How to Hunt Turkey: Gear, Setup, Calls and Tactics

How do you hunt turkey? Roost a gobbler the evening before, slip in close (but not too close) before daylight, set out a decoy, sit against a wide tree, and start calling soft and slow after the birds fly down. Stay still: wild turkeys have keen eyesight and catch the slightest movement.

Below: the gear you need, a step-by-step plan for a spring morning, the turkey calls to learn, fall tactics and the safety rules. Choosing your clothes? Read what to wear turkey hunting.

What gear do you need to hunt turkey?

An Outdoor Illinois guide to fall vs. spring turkey hunting lists the basics:

• Shotgun or bow, with shells or arrows
• Camouflage head to toe
• Turkey calls: mouth, box and slate calls
• Hen and tom or jake decoys

Blinds and seats are optional; staying light lets you move if you do not hear a gobbler nearby. The NWTF Turkey Hunting 101 stresses camo because turkeys "can detect even the slightest amount of movement."

How to hunt turkey step by step

1. Roost the tom the night before

Listen at dusk for gobbles to learn which trees birds are roosting in. Scouting before the season also helps you identify birds and learn the land.

2. Get close, but not too close

Slip in before daylight and set up near the roost, in the direction you believe the turkeys will go. Bump them off the roost and the morning is over.

3. Set a decoy and sit against a tree

Set out a decoy or two and sit against a tree, or pick a good hide. NWTF's advice once you are settled: "relax and get comfortable."

4. Call after the fly down

"After the fly down, call to those birds that may be within hearing range. Start soft and slow with your calls," NWTF says. When a bird answers, keep it interested without overcalling.

5. Make coming in easy

Turkeys prefer the path of least resistance. Use natural funnels such as pinch points, ridges and creek bottoms, and set up just over a rise so the tom has to come close to see what is on the other side.

Which turkey calls should you learn?

Wild turkeys have as many as 30 different sounds, but hunters rely on far fewer, according to NWTF:

Call	What it is	When hunters use it
Plain yelp	A series of single-note hen calls	The basic hunting call: "If you can yelp, you have a chance"
Cluck	One or more short, staccato notes	Reassure an approaching gobbler or one that hangs up
Gobble	Loud, rapid gurgling of a male	Last resort, or late evening to locate a roosted tom; can draw other hunters

How is fall turkey hunting different?

In fall, turkeys stay in larger flocks, so there are many more eyes watching for movement, and toms are less aggressive. Approach and calling have to change: you are working a group, not one gobbler. Check your state's regulations for spring and fall seasons, licenses and hunter education.

Turkey hunting safety

• Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and treat every gun as loaded.
• Identify your target and what is beyond it before you shoot.
• Never climb or jump with a gun.
• Avoid ricochet: never shoot at a hard, flat surface or water.

What to wear turkey hunting

Head-to-toe camo that matches your woods keeps you hidden while you sit still. The shirts and hat in this guide can be personalized with your name; choose the style you want on each product page. Browse more in our turkey hunting collection.

FAQ

What is the best way to hunt turkey?

Roost a gobbler the evening before, set up near the roost before daylight with a decoy, sit against a tree and call soft and slow after fly down.

When should you start calling turkeys in the morning?

After the birds fly down from the roost. Start soft and slow, and keep it up once a gobbler answers.

What are common mistakes to avoid in turkey hunting?

Moving too much, setting up too close to the roost, calling too loud or too often, and skipping safety checks on your target.

Do you need camo to hunt turkey?

Yes. Turkeys have incredible eyesight, so camo that matches your terrain helps conceal your movements.