Moultrie’s Guide to Turkey Hunting & Behavior

There are 49 out of our 50 states that hold turkeys and for folks in the southern states, season is already underway. As springtime progresses, the northern states begin to open up. For the serious turkey hunter, there are opportunities to hunt turkeys from the beginning of March all the way into June! Tags vary from state to state, some being available over the counter to purchase whereas others have to be put in for and drawn to be able to get a tag and hunt. 

The United States is home to four primary wild turkey subspecies: 

1. Eastern Wild Turkey: Inhabits the entire East Coast, extending into some western states. 
2. Rio Grande Wild Turkey: Found in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and even Hawaii. 
3. Merriam's Wild Turkey: Resides in western regions such as Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. 
4. Osceola Wild Turkey: Exclusive to Florida. 

Each subspecies has unique behaviors and habitat preferences, making it important to tailor your hunting strategies to each type.

Turkeys are social birds that tend to spend most of their time in groups of just a few birds to very large flocks, depending on the time of year. Deer hunters tend to see large “winter flocks” while in the field in the fall. These flocks may or may not use the same areas in the spring, as they will sometimes disperse to other properties that have better forage or nesting areas. 

Roost sites will tend to be in mature trees in most areas and are often close to a water source and transition areas where maybe a field meets the hardwoods or pines grow next to heavy timber. Droppings will be found under those trees as well as feathers and scratching in the leaves where they are flying down in the mornings or up to roost in the evenings. These are great spots to sit close to if you can slip in or out undetected.

Finding where turkeys have been and knowing the area you hunt will often help you figure out where they are going. Moultrie cameras are an excellent tool to keep you in the game.

1. Strategic Placement: Setting your cameras in field edges, around water sources or in places where you have seen turkeys in the past will help you to strategize where you need to be when opening day rolls around.
2. Identifying Strut Zones: Strut zones are areas where toms will strut around showing off for the ladies, and are found in places where he will feel safe as well as have a strategic vantage point. They will be somewhat territorial in these zones and will defend their spots against other toms in the area if they are the dominant gobbler. This also gives them a place to see when other turkeys or even predators are approaching their location.
3. Use the Moultrie App: The mapping software as well as weather info is all at your fingertips in the Moultrie app! The Live Aim capability on some models takes away the guessing game on making sure your camera is pointed where you want it. I like to set mine just a little lower for turkeys than I do for deer, around 20-24” from the ground.

These tips are key to placing your cameras to keep tabs on your flock! The AI software capabilities of your Moultrie cameras will also allow you to set your cameras up to detect only turkeys if that’s what you are targeting. This will save you on your data plan by targeting a specific animal and getting only those photos if you are not using an unlimited plan.

Weather in the springtime can be somewhat unpredictable, but if you keep an eye on the radar you’ll find that right before and especially right after a storm can be highly productive for hunting turkeys. They tend to get out into fields in rain and foggy weather so that they can see danger coming. If the rain subsides they will preen themselves and stretch their wings and tail fans to dry out. A light rain and a field gobbler can be a great combination to success if you are prepared for it. 

Knowing the dirt you hunt and how animals use it can be the difference between success and going home empty handed. Where baiting is allowed, setting your cameras up in the off season can also tell you a lot about your turkey population.

• Varmint control: Raccoons are abundant across all of North America and are probably the most proficient nest raiders out there. If you are seeing them on camera, use the off season to help save your turkeys! Trapping is very effective and allows you more time in the woods to learn what the critters are doing throughout the year.
• Continuous Monitoring: Setting your Moultrie cams over your trapping sites also keeps you from having to physically check every location each time you run your traps. (Follow the laws according to your state in regards to trapping.)

For some folks, turkey hunting is a tradition as old as time, for others, it can be a new adventure. If you get the chance, share a sunrise with someone in the turkey woods this spring. I can promise you that you are both missing out if you don’t!

 - Rick Taylor

Turkey Season FAQs:

Q: What turkey hunting accessories can help improve success rates?
A: Key turkey hunting accessories include ground blinds, decoys, turkey vests with storage, and cellular trail cameras for tracking bird movement. These tools increase concealment and scouting efficiency.

Q: What is the best turkey hunting equipment for beginners?
A: Beginners should start with essential turkey hunting gear like camo clothing, turkey calls, and a comfortable seat. Trail cameras and decoys can also improve scouting and success in the field.