by an aggravated hen as she defends her nesting territory from other hens, but it will often excite a gobbler. Sometimes used by lost or lonely hens who are searching for other turkeys. They are usually loud and aggressive and about 15 seconds in duration. Click here to hear some cutting.
• Kee Kee Run. This is a call made by a lost young turkey trying to reassemble with its fall flock. It is a high-pitched "kee kee, kee" followed by a short, raspy yelp or two. Click here to hear a kee kee run call.
• Hen Assembly. This call is made by an adult hen to gather her flock. It is a long series of yelps rising in volume and pitch and then declining. The series may be as long as 15-20 yelps.
• Lost Call. The lost call is used by an adult of either sex who is looking for company. It will be a series of plaintive yelps and you'd better be ready, because they might just run in on you.
• Gobble. The gobble has limited use and affects turkeys in two ways: hens hear a potential mate and gobblers hear a potential rival. Gobblers may investigate other gobbling in their vicinity and may fight uninvited gobblers. The gobble call will sometimes help you locate a gobbler but may not bring him into shotgun range. Extreme caution should be used when using a gobble call as it may attract other hunters into your calling territory, and you may find yourself being hunted by another turkey hunter. For that reason gobbles are not recommended while hunting but can be effective to locate roosting birds in the evening. Click here to hear a tom gobble.
• Whine. The whine is a soft, high-pitched, drawn-out call of the hen, usually used in combination with putts and clucks. Click here to hear the whine call,
• Spittin' and Drumming.This call is done by toms to attract hens for mating. The call is 2 notes, the first is the spittin' sound, "pffffft", followed by the vroom sound. Some hunters say the vroom sounds like an idling car muffler.

Beginners should keep several points in mind. It is better to call too softly than too loudly, to call too rarely than too frequently, and to perfect one or two calls rather than attempt some sound not yet mastered. Timing, or rhythm, can be more important than the actual quality of sound. Finally, remember that no two turkeys sound alike and what works on one gobbler might send the next one in another direction. If a gobbler will not respond to your call, change or vary your current calling technique.

Spittin Feathers Turkey Call Tapes and CDs, Vol. I -III. Mike Battey's most excellent audio cassette tapes and CDs. If you want to hear turkeys in the woods recorded in digital stereo, these are the recordings you want.

CAMOUFLAGE

A wild turkey's eyesight is estimated to be about 10 times better than a human's. In addition, turkeys can distinguish color to some degree and are quick to spot unnatural colors in their environment. For this reason, turkey hunters should avoid clothing that will draw attention to them. The best camouflage clothing is both protective and comfortable. Many hunters make the mistake of camouflaging everything except their face and hands. This is a serious mistake because the face and hands reflect light, and they are the body parts a hunter is most likely to move. Face masks, gloves and camouflage make-up are most frequently used to camouflage the face and hands.

Face masks can obscure vision, cause glasses to fog, and lead to overheating. Facial greases tend to run if you get hot. Some new models of face masks have provisions for fitting around the frames of glasses, and are less likely to cause glasses to fog. Every hunter is different, and like most equipment, trial and error is the only means of determining the best combination. Gun camouflage is also important because the gun barrel reflects light. Camouflage tape and camouflage spray paint work well to mask the gun's shiny appearance. There are camouflage paints available for guns that can be removed after the turkey season is over.

FIREARMS AND PATTERNING

Shotguns. There is considerable difference of opinion on shotgun ammunition for turkey hunting. But there is no argument that the wild turkey is hard to bring down, and hunters have a responsibility to use loads powerful enough for quick and humane kills. Most experienced turkey hunters agree that the best turkey loads are 12 gauge 2 3/4 inch, 3 inch or 3 1/2 inch magnums of No. 4, 5 or 6 shot. The 12 gauge 3 1/2 inch and 10 gauge 3 1/2 magnums are increasing in popularity, because they can provide a few extra yards of range. But with these bigger magnums you get more recoil. You can add a Pachmayr "Decelerator" recoil pad to tame the nasty kick. The Remington 870 SPS-T™ Super Magnum and Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag 12 gauge pump shotguns are favorites among many turkey hunters. The Remington 870 comes with a 23" barrel, camo, 2 beads, swivel studs and 2 turkey chokes. The Mossberg comes with a 24" backbored barrel, the receivers drilled and tapped for scope mounts, camo finish, 1 turkey choke, ambidextrous safety and have the fiber optic sights already installed.

Chokes and getting better patterns. Because of the small target, dense patterns which deliver most of the shot into the head and neck region are preferred. For this reason, full-choke barrels are used in most turkey guns. Also, installing a longer forcing cone and having your shotgun barrel "backbored" will help in tighter patterns. A fine gunsmith to have this gunsmithing work done is Gun Docc. There is also a good explanation of what "backboring" and longer forcing cones are on Gun Docc's webpage too.

Beads, scopes, and sights. A scope, open, fiber optic sight or front and rear beads are additions to your shotgun which might improve your aim. I've been using a Leupold 1 X 4 scope on my Rem 870 12 ga. for about 7 years now. Works great! It's really helped me look for a beard since they plant stockers out here in California and you can't shoot them the first year, they have to have a beard and F & G trims them off when they release them. And yes, I manage to call in at least one no shoot tom every year *L*. Some guys say they have trouble looking for the turkey's head, but if you keep both eyes open you still see everything. I've even shot geese with the scope on. The scope also helps judging distance with the heavy duplex reticule. The only drawback is when it rains, it can be a pain to keep the lens clear. Click here for more info and pics on mounting a scope to a shotgun.

Another plus is when the birds are in brush, you can pick out the longbeard and know when he's about to step out instead of having to make the decision as he runs across the opening. I carry the allen wrench to take the scope and mount off just in case and can go to 2 beads in a pinch. Never had a problem with Leupold scopes through the years, but ya never know. I leave it on 1 or 2 power and have had no problems with sun flaring it. I use the anti-glare honeycomb lens filters from Butler Creek and have never spooked a bird with scope flash,,,,,, yet. *L* It's kinda spendy to dish out $225.00 for a scope like this, but I use it on yotes and bobcats too.

A scope is also helpful in that it keeps your head down on the shot. A lot of turkey hunters miss because they lift their heads too soon to see the turkey. Other hunters like the "Tasco Red Dot" scopes which uses a red dot for the crosshairs. You can adjust the intensity of the red dot, but 1 drawback is these scopes run off a battery which can go dead at the worst moment. Another scope that is popular is the Simmons "Pro Diamond" which has a range diamond so you know when the turkey is in range. I use the B-Square scope mount on my 870, which straddles the shotgun receiver but can be rough on your hands while you carry it. I recommend using the Remington vent rib mount to mount your scope, which attaches to the vent rib with set screws and does not protrude around the receiver.

Tru_Glo makes fiber optic sights you can mount on your vent rib shotgun. Simple snap-on or magnetic installation, no screws required. These are some pretty slick sights, one of the best for low light shooting.

Target patterning. A new turkey hunter, or an old turkey hunter with a new shotgun, should spend some preseason time patterning his/her gun with various size shot to pick the best load for the gun. There are two important factors related to the way your shotgun shoots. What is the effective killing range of your gun and how many pellets will strike the vital neck and head region at various ranges. You should test your gun with both standard and magnum loads. Some shotguns shoot better patterns with standard loads than they do with magnums. Turkey shells usually come in 10 to box, so it can get expensive to buy a bunch to pattern. You can get 2 or 3 of your buddies to help out and buy a bunch of different shells since you will only need 3 or 4 to find your best results.

A person can make their own targets or purchase life-sized turkey targets. To make your own patterning targets get some poster board from Wal-Mart that is 22" x 28" for $.31 each. Draw a turkey head on the poster board by closing your fist and drawing around it for the turkey head with a black magic marker. Place these targets at 20, 30 and 40 yards and shoot each size shell at each target. The objective to check your aiming point first and secondly to check your pattern on the target. You should do all your shooting from a sitting position as if you were turkey hunting. This will give you practice in judging actual turkey size at the various range and improve your aiming skills that will guarantee a quick, clean kill. One last tip that has cost many hunters a turkey is to practice shooting from both sides. Turkeys are not the most cooperative birds, and if the bird walks in on your off shoulder, it's almost impossible to swing all the way around to shoot them without spooking the bird. It will feel very awkward at first, but with practice you can become proficient enough to take what may be your only shot of the year.

SPRING HUNTING TECHNIQUES

One successful technique that can greatly improve a turkey hunter's chance of locating a bird is "putting a gobbler to bed." During the early evening on the day before you are going to hunt, position yourself on a ridge or at the mouth of a canyon. Take out a crow call, owl call, gobbler box, or a predator call and give a call. If a gobbler answers, try to pinpoint his location, noting prominent features where the gobble seemed to come from. If time allows, move to another location and repeat this procedure. Get up early the following morning, well before sunrise, and sneak to within 100-150 yards of the gobbler's roost tree at about the same elevation. You should be in place at least one hour before sunrise. If you were unable to locate a roosted gobbler the night before, try again early the morning of your hunt. Listen for a gobbler when it gets light enough for song birds to begin singing, which is well before sunrise. If there are no gobblers calling try to shock one into gobbling with a loud owl hoot or crow call.

It is not advisable to use turkey sounds until you are concealed and ready. If you do not hear a gobbler, you should move to another area, watching for strutting gobblers, listening for gobbles, and trying shock calls to locate a gobbler. Do not sit all morning at one spot unless you are confident that gobblers frequent the area. Determining the exact location of a gobbler can be difficult. The distance the gobble can be heard and direction from which the sound seems to come are influenced by topography, wind direction and velocity, the direction in which the gobbler is facing, and the extent to which the new green foliage is out. Heavy foliage can act as a sound barrier. In most of the blue oak/grasslands and black oak/conifer habitats, turkeys roost in oaks below the ridge lines and out of the prevailing winds. If you hear a turkey gobbling from a roost site, remember that it is easier to call a gobbler up a hill than down one. In addition, if you try calling from too far away he might not respond, especially if he has a hen nearby. After locating a roosting bird, try to get within 100-150 yards in a suitable location to begin calling. Choose a calling site very carefully, as this will probably be the most important decision of the day's hunt.

Try to pick a spot that a turkey will most likely go, such as west of the roost where the gobbler can approach the site with the sun at his back. Keep in mind that gobblers like to show off to their hens, so a clearing that catches rays of the rising sun is a good bet for early morning calling. Also, make it easy for the gobbler to get to your calling location. Do not expect him to wade through thick brush or cross a fence or creek. Choose a site such as a large tree or rock where you have good visibility in all directions. It is critical to set up so that you are able to see the gobbler, identify your target, and have a clear shot. Start calling softly after legal shooting hours begin. A good first call is the "tree-yelp." This tells the gobbler that a hen is roosting nearby. When the gobbler hears it, he will often gobble back. When this happens, stop calling and get in position. Generally, within the next 10-15 minutes, you will either see or hear him.

You may be able to hear him fly down, and his gobbles usually sound farther away once he is on the ground. If he is within sight do not call or he might see you. If you give him time, chances are he will work right up to you. If you have positioned yourself up against a big tree or rock, wait until he is well within 40 yards before you shoot. If after about 10 minutes the gobbler does not answer your "tree-yelp," try a series of plain yelps and clucks. It may be that the gobbler you "put to bed" last night has already assembled with a group of hens. In this case, listen for gobbles and yelps. Remember that if a gobbler is already with some hens he may not gobble much and may not be interested in your calls. Aggressive calling to the hens can sometimes bring both the hens and the gobbler to you. If the birds are far away, move as quickly and quietly as possible to a place where the bird can be called. Once in place try clucking and purring. Sometimes the gobbler will come right away, other times he will wait, expecting the hen to come to him. If he does not come after 5 minutes and you know he is still in the area, try a few soft yelps, clucks and/or purrs. If your gobbler is still in the area but has not come to your call, try other calls such as a "cut" or "cackle" or any type of call that excites him to try to bring him into range.

Sometimes aggressive calling will work, other times soft, infrequent calling works better. Experiment with your own techniques. Many hunters use a decoy to entice a gobbler into gun range and draw his attention away from them. Hunters who use decoys will experience a variety of results. Some gobblers will fight with or try to mount decoys. Others will strut for hours around a fake hen. Yet, other turkeys will run in the other direction or hesitate when they first spot a decoy. If you can tell that a gobbler is moving away, one option is to try to get to where he is headed. If the gobbler is moving back and forth along a ridge or a fence, you may be able to move to a site along his track while he is at the farthest point from you. But, if you move too often, sooner or later you will find that the gobbler is where you just moved from. It often pays to stay in one location for at least 45 minutes to an hour. When a gobbler does come toward you, have your gun ready before he comes into view. You may want to rest your elbows on your knees while holding your gun.

You can lift your gun when a turkey walks behind a large tree, but watch for other turkeys with the gobbler that may see you move. Once a gobbler is in an open area in front of you, movement of your gun will send him flying or running, leaving you without a shot. Wait to see if the gobbler turns away while strutting, causing his tail to block his view of you. This is the time to move. Do not shoot while a gobbler is in full strut. A good opportunity is when he gobbles and his head and neck are held up away from his body If you are ready to shoot, a cluck on a mouth call will often bring the gobbler out of a strut. Shoot immediately when the gobbler's head is raised. When using a shotgun, as opposed to a bow, the head and neck are the only killing shots you have on a turkey, so make sure you have a clear shot at them before you squeeze the trigger. When you shoot a turkey, immediately move toward the downed bird.

Many times a turkey will only be stunned and will regain his senses and try to escape. By moving toward the bird you can cut the distance for a second shot if needed, or physically subdue the bird. Placing a knee on top of the bird and breaking its neck is a good technique. Use caution if you grab for the legs, because the spurs of the gobbler have injured many hunters. If your hunt does not go as expected, you are not alone. That is the challenge of turkey hunting. Keep trying. Persistent, patient hunters are the most successful. Turkey hunting is one of the finest woodland sports. The attraction is not based primarily on harvesting a wild turkey, but rather on the manner in which it is taken. Whether you carry a gun, a bow or a camera, few types of hunting in California require as much knowledge of animal behavior as locating a gobbler and then successfully calling him, to you. For those who have experienced it, the spring turkey hunt is often their favorite.

FALL HUNTING TECHNIQUES

The fall turkey hunt is for either sex, and hunting techniques are quite different from a spring gobbler hunt. One of the more successful techniques is to locate and break up a fall brood flock, and position yourself where they were and call them back. Locating a brood flock often requires a great deal of time. However, local hunters and Department of Fish and Game personnel can assist hunters with information on flock locations. Large brood flocks, which are made up of hens and their young of the year, leave sign similar to that of spring turkeys, but on a larger scale. Look for tracks, droppings and the telltale feeding areas with oak leaves scratched in lines. Fall brood flocks are quite vocal, so listen for turkey talk as you scout for the flock. Once a flock is located, a good break-up of the flock is mandatory for a successful hunt with this technique. Many hunters rush the flock, shouting and waving their arms to startle the flock into scattering. Remember, do not run with a loaded gun in your hands. In many turkey ranges in California, the rocky terrain makes it dangerous to run at the flocks.

A well-trained dog can be used to break up the flock, but must be hidden in a blind during the hunt or removed from the hunt area. After you have broken up the flock, locate a calling site near the point of the break up. Wait about one-half hour or until you hear birds calling before you start to call them. The most frequently used call in the fall is the "kee kee run" or lost bird call. It is a high pitched "kee kee kee" in a series, usually followed by a yelp or two. Young birds will "kee kee" frantically and try to locate each other a short time after you have broken up the flock. By responding to this sound you can get them to approach within shooting range. Another call to try if the "kee kee run" is unsuccessful is a hen assembly call. This is the call of an adult hen gathering her flock. It is a long series of yelps raising slightly in volume and pitch and then declining in volume and pitch.

Hens will often use a series of 15 to 20 yelps for a gathering call. This will often lure a young bird within shooting range. A technique for locating fall flocks is to locate a roost by listening for soft yelps and birds flying into trees the evening before your hunt. If you can locate a roost, this flock can usually be scattered at day break. It is also possible to scatter roosting birds after shooting hours the night before in the same way you would during the day. This will separate the flock during the night, and reassembly will take place the next morning. Hunters have also had success calling gobblers and hens by locating their flock and reproducing the calls they are making. Young birds usually will return within an hour while an old gobbler may take 3 to 4 hours. Hens and their young tend to vocalize a lot as they return. Old gobblers tend to return silently. Often a gobbler flock will approach a coarse gobbler yelp to investigate the intruder. Another technique worth trying if you are working adults without young is to reproduce their call exactly and add more aggressive calls after each series. Successful fall gobbler hunting is difficult and requires a great deal of patience and knowledge.

Safety for Turkey Hunting

Surprisingly, most hunters involved in hunting accidents have many years of hunting experience. When interviewed, they cannot believe that it happened to them. It can happen to you. By being sure of your target and using the defensive measures outlined below, you can help ensure that you have a safe, quality hunt. All California hunters who have not held a California hunting license in a prior year must successfully pass a hunter safety course before purchasing a hunting license. Some prior license holders have taken the course as a refresher, often with their children. Turkey hunting safety depends on most of the principles taught in these courses, but there are many unique aspects of turkey hunting safety that all turkey hunters should also be aware of.

The National Rifle Association offers a turkey hunter safety education course and publishes the hunter's educational series which includes a book on wild turkey hunting. Contact the NRA for more information. Most hunting accidents can be prevented. Accidents happen when people disregard firearms safety fundamentals. Prevention involves knowing and obeying basic safety rules. If the three basic rules for handling firearms are followed most firearm-related tragedies could be prevented.

• 1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded. Always check to make sure the gun is empty; never take anyone's word that the gun is unloaded. Check for yourself, open the action, look, then leave it open. "I didn't know it was loaded" is no excuse.
• 2. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction. Experienced hunters always handle a gun safely. They never let the muzzle point at anybody, including themselves. They also insist that everyone follow the same rules.
• 3. Be sure of your target and beyond. Responsible hunters are certain of the target before firing. They never shoot at a sound. They never shoot at a patch of color. They never shoot at anything except what they are hunting, and only after they have made a positive identification. They will pass up a great trophy gobbler rather than make a mistake and cause an accident.

You must always be alert when handling firearms and while hunting. However, there are certain times when you must show extra caution:

• 1) When carrying a firearm in rough terrain or obstacles. Be sure of your footing and always keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction.
• 2) When you are tired after a day's hunt. Reserve enough energy to complete a safe hunt.
• 3) When you first spot or think you have spotted a turkey. Do not rush into a careless shot.
• 4) When hunting companions forget or ignore the safety rules. Immediately bring it to their attention.
• 5) When carrying a turkey out of the field, use a field pack, a hunter-orange mesh bag or a hunter-orange ribbon to mark the bird. Do not carry the bird over your shoulder.

CAMOUFLAGE SAFETY

Hunter camouflage is an important part of hunting the wild turkey, but it may present a problem. The better you are camouflaged and concealed, the less likely another hunter will be able to see you. The proper way to notify an approaching hunter is to calmly and clearly speak to him. DO NOT move or wave. DO NOT use a turkey call to alert the hunter. If the other hunter does not respond to your first call, repeat louder to announce that you are near. Not everyone has good hearing, it is paramount in this situation to remain still until recognized by the approaching hunter To dress for success and safety follow these tips from the National Wild Turkey Federation:

• 1. Never wear clothing that contains the colors red, white, or blue because they can be mistaken for colors found on wild turkeys.
• 2. Be sure that the accessories you carry that are red, white, or blue (e.g. diaphragm calls, box calls, box call chalk, candy wrappers, apples, etc.,) are not visible to other hunters.
• 3. Camouflage your gun. If not, at least cover up white diamonds or other red or white markings.
• 4. Always keep your hands and head camouflaged when calling.
• 5. Wear dark-colored socks and pants that are long enough to keep your bare skin from being exposed.
• 6. Do not "over-camouflage" by sitting in vegetation so thick that it obscures your vision.
• 7. If you use a man-made blind of camouflage netting, maintain a clear field of view.

Other safety measures you may wish to consider include:

• 1) placing a blaze orange band around the tree you sit next to
• 2) placing a blaze orange sign "Camouflage Hunter in Area-Be Careful" in your vehicle window
• 3) wearing some blaze orange while moving from one spot to another
• 4) showing blaze orange on your decoy and decoy bag while transporting.

CALLING SITE LOCATION

Calling site selection is very important for both turkey hunting success and safety. You cannot shoot a turkey you cannot see. Moreover, gobblers do not like dense, brushy areas where they cannot see potential trouble from natural predators. Use calling sites where you can see for 75-100 yards. Do not sit near the edge of a hill that you cannot see over; you may be surprised by a hunter. Sit against a tree, stump or rock wider than your shoulders. Turkey hunting involves making turkey sounds with various devices. Some require movement on the part of the hunter When shaking a gobbler tube call it may resemble the motion of a gobbling turkey, and in combination with the gobble sound may be misinterpreted by an overanxious turkey hunter. By choosing a large tree, stump or rock, slight movements will be shielded from view of hunters coming from behind who you may not detect.

DECOY-RELATED SAFETY

Decoys can be effective for bringing turkeys in close and taking their attention away from you, but caution should be used to avoid dangerous situations. Hunters may stalk your calls, see your decoy, and shoot at the decoy. If you are in line with the decoy you could be in danger. Follow these defensive hunting tips from the National Wild Turkey Federation:

• 1. A decoy should never be visible while being transported. Never carry an uncovered (identifiable) decoy.
• 2. Whenever possible, set up by a tree that is greater in diameter than the width of your shoulders.
• 3. From your seated position, identify the clearest line of vision in front of you. Establish a "sight line" that allows you 100 yards visibility, Then set your decoy approximately 20 yards from your position on the line.
• 4. Should you see another hunter, call out to them in a loud clear voice. Their presence has already compromised your location and an unintelligible response from you may only confuse them, rather than alerting them to your presence.
• 5. If you are calling over decoys and then elect to move to a new location, check carefully to ensure that no one is stalking your decoys. Check before leaving your calling site location. Should you see someone in the area, rule 4 applies. You may also consider using one of the decoys that incorporate some blaze orange color into the wing and tail feathers.

CONTROLLING YOUR REACTIONS

Always be aware that the mind can sometimes cause a person to "see" what that person wants to see. Hunters may sometimes "see" wildlife where there is none. This ability of the hunter's mind to "create" a wild animal can be attributed partly to the strong desire to locate and bag game. The moment of high excitement is triggered as soon as a buck, bear, turkey or other game is seen, and it is in that moment of greatest excitement accidents can and do occur Peer pressure and overconfidence has been shown to play a part in your mental attitude, so reconsider each "opportunity" for a brief second and make sure of your target. Restrain your reflexes so you do not shoot without thinking. Here are some basic rules:

• 1 - Never shoot at sounds or movements. Assume every sound you hear and movement you see is another human being until proven otherwise.
• 2. Never shoot at a patch of color. Positively identify your target as a legal turkey first.
• 3. Always positively identify any target before raising your gun, be certain it is legal game.
• 4. Double check before you shoot. Consider placing a National Wild Turkey Federation "Hunt Safely" sticker on your gun's receiver to remind you to make absolutely sure.

International Hunter Education Association

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Field Dressing a Turkey

Field dressing your bird allows the body to cool down as fast as possible. However, if you wish to document the weight, you should have your turkey weighed on a certified scale before you dress it. In any situation, it is important that you cool down the bird as fast as possible. Careless handling of wild game can result in spoilage. Turkeys that are not going to be mounted should be field dressed like any other upland game bird. This is done by cutting just above the vent to the brisket and removing the entrails. The heart, liver and gizzard should be separated from the entrails. Cut open the gizzard and remove the inner lining while it is warm. If you want to save these three organs, they should be placed in a ziplock plastic bag and cooled immediately.

You can clean turkeys much like you do ducks, geese, grouse and pheasants. The advantage to plucking is that you leave the skin on which keeps the bird from drying out while being cooked. Plucking turkeys in the field after field dressing is easier when the carcass is warm, and all wing and tail feathers can be removed by hand. When the carcass is cold, dipping the bird in scalding water helps feather removal. Skinning a turkey is cleaner and faster, but the meat may dry out when cooked. To keep the turkey from drying, cook it in foil or in a baking bag. Covering the bird's breast with strips of bacon during cooking will also reduce drying.

The Feather Distribution Project

The Feather Distribution Project provides wild turkey feathers to the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico and Arizona for use in religious ceremonies. The Pueblos have used these feathers for over 1,000 years. I do not buy or sell feathers; all are given free as a gift to the Pueblos. However, I am happy to reimburse postage costs. The Project began in 1982 in response to requests from Pueblo men for feathers. To date we have distributed more than 2,500,000 wild turkey feathers free-of-charge to the Pueblos. Most have been donated by NWTF members, including more than a dozen on the Bowsite. Please send feathers to: Dr. Jonathan E. Reyman Illinois State Museum - Research & Collections Center 1011 East Ash Street Springfield, IL 62703-3535. We prefer plucked feathers. If you send whole tails, wings, or caped, please make sure that they are dried thoroughly before shipping. I suggest removing as much meat as possible and then drying them using borax for at least 30-45 days. Otherwise they tend to decompose and are wasted.

7/20/99 - I just thought I say thanks to those of you who sent feathers, wings, tails, beards, etc. We have received more than 400,000 feathers and have distributed most of them. We have about 50,000 still awaiting delivery. This is a vast increase over the 2,000-3,000 we distributed in 1982, our first year. One hunter sent 2 dozen fans accumulated over a decade or so; others sent as many as a dozen, and we also received more than 50 pairs of wings. The Pueblo Indians are delighted to have them and wish you all a successful fall hunt. The Feather Distribution Project is nearing the 5,000,000 mark in feathers distributed in 18 years of operation. You've made it possible. Thanks again, and good hunting. Dr. Jonathan E. Reyman

Field Dressing a Wild Turkey .... Article form bowhunting.net on how to clean your wild turkey.

How to Prepare Your Wild Turkey For The Taxidermist .... Great article by Larry Reese on how to prepare your wild turkey for a mount.

Scoring a Turkey

Any turkey is a magnificent bird and is considered to be a trophy However, some hunters like to compare their gobblers with others taken within their state or other states. The National Wild Turkey Federation developed a turkey trophy scoring system that would allow all gobblers to be compared against each other equitably. The scoring system is based upon three measurements - weight, beard length(s) and spur lengths. The formula for overall score is: weight (lbs. and oz.), plus 10 times spur lengths (right & left), plus 2 times the beard length. All measurements are recorded in sixteenths of an inch. Weight must be measured to the nearest ounce (for example, 22lbs. 3oz. = 22 3/16 points). Spurs must be measured along the outside center, from the point at which the spur protrudes from the scaled leg skin to the tip of the spur (for example, left spur 1 inch plus right spur 1 1/16 inches times 10 = 20 10/16 points).

Beard length is measured from the center point of the protrusion from the skin to the end of the longest bristle (for example, 12 2 /16 inches times 2 = 24 4 /16 points). Turkeys with multiple beards must have each beard measured and recorded separately. The total score for the turkey in the example would be 22 3/16 + 20 10/16 + 24 4/ 16 = 67 1/16. Weights must be from certified scales with a current seal from the Division of Weights and Measures, State Department of Agriculture. Pictures are required for the measurements of the spurs and the beard. In addition, the scores must be witnessed. To register your turkey, write Entry Rules & Application, National Wild Turkey Federation, P.O. Box 530, Edgefield, SC, 29824-0530 or telephone (803) 637-3106.

Turkey Hunting Gear List

Trespass Permission Slips For Private Land Use & Emergency Alert Sheets

You'll need Acrobat Reader to read and print these .pdf files, you can get Acrobat at

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Click the link below to get the trespass permission slip you can print.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/permission-slip-1.pdf

Click the link below for an Emergency Alert sheet you can print out and leave on your vehicle, with your family or friends.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/emergency-alert-notice.pdf

• 10. My Mom was frightened by a gobbler when she was pregnant with me. But that was nothing compared to the fright she got upon first seeing me!
• 9. Started turkey hunting late in life.
• 8. Napped through several seasons.
• 7. From the mid-sixties to the mid-eighties, the only wild turkey I was interested in came in a bottle.
• 6. For many years I thought hunting TURKEY was a grade school geography drill.
• 5. Palsy makes it difficult to hold the gun steady and adversely affects concealment efforts. Hopefully, someone will come out with a "Quaking Bush" camo pattern.
• 4. Tobacco juice dissolved all my mouth calls.
• 3. Can't move through the woods as quietly as I once did. Nowadays it's always left, right, walker ---- left, right, walker.
• 2. Spastic colon and flatulence makes it hard to hide from birds and also curls the nose hairs of unfortunate hunters downwind.
• 1. Every time I draw a bead on a bird, my glass eye pops out !!!

Sayings Overheard in the Turkey Woods

I want him so close I can smell the grasshoppers on his breath.

The turkeys here have such long beards they have to walk backwards so they dont trip over them.

Turkeys can hear you think and see you change your mind.

A deer sees you and thinks you are a stump. A turkey sees a stump and think it's you.

Roosted ain't roasted.

I called like a hen in fishnet stockings and he still wouldn't come in.

Breath son, breath!

That sleazy no good hen cut me off.

The difference between a cluck and a putt is whether the turkey is coming or going.

Well. I called to him but he miscoursed me and went the other way.

Turkey Hunting Stories

Peyton Griffis of Colorado turkey hunting career goes back a ways and he recently told me a story of his late brother's turkey calling prowess. Peyton said his brother used to tell about setting up on a big gobbler and there was nothing to hide behind but a large log that was maybe 6 inches off the ground. He said his brother hunkered down behind that log and called that old gobbler in right up behind the log. Since he couldn't get his gun up, he had to grab him by the legs from under the log and he tried and tried to pull him under that log but there just wasn't enough room so he had to turn him loose and call him around the end of that log. "Must have been using a wingbone is all I can figure, heh,heh", Payton said.

If you have any turkey humor you would like to share here please email us at . Thanks!.

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Turkey Hunting Links

Ammo

Blinds

The All-Terrain Umbrella Blind .... The All Terrain Umbrella Blind is a uniquely designed and patented camouflage blind that can be set up quickly and quietly, camouflaging the person or persons behind it.
Ameristep Pop-Up Blinds .... Portable camo blinds.
Avery .... Cerex and burlap camo blind material.
Bowsniper Blind Co. ....Compact blinds that mount to a shotgun or bow.
Buckwing ..... They make blinds, archery gear and camo umbrellas.
Double Bull Archery L.L.C. .... Makers of the popular ICE Blind, a portable camo blind. Available in the JHO online store.
GameTracker Portable Pop Up Hunting Blind ....
High Racks .... They have brackets for hunters to effectively add branches and camo to any stand, blind or hunting location with ease.
Hunters Equipment .... They offer a full line of deer stands, game blinds, and game feeders.
Hunters Specialties (H.S.) .... They have burlap, nylon and Cerex camo blind material and portable hunting blinds.
Invisiblind .... Portable camo blind.
Isometric Hunting Blinds .... Portable hunting blinds.
Klinger Pop Top Blind ....
Little Big Horn .... Camo tree blinds and Pac-Lounge.
Quick Pro Blinds .... Portable hunting blinds.
Oak Hollow Products .... Portable hunting blinds. 309 Old Highway 9, Waukon, IA 52172 (319) 568-4075. You can order the blinds here.
P & M Concealment Products Inc. .... Portable blinds.
Ultimate Hunting Blind .... Portable and expandable hunting blinds.
Underbrush .... Portable blinds and 3-D Leafy Camo Wear.
Wolf Den Hunting Products .... Portable hunting blinds.

Books about Turkeys

To order these books below please use the Amazon.com link below. This will help support the JHO website with small portion from the sale. Thank you.

Search: All Products Books Magazines Popular Music Classical Music Video DVD Toys & Games Baby Computer & Video Games Electronics Software Tools & Hardware Outdoor Living Kitchen & Housewares Camera & Photo Wireless Phones Keywords:

After the Hunt with Lovett Williams. Williams, Lovett E., Jr. Format: Paperback, 256pp. ISBN: 0873414217 Publisher: Krause Publications Pub. Date: February 1996. Excellent book for after you harvest a bird. Taxidermy tips, wingbone yelpers and biology info. Two spurs up on this one.
America's Greatest Game Bird: Archibald Rutledge's Turkey Hunting Tales by Jim Casada (Editor), Archibald H. Rutledge (Editor). Hardcover (February 1994) Univ of South Carolina Pr; ISBN: 0872499839 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.91 x 9.25 x 6.23.
The American Wild Turkey. Davis, Henry E. 1949., Small Arms Technical Publishing Co. Georgetown, S.C. 328 pp.
The American Wild Turkey : Reflections on the Bird, the Hunt, and the Hunter by John M. McDaniel. Hardcover - 240 pages (June 2000) The Lyons Press; ISBN: 1585740373 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.96 x 9.16 x 6.22.
The Art and Science of Wild Turkey Hunting. Williams, Lovett E., Jr. Hardcover (November 1989) Publisher: Real Turkeys Pub; ISBN: 0962480908.
Better on a Rising Tide: Tales of Wild Turkeys, Turkey Hunting, and Southern Folk by Tom Kelly. Hardcover - 196 pages 1 edition (August 1, 1995) Oak Knoll Books; ISBN: 1558214100 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.77 x 9.23 x 6.28 .
The Boat by Tom Kelly. Hardcover - 2295 pages (January 1998) .The Lyons Press; ISBN: 1558216405 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.67 x 9.29 x 6.30 .
The Book of the Wild Turkey. Williams, Lovett E., Jr. 1981 Winchester Press, Tulsa, OK. 181 pp.
Bowhunting for Turkeys. Jack Brobst.
Branton Berryhill Publishers .... They sell callmaker Neil Cost's books.
Complete Book of the Wild Turkey. Latham, Roger M. 1956. Stackpole Co., Harrisburg, PA. 265 pp.
The Complete Book of Wild Turkey Hunting: A Handbook of Techniques and Strategies by John, Jr. Trout. Paperback - 192 pages (November 2000) The Lyons Press; ISBN: 1585740993 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.78 x 9.00 x 5.89
The Complete Book of the Wild Turkey. Williams, Lovett E., Out of print, try Amazon.com used book finder.
Dealer's Choice by Tom Kelly. Hardcover - 128 pages (January 1998). The Lyons Press; ISBN: 1558215891 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.55 x 9.25 x 6.25
The Education of a Turkey Hunter. Hanenkrat, William Frank. 1974. Winchester Press, N.Y. 216 pp.
Gobblers I Have Known ... The Evolution and Ramblings of a Turkey Hunter. By Tim Herald. You can purchase your copy directly from Tim with a check or money order for $16.00 which includes shipping. Your copy will be signed and numbered. Send to: Tim Herald, 816 Edgewood Dr.. Lexington, KY 40515. For Credit Card orders, this book can be ordered from Barnes and Noble & Amazon.com. Paperback - 170 pages (September 2001) . 1stBooks Library; ISBN: 0759648700 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.47 x 9.00 x 5.98
Guide to the American Wild Turkey. Part 1: Status--Numbers, Distribution, Season, Harvests and Regulations. National Wild Turkey Federation, Inc., 1992. Nat. Wild. Turkey Fed., Inc. 149 pp.
Hunting the Wild Turkey. Turpin, Tom. 1966 ed. from Penn's Woods, Delmont, PA. 54 pp.
Hunting Wild Turkeys With Ray Eye by Michael Pearce, Ray Eye. Hardcover 1st Ed. edition (January 1990) Stackpole Books; ISBN: 0811708667.
Hunting Wild Turkey in the West. John Higley, Format: Paperback, 2nd ed., 154pp. ISBN: 0962835307 Publisher: Higley's High Country Enterprises Pub. Date: April 1997.
Illumination in the Flatwoods: A Season With the Wild Turkey by Joe Hutto. Paperback - 288 pages Reprint edition (October 1998) The Lyons Press; ISBN: 1558216944 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.55 x 8.95 x 6.01
Innovative Turkey Hunting : Advanced Tactics from Brad Harris & Mark Drury by James A. Casada, Brian Lovett (Editor), Jim Casada. Paperback - 208 pages (January 2001) Krause Publications; ISBN: 0873419944 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.43 x 9.02 x 6.02.
Modern Turkey Hunting. Brady, James F. 1973. Crown Publishers, Inc. N.Y. 160pp.
The Season by Tom Kelly. Hardcover - 160 pages (January 1997) The Lyons Press; ISBN: 1558214895 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.68 x 9.38 x 6.34.
Spring Gobbler Fever by Michael Hanback. Paperback - 256 pages (February 1996) Krause Publications; ISBN: 0873414233 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.68 x 9.00 x 5.96.
Studies of the Wild Turkey in Florida. Williams, Lovett E., Jr. Format: Hardcover, 250pp. ISBN: 0813008743 Publisher: University Press of Florida Pub. Date: April 1988 .
Tenth Legion. Tom Kelly, Format: Paperback, 128pp. ISBN: 1558215395 Publisher: Lyons Press, The Pub. Date: January 1998 Edition Desc: REPRINT.
Turkey Calls, An Endearing American Folk Art. by Howard L. Harlan. Hardcover - 170 pages (January 1, 1994). Harlan / Anderson Press; ISBN: 0964618958.
Turkey Callmakers Past and Present Mick's Picks : Stories and History of Callmakers. by Earl E. Mickel. Hardcover (March 1994) Earl E Mickel; ISBN: 0964016400. Out of print and hard to find.
Turkey Hunters Digest. Dwain Bland, Format: Paperback, 1st ed., 256pp. ISBN: 0873491645 Publisher: Krause Publications Pub. Date: October 1994 Edition Desc: Rev. ed
Turkey Hunting with Charlie Elliott. Elliott, Charles. 1979. David McKay Co., Inc. N.Y. 275 pp.Harbour, Dav. 1983. Advanced Wild Turkey Hunting and World Records. Winchester Press. 284 pp.
Turkey Hunting With Gerry Blair. Hardcover (February 1991) Krause Publications; ISBN: 0873411609.Out of print, try Amazon.com used book finder.
Turkey Hunting Secrets . Roger Rasich has a bunch of good info on hunting turkeys with a bow or shotgun.
The Wild Turkey. Biology and Management.James G. Dickson (Editor), Format: Hardcover, 463pp. ISBN: 081171859X Publisher: Stackpole Books Pub. Date: October 1992.
The Wild Turkey and its Management. Hewitt, O.H. ed. 1967. The Wildl. Soc. 589 pp.
The Wild Turkey in Virginia: Its Status, Life History and Management. Mosby, Henry S. and C.O. Handley. 1943. Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries, Richmond, VA. 281 pp.
The Wild Turkey. Schorger, A.W. 1966. Univ. of Oklahoma Press. 625 pp.
Wild Turkey (Hunting & Fishing Library) by Gary Clancy. Hardcover - 128 pages (January 1997) Creative Publishing international; ISBN: 0865730628 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.56 x 11.03 x 8.53
Wild Turkey Country, Williams, Lovett E., Jr. Gary Griffen (Photographer) Format: Paperback ISBN: 1559712066 Publisher: Creative Publishing International Pub. Date: November 1997 Edition Desc: REPRINT.
Wild Turkeys: Hunting and Watching by John J. Mettler. Paperback - 160 pages (September 1998) Storey Books; ISBN: 1580170692 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.46 x 9.00 x 6.01.
The World of the Wild Turkey. Lewis, J.C. 1973. J.B. Lippincott Co., N.Y. 158 pp.

If you know of any other good turkey books please mail us at and I will add them to the list.

Bow Equipment

Action Archery.com .... Targets, decoys, calls and more. JHO sponsor.
Bowsite's Arrow Building Tutorial .... Great place to learn how to crown dip your arrows and much more.
Custom Feathers .... David Mitchell. 6117 Highway 190, Chillicothe, MO 64601. Phone #s: 660-646-6630 (Work), 660-646-0469 (Home-eves.), 660-646-9703 (FAX), & 1-888-353-8246 (Orders only). He makes custom arrows using fresh turkey wing primaries and some secondaries. Most fletching is natural, but he'll custom dye colors on large orders. He also buys wings, fans, and beards, so you might be able to work a trade.
Dink's Feather Shop .... They make custom arrows and sells supplies. Murraysville, WV. Ph # 304-273-3485.
Game Tracker .... String tracking system. 3476 Eastman Drive Flushing, MI 48433 Phone (800)241-4833 Fax (810)733-2077.
Herb's Leatherworks .... If you like quality hand made leather quivers then take a peek at these fine quivers from Herb at Herb's Leatherworks. JHO Sponsor.
Trackmaster Arrow Tracking System .... Radio signal arrow recovery system.
How to strip turkey feathers .... If you want to make your own barred feather fletchings.

Calls

Adventure Game Calls ....
American Friction .... Bruce Wurth from Suisun, CA . Quality products like the award winning CUT-N-PADDLE paddle box call .The CUT-N-PADDLE paddle box or the CUT-N-PURRFECT glass will be the best sounding call you will ever own!
Bald's Calls .... Wingbones, Turpin yelpers, tube calls and scratch boxes by Don Bald of Lebanon IL.
Blodgett's Premier Hunting Calls .... Harry Blodgett has some fine turkey calls here.
Boss Calls ....
The Box Call Page .... Chris (Bamaflier's) great webpage on box calls. The history behind them, how to make them and more. If you like to make turkey calls, please visit Bama's webpage and join his call maker network. Thanks.
B & R Game Calls .... Diaphragms, Tube Calls, Friction Calls, Game Calls, Hunting Videos & More
Bud & Betty Turkey Calls .... Russell Lynch has some nice calls here.
Buice Wild Turkey Calls .... Billy Buice. Canton GA. PH# 770-735-2645. Custom box calls and trumpet yelpers.
Cabela's .... One of the biggest retailers of outdoor and hunting gear. They have calls, decoys, shells, sights, blinds camo and tons more.
Callers Choice Turkey Calls ....
Call "Purr"fect Turkey Call Kit .... If you want to make your own mouth diaphragm calls, this is the place to go.
Camp Callers ....  Great calls from Talladega, Alabama.
Cannon Country Game Calls Inc. .... 1 888-881-3415.
Chestnut Ridge Wild Turkey Calls ....
Clover Leaf Custom Calls .... These box calls are made by Darlene Groenier, and of the few woman turkey callmakers in the USA and wife of Jim Groenier from Oregon Wisconsin.
Cody Turkey Calls .... 1981 was the start of a new beginning in the turkey call industry. The idea of building slate and glass calls with wooden pots went from one man's dream to reality. Bill Zearing realized that like a good violin or guitar, a quality turkey call should be made of wood, not from plastics or other synthetic material.
Custom Calls Online .... Basil Ammerman "True Lure - Wild Call", Don Carter "Singin Sams Turkey Calls", David W. Collins "Yelper's Yelpers", Dave Constantine "Custom Wild Game Calls", Jerry Epple "Lonesome Tom Products", Scott Hunt, Lanny "Turkey King", Kyle "Turkey King Products", Craig Lariscy "Osceola Calls", Paul Meek "Wildlife Art Series Turkey Calls", Tim Mooney & Jess Hayes "Mooney & Hayes Turkey Calls", Kenny Morgan "Morgan's Turkey Callers", Ralph Permar "Custom Wild Turkey Calls", Dennis Poeschel "Wildfowl Game Calls", Ron Shealer "Triple Gobble Turkey Calls", Durk Stark "Custom Wingbones by Durk", Curtis Terrell Jr. "Old Pro Turkey Calls", Doug Totty Jr. "The Eastern Assassin", Chris Utke "Tribute Custom Calls", Dan West "The Gobbler Getter".
Custom Sawing .... Quality wood, kits, parts and supplies for making turkey calls.
Custom Wingbones by Durk .... Fine wingbone yelpers.
Dad's Calls .... Jerry White maker of custom turkey calls, known as Dad's Calls. Jerry handcrafts long box, collectors and slate turkey calls. Available in the JHO online store.
David Collins' Yelpers .... Fine yelpers from David Collins Rowanty Creek Calls in Petersburg Virginia.
David Constantine Wild Game Calls .... You have to stop by this website and see David's awesome work.
Dry Dog Ridge Wing Bone Turkey Calls .... Dennis Behm has some fine wing bone yelper calls here.
Kent Freeman Wildfowl Carvings and Calls ....
Gene's Turkey Calls .... Gene has mouth calls, friction calls and locator calls with "Service and Prices that won't ruffle your feathers".
Grassy Creek Game Calls .... Offer many call kits and parts for the call maker, such as pot style kits, box call kits, striker material in carbon, fiberglass, acrylic and any species of wood. We offer friction surfaces in aluminum, copper, glass and Pennsylvania slate in many sizes.
Groenier's Custom Turkey Calls ..... Jim from Oregon Wisconsin makes some fine box calls and yelpers. He has a great page on how to make a yelper and some ideas on how to snazzy up your call.
Haydel's Calls ..... Website in no longer up. Try 5018 Hazel Jones Rd. Bossier City, LA. 71111. PH# 318 746-3586.
IHW Custom Calls .... Fine hand made calls from Irving Whitt in Greenwood, South Carolina.
Hunter Specialties (H.S. Strut) ....
JHO Custom Turkey Calls .... Custom calls from JHO and other fine turkey call makers in our online store.
Johnny Stewart Wildlife Calls ....
Lee Calls Inc. .... Lee Calls, Inc. is dedicated to the memory of the legendary Ben Rodgers Lee, Sr. Ben Lee was a champion turkey caller. Winner of the World Championship five times, the Champion of Champions title three times, the National Open twice and numerous regional titles. The products sold by Lee Calls, Inc. have been designed by the late Ben Lee and produced in his memory by his son, Ben Lee, Jr. and family.
Legacy Calls .... made by Wil Terry. Mouth calls and glass and slate calls. 2211 Ogden Rd. Rockhill,SC 29730. PH# (803) 328-6829. Toll Free: (877) 834-5372.
Lohman Calls .... Great turkey calls. Buy them at Bass Pro or Cabela's. 4500 Doniphan Dr., Neosho MO 64850. PH# 800-922-9034.
Knight & Hale Game Calls .... Excellent calls for turkey, elk, varmints, waterfowl, hogs, and deer.
M.A.D. Calls .... Mark Drury from Mo. Buy these calls from Bass Pro or Cabela's.
M. L. Lynch Calls .... Famous for their calls.

Ozark Ridge Calls .... Billy Green of Lebanon Mo. has some calls here. Check out his push button call. P.O. Box 802, Lebanon, Mo 65536. PH# 417-532-4188.
Paul's Calls .... Hand-carved box calls by Albert Paul. Some of the best out there.
Penn's Woods Calls ....
Perfection Turkey Calls .... P.O. Box 164, Stephenson, VA. 22656. 1 800-422-9357.
Peters Game Calls .... Peters Game Calls is a small, family business that emphasizes quality not quantity. They specialize in finely crafted suction yelpers and friction callers.
Peyton's Putter .... an original cedar box call from Peyton Griffis of Pueblo Colorado. Peyton likes the higher frequency box calls.
Pioneer Enterprise Inc. .... Ron Epply. Bulk material to make your own mouth calls. They carry latex at about $0.09 cents apiece. Comes in thicknesses from condom to .005. They have the frames and tape also. 1008 Pinetown Road Lewisberry, Pa. 17339 Phone # (717) 938-9388. They DO NOT take credit cards so order early.
Dennis Poeschel Field Grade Box Calls ....
Preston Pittman ....
Primos Hunting Calls .... Website coming soon.
Quaker Boy Game Calls ..... Wholesale Hunter carries the Quaker Boy line of calls
Reece Turkey Calls .... They make the "Passion Player" box call.
River Valley Game Calls .... Ray Smith from Linden Pennsylvannia has some fine turkey calls here.
Robert's Brother Turkey Calls .... 3760 Old Oakwood Road. Oakwood, Georgia 35066. PH# (770) 536-7374. Fax (770) 536-5632.
Ross Custom Calls .... Jeremiah Ross from Rochester Pennsylvannia has some fine box calls here.
Roy Rhodes Championship Calls ....
Ron Shealer's Custom Calls .... Fine trumpet yelpers, box calls and tube calls.
Super Yelper Turkey Calls .... Richard M. Shively from Stephens City, VA. They have a push pin call and two scratch box calls.
Supreme Turkey Calls .... Steve Reeves. 5441 Ocumuglee East Blvd, Macaon , GA, 31217. PH# 478-741-1542. They make the Strut Buster , Bearded Lady and Double Suicide slate calls.
Sure-Shot Game Calls ....
Top Calls .... Eric S. Thomas
Turpin Custom Game Calls .... Fine Turpin style yelpers by Steve Turpin. 4911 Essexshire Ave. Memphis,TN. 38117.PH# (901-685-0766). Email is gamecallmaster@aol.com.
Available in the JHO online store.
Al Willis Custom Calls .... Al Willis has been making calls since the late 70's. Started out as Al Willis Turkey Calls. Changed the name to Keowee Game Calls in the mid 80's. Also hand makes Al Willis custom calls. Woods used in custom calls include: cherry, holly, ebony, walnut, mahogany, eastern red cedar, butternut, applewood, mimosa, black locust & willow. 20 calls made signed & numbered out of citrus orange. Al Willis makes the boat paddle box, one-sided box & regular box. Also hand makes double slate (hand turned) and glass over slate. Matched sets - boat paddle & regular box. Email is Alwilliscalls@cs.com
Woodhaven Custom Calls .... Mike Pentecost and crew from Alabama make good friction and mouth calls.
Woods Wise .... P.O. Box 681552 (S7), Franklin, TN 37068. PH# 800-735-8182.

If you know of any other good turkey call makers please mail us at and I will add them to the list.

Camo and Clothing

10X Wear .... Camo
Advantage Camo ....
Aervoe-Pacific Co. .... Camouflage paint in all the military colors. Best supplier I've found for painting your equipment. P.O. Box 483, Gardnerville, NV., 89410, ph# 800-227-0196.
ASAT Camo ....
Beartooth Products .... 3 piece camo kit for shotguns.
Brigade Quartermasters .... Outdoor gear, military issue gear, GPS, everything you need.
Bug Out Outdoorwear .... Bug nets and suits.
Bushlan Camo .... Camo clothing.
Bush Rag Camouflage Systems .... Camo ghillies.
Camo Skin .... Removable camo overlays for shotguns.
Camovision Eyewear .... You can see out, game can't see in. UV protected, patented, durable frames. I tried a pair of these and I found they kept the sun out real good but it was like looking through a thick screen door. Too distracting for me.
Columbia Sportswear Co. ....
Desert Shadow Camo .... Mafe by King's Outdoor World, this camo is great for the western hunters. Available in the JHO online store.
DK Flatwoods Camo .... 3D camo
DownWind 3D Camo ....
Hidden Wolf Woolens .... Quality, Service, Dedication- Unexcelled -For your camouflage clothing needs.
Image Country Camouflage .... Camo.
LongBeard Industries L.L.C. .... Makers of the "The Backpack Recliner" .
.C. C. Filson .... For 102 years, Filson has been supplying rugged clothing for extreme conditions out of doors.
Mossy Oak .... America's most effective concealment system.
Natural Gear Camo ....
Polar Wrap .... Great clothing to keep your face and head warm.
Predator Camo ....
Permanone .... Spray this on your clothes to kill ticks, chiggers and other bugs. Not a repellant like "Off" or "Repel", it actually kills the darn creepy crawlies. PERMETHRIN is the generic name of the active ingredient. It is a natural pesticide from pyretherum (african flower in the daisy family) and the active ingredient is permanone. It is used on cloths only because if applied to the skin, it mixes with oils and sweat and becomes useless. It is harmless but some people may be sensitive to it. It goes by several brand names, Permanone being the most common. Once applied properly, it binds to the fabrics and lasts a minimum of two weeks, even through several washings. Another brand is called Duranon and you can get it for $3.66 for a 6 oz. can at Wing Supply.
Rancho Safari .... Camo ghillies.
Raven Wear Canada Ltd. .... Extreme cold camo clothing.
Realtree .... Excellent camo.
Rightnour Manufacturing Co. Inc. (RMC) .... Archery and Muzzleloading supplies, turkey vests, unique Non-Typical shotgun sling.
Scent-Lok .... Camo clothing and scent control suits.
Schnee's Boot's .... These guys make the best cold weather elk boots I've ever owned. I like the 'air bob' soles.
Sleeping Indian Design .... Wool and cotton camo clothing
Stick N' Limbs Camo ....
Trebark Camo ....
Underbrush .... Portable blinds and 3-D Leafy Camo Wear.
Woolrich .... Fine wool clothing.

Chokes

Ballistic Specialties .... Angle Porting chokes.
Briley Chokes ....
Carlson's ....
Comp-N-Choke .... Screw-in shotgun choke tubes with Slot-Ported Braking Systems
Hastings Chokes .... PH# 913-632-3169.
Johnny's Shotgun Chokes and Forcing Cones ....
Kick's .... They make the famous "Gobblin' Thunder" choke.
Patternmaster ....
Rhino Chokes .... 21027 NE Highway 27, Williston, FL 32696. PH# (800) 226-3613, (352) 528-6110, FAX: (352) 528-4111. Contact: Janet Morales or Joe Morales. E-mail: rhinoman@atlantic.net.
Seminole Gunworks .... Seminole specializes in the making of precision choke tubes for most makes and model of shotguns.
Shotgun Customizing .... by Curtis Wilbanks aka; Gun Docc. Whether you are a turkey hunter who wants the ultimate turkey gun capable of 90% or better patterns at a distance of 40 yards, or a deer hunter who wants the ultimate buckshot gun capable of placing all the pellets in a 14 to 20 inch pattern at a distance of 40 yards, I can help you to achieve this goal through my customized shotgun work. I have been customizing shotguns for over 19 years.
Trulock Chokes .... Manufacturers of superior shotgun chokes.
Wad Wizard .... is an improved line of shotgun choke tubes for hunting, clay target shooting and law enforcement purposes, which is manufactured of high quality materials, with top-notch workmanship and great attention to quality control standards.

Decoys

Action Archery.com .... Targets, decoys, calls and more. JHO sponsor.
BuckWing Products .... They make an umbrella like expander to use in foam decoys to spread them out and a stake to go in he ground.
Carry-Lite Decoys .... 5203 West Clinton Milwaukee, WI 53223 Phone (414)355-3520 Fax (414)355-4775.
Decoy Heart .... This is an independent power source that can be used in all lightweight decoys that will create lifelike movement. It creates feeding and breeding movements in turkey decoys.
Delta Decoys ....
Expedite Moto Magnet II Motion Systems .... Add remote control motion to your decoy with this "AA" powered unit.
Featherflex Decoys .....
Flambeau Decoys ....
Hidden Valley Inflatable Decoys .... If you need some room in your pack, check out these new dekes that fold up into a ball in your hand.
Higdon Motion Decoys .... Uses a lightweight and rugged one piece frame and coil spring neck and pull cord.
M. L. Lynch Decoys ....
Outlaw Decoys .... Turkey, goose and duck decoys.
E.J. Sceery Decoys .... 1 (800)-327-4322.
Tru-motion Decoy Sysytems ..... Whether you are looking for realistic flying motion decoys or life-like motion in your field and water decoys, TruMotion has the solution to your problem.

Feeders and Food Plot Supplies

American Hunter Feeders and Blinds ..... Feeders and tripod stands.
Hunters Equipment .... They offer a full line of deer stands, game blinds, and game feeders.
Kenco Game Feeders .... Game feeders.
Moultrie Feeders .... Game feeders.

Gear

Bass Pro Shop .... One of the biggest hunting and fishing gear suppliers. Stop by one of their 'Outdoor World' stores, you'll be amazed. They have calls, decoys, shells, sights, blinds camo and tons more.
Brigade Quartermasters .... Outdoor gear, military issue gear, GPS, everything you need.
Cabela's .... One of the biggest retailers of outdoor and hunting gear. They have calls, decoys, shells, sights, blinds camo and tons more.
Camo TP .... Stay in stealth mode even while you take care of business. Available in the JHO online store.
Crooked Horn Outfitters .... Packs, Slide And Flex Bino-System, bow sling and hook, spotting scope case and more. Available in the JHO online store.
Herb's Leatherworks .... If you like quality hand made leather quivers then take a peek at these fine quivers from Herb at Herb's Leatherworks. JHO Sponsor.
JHO Online Store .... Quality gear for hunting, fishing and the outdoors. Great customer service.
Lacrosse .... Excellent boots and waders.
Levergun Leather Works .... Great handmade leather pouches, cases, rifle butt holders, slings, knife cases and sheaths, rifle sacabbards and more from "Lever" at Levergun Leather Works. JHO Sponsor.
Midwest Turkey Call Supply .... Everything you need for turkey hunting.
Ranger Joe's .... Military, Law enforcement and outdoor gear.
Reese Outdoors Turkey Tote .... Carry that gobbler the easy way with the over the shoulder tote made of parachute cord. Available in the JHO online store.
REI ....The biggest outdoor store on the net.
Schnee's Boot's ....These guys make the best cold weather elk boots I've ever owned. I like the 'air bob' soles.
Shomer-tec .... Law enforcement and military equipment. Box 28070, Bellingham, WA. 98228 ph# 360-733-6214. Call for free catalog.
Snapshot Sniper Digital Game Camera Scouting System .... Save yourself hours of scouting in the field. With the Snapshot Sniper Digital Scouting System, you will have the advantage you have been looking for when scouting your favorite hunting area. With the use of a technologically advanced motion detection system to trigger the game camera, you can monitor activity night and day. By positioning the deer cam near a trail, feeder, stand, or water you will have the advantage of knowing what different types of animals are visiting these areas. The scouting camera also will capture the date and time of the event so you will know exactly when the activity is taking place in your area. JHO Sponsor.
Uncle Lee's Wing Supply .... PH# 1-800-388-9464 for your free catalog. They have GPS, clothing, and turkey and duck hunting equipment.
U.S. Cavalry .... World's finest military and adventure equipment.

Guides, Outfitters and Turkey Hunting Lodges

This listing is for informational purposes only. No endorsement from JHO is implied. CAVEAT EMPTOR! If you know of any other good turkey guides, ranches, outfitters or lodges please mail us at and I will add them to the list.

Arizona Wildlife Outfitting .... Don Martin has hunts for bighorn sheep, buffalo, antelope, elk, mule & Coues deer, javelina, mountain lion, turkey and predators.
Blue Ridge Guide Service .... Call Bill Sweetser for quail, turkey, bear, bobcat, and deer in the southern Sierra Mountains of California. 2 hours north of Los Angeles. PH# 1-209-539-5102.
Calhoun Island Outfittters .... Located between the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, Calhoun Island provides quite possibly the best hunting in the country. Over 4,000 prime acres of intensely managed habitat means your opportunity for that hunt of a lifetime is now. With our luscious orchards, hearty crops, and excellent breeding grounds, there is no better place to raise trophy whitetails. Whether it is deer, ducks, geese or turkey that raises the hair on the back of your neck, Calhoun Island Outfitters is the choice for you! JHO sponsor.
Bob Crawford .... Hunt the Gould's or Ocellated turkey in Mexico.
Desert Bull .... Do it yourself hunts in Arizona. If you are thinking of trying it this year, you have found the right place. We can help you plan the hunt of a lifetime. Whether you want to hunt Elk, Deer, or Antelope in the fall or Javelina or Merriam's Turkey in the spring, Desert Bull can help you make your hunting trip to Arizona an unforgettable one.
El Halcon .... Manuel has hunts in Mexico for Gould's turkey. PH# 1-888-603-4322. 01152 (614)-418-0841. Email mxhunter@hotmail.com.
Pusch Ridge Outfitters .... If you would like to hunt the Gould's Turkey, we are offering this same hunt for April and the first week of May in 2001. The hunt is for 3 days, and sells for $1650.00 including the license and tag! We supply the shotguns and ammo, so it's not nessesary to obtain a gun permit. If you wish to take an additional bird, all you need is the $100 license fee and pay a $500 trophy fee after the kill! If you are interested, please let me know ASAP, as we will only take a limited number of hunters. Kirk Kelso Pusch Ridge Outfitters. e-mail kirkkelso59@aol.com
Wingshooters Lodge .... based in Cuidad Obregon Mexico. Gould's turkey hunt. Owners Ruben Del Castillo and Miguel Pugh. For information, call or e-mail George Wright, Kentucky State Turkey Biologist. He books for them. Email: Gobble@ziggycom.net

Guns

Beretta ....
Browning ....
Ithaca ....
Knight Muzzleloaders ....
Levergun Leather Works .... Great handmade leather pouches, cases, rifle butt holders, slings, knife cases and sheaths, rifle sacabbards and more from "Lever" at Levergun Leather Works. JHO Sponsor.
Remington ....
Ruger ....
Weatherby ....
Winchester ....

Hearing Devices  & Protection

Recipes

Susie Q's wild turkey recipes .... Susie has some great recipes here and some sent to here from turkey hunters around the USA.

If you know of any other good turkey recipes or recipe websites please mail us at and I will add them to the list.

Sights, Scopes

Aimpoint .... As the choice of the U.S. Army and elite forces around the world, Aimpoint sights offer high performance, military-proven technology and rugged durability. Aimpoint's both-eyes-open, heads-up, rapid target acquisition and superior accuracy deliver unmatched precision for a variety of applications.
B-Square .... has been manufacturing and marketing a full line of premium quality scopes mounts, accessories and gunsmithing tools for over 40 years..
Burris .... Fine American made scopes and binos.
Bushnell .... Scopes, binos, and Yardage Pro rangefinder.
HI VIZ Fiber Optic Sights ....
Leupold .... Fine American made optics.
Millett .... Optics, scope mounts, bases, rings, shooting rests, magazines and more from an American company.
Simmons .... Ccopes and binos. They make the "Pro Diamond" turkey scope which is a rangefinder type scope. Blount is the maker of this line of optics.
Tasco .... Makers of binos, scopes, and rangefinders.
Tru_Glo .... Make fiber optic sights.
Weaver .... Fine scopes. Blount is the maker of this product.

Taxidermy

How to Prepare Your Wild Turkey For The Taxidermist .... Great article by Larry Reese on how to prepare your wild turkey for a mount.
Hazel Creek Inc. .... World Champion Calley Morris does dome excellent work in Green Castle Mo. PH# 660-488-5688.
Tri-Ponds Taxidermy ....

If you know of any other good turkey taxidermists please mail us at and I will add them to the list.

Turkey Info Websites, Forums

Use what talent you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.