| ng game birds can be fun as well as challenging. | | | | these will enable you to anticipate the |
| Before you go hunting, here are tips for safety: | | | | turkeys’ movement and set up ahead |
| • Every shotgun must be treated as | | | | that movement making it easier to shoot in range. |
| though it is loaded all times and carefully handled. | | | | • If after a few days you are |
| • The safety should be kept on up until | | | | unsuccessful, do not give up, as time goes by, |
| immediately before you take a shot. | | | | you learn and become more adept. |
| • Keep your shooting finger away from | | | | • It is a misconception that when a |
| the trigger, resting it behind the trigger guard. | | | | turkey sees a hunter and runs, the hunt is over. |
| • Be very sure of your target and when | | | | Just wait about 30 minutes and change your |
| in doubt, do not shoot; be mindful of the position | | | | position before doing another “call”. |
| of blockers as well as walkers. | | | | They have a tendency to return. |
| • Never attempt shooting at “low | | | | • When using decoys use one |
| flying” birds. | | | | “tom” and two hens. The |
| • Be familiar with your gun’s | | | | “tom” then will be jealous and will |
| range. | | | | take charge. So position the “tom” |
| • Wear a neon orange cap or vest so | | | | in a manner that will give you a good shot. |
| that other hunters can see you from a far | | | | • While walking, move slowly and do |
| distance. | | | | some soft “calls” occasionally. This |
| Pheasant hunting tips: | | | | will mimic a stray hen moving and can possibly |
| • Pheasants choose thick cover such as | | | | attract a “big tom”. |
| tall grasses for resting, so you can find them in | | | | • Wear camouflage clothing that appears |
| these areas. | | | | to be leaves and has the colors of your |
| • A dog is essential when hunting for | | | | surroundings. |
| pheasant. It will locate birds that “hold | | | | • If you “roosted” a |
| tight”. | | | | turkey, move away about 100 yards, position |
| • Any breed of dog can do the job, as | | | | yourself, and let out several yelps and flap your |
| long as your dog works closely and carefully | | | | arm like a turkey wing for a few seconds. You will |
| listens to you, and is not too active - running too | | | | have a satisfactory response. |
| far in front and flushing the birds too soon. | | | | • Try locating turkey in the evening prior |
| • Most hunters know that by quietly and | | | | to your hunt the next morning. If you are not |
| slowly walking “back and forth” | | | | successful then just continue the search in the |
| through the field, the birds are flushed or they | | | | morning: by covering an adequate area; stopping |
| move ahead of the walkers offering blockers on | | | | to call about every 100 yards, and listening for a |
| the other side of the “cover” a | | | | gobble. When you hear the gobble, quickly set up |
| shooting opportunity. | | | | - there is the possibility that he is headed toward |
| • When hunting on large areas like corn | | | | you. |
| fields, "blockers" are necessary. Because | | | | • Find a spot to sit on either near a large |
| pheasants can run very quickly, | | | | tree trunk or a rock large enough to conceal |
| “blockers” or hunters who are | | | | yourself when the turkey passes by, blocking you |
| positioned at the other end or side of the area | | | | from his sight, as you get into your shooting |
| can shoot the birds as they break from their | | | | position. |
| cover. “Blockers” compel the | | | | • Always take along a small, lightweight |
| pheasant to hold much tighter therefore blockers | | | | folding stool or an inflatable seat pad when turkey |
| and walkers both have more “shooting | | | | hunting. These are very handy and comfortable |
| action”. | | | | to sit on during your wait. |
| Turkey hunting tips: | | | | Hunting game birds offers a different kind of |
| • Before setting out to hunt turkey, cut | | | | challenge and accomplishment. As long as you are |
| several branches and twigs for breaking up your | | | | hunting, just be sure to stay safe and enjoy each |
| “outline”. | | | | and every shooting opportunity. It is not the hit |
| • Take the time to determine where the | | | | that is so satisfying; it is often the shooting that |
| feeding, strutting or roosting areas are. Knowing | | | | challenges the hunter. Practice, practice, practice! |