Turkey Hunting Tips and Tactics

So you want to be a better turkey hunter? We want to help! The National Wild Turkey Federation is working hard to make sure that hunting, especially turkey hunting, continues to be a tradition in this country.

To that end, we've created lists of tips and tactics to help new hunters get started and to help experienced hunters keep their tradition alive. This list grows all the time, so check back frequently to find the latest tips and tactics that will help make you into a better turkey hunter!

We start with some safety tips . . .

Safety First!

Tactics by Species and Subspecies
The Osceola Wild Turkey
The Gould's Wild Turkey
The Merriam's Wild Turkey

Preseason Preparation:

Get the Right Gear
Turkey Hunters Checklist
Picking the Right Shotgun
What you Need For Muzzleloading
Keep your Camo from Fading

Other Preseason Tips
Find Public Land to Hunt
Make Sure to Thank the Landowner
Getting a Child Ready for Turkey Hunting

Spring Hunting Tips:

Locating Gobblers
Why Did He Do That?
Picking Out the Dominant Gobbler

Setting Up
Find the Open Places
Stumps Make Natural Blinds

Using Decoys:
Decoy Safety

Calling:
Calling Tips

Shooting:
Sight in Your Shotgun
Learn to Judge Distances
Picking the Right Choke Tube
Range Estimation Made Easy

Scoring your bird:
How to Score a Turkey

Cleaning and Cooking Your Bird
How to Clean a Turkey
Wild Turkey Recipes

Preserving your trophy
Make a Turkey Cape
Mounting Your Turkey's Fan
Make a Spur Necklace

Fall Hunting Tips:

Quick Targets for Fall
Scout Deer While Fall Turkey Hunting
Records Help To Figure Out the Difference Between Spring and Fall Tactics