Spring time is Turkey time. Talk about an animal that was made to bowhunt. We get to call, decoy and most often the tom’s put on quite the show as they come gobbling and strutting in looking for love. It’s an absolute blast.

**Time to come to full draw and let your arrow eat!**

There are 6 different species of wild Turkey: The Eastern, Rio Grande, Merriam’s, Osceola, Gould’s and last but not least the Ocellated. All these birds are incredibly beautiful and a trophy tom makes an excellent mount. Those chasing the the Grand Slam of the NWTF need to take an Eastern, Rio Grande, Merriam’s and Osceola in order to complete it. This is an exciting and worthy undertaking to occupy us in the spring when we still have to wait several months to pursue the trophy bucks we can’t wait to go after.

With the exception of Alaska which doesn’t have a season, every other state in North America has a Turkey season that you can access. In most all of the states including my home state of California the Turkey populations are healthy and expanding.

There are several ways to bowhunt for Turkeys but the most common is decoying birds in…out of a blind. Turkeys have excellent eye sight and luckily can’t smell that well like a deer or elk can. So putting your blind in the right spot can often lead a mature tom right by your blind at top pin range or even less. Some folks also like to run and gun after the birds which is fun but can make bowhunting them very difficult. As without the blind they can easily pic you off even wearing the very best camo if you make any sudden movements. Make sure you are blacked out in the blind and even your hands are covered as well as your face. If not using a blind it’s best to completely cover up every part of you with a quality camouflage and move as slow as possible as the birds approach. Try to already be in position to draw your bow and ya better draw it slow.

In the morning, gobblers sound off to indicate their roosted position to hens. Any good turkey operation will know where multiple groups of birds are roosting due to scouting before and during the season. The best operations will have you in birds right out of the gate your first morning out.

**Roosted birds ready to start the day off right in your lap**

Turkeys may likely move off to a daytime location where the gobbler struts and the hens linger nearby, often feeding. By late morning, if hens are nesting, a big tom may find himself alone and looking for company. You can capitalize on this by trying to call him to your position. Afternoon birds, where seasons provide, may loaf in shady areas then begin to feed as daylight begins to fade. Put yourself between where turkeys have been and where they'll roost and you may kill one, too.

There is something special about having a tom coming in hard and gobbling his head off. As he gets closer you can literally feel the spitting and drumming vibrate through you and the blind. I have had birds at times gobble and blast the blind from just a few yards away. Once you experience that you will be hooked on turkey hunting forever.

Now for the bad news. Turkeys have very small vitals about the size of a dixie cup. It is really important you know where to shoot a turkey either head on, braodside or going away. So let’s take a look at the best aiming points shall we.

**Halfway up from where the beard comes out and half way down from the bottom of his red neck. Drop your arrow in there and its over for Mr. T**

This is IMO the toughest shot. The feathers can all blend together but if you pick your spot using the half way reference mentioned above between the beard and neck then you should be golden. I know it looks kind of high but trust me…it’s not.

The tail pipe! This shot I believe to be the easiest to pull off as it gives you the X-ring you have been waiting for. Hit him here and you are assured to recover your bird in short order and it will usually cause the least amount of damage to the b… — The tail pipe! This shot I believe to be the easiest to pull off as it gives you the X-ring you have been waiting for. Hit him here and you are assured to recover your bird in short order and it will usually cause the least amount of damage to the birds feathers and skin.

One last thing regarding shot placement. It has been my experience that if you can take your shot when the tom is NOT in strut then that can actually enlarge the target for you as when the bird IS in strut all those feathers get puffed out like a big pillow. So if at all possible be patient and wait him out.

As far as broadhead choice goes I can’t recommend highly enough a large 2” or better expandable such as a Rage or Grim Reaper on the business end of your arrow. When bowhunting Turkeys a little extra blade can make ALL the difference between poking a hole in a perfectly good trophy or killing your quarry quick and clean. So aim carefully, pick your spot and let it fly.

Let’s not forget the table fare as the breast meat from a wild turkey is exceptional. Cut narrow slices of turkey breast up with a thin slice of a serrano pepper and wrap it in a paper thin slice of prosciutto and put that on the grill and see for yourself how delectable a prize it is.

Turkeys are plentiful and we offer some of the best Turkey hunting available today. Lot’s of birds means lot’s of opportunity and the chance for you to harvest multiple birds. We can accommodate individual hunters to large groups. We can arrange for all species of Turkey from the east coast to the west coast. So if you are interested in getting out after some gobblers this spring please contact us.

We look forward to hearing from you and discussing the opportunity to get out on your own spring fling this season. Until then, dream big and hunt hard.

See ya soon family!

The Spring Fling Series Part 1

Bow and Arrow Adventures

Join The Hunt