A gobble makes the hunter aware of the approaching tom as it answers the call. Slowly, a black spot that appeared about 100 yards away transforms into a dark body with a colourful head. Waiting patiently as the bird approaches, the hunter slowly moves the gun to rest on the... more »
New equipment ranges from a scope designed specifically for turkey hunting, to waterproof calls and new decoys. The good news for equipment junkies is, there's too much new stuff to list here. These are just some of the highlights.... more »
Wild turkeys are unpredictable. This is what makes them so challenging. Yet, traditional rules about hunting turkeys are repeated like a mantra: dont over-call, forget about hunting in rain, pack it in at noon. There are times, though, when turkeys change these well-worn rules of engagement... more »
We heard the talk of approaching turkeys echoing through the fall woods before actually spotting them. The birds, which we eventually learned were hens, finally appeared between bright yellow leaves bordering an old trail through the woods. I'd picked a downed tree over the trail as my cut-off poin... more »
I became infatuated with wild turkeys in spring 2003, while working in a fly fishing shop - the only turkey check station in the area. Part of my job involved weighing and measuring hunters' turkeys for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH)... more »
Ontario has produced many great turkey hunters who have gone the extra mile to become good at what they do. Mike Gorgichuk, Adrian Hare, Kevin Townsend, and Gerry Walker are four such individuals. They've offered to share some of their thoughts, tactics, secrets, and insights, so that others will... more »
After 15 years of spring gobbler hunting, many vivid memories of successful hunts and ones that got away are imprinted on my mind. The New York folks who trapped and sent turkeys to central Ontario in the 1980s invited us to hunt with them, and since 1984, five of us have enjoyed the comradeship... more »
Turkey decoys are illegal in some states, as they were in Ontario from the first season in 1987 to 1991; hunter safety was the main reason. Hen decoys were first on the market. Some experienced hunters use them regularly, some only in a particular situation. Some purists depend on their calling... more »
Finally, we slowed to a gentle walk. Even with a morning nip in the air, we opened our jackets to help cool off from our long journey. Arriving at our destination, we settled down against wide-trunked trees to wait for the sun to rise and release the woods from night's gloom. By 5:30, the first... more »
