Hunting Archery Duck Deer

WILMINGTON | Most hunters go after wild turkey with a shotgun. Greg Keeton, a 44-year-old construction superintendent, has been quite successful doing that since 1983, having brought home 17 turkeys with shotguns

Recently, however, Keeton has been using his longbow to bring down gobblers. Although much more difficult, he has killed two and hopes to add to that total during the upcoming Ohio wild turkey hunting season, which begins Monday and runs through May 21.

“I enjoy hunting turkeys with a shotgun, but I wanted a new challenge,” Keeton said. “And bow hunting is definitely more challenging.”

Getting ready for this year’s season and a turkey hunt in Kentucky earlier this month, Keeton discussed how he and other hunters typically prepare:

Q How do you get started?

A We start weeks ahead, scouting gobblers in the areas we plan to hunt. We try to find them, listen and watch to see in which directions they go when they fly down from their roosts.

Q What goes on as you get closer to the season?

A A lot of practice. Since I have been hunting with a bow, it is more difficult than hunting with a shotgun, so I practice as much as I can. You also practice using your calls.

This is also the time to make sure all of your equipment is in good repair and ready for the season. Take everything out, check it over and then repack it so everything is handy and ready to use.

I also try to get out to the hunting area a few times to check everything out. I look for places I might set up and make sure there are no obstructions.

Q What is your schedule on the day of the hunt?

A I get to where I am going very early. If it is far away, I stay overnight nearby. Before the sun is up, I want to be where I am going to hunt. When you move through the woods, it has to be dark, because if there is any light at all, and they see that movement, they’ll be gone. You move slowly. A few sounds won’t hurt if they sound like natural sounds in the woods, such as a deer walking.

Q What kind of place do you set up for hunting?

A It has to be a place where you have good vision and no obstructions. And you should be visible for safety. Make sure your decoys can be seen.

Q How do you call in a gobbler?

A Once I am set up, I start with some real light yelps to let him know I am there. And then some soft clucks. I think the most important thing in calling is realism. You have to have a rhythm that sounds like a hen. People who sound like a real hen always have more success.

You have to listen. I have been turkey hunting every year since 1983 and I have spent a lot of time just listening. You get to know what sounds like a real turkey and what doesn’t.

Q What are the five most important things about turkey hunting?

A Safety is always first. Never take unnecessary chances. Be proficient with your weapon. Don’t take irresponsible shots. Shoot in your effective range. When hunting with a gun, I always make sure the bird is within 35 yards. With my bow, I want him to be 15 yards or under. Of the two birds I harvested, one was six steps away and the other was nine.

Q What other safety procedures do you follow?

A I never gobble (sounding like a mature male) when hunting on public land. You call in other hunters that way. On private land when you are in a secure situation, you can gobble. On public land, I like to hunt in open fields, using a portable blind. That way I can be easily seen by other hunters. It’s also good if you have a young hunter with you. When he is set up against a tree, he has to be perfectly still, but using a blind, he can move around a little. I also wear hunter orange going in and out of the woods.

Q Is turkey hunting an expensive sport?

A Of course the sky’s the limit when it comes to your shotgun or your bow — there are many styles and sizes. You can buy something used or have it custom made. You have the cost of calls, decoys, blinds and (camouflage) equipment. Then you have the license ($19 in Ohio) and turkey tags ($24 per tag in Ohio). Then you have gas, food and lodging. Yes, it can get expensive.