My family owns approximately 80 acres in Mecosta County, Michigan. Decent numbers of turkeys can be found throughout the surrounding area. However, even though we have several small clover plots, numerous water sources and an abundance of turkey habitat, it can be tough holding them on our property. Often, turkeys will roost on neighboring properties and spend a very brief period of their day feeding, strutting, and traveling through the area.

I recall two different longbeards that I intercepted while they were traveling across our property from the roost to a neighbor’s cornfield. This required a more aggressive tactic. I refer to these as transient turkeys. Not only does this occur on this piece of property, but in other areas I’ve had permission to hunt turkeys in the past. This can also include large tracts of public land that occasionally limit you to hunt turkeys in small areas due to hunting pressure from other turkey hunters, along with other outdoor enthusiasts.

Here are some tips to help you fill your spring turkey tag when hunting gobblers on small tracts of land.

Scout and setup

When hunting small tracts of land, be aware of the surrounding natural features that could present turkeys with an obstacle when responding to your calls. These could include barbwire fences, creeks, thick brush and fallen trees. Scouting the area ahead of time for potential locations to setup helps alleviate this problem. It not only helps you avoid these types of obstacles but allows you to find areas where turkeys have been roosting and feeding. Pinpointing these locations is essential when trying to put a gobbler on the ground.

Put in some leg work well in advance of the season, searching the area for turkey sign such as tracks, dusting locations, droppings and feathers. If you find large quantities of the latter two, chances are you’ve just found a roost, which is the jackpot for setting up prior to opening day. Placing a trail camera(s) in areas where you’ve spotted turkey activity in the past will also indicate where they’re spending time.

Driving the roads around the area and glassing adjacent properties from afar is also a great way to determine their travel patterns and areas where gobblers like to strut. This will avoid putting extra hunting pressure on the birds. While driving, you may find out that the turkeys aren’t roosting on your property at all but have chosen to roost on the property next door. Gathering this information helps you determine where you will set up on your property and the direction you should face.

Tent blinds are an excellent way to remain concealed in open areas such as fields and meadows where longbeards frequently spend their time strutting and feeding. A tent blind is just the ticket when hunting in smaller areas since you won’t be cutting and running nearly as often. On one piece of property near my home, which consists of 60 acres where I have permission to hunt, I typically place two tent blinds in areas where turkeys are the most active. This helps increase my chances of filling my tag.

Another option besides tent blinds is a half blind. These types of blinds are excellent when a gobbler is fast approaching, you are in the open, and don’t have time to lean up against a tree or find other available cover. However, I will often sit at the base of a tree when I’m cutting and running and hear a gobbler nearby.

Calling

If you discover that turkeys are roosting off the tract of land you are hunting, it is best to call facing the opposite direction if you are hunting alone. However, if you have a hunting buddy who will be calling for you, position yourself between them and the roost. This will give the longbeard the impression that the hen is moving in the opposite direction, therefore drawing him in close for a shot. You can also create this scenario by cutting and yelping loudly at first, and then gradually becoming softer once the gobbler has committed to you. This tactic works best when you are calling alone.

Some turkey hunters think that they need to be constantly calling to the birds to bring them in close to their setup; however, too much calling can have the opposite effect. This can cause the gobbler to feel that the hen, which is you calling, isn’t going anywhere anytime soon; they’re likely thinking, “What’s the hurry?” By resisting the temptation to call too much, you can also cause gobblers to think that the hen is heading out of the area.

Used correctly and at the right time, turkey calls are among the tools you have to lure a gobbler from adjacent properties toward your setup. With a limited area to hunt, you need to make wise decisions in making your setup appealing to turkeys. Be patient and give birds enough time to react to your calls. This will help to avoid pressuring the turkeys.

I’ve always been limited to turkey hunting on smaller properties, but I don’t feel that this has negatively affected my success. If anything, it has caused me to become a better turkey hunter, paying attention to detail on my approach, setup, calling and knowing when to stay put versus cutting and running.

Absorbing information from all experiences from past turkey seasons, books, videos, seminars, and talking to other experienced hunters who have spent countless hours in the turkey woods have all contributed to my success, and it wouldn’t be possible without them.

For more insight and tips on how to make the most of the time you spend hunting, check out the articles in every issue of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.