All told, he has helped put well over 50 toms in the freezer, every one taken on public land.

So, how does Dan do it? I've spent many days in the woods with old T.D., and what follows are his answers to questions I've asked him over several seasons.

Rocky Mountain Game & Fish: What's your secret?

Turkey Dan: Effort, plain and simple. I cover ground all day, everyday until I find what I'm looking for.

G&F: And what, exactly, are you looking for? TD: Turkeys are like any other animal. Food-water-shelter is critical for their survival. In New Mexico, most turkeys are found between 7,500 and 9,000 feet elevation, in the ponderosa pine forest.

That takes care of the shelter part, including the roosting trees. Almost every roost I've ever seen has been a big ponderosa, usually on the edge of a fairly deep canyon. As for food, in fall and winter, it's acorns, pine nuts, piñon nuts and grass seed -- in that order. In spring and summer, it's generally green grass, berries and insects, although they eat certain flower blossoms and any seeds and nuts they find at that time of year, as well as worms when they find them.

G&F: It seems like you have a gift for locating turkeys, even in places you've never been before. There's got to be other things you look for.

TD: One thing I always look for is the snowline. As the snowline moves higher and higher up the mountain, the flocks follow, feeding on the fresh grass coming up.

G&F: How often do you call?

TD: When I'm scouting new ground, I call every 100 yards or so, sort of trolling through, hoping for an answer. On the other hand, if I know there are birds close by, I call very little until I'm set up exactly where I want. Been busted too many times over the years, and educated gobblers will take a lot of your time with no results.

G&F: What type of calls do you use? And what sounds do you try to make?

TD: I use latex diaphragm calls, primarily easy to carry, hands-free. Box calls, slate calls all the other stuff works great, if you are calling for someone else. If you are hunting alone, as I often do, you need to have both hands free while coaxing a bird in. As for sounds, I concentrate on hen noises -- mostly loud yelps for locating hot gobblers, then purrs and clucks for bringing them in. I sometimes use a crow call to induce shock-gobbling, but that's something I do pretty sparingly.

G&F: What about blinds, or electronic callers?

TD: Too much weight!

I might cover 10 miles or more in a single day, and all of it up and down mountains, across canyons and that type of stuff. I don't want to be carrying anything I won't absolutely need to kill a turkey.

G&F: How much does the weather determine success? And what are the best conditions for turkey hunting in this area?