Spring turkey hunting
May 5th, 2006 by Administrator
Spring turkey hunting - With spring turkey season under way, turkey hunters everywhere should be expecting great things this season. Last year presented us with excellent breeding conditions for turkey flocks throughout the Hudson Valley.
In addition to seeing some very nice, mature gobblers around, I’ve also seen many young jakes. Our recent fair-weather conditions have put the turkeys into spring breeding mode for more than a few weeks now.
Turkey hunters also share a kindred spirit with fall bow hunters: they have the woods to themselves.
If you’ve never hunted for spring turkey, you’re missing out on one great hunting adventure. I’m betting that if you gave it a shot, you’d be hooked for life and have another reason to be afield during the spring.
First, you usually don’t have to travel very far to find turkeys these days. It’s a well-known fact that turkey populations are up just about everywhere in the tri-state area these days.
Given that there are more deer hunters than turkey, you’ll find many public lands, like Stewart or Sterling Forest, with plenty of space for you.
Secondly, while turkey hunting has its challenges, spring turkey gives you plenty of advantages. The fact that turkeys are in their own “rut,” as I like to call it, brings their guard down enough to give you a real chance for a bird.
We’ve all heard the stories of new turkey hunters scoring on their very first hunt.
It can happen, with the right preparation.
Third, if you are new to turkey hunting, find an experienced and successful turkey hunter and go out with them. That’s the best way to maximize your time and get a well-grounded, successful start to your turkey-hunting career.
Turkey hunting remains one of the most exciting hunting opportunities for local hunters. Turkey hunting also has one of the safest hunting records.
Keep it that way by remembering a few things:
- Always be sure of your target. Never take a shot at something you can’t clearly identify as a turkey.
- Wear some blaze orange on your way into your spot and the way out.
- Don’t use a goggle call and make yourself a target.
- Always deploy your common sense in all hunting situations.