For anybody interested in taking on the challenge of wild turkey hunting, start off on the right foot with these proven tips.
• Study up. Get acquainted with the hunting regulations in the area, such as permit requirements, hunting hours and authorized equipment.
• Get to know the calls. A hunter can purchase many different turkey calls, including the slate pan, swing-lid box or diaphragm. However, one doesn’t need them all. The important thing is to practice with them and rely on the one that works best.
• Practice shooting. It’s not always easy to pull off a fatal shot on a turkey. Therefore, it’s best to practice on life-size models.
• Observe. Watch for turkeys at the end of the day. They roost in trees, which can help the hunter locate them at dawn. Feathers and droppings under mature trees are excellent clues as to where they can be found.
• Use decoys. Two or three decoys are ideal for attracting turkeys. They can provide one with the window of opportunity needed to take the best shot.
• Blend into the background. Turkeys have remarkable vision and hearing. Consequently, show as little skin as possible, and keep still. Hiding in a bird blind with a camoufl age pattern should work well.
• Have patience. Don’t change locations too quickly if the calls don’t get a response. The silence may not necessarily mean there aren’t turkeys nearby.
The fall turkey hunting archery season in Oklahoma runs October 1 through January 15. Gun season runs October 29 through November 18.
The spring turkey youth hunting season is April 8 and April 9. Regular spring turkey hunting season runs April 16 through May 16. Visit https://www.wildlifedepartment. com/ for more information.