VITAL GEAR AND TOOLS TO SUCCESSFULLY HARVEST TOMS

As the days become longer and the air begins to warm, hunters’ minds turn to one of the first hunting seasons to open—spring turkey season.

Spring turkey hunting differs from the fall season primarily because the birds are participating in mating behaviors. Big bearded, active Toms are often alone and on the search for hens. Once they catch sight of one, you’ll find them strutting, fanning, and gobbling. Jakes, young male birds donning short beards, tend to travel in groups, resembling a teenage gang from West Side Story. These packs of three to seven birds march through the woods and fields, strutting their stuff, trying to score—often for the first time—while trying to avoid a dominant Tom. Hens can be seen feeding or fanning in patches of dirt or sand as they remove mites from their bodies. These females dominate the actions of the male birds. During this time, turkeys are unpredictable, with live action all around. Watching the frenzied activities is so exciting that…READ MORE