Before the Hunt

The spring 2020 turkey season is just a week away for some and not too much longer for the rest of us, and with that comes the opportunity to start anew.

If you’re considering hitting the road for gobblers this spring, start planning now. Here are some tips from an expert turkey vagabond.

“Be the mentor you needed when you first started hunting,” said Cristina McGannon Jones of Oxford, New Jersey. Cristina presented tips and advice for making the most out of a mentored hunt at NWTF’s Annual Convention and Sport Show during its National Leadership Conference.

Craft a realistic, common-sense multi-year plan to take your Slam. The pursuit can be arduous, but the results are worthwhile.

Many turkey hunters have certain accomplishments they would like to achieve in hunting or destinations they would like to visit for a hunt.

While fall-turkey hunting doesn’t exactly have the same allure of spring gobbling action, autumn is a great time to explore the turkey woods.

Fall approaches, and with it comes opportunity in the field.

These examples show the power of our membership when we engage on an issue.

Wild turkey work group recommends Southeastern states consider delaying spring turkey season opener.

“I cannot prove that God is from Arkansas, but I know for sure that He has family there.”— Jimmy Peacock

Think outside the box as you begin your attempt to secure hunting property. 

Jason Hart’s love for the NWTF and turkey hunting began at an early age and hasn’t waned.

As you pass by junk take pause. That vestige of yesteryear has the possibility to be your next, best hunting blind ever.

Whether you are trying to complete a World Slam or simply wanting a unique adventure, know you’ll also be smack in the middle of the Yucatan Peninsula, have the opportunity to see Mayan ruins, enjoy incredible local cuisine and possibly check out other local tourist attractions.

Whether it’s your own child or a mentored youth, companies, state agencies and private organizations are helping to recruit more hunters.

Why is scent control important when hunting a bird that can’t smell? The answer is simple and often overlooked.

Location, location, location is everything when it comes to tagging a turkey this spring. In order to be in the right location a hunter must do two things first; scout and observe.

A rise in tick-borne illnesses is the result of a convergence of factors that one insect group calls the “perfect storm,” leading to more ticks in more places.

These easy-to-master friction yelpers can help newcomers find their calling chops.

After making a few calls with your box call you realize that it does not sound like it once did. It might be time for a tune-up. Do not get carried away with the tuning as this might ruin the call. A little will go far in the tuning process.

On Saturday at the 43rd annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show, the NWTF held a panel called “The Future of Hunting: Preserving our Hunting Heritage.” Strickland, champion caller and Avian-X’s Matt Morrett, Zink Calls founder and owner Fred Zink, From Field to Plate founder Jeremiah Doughty and Primos Hunting’s Jimmy Primos came together to discuss what they expect in the future of our sport and what we can do to remedy that problem. Travis Sumner, NWTF hunting heritage and habitat specialist, moderated the panel discussion.

During the R3 (Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation): Fast Enough, Bold Enough, Good Enough?” panel discussion at the 43rd annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show, Bob Ziehmer, senior director of conservation for Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, was asked for his thoughts on the future of hunting.

Whether you’re looking for a new subspecies of wild turkey to hunt or you’re researching a new state to test your turkey hunting acumen, the 2019 Spring Hunt Guide is here to help.

Shed antler hunting is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities, but don’t spend your time in the winter and early spring woods with a single focus. Combine your shed antler hunts with scouting for turkeys and whitetails.

Competition callers started as hunters, and they translate turkey vocabulary smarts learned afield to the GNCC limelight and back to the woods.

If you’re looking to buy your first shotgun and want a good all-around-use gun, there are a few things you need to consider before buying. NWTF Hunting Heritage and Habitat Manager Travis Sumner shared a few tips on buying a shotgun that will make a good all-around hunting gun.

As the late, great gun writer Aaron Fraser Pass once wrote of wind drift, “Like the weather, shooters must learn to live with the wind, and “wind doping” in the field is a learned and arcane art form, rather than a science.” This is a case where “practice makes perfect” really applies.

Pass on the turkey hunting tradition this autumn by mentoring a new hunter. Here’s how to do it.

Turkey nuggets taste good in the fall, too. Get all the fall turkey tips, season dates, public land recommendations, gear and guide info you’ll need in the 2018 Fall Hunt Guide. Remember to check your state’s regulations for full details on hunting seasons.

You want your kids or even your grandkids to embrace the outdoors, right? Unfortunately, countless distractions seize their attention. If you want to compete and forward the goals above consider implementing these 10 activities to hook kids on the outdoors.

Our staff is like every other hunter across the country. Some grew up in a hunting family, learning hunting skills from their family elders. Others came to the sport as adults.

Late-season longbeards can be difficult, but the author’s years of experience reveal that patience, perseverance and special tactics pay off

One of the hardest things for a new hunter can be figuring out what gear to buy and bring into the turkey woods.

As we prepare our gear for the season, it’s always a good idea to talk safety.

Scope mounting is a multi-faceted process, with all parts being critical to consistent hits on long-range bullseyes.

If you make the commitment to self-film your hunts or the hunts of friends and family, you're going to need a few key pieces of equipment to get the job done right

Check your checklist to ensure you have everything to make your hunt a success.

When it comes to developing youth turkey hunters, begin the process early and take your time.

The 2018 Spring Hunt Guide provides you with all the useful information needed for turkey hunting in your state, plus public land recommendations from NWTF regional biologists. Each recommendation includes specifics on conservation-related work with wild turkeys, and other game animals, in mind.

We're taking it back to the basics with the ABC's of turkey hunting.

Discover the benefits of developing a wildlife management strategy with your neighbor.

The Slam King doesn’t get much sleep during spring, but that’s by design. Here’s how he formulates a sleep and wake-up schedule that puts him in great position every morning.

All of us — call makers and hunters alike — have benefited from Gibson’s invention

Calling competitions helped drive the modern turkey hunting boom, forging legendary careers and building an industry

Sharing the bond that comes with learning to hunt or sharing the hunting experience is truly special to most hunters

Sharing the passion of our hunting tradition is sure to spark a flame that can easily turn an interest into a lifestyle.

Endurance will be the key to surviving if you find yourself in trouble.

We interrupt your current hunting season for an important consideration. Where are you hunting turkeys in the spring?

Be a smart and savvy online hunting advocate

You are the face of hunting. Be prepared

The NWTF and state agencies examine what works and what doesn’t in hunter recruitment

Fall and winter seasons provide incredible turkey hunting opportunities across the country. Here’s an overview of the ever-shifting autumn scene

Team up with the NWTF in 8 different ways!

As the 2017 fall turkey hunting season nears, the NWTF offers up the annual Fall Hunt Guide as an overview of each state's up-coming wild turkey hunting season.

Whether you’re looking for that second-chance tom or simply trying your hand at a flock of first-year birds, the tips that follow will help you have a great autumn experience.

As you age, your mission in the turkey woods changes and evolves. Nothing gives a senior hunter more pleasure than guiding youngsters to their first turkeys.

Like you, turkeys follow a daily schedule. Decipher this schedule and you could be one step closer to turkey success this spring. Begin your clockwork strategy with a dawn assault.

The gobblers are strutting and the game is on. Make sure you’re ready with these proven strategies.

Most turkey hunters never give this a second thought, but it could mean the difference between a bird in the bag or watching tail feathers disappear.

Modern careers have more demands than ever, and technology hasn’t created more expendable time, especially for hunting. If you’re looking to get more hunting time, or at least more quality hunting time, consider working ahead or even working odd hours like weekends.

Just as gun hunters choose the loads they prefer, I was in search of broadheads that suited me best.

As a new hunter and turkey season fast approaching, the rapid flow of information can easily become overwhelming. Fortunately, classes and seminars specifically crafted for new hunters are available to help pinpoint basic information and essential tactics.

When plotting a hunt, Jeff Budz pulls together every bit of intelligence he’s gathered in advance. Then, he follows up with first-person contacts at gun stores, archery shops and sporting goods stores.

Missouri’s Billy Yargus, won the NWTF GNCC Senior Division title in 2008, 2015 and 2016, and also took the 2016 World Championship Turkey Calling Contest.

A variety of hunting apps can help you map your property, explore new hunting opportunities, follow weather, learn vocalizations of your favorite game animal and much more.

As the 2017 spring turkey hunting season nears, the NWTF offers up the annual Spring Hunt Guide as an overview of each state's up-coming wild turkey hunting season.

This common-sense decoy setup presents a natural scene that puts gobblers right where you want them

Becoming one with your surroundings, understanding and reacting to turkey behavior and habits: these are just a taste of the skills needed to match the abilities of this turkey hunter.

Jennifer Foster, Kansas’ WITO coordinator, is spreading a contagious fever for hunting.

More and more hunters and shooters are celebrating a milder version of the old big boom as sales for suppressors are continuing to grow.

Some gobblers hang out in miserably thick, wet places. Here’s how to coax those frustrating swamp-loving birds to your gun.

From bushy-tails to white-tails, lessons learned hunting squirrels easily carry over into the deer stands and other hunting venues.

Keep from going into turkey hunting withdrawal by checking and following these five Instagram accounts.

We asked seven hunting personalities and received seven different answers with one similar conclusion… yes.

We all crave that adrenaline surge while turkey hunting, but it can lead to critical mistakes. Here’s how a veteran turkey hunter avoids overreaction and hasty moves.

Get specifics on the 42 states that offer a fall turkey hunting season.

Build woodsmanship skills to blend into a turkey's world.

Use this list to help prepare for all the curve balls the sport throws your way, allowing you to turn hunting into a hobby.

Our one-on-one interview takes us into the brain of Steven Rinella, outdoorsman, writer and TV personality.

If you are preparing for your first hunt, you'll want to read the advice these experienced hunters have to offer.

When you are being safe, everyone wins!

Listen to this advice and you'll be better prepared to tackle your first hunting season.

Aaron Warbritton talks with Scott Vance of the NWTF about possible threats to turkey hunting and tips on taking new hunters to the field.

Learn what it takes to start hunting. Get thoughts, considerations and suggestions on what to do before the hunt.

A 100-pound, data-driven millennial hunts for the first time.

You decide where to book an upcoming turkey hunt. Avoid bad situations by asking the right questions.

Meet Angie Grimm, the first female mentor for NWTF Wisconsin - North Shore Chapter. She's a 19-year-old hunting enthusiast who passes her knowledge and guidance onto new hunters. Originally from Fredonia, WI, Grimm is pursuing a major in environmental sciences at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay and in her past-time she mentors hunters to support our hunting heritage.

Take turkeys on with this one-on-one approach. We've outlined the skills and equipment you need, as well as things to think about when heading to the woods on a solo mission.

Turkey hunting can be physically challenging, use these guidelines to help you become more active and fit.

NASCAR driver and NWTF Spokesperson speaks about racing, hunting and family.

Easily find quality landowners and land to lease with Base Camp Leasing.

Refine your scouting process this season.

Here's how to keep everyone safe and the good times rolling.

Is it OK to shoot a jake?

Use these guidelines to identify the types of trees and topography where turkey prefer to roost.

Catch all sorts of creatures on your trail camera, and have some family fun while you're at it.

Read about several decoy safety tips and tactics.

Brenda Valentine gives tips to the beginner bow hunter.

NWTF members get a free 30-day trial of LifeLock Standard identity theft protection. Get yours today!

We're protecting you and your loved ones. Get special rates on benefits and services through Nationwide.

Before you travel anywhere, make sure your trip is covered!

Find signs, find birds. Scouting allows you to find where turkeys have been to help you determine where they will be. Trace their steps to track them down.

NWTF members can get excellent coverage, at an affordable price. Get protected today!

Don't forget to read up on your ATV safety tips!

To help hunters stay safe, the NWTF has compiled a list of useful tips for hunting out of tree stands.

Great tips to help you stay safe when handling firearms.

If you haven't' hunted fall turkeys, you may be surprised at the truth — and the fun.

Every outdoors person needs to know these top 10 survival tips.

It’s priority number one: safety awareness. Don’t enter the woods without revisiting our turkey hunting safety tips.

The step-by-step guide to giving your child a quality bow and quality instructions

Leave a hunting trip plan with a friend or family member to expect for the unexpected.

Share our legacy and don't let hunters become extinct.

Displeased with your old turkey gun and set-up? Here's the new and improved guns and ammo you'll want and need for the upcoming seasons.

Don't enter the woods without your perfect pattern. Try different combinations of chokes and loads to get your gun ready.

Even the best plans don't always work. Back-up strategies can save the day and fill tags this spring.

Don't let your age keep you from playing the field.

Not having success with a hen call? Try using a gobble call instead, here's how!

Learn how wingbone calls are made and how they are also unique art.

These apps will help you become the best hunter you can be.

Don't let the hype of the hunt control your mind. Don't mistake a hunter for game. Learn how to avoid the mistake.

Study your turkey pattern and make corrections to get perfection.

Looking for land? Know how to get permission and you could secure the perfect parcel.

Expose a friend or child to wild turkey hunting and mentor them along the way.

Know the rules so you aren't caught in the wrong.

Try these archery tips to help you take a bird with your bow!

Use photography to help you scout turkeys and plan your hunt.

Don't be out in the woods without knowing how to properly signal for help.

Be prepared for opening day with these eight tips.