How to Hunt Late Season Turkey: A Guide for Beginners

ByMike Thompson Turkey Hunting

How to Hunt Late Season Turkey

The turkey is a North American game bird that is prized for its delicious meat and challenging hunting. While turkey hunting can be enjoyed throughout the year, late season hunting offers a unique set of challenges and rewards.

In this article, we will discuss the best late season turkey hunting strategies, including when to go, where to go, and what gear to use. We will also provide tips on how to call in and kill a late season turkey.

So if you’re looking for a new challenge this fall, consider giving late season turkey hunting a try. It’s a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of the changing season.

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
How to hunt late season turkey? Tips and advice Resources
Scouting
  • Look for signs of turkeys, such as tracks, droppings, and feathers.
  • Listen for turkeys gobbling.
  • Hunt in areas where turkeys are known to roost.
Calling
  • Use a variety of calls to attract turkeys.
  • Be patient and persistent.
  • Don’t give up if you don’t see a turkey right away.
Hunting
  • Be camouflaged and use a blind or other cover.
  • Move slowly and quietly.
  • Take your time and make sure of your shot.

How to Hunt Late Season Turkeys

Late season turkey hunting can be a challenging but rewarding experience. The turkeys are older and wiser, and they’ve been hunted for months. But if you’re willing to put in the work, you can still have success.

Scouting for Late Season Turkeys

The first step to a successful late season turkey hunt is scouting. This is especially important if you’re hunting on public land, where the turkeys are likely to be more pressured.

When to Scout

The best time to scout for late season turkeys is in the early morning or late evening. This is when the turkeys are most active.

Where to Scout

Turkeys will often roost in the same trees each night. Look for roost trees in areas with thick cover, such as thickets, brush piles, and timber edges.

What to Look For

When you’re scouting for late season turkeys, you’re looking for signs of activity. This includes droppings, tracks, and scratchings. You may also see turkeys strutting or gobbling.

Calling in Late Season Turkeys

Calling in late season turkeys can be a challenge. The turkeys are more wary, and they’ve heard a lot of calls. But if you use the right calls and techniques, you can still be successful.

What Calls to Use

The best calls to use for late season turkeys are yelps, clucks, and purrs. These calls mimic the sounds of a hen turkey, and they’re the most effective at getting a gobbler’s attention.

How to Use Calls

When you’re calling in late season turkeys, it’s important to be patient and persistent. Don’t call too much, or you’ll spook the turkeys. Instead, call every few minutes and then wait for a response.

When to Call

The best time to call in late season turkeys is in the early morning or late evening. This is when the turkeys are most active.

Late season turkey hunting can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success.

Additional Tips

* Wear camouflage clothing that blends in with the surrounding vegetation.
* Move slowly and quietly.
* Use a shotgun with a turkey choke.
* Be patient and persistent.
* Have fun!

3. Decoying late season turkeys

Decoying is one of the most important aspects of late season turkey hunting. This is because turkeys are more wary and less likely to come to a call during the late season. By using the right decoys, set up in the right way, and at the right time, you can increase your chances of success.

What decoys to use

The most important thing to consider when choosing decoys is realism. Late season turkeys are very experienced and they will be able to spot a fake decoy from a mile away. Look for decoys that are made with realistic materials and that have lifelike features.

You should also consider the size of the decoys you use. If you are hunting in a small area, you may want to use smaller decoys. This will help to keep the turkeys from getting spooked. If you are hunting in a larger area, you may want to use larger decoys. This will help to attract turkeys from a greater distance.

How to set up decoys

When setting up your decoys, it is important to make sure that they are in a natural position. Turkeys are very observant and they will be able to tell if the decoys are not placed correctly.

You should also try to place your decoys in a location that is sheltered from the wind. This will help to keep the decoys from blowing around and will make them more visible to the turkeys.

When to use decoys

The best time to use decoys is during the early morning and late afternoon. This is when turkeys are most active and they are more likely to be looking for food.

You should also use decoys when the weather is calm. This will help to keep the decoys from blowing around and will make them more visible to the turkeys.

4. Hunting late season turkeys

Hunting late season turkeys can be challenging, but it can also be very rewarding. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success.

When to hunt

The best time to hunt late season turkeys is during the early morning and late afternoon. This is when turkeys are most active and they are more likely to be looking for food.

Where to hunt

The best place to hunt late season turkeys is in areas that have a lot of cover. This will help to keep the turkeys from getting spooked. Look for areas with thick brush, fallen trees, and other types of cover.

How to hunt

When hunting late season turkeys, it is important to be patient. Turkeys are very wary and they will not come to a call if they are not sure it is safe.

You should also try to use a call that is similar to the sound of a hen turkey. This will help to attract the attention of the turkeys.

If you see a turkey, it is important to be slow and deliberate in your movements. Turkeys are very sensitive to movement and they will get spooked if you move too quickly.

Once you have a turkey within range, you should take your shot. Be sure to aim for the head or neck.

Hunting late season turkeys can be challenging, but it can also be very rewarding. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success.

Q: What are the best late-season turkey hunting tactics?

A: There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success when hunting turkeys in the late season.

* Hunt during the right time of day. Turkeys are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, so plan your hunts accordingly.
* Scout for turkeys in the early season. This will give you a good idea of where they’re roosting and where they’re feeding.
* Use a variety of calls. Turkeys are more likely to respond to a variety of calls in the late season, so be prepared to use a variety of calls.
* Be patient. Turkeys can be very cautious in the late season, so you need to be patient and wait for them to come to you.

Q: What are some of the best late-season turkey calling strategies?

A: Here are a few tips for calling turkeys in the late season:

* Use a variety of calls. Turkeys are more likely to respond to a variety of calls in the late season, so be prepared to use a variety of calls.
* Be patient. Turkeys can be very cautious in the late season, so you need to be patient and wait for them to come to you.
* Don’t overcall. It’s important to be patient and not overcall when hunting turkeys in the late season. If you overcall, you’ll spook the turkeys and they’ll be less likely to come to you.
* Use a decoy. A decoy can be a very effective way to attract turkeys in the late season.

Q: What are some of the best late-season turkey hunting locations?

A: Here are a few tips for finding late-season turkey hunting locations:

* Look for areas with a mix of open and wooded areas. Turkeys like to feed in open areas and roost in wooded areas, so look for areas that have a mix of both.
* Look for areas with water. Turkeys need water to drink, so look for areas with water nearby.
* Look for areas that are secluded. Turkeys are more likely to be active in secluded areas, so look for areas that are away from human activity.

Q: What are some of the best late-season turkey hunting gear?

A: Here are a few pieces of gear that you’ll need for late-season turkey hunting:

* A good shotgun. You’ll need a shotgun that’s capable of taking down a turkey at close range.
* A turkey vest. A turkey vest is a great way to carry your gear and keep it organized.
* A pair of camouflaged pants and shirt. Camouflage is essential for late-season turkey hunting.
* A pair of boots. You’ll need a pair of boots that are comfortable and waterproof.

Q: What are some common mistakes that late-season turkey hunters make?

A: Here are a few common mistakes that late-season turkey hunters make:

* Hunting too early in the morning. Turkeys are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, so you should avoid hunting too early in the morning.
* Overcalling. It’s important to be patient and not overcall when hunting turkeys in the late season. If you overcall, you’ll spook the turkeys and they’ll be less likely to come to you.
* Not using a decoy. A decoy can be a very effective way to attract turkeys in the late season.
* Not being patient. Turkeys can be very cautious in the late season, so you need to be patient and wait for them to come to you.

late season turkey hunting can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following the tips in this article, you can increase your chances of success. Be sure to scout your hunting area well, and use a variety of calling and decoying techniques to attract turkeys. Patience and perseverance are also essential, as late season turkeys can be very wary. However, if you put in the work, you’ll be rewarded with some delicious wild turkey meat.

Author Profile

Mike Thompson
Mike Thompson
Hello, fellow turkey enthusiasts! I'm Mike Thompson, a proud resident of the picturesque state of Missouri, renowned for its thriving turkey population and favorable hunting conditions. For over a decade, I've roamed the woods, valleys, and peaks of our beautiful state, learning every nook, cranny, and secret that turkey hunting has to offer. My track record? Well, let's just say I've bagged more turkeys than there are days in November, and each hunt has added a story to my ever-growing book of experiences.

However, as much as I love the thrill of the hunt, what truly fuels my passion is the joy of sharing my knowledge with others. That's why I created this platform. This site is not just a testament to my journey but a beacon for all those who are looking to embark on their own turkey hunting adventures. Whether you're a beginner eager to get started or a seasoned pro seeking advanced tips, you'll find a wealth of information here.

From understanding turkey behavior, tracking techniques, and the best equipment to use, to the do's and don'ts of turkey hunting, this site is a comprehensive guide to all things turkey. So, strap on your boots, pick up your gear, and let's embark on a journey together into the world of turkey hunting. Welcome to my site, and happy hunting!