Take proper steps to ensure safety afield
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More realistic decoys, more sophisticated methods (GPS) for finding ways into the state’s woodlands and increased range of turkey-hunting shotshells have forced turkey hunters to another level of awareness for the ongoing season.
If hunters aren’t more aware, then they should be because we’re smack dab in the middle of a rousing season, one that opened on Good Friday, a day that turned out to be a great day for lots of hunters.
Because of those innovations and improvements, the National Wild Turkey Federation has pushed hard to inform its members — really all turkey hunters — of the need to practice safety afield.
True, there are the first steps, about knowing state laws about daily (1) and season limits (2); that Louisiana has a “gobblers” only season, which eliminates hens from the take; that hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset; that there are very specific baiting laws; and that hunters must have a basic hunting license and a State Turkey Stamp.
The next steps come after hunters take to the field. The safety tips include:
- Never carry an uncovered decoy any distance.
- From a seated position, identify the clearest line of vision to your front. Establish a sight line that allows 100 yards of visibility, then set your decoy or decoys about 20 yards from your position on the line.
- Select a large stump or treetrunk that is wider than your shoulders and taller than your head to place your back against. If hunters move in on you, you are more likely to see them first.
- If you are calling over decoys and elect to move to a new location, check carefully before leaving your setup to make sure no one is stalking your decoys.
- Should you see someone in the area, especially close to your line of sight, call out in a loud, clear voice. Don’t whisper or make any call that could be misinterpreted as a turkey.
- Do not wear white, red, black or blue. This includes handkerchiefs, socks and T-shirts. Items like candy wrappers, bottled water and cigarette packs have these colors, too. These are the “target” colors of a gobbler’s head and body.
- When calling, select a spot in open timber rather than thick brush. Wearing camouflage clothing and eliminating movement is more critical to success than hiding in heavy cover. This setup allow you to better see approaching gobblers and other hunters. If you imitate the sound of a gobbling turkey, you might be calling in other hunters. Always be cautious of this, whether you are hunting public or private land.
- Stay alert. A good hunter can always detect movement in the forest by watching other game or listening for the alarm cries of blue jays, crows, woodpeckers or other animals.
