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It was “up in the morning” as they say in turkey hunting lingo. The daylight din of activity had ebbed so I was trolling along, stopping periodically to belt out a few yelps on my box call when I got a response, though not one I’d hoped for. It was perhaps the worst rendition of a hen turkey I’d ever heard, and I chuckled to myself thinking, “This guy will never kill a turkey.” Hoping to avoid the other hunter I moved off a way before calling again, and getting the same scratchy, awkward

At the mention of the words “food plot” one can’t help but envision fields of clover, deep-green brassicas, and tall stands of corn or soybeans. While the goal of a food plot may be to enhance feeding options for local wildlife and to help you seal the deal on a buck of a lifetime, some wildflower plots can also add to the aesthetics of your property, attract pollinators, in addition to providing much needed cover and bugging opportunities for turkey poults as they develop. What makes a

With wildfires raging throughout the western states at the time I’m writing this, “proactive forest management” is being brought to light as a way to combat the deadly and destructive large-scale wildfires that seem to have become all too frequent in recent years. Of all available management techniques, some outsiders or land management neophytes may find this one odd: “using fire to thwart fire.” The big difference is we are using “prescribed fire” to prevent “wildfire.” It is important to

One of the most common mistakes in food plot plantings and farming for wildlife is improper timing relative to the crop and the region. For example the growing period for warm season annuals can vary pretty widely across the nation. The northernmost part of the states and on into Canada could have as little as 4-5 months of temperatures conducive to growing spring/summer crops. This is all dependent on how quickly the winter snow melts and soil temperatures rise as well as when the first hard

Nothing triggers a turkey hunter into fitful dreams and self-imposed sleep deprivation like bushy beards, lusty gobbles and limb-hanger spurs. However, understanding wild turkeys and some parts of their anatomy—beaks, feet, legs and yes, the coveted spurs, are worthy of a closer look at how they function in the species’ survival. This column will discuss their structure and roles. Important insight is included from wild turkey expert and researcher, Dr. Michael J. Chamberlain, PhD., Terrell

The “winter to spring transition” and its affect on flock dynamics. Whether wild turkeys have survived winter’s bitter cold, a balmier southern version, or something in between, Nature’s promise of winter’s end triggers big changes in turkey flocks. Habitat and forage needs also evolve as the next season approaches and turkeys prepare for every turkey hunter’s happiest time of year—spring! This issue’s column discusses how turkeys alter their social behaviors, flock dynamics, and ranges in

Winter Flock Gatherings Huge winter flocks (think deer “yarding”) are not uncommon in colder climes. I watched as a Kentucky flock of more than 150 roosted birds scattered across a hardwood hillside as they cackled and glided into a protected valley below. What an incredible and noisy affair. The same occurred in Tennessee and Iowa. The image here shows part of a large Alabama winter flock of 66 birds. What’s with these big turkey rendezvous? There was forage available, but with all the

Temptation to cross onto property without permission can be caused by many factors. As the landowner, you should be vigilant first not to create a reason for trespassers to want to go onto your property. Avoid planting plots that are visible from roadways or other properties. Creating a visual barrier between public roadways and your food plots is advisable, further aiding in limiting trespassing. You should also take steps to create visual and sometimes even physical barriers to remove any

Frost seeding clover offers a great technique for gaining an early start to the spring growing season and establishing one of wildlife’s favorite perennial food sources. You can frost seed clover into existing clover plots that require refreshing or rotate perennials into plots that were planted in annuals the previous fall, using very minimal equipment. With soil testing, fertilization, weed control and liming, perennials like Non-Typical Clover or Clover Plus can last for years. What is Frost

Hunters in general can be complainers, especially when it comes to seasons and bag limits. They say things like, “The season is too short,” or “It starts too late,” or “They don’t let us take enough.” Complaints often center around how wildlife managers and biologists set limits based on population limits. “How do they know what’s really out there?” The one exception seems to be waterfowlers. More than any other faction of hunters, they seem willing to accept what they’re allowed with little