Anticipation Grows For The Spring Turkey Hunt
Okay, I’ll be the first to admit…it’s not the best picture of a bearded Tom…but when you consider that this picture was taken by a trail camera mounted to a tree positioned within 10 feet of where I plan to turkey hunt next week…ahhhh, the hunting gods appear to be shining down quite favorably on me. Indeed, at precisely 9:06am on Saturday, April 15th this bird made a cameo appearance running past my trail (deer) cam.
I’m slotted to turkey hunt next week April 27th thru May 1st. In Minnesota, our turkey hunt system allows eligible hunters to apply for a 5–day time slot within a particular zone. My season just so happens to begin next Thursday and with signs like this things are looking quite hopeful for my spring 2006 turkey hunt.
What makes this hunt even more special is that I am hunting on my own land. Oh sure, there have been turkeys witnessed on the farm for probably the past 10 years…but only in recent years have their numbers been such to make hunting them a worthwhile prospect. To my knowledge no other person (unless someone has trespassed) has ever shot a turkey on this land in modern history. I know that sounds pretty bold…but after all, my family has owned this farm for 150 years so I do have a little knowledge of past history here.
Today I was showing my good friend Jeff around in some of the areas where I plan to turkey hunt and he offered some great advice. Jeff, you see, is one of the most hard-core hunters I know. I bet there isn’t a waking hour that goes by during the day that his thoughts aren’t on some facet of hunting. Seriously! When the topic turns to hunting a person would be a fool not to heed his advice.
So when I told Jeff where I planned to place my turkey blind in the next day or so he had some different thoughts. Instead, he encouraged me to move the blind about 15 feet away to a slightly different location. His “read” on the landscape, even though much like mine, urged him to anticipate birds from somewhat of a different direction than I was expecting. Hey, when it comes to hunting who really knows…but with experience you get a certain “gut feeling” that tells you how to play the odds.
After Jeff and I left the woods I thought quite a bit about our 20 minutes spent out discussing set-up strategy in the woods. Understand Jeff is not turkey hunting with me…he was just there to give some well-educated, independent advice. And what sage advice it will likely prove to be. The spot I have chosen for turkey hunting actually lies near a waterway…separating two fields. Moreover, the backside overlooks a small meadow area that is quite well wooded with moderately thick, mature trees for cover. I believe it to be one of the most perfect set-up spots from which I have ever turkey hunted.
To be a successful turkey hunter distance to the bird means everything. So does too much cover that might disrupt an otherwise great shot. That’s why whether you plop your butt down next to a tree…or set-up a blind in a “perfect” location…there are lots of variables to consider if you want to consistently score on a bird. And that’s another good reason to take a knowledgeable friend out in the woods with you to get a different perspective on things. Next week Jeff will not actually be hunting with me…but his input could mean the difference between a smile appearing on my face and having to live with disappointment for yet another year.
The problem I just related is particularly true if you have hunted an area for years with only marginal success. Call the person a hunting consultant, if you will…but when businesses need to shake things up they bring in an outside person for some new ideas. Hunters sometimes could benefit by doing the same strategy. When you get so familiar with doing things a certain way sometimes you overlook the obvious, which might be the missing piece of the puzzle you need to achieve success. At least, I sure hope so because the next picture I take of a wild turkey hopefully includes me in as part of the shot!! 
© 2006 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.