| Let's get down to the brass tacks. What do you | | | | see there are shells that are advertised as turkey |
| need to get started turkey hunting and what are | | | | loads. |
| the tips that will get you out in the field with at | | | | Here is as good a time as any to mention safety. |
| least a fighting chance to bag that gobbler? This | | | | Turkey hunting has inherent risks as you are |
| article will detail the basic needs you will have for | | | | carrying a loaded firearm, wearing camo clothing, |
| your hunt with a subsequent article on scouting | | | | and sharing the woods with other hunters. To |
| and techniques for the field to follow. | | | | make matters worse, you will likely be using a |
| All the advice you will get from the popular | | | | turkey call of some type which can also get you |
| hunting magazines will only be of marginal use until | | | | in trouble. All I can say is that it is your |
| you have spent a season out there seeing what it | | | | responsibility to seek out every single avenue you |
| is all about. It is very likely that once you get the | | | | can pursue to make your hunt safer. If you have |
| opportunity to hunt these magnificent creatures | | | | not taken hunter safety class, even if not |
| you will be hooked. Turkeys are in the midst of | | | | required, please do so. When you hike into and |
| one of conservation's most dramatic good news | | | | out of the woods or are moving, wear some |
| stories and your chances today are about as | | | | blaze orange. Do not sling a turkey over your |
| good as they have ever been, no matter where | | | | shoulder and come out of the woods unless you |
| you are located. In fact there are turkeys that | | | | have the bird draped in blaze orange. If you use |
| have now been located in regions where they | | | | decoys, be aware that every year decoys get |
| were never previously found. | | | | shot at by dumb hunters and you could potentially |
| So what do you need for Spring turkey season? | | | | be in the line of fire. Sit with a good backstop |
| The basics for turkey hunting are indeed basic. | | | | such as a large tree. These are just a few basic |
| Your chances will be dramatically raised if you use | | | | precautions. There are more that you can and |
| full body camouflage. Turkeys have two basic | | | | should take. |
| senses that are incredible; eyesight and hearing. | | | | You will likely use one of two types of turkey |
| When I say you will need full body camouflage, I | | | | calls and maybe both. The two most common |
| mean from head to toes. You need a camo hat | | | | are box calls and mouth diaphragm calls. Both are |
| and facemask, or if you don't want the mask, | | | | great and have their purposes and you should |
| obtain face-paint designed for turkey hunting. I | | | | familiarize yourself with each. In the confines of |
| personally prefer the mask as the paint is very | | | | this article all I will say now is don't overdo it. I am |
| greasy and messy. | | | | a firm believer that calling is a skill that can mostly |
| Obviously, you will need a firearm to hunt turkeys. | | | | be learned only in the field. Practice with your calls |
| There are varying regulations on this so I will | | | | at home and perhaps get a video instruction DVD. |
| defer to local gun shops and your reg-book. I will | | | | I like the mouth calls because they leave your |
| say that an inexpensive 12 gauge shotgun that | | | | hands free and reduce movement but I use both. |
| chambers 3 inch shells with a full choke is a good | | | | These are the basics you will need for your hunt. |
| starting point in most locales. You will need to | | | | Next time we will talk about the basics of where |
| pattern your shotgun at 30-40 yards to get an | | | | to go and what to do once you are there. |
| idea how it shoots and perhaps adjust the brand | | | | Remember, safety first! Then, I believe you are |
| of shells or the style of choke accordingly. | | | | getting ready to embark on a journey that |
| Typically you will be shooting number 4 shells. A | | | | whether you bag a bird or not, you will find |
| quick look at one of the big stores and you will | | | | immensely rewarding. |