Posted by Ashley Case & Josh Wolfe on May 30, 2018

WHAT I THINK HAPPENS ON A TURKEY HUNT

Ashley Case: I’m no hunter. Besides that small-frame uncle who hunts black bears in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, I don’t even come from a family of sportsmen. Despite my lack of knowledge in that field, I’ve decided to give a break down of what I think happens on a turkey hunt.

Josh Wolfe: I’ve been turkey hunting about 20 years. And though I’ve killed my fair share of longbeards, I’m not sure I’d ever consider myself an “expert.” That said, I do have a pretty good grasp on what happens, or can happen, throughout the course of a day in the turkey woods.

I’m going to do my best to guide Ashley along as to what she thinks happens versus what really happens.

What I think happens: Going on a turkey hunt, I imagine waking up before dawn in order to get out in the fields or woods. I would assume getting out as early as possible is the main goal, so having coffee before the hunt seems impossible. Bringing coffee to go is probably what most hunters do.

What actually happens: Coffee is pretty essential to some and unnecessary for others. But, most turkey hunters are going to get their caffeine fix before heading out into the woods. Turkey hunting, for the most part, is about traveling light and moving quickly. A thermos would be a burden.

What I think happens: Breakfast, like coffee, seems difficult to fit in the schedule. I know fueling up for a hunt is important, though. I would guess hunters take easy to grab breakfasts such as fruit or energy bars.

What actually happens: If you’re driving a ways to your hunting spot, a gas station biscuit is hard to beat. But if you’re walking out the back door, a granola bar or something easy will hold you over until you’re able to break for a proper breakfast.

What I think happens: Now it’s time to go to the fields or woods. I always hear about hunters having a “spot” that they keep top secret from other hunters. I assume this area is on a hunter’s own property or on a property of one of their hunting buddies. Either way, I imagine lots of walking. This is where they eat their to go breakfast and probably chit-chat about what they expect to happen on the hunt.

What actually happens: Not far off. Any hunter who has done some preseason scouting is going to know the location of roosting trees, strut zones and feeding areas. And they will walk a good spell to get there. Arriving early to the given area is ideal, but for me personally, I’ve been fooled by ol’ Tom so many times I wouldn’t dare talk about what I think will happen… because it never does.

What I think happens: Once they get to this classified area, it’s probably time to set up their hunting gear. This would be the time when the decoys are staged and everyone gets their weapons of choice ready to go.

What actually happens: I’d typically arrive in this area and make a few locator calls, like a hoot owl, to see if any gobblers are roosting nearby. If I get a response, then I’ll ease closer and set up. You should really only have one shooter per hunt. If there are multiple people, the non-shooters will call or possibly run the camera. Safety first.

What I think happens: Now, based on the three hunting stories I’ve heard over the course of my life, I know this is now the waiting time. This is when the hunters take a nice early morning nap in a tree or in tall grass. I don’t know how they know when a turkey is nearby if they’re sleeping, so I imagine one of the hunters takes guard duty to keep an eye out. I’m sure they all want a nap, so I imagine they rotate who’s on guard.

What actually happens: Well, this sounds like a movie. A mid-morning nap is more like it. Turkeys are really active first thing, so sleeping is definitely against the rules. They have such great eyesight that it’d be nearly impossible to sit up, grab your gun, and make a clean shot. That is, of course, unless you’re hunting in a blind, which I’ve never done.

What I think happens: I imagine this sitting and sleeping time goes on for roughly two hours. I’m not completely sure if the goal is to actually get a turkey during this time frame or if it’s just a way to catch up on missed sleep from the night before.

What actually happens: Depends what type of hunting camp this is. Sure, some use hunting as a getaway to play cards, smoke cigars and sleep. But for me, turkey hunting is my favorite pastime. While, I may participate in any of those aforementioned activities, I’ll forego sleep during the early morning hours of a turkey hunt.

What I think happens: After sitting around for most of the morning with no luck, it’s time to do some more walking. This where I imagine hunters walk around the prime hunting grounds in hopes of seeing a turkey.

What actually happens: “Sitting around” is a funny way to put it, though you do some sitting. If spot number one turns out cold, walking around to locate a bird is a definite. In fact, being able to move from spot to spot is my favorite part about turkey hunting. You’re not confined to one place like you would be during deer season.

What I think happens: I’m sure after all that walking and napping the hunters have to be hungry. Since it’s probably around mid-morning now, it’s time for lunch, which I assume is more stale tasting energy bars and maybe a sandwich or two if they packed it that morning.

What actually happens: The Hungry Hunter: How to Eat in the Woods should be the title of a book. Hey, most energy bars made these days are pretty darn good. If you had the foresight to pack a sandwich, then you’re in for a lunch fit for a king. Then, followed by a nap. Or, it may be back to the same gas station where you had breakfast if the deli has transitioned to the lunch menu.

What I think happens: During this walking time is when I assume a turkey is spotted. I imagine the hunters get very quiet and use one of their calls to lure the bird. If there’s a group, I would think that only one hunter can shoot. My guess is that they let the children get the bird, or if there is no child, they probably flip a coin.

What actually happens: Sometimes a turkey is spotted while walking though mostly they respond to a call - nine times out of 10 a turkey will see you first, and be long gone before you know they were ever there. And for the sake of agility, you should always determine who the shooter is going to be before the hunt. You set up your decoys, get the shooter in place and arrange your calls when you get a gobbler to respond. It’s a great idea to take a kid hunting and let them have the first shot. But leave the coin at home. Turkeys have an innate ability to hear sounds unnatural to their world, and there’s probably not much coin tossing happening out there.

What I think happens: If the hunt is successful, then you get to carry the bird home to your family. You probably brag a bit to the other hunters on how great of a hunt it was. If you’re not successful, I imagine they use that long walk to discuss what they did right or wrong and how to improve for the next hunt.

What actually happens: Be wary of bragging. That said, the long walk back to camp with a gobbler in tote is a good feeling. On the other end, an unsuccessful hunt, I’ve been on silent walks and excitable ones. Really depends if there was a missed shot. All in all, time spent outdoors whether you harvest a turkey or not is the best part about spring.