During the spring season, nearly 3 million turkey hunters head afield in 49 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico, often traveling hundreds or thousands of miles to enjoy their ultimate hunting adventures.

The National Wild Turkey Federation has put together the following helpful tips for sportsmen and women planning a turkey hunt.

Get Ready, Get Set … Go!
Planning increases your odds of having a great time on a turkey hunt. It also will help you get the most for your money: quality food, accommodations, camaraderie and most of all, can improve your chances for success in the field.

“Part of the fun of turkey hunting is getting your gear ready,” says Burt Carey, editor of the NWTF’s Turkey Call magazine. “But with all the gear on the market today, you’ll have to really prioritize what you need – especially if you’re flying to your destination.”

Start by deciding which of the five wild turkey subspecies you want to hunt. Once you’ve decided on Merriam’s, Gould’s, Eastern, Osceola or Rio Grande turkey, you’ll need to choose the specific region you wish to hunt. Then, decide if you will hire a guide or outfitter, or go at it alone.

Choose a Quality Guide
Guides cost money, but they also can save you time – especially if you’re hunting in unfamiliar territory. Guides and outfitters will know the land better than you, and often can put you on game faster than you could locate it on your own. Their services are invaluable, especially in areas that are unfamiliar to visiting hunters. Amenities such as lodging, restaurants, and taxidermy services may be better off chosen with the help of a guide.

“Outfitters provide services that can make parts of your hunt seem effortless,” says Scott Vance, NWTF director of conservation field operations. “You’ll enjoy your hunt more if you don’t have to worry about locating game yourself. Of course you don’t have to accept every service that is offered. If you want to rough it, you can do that as well.”

Before you set your sights on a particular outfitter, do some research. Talk to references who have used the guide in seasons past. Look up information on the Internet and pick up brochures or articles written about the guide.

For convenient travel, and to be the most prepared, pack lightly, efficiently and legally. Click image to download | Credit: NWTF

Clothes: Camo gloves Camo facenet or camo paint Camo shirt Camo pants Camo jacket Camo turkey vest or pack Camo cap Camo socks Camo undershirts Waterproof/snakeproof boots Rain suit Calls: Box call Diaphragm calls Slate or glass pot & peg call Glass call Gobble call Tube call Push-pin call Turpin/wingbone call Crow/locator call Owl hooter call Other locator calls Call Accessories: Box call chalk Sandpaper Call lanyard Box call holster Archery gear: Bow (camouflaged) Broadheads 3-D Camo clothes 3-D targets To Do: Pattern shotgun Scout territory Get landowner permission Choose landowner gift Practice calling Watch instructional videos Read instructional books Renew NWTF membership Read Turkey Call for hunting tips Attend Chapter banquets/events

“Outdoor Connection has more than 100 agents throughout the United States and Canada working hard to provide accurate information on all destinations,” says Dick Rosenlieb, NWTF senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Part of what makes Outdoor Connection so confident in their trips is that every destination has been personally visited by at least one of their agents.”

During your search for a guide, don’t be afraid to ask questions. You are paying the outfitter to give you his or her best, and it’s only fair that they answer any questions you may have. It’s also important that you research the rules and regulations in the state you plan to hunt. You may trust your guide, but you should always know the laws first hand.

If you’re planning a do-it-yourself hunt, be prepared to do everything from washing dishes to cleaning and packing out your game. Some hunters enjoy a sense of accomplishment by roughing it. If you are limited by time and want nicer accommodations and some professional staff support, hire an outfitter.

Pack It In
Many hunters will agree they tend to over-pack for even the shortest hunting trips. For convenient travel, and to be the most prepared, it’s important to pack light, pack for specific terrain and weather, and pack efficiently and legally.

Keep your licenses, tickets, contact information, maps and directions together in a bag that is accessible while you are traveling by plane or automobile. This bag also can be used to keep valuables like medications, camera gear, glasses and small, expensive or fragile items.

You’ll find packing lightly will make your travel easy, and packing light is simple if you make a list of specific gear that you will need for the trip. Lighter bags are easier to carry and store, and lightening your luggage can prevent airlines from charging you for overweight bags.

Keep in mind the size of the vehicle you will be traveling in once you get off the plane. While packing for your trip, leave enough room in your luggage to accommodate extra items you may pick up along the way.

Remember that if your hunt is a success, you’ll possibly be bringing home meat or other items. Some hunters bring fresh meat home in their carry-on bags, but another option is to ship an empty cooler to the lodge or hotel you plan to hunt from during the trip. Your cooler will be waiting at your destination, and will be ready to load up for the return trip.

Follow the Leader
As a turkey hunter, you have a responsibility to hunt in accordance with the law, and will benefit from packing your gear efficiently.

Traveling with firearms and ammunition, whether flying or on the road, presents a unique set of challenges. According to Sgt. Don Reese of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, safety should be the top priority when carrying a firearm in your vehicle.

“The most important thing to remember is to keep your firearm unloaded for safety reasons above all else,” Reese says. “The highway patrol recommends carrying your shotgun in your trunk. If you have a truck, behind the seat or in the bed are the best places to store your firearms. We also recommend you carry your shotgun in a case.”

Since laws vary from state to state, it is important to contact the authorities in the state in which you plan to travel. “All states have different laws regarding firearms in vehicles,” Reese says. “It’s a good idea to check with the highway patrol just to be safe.”

In some cases, the car just won’t get you there fast enough and catching a plane is necessary. Airlines will allow you to travel with a firearm, but there are a few important items to keep in mind when traveling by plane:

Store all firearms or archery equipment unloaded in a locked, hard-sided case. A security officer may need open the case before it is allowed on the plane, so keep your key within easy reach.

Inform the ticket agent that you have a firearm upon arriving at the airport for check-in. You will need to open the case to show that it is unloaded and complete and sign a short firearms declaration form to store with the firearm during transport. If you must enter a security checkpoint prior to check-in, inform security personnel that you have a firearm.

Store shotshells or cartridges in their original packaging or securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes and transport in a checked bag. Whenever possible, use the original packaging.

Check Transportation Security Administration regulations by visiting www.tsa.gov before packing for a flight with any of these items.

For good measure, you should arrive at the airport at least two hours early for domestic flights—even longer for international flights. Also, be prepared to pick up your sporting arm from airport personnel in their baggage claim office after you reach your destination. For security reasons, many airlines won’t put gun cases on the baggage carousel with regular baggage after a flight arrives. Always remember that each airline may have different firearm restrictions—and keep in mind that regulations can, and do, change. Always call ahead or check your airline’s Web site for their latest regulations before packing for your hunting trip.

A Turkey Hunter’s Checklist
Even if you have never been a gear junkie, a hunting trip is the perfect opportunity to try out the latest and greatest products. While you will not need every item on the following list to bag a turkey, any given situation can make you wish you had packed your bag a little more thoroughly.

“A checklist is just one way to safeguard yourself from forgetting important items,” says Burt Carey, editor of NWTF’s Turkey Call magazine. “You don’t want to travel across the country for a once-in-a-lifetime hunt only to realize that you forgot your favorite call at home. It’s a bad way to start off a hunt.”

The NWTF has compiled this comprehensive checklist for all turkey hunters from novices to experts. The NWTF’s online Turkey Shoppe offers many of the items listed below. Check it out at http://turkeyshoppe.nwtf.org and always remember to hunt safely.