One Man’s Turkey Hunting Strategy

By Glen Wunderlich

Recent rains have increased water levels across the state in our rivers and lakes, and for those among the fishing and boating industry, more water is generally welcomed.  However, for ground-nesting birds such as the wild turkey, the diminished ground cover is going to make raising a family more difficult than ever. 

Hunters may have already noticed that wild turkeys have changed their spring movement patterns relative to years past and will do well to perform some advance scouting.  Birds may not be where they are normally found.

The typical success rate of turkey nests can range from 0 to 50 percent and only Mother Nature will dictate how environmental conditions continue to affect this season’s survival rate, but we are not off to a good start.  Low lying areas, where woody vegetation provides concealment are under water, and that means turkeys must relocate to less desirable areas.  Predators such as owls, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and mink will be able to concentrate their hunting strategies to a shrunken and less protective range thus maximizing their killing effectiveness.  Wise humans must follow suit.

The late turkey season opening of Monday, May 6^th, will find me relocated, too.  Scouting has revealed little activity at my perennial post and for that reason it has been abandoned.  Just like the birds, I’ve moved to higher ground.

My Day 6 PlotWatcher Pro time-lapse camera has caught plenty of action in nearby farmland.  Courtship antics have been recorded from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm, and best of all, I’ve learned the patterns, as a result.

For me, the ambush site will consist of setting up a chair blind in advance, so that toting gear on opening morning will be lessened; there’s only so much a man can carry afield.

A key element beyond a lone hen decoy and numerous calls is a device used a few years ago that assisted me to bag a record –book bird.  The V Pod shooting stick by Hunter’s Specialties is a barrel-mounted monopod with the stability of a bipod actuated by spring-loaded legs that open when the rest is extended.  The telescoping body extends to 32 inches – high enough to work in conjunction with normal seat height.

An ingenious sling dubbed the gun stock buddy is included and allows a turkey hunter to have his gun at the ready with the muzzle out the window.  With the bipod on one end and the gun’s stock nestled in the shoulder rest, hands are left free to operate box calls or slate calls – both two-handed operations.

A hen decoy completes the ambush site and is placed some 25 to 30 yards in front of the shelter, which allows me to judge the range of incoming birds.  Preferred distance for the shot is inside of 40 yards, where a stout load of 2 ¼ ounces of number 6 shot in a 3 ½-inch 12-gauge shell aimed at a turkey’s head and neck makes for a most humane dispatch.

Now it’s time to work the plan.