The year the first-ever fall turkey hunt was scheduled to take place in my home state of Wisconsin, I was in Tennessee on a spring turkey hunting trip and asked my hosts for advice on their autumn turkey hunting methods. A hunter uses his compass to scatter a flock of turkeys in all directions. He then sets up and tries to call the lost and lonely birds back in to re-group with their flockmates. This is the classic scatter-and-call-back scenario.
Those guys had several long Appalachian ridgelines at their disposal, with multiple turkey flocks roaming the hills. There must be another way, I thought to myself, thinking of the two small farms back home where I could go turkey hunting. Why would I shoot at and terrify the very turkeys that I had spent the entire fall hunting, then booger and try to call back?
As a result, I decided to hunt flocks of turkeys “scatter-free,” which means that I would pursue them just like I would if I were hunting deer. Here’s the eight-step process that I have developed since then.
Fall turkey hunting offers a unique and exciting challenge for experienced and novice hunters alike Unlike the fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping hunts of spring, fall turkey hunting requires a more strategic and patient approach This guide will delve into the intricacies of fall turkey hunting, providing you with the knowledge and tactics you need to successfully bag a bird in the autumn.
Understanding Fall Turkeys
Unlike spring where the focus is on toms, fall turkey hunting allows you to target a wider range of birds, including hens, jakes (young males), and jennies (young females). These birds typically travel in family flocks or mixed-sex groups, making them more challenging to locate and call in.
Fall turkeys are driven by two primary instincts: survival and feeding. They spend a significant amount of time foraging for food, making them predictable in their movements. Understanding their feeding patterns and preferred food sources is crucial for developing a successful hunting strategy.
Scouting for Fall Turkeys
Scouting is paramount to success in fall turkey hunting. Unlike spring, when turkeys are more vocal and easier to locate, fall birds tend to be quieter and more elusive Therefore, it’s essential to invest time in observing their movements and patterns
Focus on identifying areas with abundant food sources, such as fields with leftover crops, acorns, or other natural food sources. Look for signs of turkey activity, such as tracks, droppings, and feathers. Pay attention to the time of day and the direction the birds are traveling.
Hunting Strategies for Fall Turkeys
There are two primary approaches to fall turkey hunting: ambush and calling.
Ambush Hunting:
This method involves setting up in a strategic location where turkeys are likely to pass by, such as near a food source or along a travel route. Patience is key, as you may need to wait for hours before a bird comes within range.
Calling:
Calling is a more active approach that involves using various turkey calls to attract birds within shooting range. This method requires a good understanding of turkey vocalizations and the ability to mimic them accurately.
Essential Fall Turkey Hunting Tips
Here are some additional tips to enhance your fall turkey hunting success:
- Use a variety of calls: Experiment with different calls, such as yelps, clucks, purrs, and kee-kees, to entice turkeys.
- Be patient: Fall turkeys can be wary and cautious, so it’s important to be patient and wait for the right opportunity.
- Use proper camouflage: Wear camouflage clothing that blends in with the surrounding environment.
- Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to wind direction and other factors that could affect your scent and visibility.
- Respect the birds and the environment: Always follow ethical hunting practices and ensure you have the proper licenses and permits.
Fall Turkey Hunting: A Rewarding Experience
Fall turkey hunting offers a unique and rewarding experience for hunters of all skill levels. By understanding the behavior of fall turkeys, employing effective scouting and hunting strategies, and adhering to ethical practices, you can increase your chances of successfully bagging a bird in the autumn.
Additional Resources:
- MeatEater: Fall Turkey Hunting Tips
- Outdoor Life: 8-Step Strategy for Hunting Fall Turkeys Without Scattering Them
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is the best time of day to hunt fall turkeys?
Since fall turkeys are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, these are usually the best times of day to hunt them.
- What type of shotgun is best for fall turkey hunting?
For fall turkey hunting, a 12-gauge shotgun with a 3-inch chamber and a modified choke is a good option.
- What type of camouflage should I wear for fall turkey hunting?
Wear camouflage clothing that blends in with the surrounding environment, such as brown, green, and tan.
- Do I need a license to hunt fall turkeys?
Yes, you need a valid hunting license and any necessary permits to hunt fall turkeys.
Fall turkey hunting is an exciting and challenging pursuit that requires a combination of knowledge, skill, and patience. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can increase your chances of success and enjoy the unique rewards of fall turkey hunting.
Common Fall Turkey food Sources:
- Greens: In the early fall, pastures, hay fields, alfalfa fields, and meadows are still green. These areas are vital because they are home to high-protein insects that serve as young birds’ feeding grounds.
- Acorns: Do you live in an area with any oak trees? Wild turkeys will forgo all other foods, such as greens, food plots, and grains, when acorns are falling or easily accessible.
- Crops: Grain stubble looks good after harvest, especially if there isn’t a bumper crop of acorns to keep the birds in the woods. Turkeys prefer corn over soybeans, in that order of preference. Where wheat is still grown, it is beneficial, and birds also like sunflowers and milo.
Understand Fall Turkeys
Everywhere fall turkeys are hunted, any bird is legal game. That means adult hens, young-of-the-year males (known as jakes), young-of-the-year hens (often called jennies), and, of course, gobblers.
Instead of hunting fall gobblers, who congregate in loose bachelor groups though they are definitely huntable, we’ll leave fall gobblers for spring and spend our time here talking about all those other (and very tasty) birds.
Hens, jennies, and jakes travel in family flocks. As fall goes on, a couple of hens will sometimes join forces, and broods, to make super flocks. Some jakes become extremely boisterous even though they are released into their own curious and boisterous juvenile flocks that are very talkative and fun to hunt. Hens that didn’t pull off broods often group up together too.
These are the birds you’ll be targeting. And they all have two things in common: They’re naturally curious, and they eat a lot. Those are the main factors you’ll play on.
Scout fall turkeys like you would whitetails. That means carefully, and from a distance as much as possible, so the birds don’t know you’re around. Vantage points, vehicles, eyeballs, and binoculars are your best scouting tools. If you can figure out what the turkeys do every day without letting them know about your activities, you’re in serious trouble.
One of its beauties is that you really don’t have to get serious about fall turkey scouting until a few days before the season starts. As fall progresses and the landscape changes almost daily, turkeys are continually changing their feeding and movement patterns.
However, this also means that later in the season, when the fields are brown, the acorns have dropped, and the grainfields have been harvested, the behavior of the turkeys will differ greatly from that of the birds at the start of the season, when the forest is blanketed with leaves and the meadows are full of greenery and insects.