Turkey season 2025 is officially upon us, as hunters in Florida have been putting birds down since March 1. Here is the Midwest, you still have time to prepare for the fast-approaching season, but it’s time to get started if you haven’t already.
Youth turkey seasons are going to open in early April. Regular season are right behind. With a month to go, there are many preparations to be made. Most importantly, locating some birds. This is accomplished by scouting. There are those lucky folks who basically return to the same tree year after year to tag out each spring. But most of us aren’t so lucky and need to spend some time searching for a gobbler or two.
You can often observe a lot from your vehicle, but there are many advantages to taking a hike. Not only will you be able to find turkey sign, but during the magical time of early spring you might also find a shed antler or morel mushroom.
Now is also a great time to put your cellular trail cameras to work. Staging cameras along logging roads and field edges, should help you determine if turkeys are regularly using those areas.
If you plan to hunt from a blind, preparing those sites early ensures you’ll comfortable and quiet on opening morning. Even if you plan to hunt without a blind, you can prepare sites to allow for sitting more comfortably and quietly. Begin by trimming the foliage, epically any sticker bushes or thorny branches. You don’t want any contacting with your blind that could result in a noise. Next, rake the ground where you are placing the blind and the trail approaching it. The set your blind up and secure it well enough to hold through high winds. Add your chairs, and you’re ready to go on opening day.
Hunting wild turkeys is both challenging and rewarding. The opportunity to get out in the woods during spring and take in the wonders of nature as they begin to bloom is a gift of life. I cherish this experience. The sound of a male turkey gobbling is in my opinion one of the most beautiful vocalizations nature has to offer, and working these birds with calls, communicating with them, is utterly intoxicating. Knowing where to be opening morning and being ready to go increases your chances of success.
While the use of calls is the favored way of targeting turkeys, it is not the only way. Turkeys, like deer, can sometimes be patterned. If a hunter is knowledgeable about roosting and feeding areas of a specific turkey or flock of turkeys, the hunter may be able to set up on a travel route. This tactic has worked for me.
After watching a group of turkeys on numerous occasions during my many preseason scouting trips, I decided to set up on a particular field edge in hopes of catching a turkey on his way from his roost to the field he was feeding in. I used only a single hen decoy and called very little. The plan came together when the double-bearded gobbler ventured too close to my lone hen.
Each successful turkey remains like painting in my memory. This season I hope to paint a few more. I have a youth hunter to take, and a new friend coming in from out of state. With hopes of having my daughters hunt with me, I am hoping for a season full of smiles and success. By putting the work in now, I’m increasing my chances.
See you down the trail…
Brandon Butler
driftwoodoutdoors@gmail.com
Pic: Putting in work ahead of time increases the chance of turkey hunting success.
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