Three popular turkey calls are a slate and striker, a box call, and a diaphragm mouth call. The slate and box calls are easier to master but the mouth call allows hands-free operation, which is needed at times. Doing your best with one is enough but being camouflaged and Very Still are more important. (Photo by John and Vicky Jefferson)

by John Jefferson

TPWD says there’ll be plenty of turkeys – including young ones unwary of hunters — and excellent hunting this spring season. Late season means fewer hunters and anxious gobblers.

South Texas hunting opens March 15 – BUT checking the Outdoor Annual for your particular county’s dates and bag limits is Mandatory for ALL ZONES. The North Zone (most of Texas) opens March 29. East Zone opens April 22. One turkey bag limit counties open April 1.

And remember — shotguns must only have a three-shell capacity!

Don’t be intimidated by videos showing experienced experts using hand-made calls that cost more than you can justify to your mate.

Horace Gore — one or the first Texas SPRING turkey hunters in 1970, told me when I began hunting turkeys that more important than winning turkey calling contests Is merely making the best sound you can, wearing camo clothes and head net, and then Sitting Perfectly Still!

Successfully calling a turkey within shotgun range is one of hunting’s finest experiences. A couple of hunts are fondly remembered.

Don’t get too call happy. Some birds come in quickly and silently. Once, a gobbler came into my call that way. I was about to call again when he suddenly appeared twenty feet away, slowly strutting from right to left in front of me!

I froze. I had never been that close to a turkey. Our comfort zones were invaded by his presence. I promise you; I didn’t even blink my eyes!

When he reached about 25-feet away, looking for that hen in need, I picked up my shotgun. As I did, it ruffled camo netting covering part of me. He took off at a rapid turkey trot as I threw the gun to my shoulder. He disappeared behind a bull mesquite tree. My heart sank. Then, to my amazement, he stuck his head and several inches of neck around the tree to see what had spooked him.

He could now see me. I had but an instant to shoot. I pulled the trigger and dusted six inches of tree bark into the air. On the ground lay a wing-flapping turkey in its final energy release.

Another time, my caller and I had hunted hard, to no avail. At sundown, four gobblers moved out of the brush heading to more cover. I threw up the gun just as they reached the brush – almost 50-yards away. I didn’t hesitate. I yanked the trigger with the shotgun pointed somewhere in the direction of the last bird in the small flock.

My caller yelled – “Ya got him!”

I don’t claim another shooting merit badge for shotgun accuracy. It was a desperation shot with just a millisecond to shoot. Both shots would have only blasted tree bark and brush had I hesitated.

So, take aim for the turkey’s head if you have the luxury of time and a stationery turkey. I had neither on those hunts. Quick decisions are required!

The more you hunt — and shoot — the easier it’ll get.

JJ