Having a productive turkey season starts with pre-season prep. (Shutterstock photo)
February 14, 2025
By Larry Case
It’s February, and many of you are already thinking about just one thing, and it ain’t Valentine’s Day. It is, of course, the spring turkey season. Now, just to be clear, I probably think it is too early for all of this turkey stuff just yet. You know, the “I heard one gobble this morning, I saw three strutting in farmer Brown’s field yesterday and what choke are you going to “run” on a Mossberg 500 shotgun this year?”
In thinking about it a little bit more, however, maybe it is not too early (Florida season starts this month). That is, maybe it’s not too early for all of the “gettin’ ready” part. This is the time leading up to the wonderful madness that makes up the Spring season of chasing crazy gobbling turkeys. Here are a few ideas that will help with getting that big gobbler to come home with you.
Scout, Scout, Scout Even if you hunt the same farm or area every year, scouting is important. Get off the couch, quit binging on “Justified” and “Meateater” episodes for a while and get into the woods. Nothing beats walking the area you are going to hunt to see what is going on in the turkeys’ neighborhood. Again, even if you usually hunt the same area, things can change. Maybe the mast—the natural food in the area—did not hit like it did last year. Changes in where the food is will always affect where the turkeys (or any other game animal) are located. Find the food, and you will find the birds.
So, what is the main food source in your area? In many wooded areas east of the Big Muddy, it is usually acorns. If there was a good crop of oak mast (acorns) in the area, turkeys are likely still finding and feeding on them. If the oak mast failed or was sparse, turkeys will find something to eat, and they are not bashful about traveling far and wide to find it. If you are in an agricultural area, it might be easy. Turkeys will be in cut or picked cornfields—same for soybean fields. Farmers often plant winter wheat or rye in the fall, and if these fields are green in the winter and early spring, they can really draw turkeys.
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Turkeys in a bare cornfield are easy to spot, but what are you looking for in the big woods, as in National Forest areas? A flock of turkeys feeding in the hardwoods usually leave a lot of sign, as in scratching. Scratching in the leaves is the number one indicator that you have turkeys in the area. It shouldn’t be too hard to distinguish between smoking hot, fresh scratching and some from a few weeks ago or back in winter. Dark moist earth in the scratching area with the leaves that have been moved aside usually indicate that it is fresh, and the turkeys are probably close by.
When checking the pattering, shoot from a bench as you would sighting in a rifle. Start at 25 yards with standard field loads or “low brass” shells. (Photo by Larry Case) Other sign will be evident as well if you have turkeys around. You should be able to spot droppings that turkeys will leave. The hook or J-shaped droppings are usually gobblers, and round, popcorn-looking droppings are associated with hens. My personal favorite can be found around mudholes, and that is the big three-toed tracks of an old gobbler. Also, finding fresh feathers shows that you are in the right territory.
Pattern That Shotgun It is easy to argue what might be your most important piece of gear, but if you are wanting to have turkeys come home for dinner with you, I say it is your scattergun. Once upon a time, many of us used the same shotgun for everything from ducks and rabbits to deer and geese. Now many of us have a shotgun specifically for turkeys. While there is nothing wrong with that, you can still shoot turkeys with the same shotgun you use for mallards and bunnies.
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The main issue with the gun we use for long-bearded gobblers is most of us have no idea how it shoots, as in what it will do on paper. Many of us still believe the “Well, you really can’t miss with a shotgun” mantra and many broken hearts and problems in the turkey woods start there. The answer is really quite simple; time on the range and on a bench to see where all those pellets are actually going to go.
Go to the range on a day when you have the time to do this, don’t rush it. I have seen more than a few instances where a hunter hurries out to a range, sets up a Bud Light can or a Wheaties box, lets fly with one round, looks at the target and declares “That’s good enough.” The idea here is to have a target and paper around it so you can see where the pattern is going. (At least a 3-foot-square of paper, more is better).
Patterning your turkey shotgun is critical is achieving the same point of aim and point of impact. (Photo by Larry Case) Shoot from a bench as you would sighting in a rifle. Start at 25 yards with standard field loads or “low brass” shells. There is no need for the expense of using magnum turkey loads or hammering your shoulder while you are doing it. Shoot at least a couple rounds to start at the 25-yard line. Is the pattern centered on what you aimed at? All you really need is a dot on the paper to aim at. Put the dot inside a 10- or 12-inch circle if you wish. (The 10-inch circle is really big these days with turkey load patterning enthusiasts).
Here is what you are trying to determine first: Is the shotgun’s Point of Aim (POA) the same as its Point of Impact (POI)? The POA is what you are aiming for. The POI is where the pattern of pellets actually strikes the target. Don’t kid yourself, on a lot of shotguns they are not the same. It should go without saying that you need to be properly positioned on the gun, your cheek firmly against the stock, and looking directly down the rib and the sights. If the PIO and the PIA are a good bit different after shooting several rounds of ammo, you have some different options about what to do.
Patterning your turkey shotgun is critical is achieving the same point of aim and point of impact. (Photo by Larry Case) A shotgun barrel can be corrected and “straightened” by a qualified gunsmith if the POA and the POI are different. It usually involves a lot of banging the barrel on something solid, and you may not want to watch (Remember I said a qualified gunsmith). An easier method is to simply mount an optic on your shotgun. If you haven’t tried one yet, a red-dot optic is a great asset on a turkey gun, and most hunters like center POI. I would not recommend the old “I know this gun shoots to the right, so I will hold a little to the left” method. In the heat of battle with a gobbler, remembering that usually goes out the window. Sight in your shotgun so that you know where the pattern is going, and there is no guess work.
Turkey Gear Prep After your shotgun, the most important piece of gear is arguably a good turkey call. (I like to make a case that it is your boots.) The trend today seems to be to carry as many calls into the woods as a medium-sized sporting goods store. Do you really need two box calls, three pot or slate type calls, a couple locator calls, and at least a dozen diaphragm calls? I’m not sure that you do, but that will come down to personal preference. Myself, I would like to get to the point of carrying only two extra shells and three diaphragm calls, but we are not there yet.
After your shotgun, the most important piece of gear is arguably a good turkey call. (Photo by Larry Case) Box calls usually only need to have some chalk applied to get ready for the season. If you think you need to do a little sanding on the box call, do so very lightly with fine sandpaper. Check out your diaphragm call stache and if you need a few new ones, now is the time to order them. Diaphragm calls don’t last forever. If they haven’t been stored in a cool, dry place like the refrigerator, they may be toast.
Your turkey vest may be in good shape, but consider cleaning it out for the new year. All the Debbie Cake wrappers, turkey feathers, a box turtle shell you found, and any sticks and leaves need to go. Clean out the vest and start placing the things you will need in there now, don’t forget the camo gloves, an extra face mask for when your buddy loses his and a zip lock baggie with some toilet paper.
One could spend hours discussing decoys and their use, but the fold-up, collapsible-type decoys are light and easier to carry. If it will fit in the back of your turkey vest, it shouldn’t be too hard to carry. Full- and hard-bodied decoys may be easier to use if you don’t anticipate long treks toting them. Make sure you have the stakes with the decoy to place them when you are calling.
Full- and hard-bodied decoys may be easier to use if you don’t anticipate long treks toting them. As noted earlier, boots are important. If you are going to do run-and-gun turkey hunting, don’t scrimp on your boots. To be successful, you don’t want ill-fitting boots that are not waterproof and won’t stand up to a long hike in the turkey woods. If your boots were questionable last season, they are no better now. It is now the time to get a new pair and have them ready for the upcoming season. Wear your new boots on your early scouting sessions so they are broken in and ready for opening day.
Good luck this year and don’t forget that coffee thermos and the Little Debbie Cakes in the morning!
The right gun, ammo and gear can be the difference in taking a tom or going home to tag soup. (Photo by Larry Case) Essential Turkey Gear Benelli Nova 3 Shotgun (Photo courtesy of Benelli USA) Benelli guys and girls know that the Nova pump gun has been around a long time. I have a buddy in Alaska that has carried one for ages and swears by it for bear defense and everything else. The news for 2025 is that Benelli has revamped the Nova into the Nova 3 , and one of the variants is the Hunting model. Built on the rugged, no-fail construction of the original Nova, the new Nova 3 Hunting furthers the brand’s workhorse mission to provide price-conscious, performance-minded hunters a tough and dependable shotgun.
Among the many hunting related upgrades on the Nova 3 is a larger ejection port, enlarged triggerguard and a faster cycling stroke. The Nova 3 Hunting debuts with a 12-gauge 2 3/4- and 3-inch chamber in 26- or 28-inch barrel lengths. Each configuration is offered in black synthetic, Realtree Max-7 camo, and Mossy Oak Bottomland camo. Standard features include IC, M, and F Mobil choke tubes, vented rib with red bar sight, and a drilled and tapped receiver for optic installation. MSRP: $529 - $629
ALPS OutdoorZ Turkey Tracker Hybrid Pack (Photo courtesy of ALPS OutdoorZ) If you are considering the “less is more” approach as to how much you are carrying in the turkey woods, this new pack from ALPS OutdoorZ may be for you. The Turkey Tracker builds on the popular ALPS OutdoorZ Long Spur turkey pack while taking a more minimalist approach to the suspension and accessory pouch systems. In doing so, ALPS OutdoorZ designers came up with a “just-what-you-need” and “right-where-you-need-it” pack that is perfect for high-exertion hunts in changing environmental and stalking conditions.
The Turkey Tracker system is built around a comfortable and supportive memory foam waist belt with front-pull belt adjustment to ensure a snug fit and sag-free performance. For heavy loads, or to ensure maximum support when climbing, crawling or fast-tracking to a setup, the Turkey Tracker comes with a removable 1.5-inch, two-point suspender system. The suspenders are adjustable to custom-fit your torso length and to accommodate changing clothing requirements. MSRP $149.99
Irish Setter VaprTrek Hunting Boots (Photo courtesy of Irish Setter) Spring turkey season usually means warm weather and lots of walking, and good boots are a necessity. Irish Setter boots’ popular VaprTrek hunting boots have been reimagined to enhance long-lasting comfort, reduce weight and add sustainable materials. A contoured last in these boots provides an excellent athletic fit for men and women. The women’s style is built around a precision-made last that addresses the nuances of a woman’s foot shape for better fit and performance. A stretch collar provides comfort and flexibility in the calf and Achilles area while stalking or climbing up and down from a tree stand.
Leather/abrasion-resistant fabric uppers feature a leather flex area in the forefoot allowing the boot to comfortably flex naturally with each step. UltraDry waterproofing provides long-lasting protection, keeping feet dry while ScentBan scent control eliminates odors within the boot. The boots are offered Mossy Oak Country Roots camouflage or Realtree APX camouflage with select models featuring Primaloft insulation for warmth in cool environments. MSRP $209.00
Woodhaven Custom Calls Real Hen Cherry Box Call (Photo courtesy of Woodhaven Custom Calls) While we talked about not carrying too many calls, you need at least one box call in your arsenal. A box call can supply that raspy, gritty tone that it sometimes takes to get a gobbler to respond. A higher-pitched call than the walnut Real Hen, the Cherry Real Hen from Woodhaven features a one-piece cherry trough-style box with a matched Brazilian cherry lid. The cherry Real Hen sends out realistic two-tone raspy yelps. Each Real Hen comes chalked and ready to call in the ol’ gobbler.
Avian-X LCD Lookout Hen Decoy (Photo courtesy of Avian-X) Avian-X is known for making decoys with incredible realism. The LCD Lookout Hen has a similar look and effect as the popular Breeder Hen decoy but has got a little something extra. The Lookout's raised height aids visibility so passing gobblers can spot her even in tall grass and dense vegetation. The Lookout Hen features the same attention to detail and authentic paint scheme you expect from Avian-X, along with the Lifelike Collapsible Decoy design you need for easy setups and transport. Decoy comes complete with collapsible stake and carry bag. MSRP $89.00
APEX NEXT LEVEL Ninja Turkey Loads (Photo courtesy of APEX Ammunition) APEX Ammunition and Woodhaven Custom Calls are introducing NEXT LEVEL Ninja TSS shotshells—a new blend of Tungsten Super Shot for turkey hunting. The NEXT LEVEL Ninja features a combination of # 8.5 and # 9.5 TSS. This load is the result of feedback from avid turkey hunters and developed in collaboration with Woodhaven. This premium blend delivers optimized lethality at varied distances, ensuring versatility in numerous hunting situations. NEXT LEVEL Ninja is a lethal turkey load that bridges the gap between the original APEX Smalltown blend and Greenleaf blend—the perfect choice for hunters who prefer medium-sized shot blends. MSRP: $59.99 - $84.99
Meprolight MCO PRO with Picatinny Mount (Photo courtesy of Meprolight) In a vast sea of red-dot optics to choose from, Meprolight has an array of well-made options. The MCO PRO is a micro-optic designed for carbines, rifles and shotguns (Micro sized is good, giving you a lower profile on the gun, and the Picatinny mount makes mounting this optic a breeze). The closed-emitter design shields against all elements for peak performance in any environment (This means it will take the abuse that turkey hunting is going to hand out).
It features a user-selectable, three-segment SpeedRing reticle. Choose 2-MOA Dot, 2/68 SpeedRing, SpeedRing with 1.5 Mil holdover dots or Automatic or manual selection with 10 Day/2 NV brightness settings. Also features Shake Awake for instant operation (Shake Awake is the bomb! No more dead batteries when that gobbler finally comes in). The optic features an IP67 Water/Dust proof rating and a Meproguard Limited Lifetime Warranty. MSRP $439.00
