Turkey Hunting

1. Turkey Hunting James Bleecker

2. Description • Turkey hunting is hunting wild turkeys from a blind or by sneaking around stalking them. • There is multiple kinds of turkey subspecies.

3. License • You need a turkey hunting licence (Spring/Fall) • You need a turkey stamp (Spring/Fall) • You need a turkey hunting permit (Spring/Fall) • Small game License

4. Season • The 2008 Fall turkey hunting season ran from September 13 - November 20. • Spring drawings include: • A) April 15 - 19B) April 22 - 26C) April 29 - May 3D) May 6 - 10 E) May 13 - 17F) May 20 - 24

5. Pros • Pros of this sport include: • Controlling the turkey population • Adrenaline rush • Turkeys eat many of the same foods as other animals in the area=not as much food for other species • Turkeys can ruin crops • Taste good

6. Cons • Over hunting • Hunting accidents • Turkeys help control the insect population

7. Materials • Gun • 20 gauge or better 12 or 10 is recommended • 3-3 ½ sized shells • Calls • Box • Mouth • Push-button • Slate • Chalk • Camo (Very Important) • Decoys (Recommended) • Boots • Vest • Blind (Not Nessicary)

8. Education • Lots of Videos that teach you how to hunt • You can go with a experienced hunter • You can read lots of books that tell you how to hunt wild turkeys • Go out and do it

9. Weapons • Shotgun • 12 or 10 gauge • 3-3½ shells • Size 6 shot or larger • Bow • Broadheads (specifically for penitration) • Muzzleloader • You have to use shot

10. Places to Hunt • Open areas with green food • Fields • Logging Roads • Ridges • Open hardwoods • Oak/Maple hardwoods • They eat the nuts and leaves

11. The Hunt • Wait till the birds start gobbling then call back. • Don’t call to often • Practice calling before the hunt so you don’t sound horrible when you hunt • Wait until the birds fly down from the roost and stalk them. • Sit in a blind a call them to your location • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMYVk0RQUTA

12. Interview • I interview my dad (again) • He said that the early season is the best time to get one. • He also said that turkeys have excellent eyesight and hearing so you need to sit still and you need to be quiet unless to call.

13. Fitness • You do not need to be in very good shape to sit in a blind and call in a turkey • If you spot and stalk you need to be in a little better shape because you will be walking a lot

14. A Day in the Life of a Turkey Hunter • Morning: Do morning stuff/ get ready to go you want to be in your stand about a hour to a hour and a half before the sun comes up. • Get in your spot and wait for the birds to start gobbling • Call • Let the birds respond and call again (don’t call to much) • Let the birds spot your decoy • Call until they are fairly close not to close tho because they will be able to tell that the sound they hear is not coming from the birds and

15. Continued… • Call until they are fairly close not to close though because they will be able to tell that the sound they hear is not coming from the birds and spook away. • Let the birds get in range • Shoot the bird • Run as fast as you can to the bird (step on/break the neck) • Tag the bird • Gather your gear and head out

16. http://www.wildturkeyzone.com/hunting/turkeyshells.htm • www.turkeyhunting.com • www.nwtf.org/hunting_tactics.html