The Turkey Season Go Get ‘Em Guide

As turkey season approaches, any hunter knows that success in the field starts long before opening day. Whether you're a seasoned pro or planning your first hunt, making sure you’re prepping for turkey season can be the difference between bringing home a trophy tom and going home empty-handed. Here's your go get ’em guide for the season:

Pattern Your Shotgun

The first step on your pre-season checklist should be patterning your shotgun. Different types of ammo will pair differently with your shotgun, so knowing how each combination performs is crucial. Head to the range (or your backyard, if you can) with the same ammo you plan to use during the season. Set up targets at various distances, typically from 20 to 40 yards, and take note of the results — carefully noting pattern density and point of impact. This will ensure you know your effective range and gives you the confidence to make ethical shots when it counts.

Master Your Calling

Nothing gets a turkey hunter's heart racing quite like a gobbler responding to a call. However, calling effectively takes practice – and lots of it. Start practicing your calls at least a month before the season opens. Focus on mastering basic yelps, clucks, and purrs before moving on to more complex sequences. You can practice in your car, garage, or anywhere you can get away with making turkey sounds without raising eyebrows (or annoying your spouse!) Remember, turkeys don't sound perfect in nature, so don't get discouraged if your calls aren't pristine.

Scout Your Territory

Understanding turkey behavior and knowing where they'll be is perhaps the most critical aspect of prepping for turkey season. It’s a good idea to start scouting several weeks before opening day to identify:

• Roost sites where turkeys spend the night
• Travel corridors between roosts and feeding areas
• Strut zones where toms display for hens
• Food sources like agricultural fields or mast-producing trees

Early morning and late afternoon are prime times to spot turkeys and observe their patterns. Look for tracks, droppings, and feathers to confirm turkey activity wherever you hunt.

Understanding turkey behavior and knowing where they'll be is perhaps the most critical aspect of prepping for turkey season.

Set Up Your Decoys

Quality decoys can be game-changers in the field. Before the season opens, practice setting up your decoys quickly and quietly. Experiment with different arrangements and learn how to position them based on wind direction and terrain. The ultra-lightweight design of decoys like Wiley Tom 3D and Miss Purrfect make them ideal for run-and-gun hunting situations, but only if you're familiar with rapid deployment.

Quality decoys, like Wiley Tom 3D, can be game-changers in the field.

Gear Check and Organization

Don't wait until opening day to discover issues with your equipment. Prepping for turkey season includes checking all your gear, such as:

• Your hunting vest and its contents
• Calls and call maintenance supplies
• Face mask and gloves
• Decoys and decoy stakes
• Safety harness (if you plan to hunt from an elevated position)
• License and regulations

Physical Preparation

Turkey hunting can often involve carrying heavy gear through rough terrain before dawn (a.k.a in the dark). It’s a good idea to start a basic exercise routine focusing on leg strength and cardio to build up endurance. Even short daily walks with your hunting boots and loaded vest can help prepare you for the demands of the season.

By investing time in prepping for turkey season, you'll be ready when that first gobbler sounds off on opening day. Remember, successful turkey hunting is about being prepared for the moment when opportunity presents itself. The work you put in before the season will pay dividends when you're sitting against a tree, calling in your target bird.