Wild turkeys, like other wildlife species, often feed along field edges so set up just inside the line of trees making sure you have a clear line of sight directly in front of you and to your left and right. Use a pair of ratchet cutters if necessary to clear shooting lanes. If the woods along the field edge or wildlife opening are devoid of low bushes and brush, a blind may offer added concealment.

Open areas are particularly beneficial when hunting on days when toms refuse to gobble since you can often see birds at greater distances across fields and adjust your setup according to the direction birds are moving. Decoys can be helpful on days when birds are silent or even when windy or rainy weather drowns out their calls.

“The visual attraction of the decoy can bring a turkey across a field or opening where otherwise it may have yet to hear your calls,” said Doug Howlett, editor of Turkey Call magazine. “When hunting windy days however, make sure your decoys are staked in a manner where the wind doesn’t continually spin them around. A rapidly spinning decoy can quickly turn an approaching bird into a retreating one.”

While agricultural fields are great areas to catch birds scratching for waste grains, seeds and insects, openings planted specifically for wildlife, particularly turkeys, are hard to beat. If hunting public land is in your future, check with the state or your local NWTF chapter to find out what Super Fund projects to improve turkey habitat have been carried out in your area (the In Your State link is a good place to start). Many local NWTF chapters work with state and federal wildlife agencies to improve public hunting areas by planting wildlife openings and clearing roadways.

If you have access to leased land or own a piece of property, planting foods such as chufa or specially-blended wildlife mixes, such as the NWTF’s Strut ‘N Rut, can improve the ability of young birds in the summer to survive, and will help hold birds in the area you plan to hunt. Both Strut ‘N Rut and Turkey Gold Chufa are available through the NWTF. Even if you have not planted anything by late winter, there are some mixes that include grasses and clovers that mature quickly and, if planted in early spring, can still offer benefits this hunting season. If the land is leased, be sure you have permission to plant or clear out openings first.

The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is a great resource for turkey hunting tips and other wild turkey information. Visit the NWTF’s website at www.nwtf.org for information or call (800) THE-NWTF to become a NWTF member and receive one of our great magazines filled with turkey hunting tips and stories. 

About the NWTF: In 1973 when the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded, there were an estimated 1.3 million wild turkeys and 1.5 million turkey hunters. Thanks to the work of state wildlife agencies and the NWTF's many volunteers and partners, today there are an estimated 5.4 million wild turkeys and approximately 2.6 million turkey hunters. Since 1985, more than
$135 million NWTF and cooperator dollars have been spent on over 15,000 projects benefiting wild turkeys throughout North America.

The NWTF is a 390,000-member grassroots, nonprofit organization with members in 50 states, Canada and 11 foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport.