Q&A with Beau Brooks
If you’ve ever heard Beau Brooks talk turkeys, you know how passionate he is about spring gobbles. But Brooks is humble, stating that while he has won various calling titles, they pale in comparison to what it means to talk with other passionate hunters. And this year at the NWTF’s Convention and Sport Show, that’s exactly what Brooks did, fielding questions from youth and veteran hunters alike.
Brooks covered a variety of topics, including how he hunts large tracts versus small tracts, stating, “The smaller the tract, the bigger the wait.” He explained that smaller properties offer fewer terrain options and increase the likelihood of bumping a bird. His suggestion was to be patient and stay still on small tracts. However, on larger tracts, Brooks encouraged hunters to use the terrain to their advantage and cover more ground.
Brooks also shared preseason advice, encouraging hunters to begin scouting early and, as tempting as it may be, to avoid yelping at gobblers before the season. Instead of educating birds, he suggested using locator calls only prior to opening day.
Brooks admitted it doesn’t always work out. When birds aren’t gobbling, he said rather than getting frustrated, he calls it and goes back to work. He’s most interested in a gobbler that wants to “play my game.”
He also discussed his bump-the-hen tactic for situations where a gobbler may be on the other side of a hill. If a hen is on its way to a gobbler he’s working, Brooks will bump the hen and subsequently attempt to mimic her yelps and cadence to draw the gobbler over. He made sure the audience understood: It only works if the gobbler doesn’t see you.
Most refreshing of all, Brooks admitted he’s still learning everyday.