Turkey Hunting Tips with Intercoastal Safaris
It’s funny how Turkey hunting can be so complex when it comes to all the factors that one considers when making a plan of attack. Many of us hunters tend to overthink things, which can lead to missed chances. So, here are three easy yet super effective tactics that can up your turkey-hunting game. You don’t need fancy calls, elaborate decoys, or endless practice; a little twist on the basics may do the trick.
Cover New Ground
If you’re calling from a road, you’re not the only one with that idea. When multiple hunters call from the same spot, turkeys pick up on the pressure and change their behavior. If you strike a gobbler from the road, you’ll likely get one of three responses: the bird gives a single gobble and goes quiet, keeps gobbling but doesn’t move, or heads off while still gobbling.
When I get to a promising spot, I turn off the truck and give it a call. If I don’t hear anything back, I switch the ignition to accessory, shift into neutral, and gently coast further down the road (best to do this while going downhill!). Once I finally hear a bird, I let the vehicle drift a little more—sometimes as far as a quarter mile—then quietly get out, close the doors gently, and make my way in.
Instead of heading straight toward the turkey (what most folks do), I take my time and circle wide in the opposite direction. I like to use a crow call to keep track of the bird while I move into position, waiting to use turkey calls until I’m friendly and close. This approach might take a bit longer—over an hour sometimes—but the payoff is often worth it!
Boundaries Birds
You can only push those legal boundaries where you have permission, but there could still be hope if you hear a gobbler off in the distance on a neighboring property!
We have all found ourselves in just this situation: trying to close in on a gobbler when you hit the property line. The Simple solution is to call that bird your way. Wild turkeys in Alabama are no different from any other state. They do not care whose land ends where. They may eat in one guy’s field and roost in another woods. Note both AM and PM movement if you’re hunting near property lines.
E-Bike Approach
More often than not, Turkey hunting in Alabama can involve covering much ground. Many times, the areas of the state with the most hills, like North East Alabama (where our turkey lodge is), tend to have the most birds. So not only will you most likely find yourself traveling uphill both ways, but your toating gear. The sound of this alone makes me tired.
E-bikes can offer turkey hunters a way to quietly and effortlessly cover ground and close the gap on wild turkeys in Alabama. Many hunters have already started using e-bikes for both hunting and scouting. So, whether you’re sidestepping the road callers, pushing those boundaries (legally, of course), or taking advantage of an e-bike for some adventurous hunting, these tactics can help make your turkey-hunting experience successful and more enjoyable! Happy hunting!
