Peering through the pre-dawn mists, a dark shadow appears. Is it a stump, bush, or a turkey? The latter is what I seek. I need to be sure of my target before thinking about shooting. It is out of range, so patience is important. But he is too close for calling and looking right at me. Strutting around the opening in the woods, trying to attract a hen or six, is what is on his mind. As he moves away, I call to him and he returns. The game continues for what seems like forever. Finally, he comes into range.

No one really knows just how long hunters have pursued wild turkeys. Pilgrims probably sought them out. Throughout recorded history in America, this bird has provided food. Today, it is one of the most popularly hunted animals.

It is the turkey that Ben Franklin proposed for being the “America’s National Bird” in place of the Bald Eagle.

The birds thrived in the 1800′s. Early settlers lived off them. Modern agricultural practices led to their demise, creating a need for re-introduction. Biologists bred them in captivity for release in the wild. Thriving, the birds today have controlled hunting available in most states.

A turkey’s intelligence is the subject of much discussion. It is probably due more to instinct than to actual smarts. Turkeys have fantastic eyesight and they are afraid of everything. It is not a super bird. You can harvest one if you do your homework and pay attention to detail.

The wild turkey weighs about 21 pounds and is a fast runner as well as strong flier. They routinely fly across large rivers—no small task for such a large bird.

Turkey hunters learn the habits and habitat of their quarry. Some hunters each year are successful even without preparation. But they are not the ones who take birds year after year.

Hunters harvest most birds during spring hunting seasons even though hunters take some in fall. In spring, the male or gobbler has love on his mind and is less aware of other things in the woods, such as hunters.

This is not to say that the turkeys will ignore a hunter. Quite the contrary; he will be long gone if he spots a hunter’s movement.

In spring, the hen mates with a gobbler each day until she conceives. She then lays one egg per day for 10 to 15 days. Once she has her eggs, she stops breeding with the male. Each gobbler then has fewer hens to mate with as the weeks wear on. Late in the season, gobblers are more vulnerable as they seek hens with which to mate. They are finding fewer available.

Gobblers are solitary animals most of the year. Sometimes, they are with another male. These are usually brothers. Siblings travel together but their functions are different. One will be a strutter and a lover, while the other is a fighter, warding off other gobblers in the area.

To overcome instinctive defense mechanisms of the wild turkey, hunters first pick a hunting area with birds. Simple, but it requires advance field work and equipment preparation for the job at hand.

These begin prior to the opening of the season. It involves scouting and practice with the weapon. It takes legwork to find a good hunting area. They talk to locals about birds seen in the area.

Topographic and other maps are handy for marking birds, as well as any signs of them. A pair of binoculars allows you to drive backroads, scouting without having to walk all over the countryside.

While scouting, look for birds, droppings, feathers, and tracks. They are rather opportunistic in their feeding habits. Turkeys eat all types of seed, grain, acorns, insects, and small reptiles.

Turkeys hate Barred Owls and often gobble in response to just hearing their call.

Pre‑season practice with a shotgun includes patterning the gun. Remember, the smaller the shot, the more pellets in the load. The idea is to get most of the shot in a 30-inch circle at 40 yards. Most hunters are comfortable with number 4 to number 6 shot. It is best to check local regulations for any legal limitations.

Experiment with different loads, size of shot, and manufacturer’s ammunition.

Full camouflage of both the hunter and gun are critical. Once in the woods, sit against a tree wider than your shoulders. This helps to conceal your outline and is a protection from any shots made from behind by another hunter.

Hunt defensively. Never stalk a turkey. A concealed hunter may be about to shoot toward the bird and in your direction. Never wear the colors of red, white, or blue in the woods during turkey season. All these colors could mean turkey to some other hunter.

Set up on a hillside and make the bird come to you by calling. You can set up 75 to 125 yards from a bird and then call him into range.

There are six basic types of mechanical calls on the market: box call, diaphragm, corn cob‑slate call, push button, wing bone, and tube call or snuff box call. Each has its advantage and disadvantage. Try each and make up your mind as to which works best.

Box calls are probably the easiest to master and are thus the most popular. Diaphragm calls are popular because their use frees up your hands for use of your weapon. They take much practice. All of them bring in birds.

Turkeys respond to seven or eight basic calls from hunters. They are the yelp, the mating call, the assembly call, cluck, purr, cackle, cutting call, and the fighting gobbler. The latter is a combination of purr, cluck, and broken gobble made by using two push-button calls at the same time.

Calling is sometimes a two-man operation to use in mid- to late morning.

Another call the turkey hunter carries with him is the Barred Owl call mentioned earlier. It is for use at first light. The call is a, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” Gobblers in the area will gobble in response to this call, giving away their location. A crow call used later in the morning sometimes elicits the same response.

It is important to learn the proper use of a call and to practice frequently before the season begins.

Turkey hunting is intriguing. Study it and practice with the calls and weapons. Study the quarry, too. If you do your homework, chances are good for a safe successful hunt and a fine turkey dinner with the family.

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.