Spring is a very special time of year. First and foremost, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. While I try my best to have a daily relationship with Christ, it certainly intensifies throughout this season. Along with such, comes the opportunity to get out and connect with Christ in His creation. Some of my most spiritual, direct moments with the Holy Spirit occur out in the wilderness as I’m hunting, fishing or just taking in the beauty of God's creation. One specific opportunity in the spring that stands out among the rest when out in the woods during spring is spring turkey season. An unmatched, unique and heart pounding experience. There’s just something about getting into the woods while it’s still asleep, tucking up against a tree and watching your surroundings come alive. The cricket choir begins to fade, the birds awake with their song and the dark transitions to light while waiting to hear the first turkey of the morning. I can't help but get a little anxious as I sit, listening and anticipating hearing the first gobble of the morning.
I have to confess though, I’m certainly not the most avid turkey hunter there is. I have harvested many over the years, but very few have been as a direct result of me locating and calling a bird into range right off the roost. Lots of my encounters have been of the right place, right time variety. That said, there is something very special about hearing a mature tom’s fist gobble upon waking and then proceeding to call him within range.. If you’re really lucky, it will happen in a manner that you’re able to watch the bird strut and strum into your setup from a distance. That is truly an incredible display of God's splendor and if it all works as planned, the bird will stroll within range. Achieving this can be an intimidating task though, no doubt. There's so many calls, set ups, decoys, and so on to choose from as well as mastering the calls and equipment you choose.
I’ve found that the more simple I keep it the better off I am. As I stated already, I’m not an expert so I tend to keep it pretty basic. One mouth call, and maybe one box call. A decoy, proper clothing for the current weather and my crossbow. That's about it besides my pack gear. If I’m being honest, it has been a few seasons since I harvested a spring turkey. I’ve had many close encounters but haven’t sealed the deal. When I am blessed to harvest a bird, I like to skin it like a deer (with different cuts of course) rather than pluck it. I’ve found this much easier and just as effective. I love fried wild turkey breast and morels! It’s truly a luxury in my opinion! The dark meat sections I like to marinate and slow cook then shred or dice up once off the bone. It’s great for soup, casseroles, stir fries or pastas and can be frozen and pulled out for a quick meal starter.
I have to confess though, I’m certainly not the most avid turkey hunter there is. I have harvested many over the years, but very few have been as a direct result of me locating and calling a bird into range right off the roost. Lots of my encounters have been of the right place, right time variety. That said, there is something very special about hearing a mature tom’s fist gobble upon waking and then proceeding to call him within range.. If you’re really lucky, it will happen in a manner that you’re able to watch the bird strut and strum into your setup from a distance. That is truly an incredible display of God's splendor and if it all works as planned, the bird will stroll within range. Achieving this can be an intimidating task though, no doubt. There's so many calls, set ups, decoys, and so on to choose from as well as mastering the calls and equipment you choose.
I’ve found that the more simple I keep it the better off I am. As I stated already, I’m not an expert so I tend to keep it pretty basic. One mouth call, and maybe one box call. A decoy, proper clothing for the current weather and my crossbow. That's about it besides my pack gear. If I’m being honest, it has been a few seasons since I harvested a spring turkey. I’ve had many close encounters but haven’t sealed the deal. When I am blessed to harvest a bird, I like to skin it like a deer (with different cuts of course) rather than pluck it. I’ve found this much easier and just as effective. I love fried wild turkey breast and morels! It’s truly a luxury in my opinion! The dark meat sections I like to marinate and slow cook then shred or dice up once off the bone. It’s great for soup, casseroles, stir fries or pastas and can be frozen and pulled out for a quick meal starter.
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