Aside from his professional career, David Heskiel enjoys turkey hunting in Nebraska, as well as hiking and fishing.
Running throughout the fall and spring across the United States, turkey hunting season can be a challenging experience for hunters, regardless of their level of experience. Hunters who read the terrain and understand gobbling techniques, can increase their chances of having a successful turkey season.
From scouting the location to understanding the movement of the birds, reading the terrain plays a vital role in turkey hunting. First, determine the age of the turkey markings by observing scratching and scraping marks. For example, markings in the dirt or on trees will be more concentrated and less dry the newer they are. If possible, listen for turkeys gobbling in the early morning to determine where they roost and where they enter the field. After pinpointing the location of the turkeys, hunters should practice effective calling techniques to draw them into an open area, such as a series of loud calls until the bird is nearly in view. At that point, lower the call volume to avoid spooking the turkey and keep it interested. Varying the calls also makes the turkey think there is an entire flock in the area, which is a highly effective technique, especially if the tom turkey is surrounded by hens.
