Preparation

Guns: Sight your shotgun and know its effective range. Most shotguns are effective between 20-35 yards, and using different ammo and choke combinations can extend the effective range to 45-50 yards.
TIP: Placing a stick or decoy near the effective range can serve as a guide.

Archery: Bowhunters should practice aiming and shooting to know their effective range. Practice drawing to ensure a great shot. Test different broadheads to find the one that gives you confidence.
TIP: Practice from a sitting or kneeling position if using blinds.

Landowner permission: Landowners are usually accommodating to turkey hunters, so feel free to ask for permission.
TIP: Respect private property and maintain your relationship with landowners outside of hunting seasons.

Scouting: Mornings are productive, especially in areas where flocks roost.
TIP: Afternoons (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) are good for finding wandering gobblers.

Roosting gobblers: In the evening, use calls (owl, coyote, etc.) to locate roosted gobblers and mark their locations with phone apps.
TIP: Focus on ridges or timber near roads, forest openings, or water.

Calling: Practice using different turkey calls. Mouth calls reduce movement, pot calls offer varied hen sounds, and box calls work well on windy days. Ensure calls are in good condition by sanding and chalking surfaces.
TIP: Mimic what you hear; if the birds are quiet, stay silent.

Decoys: In early season (April), decoys improve visibility and attract large groups. Removing decoys later in the season may yield better results due to more subdominant gobblers in flocks.
TIP: Subdominant gobblers fear dominant gobblers due to pecking orders, which change during harvests. A tom or jake decoy in half strut can provoke fights with new dominant gobblers. Place decoys facing away from the expected direction of gobblers to encourage them to approach from behind.

Gear organizers: Hunters often use vests to carry turkey calls and gear, but modern hunting packs, satchels, and chest rigs are popular for reducing weight and staying organized.
TIP: Try different models and invest in quality, as some are poorly constructed.

We hope these tips and tactics help you notch a turkey tag this season, and be sure to check out the other Turkey Takeover blogs below to keep building your knowledge base as you head into the turkey woods. Good luck out there!