Turkey Hunting- Early Season Preparation
It goes without saying, that each year as spring turkey season approaches, most turkey hunters cannot wait for opening day!
When it comes to early season preparations, a few things are worth consideration to ensure success.
Aside from the normal prep such as patterning your shotgun, assembling calls, gear, or placing blinds, here are a few tips for early season preparation.
- Early season scouting- late winter turkeys will gradually disperse as spring approaches. Those winter birds may transition from thermal cover to spring green up food sources or other habitats.
- Match your camouflage to the time of season. From gray/brown to more green patterns.
- In hill country, turkeys will focus on south facing slopes in early season.
- Practice calling. Find a call type that you can play well and practice the language. If you are not confident or proficient with your calling, a good “push/pin” call will do the trick!
- Decoys- early season here in Wisconsin are the first week to ten days. Leave the hen decoys at home and use a single jake or strutter decoy. Or jake/strutter combination. Then transition to jake or strutter over a breeding hen.
- Mentally prepare yourself for early season dynamics. Most early season scenarios , at “fly down” will have some early breeding and pecking order, fighting, etc. taking place right away. Mentally prepare for this as your success will likely come in mid-morning.
