The Real March Madness
Everyone is talking about March Madness. For most of the country, this means the college basketball tournament is kicking off. For those of us that enjoy the outdoors, this means that the turkey are getting fired up and gobbling. They are setting the pecking order in preparation for the breeding season.
Image by Jeff Stitzlein
This is the time that die hard turkey hunters are scouting. They are listening for gobbling birds before sunrise, and roosting them at dusk. Watching fields in the mornings can tell you which food sources the birds are hitting. If you don’t have permission for these places, then dress professionally and go ask. The worst they can say is no. Jesus was even rejected by his fellow man. Mathew 10:14 says, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.”. This tells us to move on, and try again.
Roosting the birds the night before your hunt is key to getting close before they wake up. This will give you an idea of which tree they roosted in. Getting within one hundred yards about 30-40 minutes before sunrise will greatly increase your odds of success. Decoys will add some eye candy for the roosted Tom, if he can see them, he may just pitch down right to them.
If you get too close and bust the birds out of the roost, STOP! Set up right there. Wait about 15 minutes, then start a kee kee run call. Using this call is like saying, “I’m here! Where are you?”. This will act as an assembly call. Be ready, and do not move. Let your decoys do their job. Turkey can come from literally every direction.
Image by Created Outdoors
Running and gunning is another great tactic if you have the property to do it. It takes a lot of room to be able to capitalize in this tactic. If you do not get the shot right off of the roost, try to determine where they are headed, and try to beat them there. If they beat you, try again. If you bump them, then try to find a different vocal Tom.
Archery hunting turkey can be very difficult. Turkey are small targets, and have lots of feathers to plug wounds. The difficulty level can make it more rewarding. Try hunting from a ground blind. Set your decoys less than ten yards from the blind. This will ensure that the birds that commit will reach bow range, and give you more room for forgiveness. Take your time, do not rush the shot. They are fidgety creatures. They rarely stand still, but they will eventually.
There just quite isn’t anything like hearing a turkey gobble from the roost for the first time each spring. Hearing the hens yelp back, letting the boss Tom know where they are. Letting out your own soft tree yelps and purrs may put you in the running. Watching Tom’s and Jenny’s fight for their rightful place. This is the real March Madness. Until next time, hunt hard, and pray harder.
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Written by,
Evan Gersper Created Outdoors Staff Writer
evan@createdoutdoors.com