Skip to main content

Spring Turkey Season Checklist

Keep an eye out for snakes and ticks, but don't let a tom spot you.

Spring Turkey Season Checklist

Shutterstock image

Author Gayne C. Young, who also knows about great spring turkey hot spots in Texas, offers these things to keep in mind on your next turkey hunt, wherever that may be.

  • Spring is prime time for snakes. Protect yourself with snake boots or snake-proof chaps such as those by TurtleSkin. And check surroundings before sitting and reaching for downed gobblers!
  • Babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, alpha-gal and more are just a few tick-borne diseases found in the U.S. Protect yourself by treating clothing worn afield with permethrin and ALWAYS wearing repellant.
  • Turkeys have phenomenal eyesight and will react immediately to anything spooking them. Wear camouflage from head to toe and don’t forget gloves and facemask.
  • Sit against a wide tree or bush to help break up your silhouette.
  • Always examine your setup! Look for snakes, thorns and other nuisances on the ground. Ensure vegetation is clear enough to allow a shot. Add more cover where needed.
  • Ensure you have valid ID and proper licenses for your state at all times while afield.
  • Tag your turkey correctly and immediately after harvesting. Keep proof of sex (leg with spur, patch of feathers with beard) attached until you get home.
  • Slate and mouth calls are great but simply can’t compete with a box call’s volume. Box calls are especially beneficial on windy days.
  • Pattern your shotgun before heading afield and become comfortable holding it while sitting.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters.
Videos

Mow in a Flash to Catch More Bass

Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters.
Gear

Grouper Success Starts With the Right Gear

Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters.
Gear

Target Lighted Docks for a Snook-Filled Midsummer Night

Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters.
Videos

As Seasons Change, Cutting It Just Right Creates More Time for Fishing

Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters.
Fishing

Bass Crash Course: Side-Imaging Fishing Sonar

Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters.
Hunting

Turkey-Hunting Brothers Part 2: Minnesota Spring Gobblers with Friends

Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters.
Fishing

Bass Crash Course: Down Imaging and 2D Sonar

Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters.
Fishing

Bass Crash Course: Intro to Sonar

Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters.
Hunting

Turkey-Hunting Brothers Part 1: Texas Comes to Minnesota

Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters.
Hunting

The Rook 2.0 Wins Out

Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters.
Hunting

Early Morning Minnesota Slam Dunk

Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters.
Hunting

Father & Son Iowa Double Gobbler: Video

Game & Fish Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Game & Fish App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now