Hunting & Trapping Digest 2008-2009 - (Page A14) Success AND The best and safest way to kill a turkey is using a shotgun with number 4 or smaller shot to place a shot in the head and neck at 40 yards or less. TURKEY HUNTING Safety Think Safety - Hunt Safely Wild turkey hunting is one of the most exciting ways you can spend time with your family and friends outdoors. It’s also one of the safest outdoor activities whether you’re talking about team sports, other types of hunting or hobbies such as mountain biking. Following you’ll find tips to help you become a more successful wild turkey hunter as well as guidelines to help make a safe sport even safer. P r e -S e a S o n P r e P The first step is to find a place to hunt. Your state or provincial wildlife agency can help you identify public hunting land. Visit the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Web site at http:/ /www.nwtf.org/AllAgencies.html to find wildlife agency contact information. If you plan to hunt private land, make sure you get the landowner’s permission before hunting or scouting. Wherever you decide to hunt, make the most of your time afield by spending time before the season learning the lay of the land and where the birds like to be. Once you pinpoint where the birds roost and where they head during the day to feed, plan a strategy that puts you along their travel routes. Take Your BeST ShoT Prior to the start of hunting season, wild turkey hunters need to head to the range and test their shotgun to ensure they’re shooting a tight, dense pattern. Learning how to accurately judge number of yards and ensuring your load performs well at different distances can mean the difference in bagging a bird and watching one sail off into the woods. D e c o Y D e c e P T i o n S Fields and planted wildlife openings figure prominently into any turkey hunter’s strategy. Birds will often head to fields to feed and toms prefer to strut in open areas where it’s easier to be seen. Set up just inside the woods where you can remain concealed, but have a good field of view to spot approaching birds. If using decoys, establish a clear line of vision for at least 100 yards and then place them at a set distance—about 20 yards from your position—so that you can tell when the bird is in shotgun range. While not every hunter swears by decoys, they can be an asset in many situations. Today’s decoys are real enough looking that from a distance they could fool hunters. However, you’ll stay safe by following some common sense guidelines on decoy use. DecoY SafeT Y STraTegieS • Never transport decoys uncovered. Many of the new decoys fold up for easy storage in turkey vests. Make sure the decoy head is not sticking out of your vest. • Always set up against a tree that is taller than your head and wider than your shoulders. • Establish a clear line of vision for at least 100 yards and then set up the decoys 20 yards from your position on the line. • If you see another hunter, call out in a loud, clear voice to alert them to your position. Never wave or make turkey sounds to alert another hunter. • Always check carefully that no one is stalking your decoys before leaving your position. D r e S S f o r S u c c e S S The secret to successful and safe turkey hunting is making sure you’re wearing the right clothes. Wild turkeys have excellent vision so head to toe camouflage is recommended to help keep you concealed. Camo clothes provide a secondary safety benefit as well. Eliminate the colors white, red, black and blue from hunting clothes because these are the colors of a wild turkey gobbler. c a l l i n g B a S i c S Communicating with a wild turkey to work it to the gun is a thrilling experience. And today’s market offers a variety of calls—everything from mouth calls to box calls to pot and peg calls and more. Regardless of the type of call you choose, set aside some time to practice so you become a proficient caller. You can listen to recordings of real wild turkeys and get some calling tips by visiting the NWTF’s Web site at http:/ /www.nwtf.org/hunting_tactics.html. SPorTing armS Sav v Y • Treat all firearms as if loaded. • Always point the firearm in a safe direction. • Never put your finger on the trigger until ready to shoot. • Know your target and what is behind it. • Know the firearm and its mechanical characteristics. • Never rely on the firearm’s safety. • Use the correct gauge or caliber ammunition. • Be sure the barrel is not obstructed before shooting. http://www.nwtf.org/AllAgencies.html http://www.nwtf.org/hunting_tactics.html
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