Reconnect with Nature and Your Favorite Game Bird Through the Lens
Turkey season might be over, but that doesn’t mean your time in the woods has to be. In fact, June is Great Outdoors Month. It is the perfect time to recreate and immerse yourself in nature. While the 2025 spring turkey season is over, you can enjoy turkeys in a whole new way — through the lens of a camera. Swapping your shotgun for a camera lets you stay connected to the birds you love and get outdoors.
Wildlife photography is a perfect off-season pursuit for turkey hunters. It scratches the same itch — the scouting, patience and the thrill of the encounter — but without the need for a tag. More than that, it deepens your appreciation for the bird, its habitat and the chase.
The tactics you utilized during turkey season can make you a natural behind the lens, including:
- Blending in: Turkeys have sharp eyesight. Wearing camouflage and remaining still is just as important behind the lens.
- Using a blind: Blinds work well in open areas and let you stay hidden while capturing close-up shots.
- Scouting: Knowing where turkeys roost, feed and travel is key to being in the right place at the right time.
An important point to note when photographing wild turkeys: do not disrupt the natural behavior of wild turkeys or other wildlife. Unlike hunting turkeys, you should refrain from actively calling the bird, putting out decoys or interfering with the bird in any way. Rather, when photographing wild turkeys, the key is to become discreet enough that you are able to capture the raw nature of wild turkeys without human influence. Just as with hunting, ensure you learn about the laws regarding photographing wildlife in your state.
But photographing turkeys isn’t just about capturing the perfect frame. It’s about being there — in the moment. Photography offers a peaceful, purpose-driven way to stay outdoors, engage with wildlife and invite others into the experience — especially those who might not hunt.
Each outing with your camera is a chance to observe, to learn and reconnect with what drew you to the woods in the first place. It reminds us that hunting is more than the harvest — it's about connection, respect and stewardship.
If you’re looking for a new goal, each year, the National Wild Turkey Federation hosts a photo contest to showcase the beauty of wild turkeys and the landscapes they call home. Whether you're just starting out or have years behind the lens, your photos can inspire others and help share the NWTF story. View the winners of the 2024 NWTF Photo Contest here, and stay tuned for the 2025 contest to open later this year.
So, this off-season, pack your gear, lace up your boots and head into the woods. The turkeys are still out there, and the chase never really ends — it just changes form.