With the arrival of spring, many people look forward to nice weather and to getting outside. The gobbling of a turkey or witnessing a tom approaching your decoy in full strut are among a hunter’s favorite springtime sounds. There’s no better feeling than hearing a turkey gobble in Colorado, where public access and hunting grounds are easily accessible, and over-the-counter turkey hunting licenses are easily obtained and reasonably priced.
As a hunter, you constantly experiment and push the boundaries to develop the most effective strategies. Here are a few tips that you can use to create a successful hunt this spring.
In reality, if you have turkeys near you, the rest is fairly easy. The biggest mistake is not being near turkeys. However, despite spending days in the field calling and having excellent blind and decoy sets, many hunters return home empty-handed. Many hunters even point the finger at themselves when they make mistakes like calling turkeys poorly or using the wrong set. But I think the first and most important step is to locate birds and make sure you are on them before approaching or moving in any way.
The evening before your first day in the field is the ideal time to go hunting because you can spend important time scouting, locating, and roosting turkeys (figuring out where they are spending the night). That way the next morning you know exactly where to go. If you are unable to scout and locate birds the day before, your best bet is to find them early in the morning while they are still in their roost.
Turkeys tend to be very vocal from the comfort of their roost early in the morning. I usually try to hunt in the early morning when these birds are speaking from their roost, covering as much ground as possible. I will hike, ride an ATV or cover ground in my vehicle until I locate birds. Generally speaking, I hope to hear them talking without encouragement. But if they are not freely talking, then I can gobble to these birds. It’s funny, but I literally put my finger in my mouth and gurgle to accomplish this. More times then not, they answer back and reveal their location. Turkeys that are anxious or that have not yet learned to speak might need an answer before they will eat them. My favorite technique for this is using an air horn. Yes, you read correctly: turkeys respond to my brief air bursts by gobbling back and revealing their location.
Calling all turkey hunters! Colorado offers a diverse landscape teeming with wild turkeys, making it a prime destination for spring and fall hunts Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a novice looking for your first gobbler, this guide will help you navigate the best turkey hunting locations in Colorado
Top Turkey Hunting Spots in Colorado:
- Southwest and Western Colorado: These regions boast the highest turkey populations in the state, with top-producing counties like Archuleta, Delta, Garfield, Mesa, and Yuma. The diverse terrain, including mountains, mesas, and canyons, provides ample habitat for these elusive birds.
- Southern Front Range: This area offers a mix of grasslands, foothills, and ponderosa pine forests, creating ideal conditions for Merriam’s turkeys. Counties like El Paso, Fremont, and Pueblo are known for their healthy turkey populations.
- Northwestern Colorado: While not as abundant as in the Southwest, turkeys can be found in the river valleys and canyons of northwestern Colorado. Counties like Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt offer opportunities for a successful hunt.
- Central Colorado: The mountainous terrain of central Colorado presents a challenging but rewarding turkey hunting experience. Look for birds in the aspen groves, meadows, and along the edges of conifer forests in counties like Chaffee, Gunnison, and Lake.
Tips for Finding Turkeys in Colorado:
- Scout the area: Before heading out, spend time scouting potential turkey hotspots. Look for signs of turkey activity, such as tracks, droppings, and feathers. Listen for gobbles in the early morning hours.
- Use decoys and calls: Decoys and calls can be effective tools for attracting turkeys. Experiment with different types of decoys and calls to see what works best in the area you’re hunting.
- Be patient: Turkey hunting requires patience and persistence. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see turkeys right away. Keep moving and calling, and eventually, you’ll find success.
- Respect private property: Always obtain permission before hunting on private land. Respect the land and leave it as you found it.
Additional Considerations:
- Hunting regulations: Be sure to familiarize yourself with Colorado’s turkey hunting regulations before heading out. These regulations cover season dates, bag limits, and licensing requirements.
- Safety: Always prioritize safety when hunting. Wear blaze orange clothing, handle your firearm responsibly, and be aware of your surroundings.
- Gear: Invest in quality turkey hunting gear, including camouflage clothing, a comfortable backpack, and a reliable shotgun or bow.
Embrace the Adventure:
Turkey hunting in Colorado offers an unforgettable outdoor experience. With its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and challenging terrain, the Centennial State provides a perfect setting for a successful and memorable hunt. So grab your gear, head to the hills, and get ready to experience the thrill of chasing gobblers in Colorado!
Three Options for Setting Up Your Hunt
Let’s talk about your approach when deciding where to set up. There are three options when planning a setup.
If you know where birds are roosting, begin approaching the roost prior to sunrise. Set up a decoy and conceal yourself as close to the roosting area as possible. Stealth is the name of the game with this approach.
When hunting in agricultural fields or on flatter terrain, turkeys often establish excellent daily feeding patterns. If you can identify a pattern with turkeys in a feeding area, this is a great way to be successful. Set up a blind or hide in these areas where the birds are feeding daily. And simply wait. Again, getting into these areas undetected is key. Aim to arrive in these locations at least one or two hours before you anticipate the birds’ arrival.
When hunting mountain birds, I usually find that the run and gun method works best because their daily patterns are not as consistent as those of birds in flatter terrain. When I say “run and gun,” I usually mean to call to the turkeys, and when they come, I chase after them. The most common mistake hunters make when using this tactic is setting up immediately and assuming the turkey will cross the entire field to get to them.
Well…turkey hunting can be thought of like a relationship. If all partners in the relationship commit at least 20% of their energy and commitment to the other partner, the relationship will be robust, healthy, and generally good. On the other hand, if one member spends 90% of their time in Turkey and the other 10% of their time in the Hunter, then successful relationships are uncommon. Back to turkeys… Many hunters find birds whether hearing or seeing them and immediately set up. And when you really think about it, this is the exact scenario in which the hunter enters the country in 2010 and expectations are that Turkey will enter the country in 90% of cases and cover the majority of the ground to enter the hunter. I’m not saying it doesn’t work but there are many occasions that it doesn’t. When I hear a bird calling, I will head towards the turkey and cut the distance down. I continue moving in the direction of the turkey until I am 100% positive that the bird can hear me and/or that I have the turkey’s attention and that it is heading in my direction. Once I know the bird is committed, then I set up.
Safety is the most important factor! The best way to prevent an accident in the field is to hunt safely. As you prepare for the hunt, consider these ten tactics and incorporate them into your safe hunting strategy: 1 Steer clear of apparel that matches the colors of a turkey. Red, white, and blue are the colors found in wild birds. 2. Protect your back. Find a tree or rock outcropping to back up against and protect your backside. This could protect you from the hunter’s pellets in addition to providing cover for the area you can’t see clearly when they approach your location. 3. Camouflage from head to toe. This will help you avoid being seen by an approaching gobbler and remain hidden from any other hunters who might be passing by. If another hunter is approaching your position, remain still and call to the hunter in a clear voice. Do not whistle or use a call. Announce your presence without movement. 4. Place the decoys where you can see the gobbler approaching your “gun side” to avoid having to move to take a shot. This placement also prevents you from being in direct line of sight of your decoy in the unlikely event that an unseen hunter tries to shoot it. 5. When traveling to a hunting area, moving decoys, or moving a harvested bird, wear hunter orange (a vest or hat). Place the harvested bird in a game bag or wrap the bird in an orange vest. DO NOT sling a harvested bird over your shoulder and walk out of your hunting area. 6. Always look beyond your target to ensure the area is safe. Do not shoot sky-lined birds, not even with a shotgun. 7. Clearly identify your target as a legal bird. In the spring turkey season, a bird must have a visible beard. Do not shoot at movement in the brush, even if you hear a gobble. 8. Do not carry a loaded firearm in your vehicle. Completely unload the firearm before traveling. 9. Inspect your ammunition before your hunt. Ensure you are carrying the correct gauge of ammunition for the shotgun you are carrying. Remember, you will typically be loading your firearm in the dark. 10. Never stalk a wild turkey. The enjoyment of the spring season is calling the bird to you. Given the quantity of lifelike decoys available nowadays, the person you are pursuing might just be another hunter. .
COLORADO PUBLIC LAND MERRIAMS! Turkey hunting
FAQ
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