At first glance, the relationship between turkeys and food plots seems straight-forward. Turkeys love Imperial Whitetail Clover plots, of course, as the first green shoots of spring attract eager hens and their gobbler escorts. And as that clover grows, it provides nesting cover and holds abundant insects, nourishing protein-hungry poults through summer and fall. More important, turkey hunters have come to realize that food plots are great spots to fill spring tags.
But as any spring veteran will tell you, hunting turkeys at food plots isn’t as simple as setting up and waiting. To take advantage, you should use specialized approaches and tactics. Here’s a quick primer to help you capitalize on the turkey/food plot relationship.
Decoys
and good concealment — in the form of a pop-up blind or natural cover — are
critical for hunting food plots. As with any open area, turkeys in food plots
can spot danger at long distances, and they will bolt at the slightest movement
from a potential predator. In addition, they can easily see other birds in the
plot, so you need decoys to provide visual reassurance to your calling. A
turkey that hears yelping but cannot see the source across an open space will
not approach, as it instinctively knows something’s amiss. Combining decoys and concealment can be as
simple as randomly setting up a blind along the plot and staking out a
decoy or two to attract birds. However, depending on the size of the plot,
turkeys won’t always feed within gun range of your setup or walk over to check
out your fakes. Successful hunters scout food plots to determine when and where
turkeys enter and exit the fields and how they move through them. You can
accomplish this by setting up trail cameras, glassing fields before the season
or looking for sign, including tracks, droppings, scratching and dusting bowls.
Sometimes, turkeys roost at the edges of plots and fly down into them at
daylight. In other situations, they might roost farther away and hit the fields
at midmorning. Typically, birds will
access fields much like deer, using paths of least resistance, such as logging
roads, cattle paths, open ridges or similar spots. Common sense dictates that
it’s best to set up near spots where turkeys access fields. However, pop-up
blinds let you set up in the open, as turkeys don’t usually react adversely to
those square or round blobs. So, if turkeys seem to cross the middle of a plot
at a specific point every day, don’t be afraid to set your blind there to intercept
them. Identifying patterns gives you a
good starting point. However, turkeys don’t stick to consistent routines. In
fact, their inconsistency can be maddening, as they seem to appear in fields at
random spots and times. That’s where decoys come into play.
Fakes for Realism
Many combinations work, but the best mixes feature one or two
hens in natural poses, such as a feeder and a looker, and a jake or gobbler
decoy. Hen decoys might attract a fired-up gobbler with no girlfriends, but
henned-up longbeards often just ignore them or gobble now and then, seemingly
inviting the new hens to join the group. Jake or strutter decoys, however, can
prompt aggressive responses from gobblers looking to run off interlopers,
pulling them within easy range. I prefer jakes, as they seem to infuriate more
longbeards than strutter decoys. Caveat: jake and strutter decoys can sometimes
intimidate gobblers, sending them skulking or even running away. Watch how
turkeys react to your decoys, and pull the jakes or strutters if birds seem to
shy away from them. Most folks seem to
randomly plop decoys in a blob 25 yards from their setup, but that doesn’t
maximize the effectiveness of fakes. Place hens — whether feeders or lookers —
in a loose line, as if they’re working across the field. Then, place the jake
or gobbler decoy behind them, as toms and jakes often trail hens. If you’re
using a hen decoy in a squatting (mating) position, place it directly by the
jake or gobbler. Always face the jake or gobbler decoy toward your setup or
blind, as an aggressive longbeard will typically go face to face with the
intruder, letting you raise or adjust your gun for a shot. Gun hunters should
place decoys at about 20 to 30 yards from their hides, ensuring an easy shot
with a good pattern. Bow-hunters will want them closer — even 10 or 15 yards —
to facilitate better shot opportunities.
Calling Approaches
Calling is the essence of turkey hunting, but as with any spring
hunting scenario, you must use your head when yelping to food-plot turkeys.
Remember the situation: Turkeys already want to be there, so you’re at the X.
You don’t have to go crazy on the yelper to pull in birds. Instead, strive for
realism. If you’re set up at a plot
before flydown, there’s no need to call to roosted birds. Do a flydown cackle
or two to simulate turkeys entering the field, and then strive to imitate a hen
walking through and feeding in the plot, combining some plain yelps with
clucking and purring. Often, that’s all it takes, but note how birds respond,
and adjust your approach accordingly. Some days, anxious gobblers might react
excitedly to aggressive yelping and cutting. More often, turkeys seem to respond
better to softer, subtler approaches. Listen for clues, and try various
approaches to find one that sticks. Midmorning,
midafternoon or late-afternoon cold-calling also works well at food plots. Slip
quietly and unseen into your blind or setup, and call every few minutes to
strike a reaction. Usually, it’s best to start with soft, content stuff and
slowly build your level of excitement and volume. Use several calls —
diaphragm, pot, box, wingbone or others — to find a sound that seems to
resonate with nearby birds. And be patient, as turkeys often won’t respond
immediately but will slowly work toward the calling to check it out. Resolve to
sit at least a couple of hours, and keep an eye peeled for silent birds that enter
the plot.
The Food Plot Experience
Food plots bring more to turkey hunting than simply providing
good harvest opportunities. The open spaces let youngsters watch turkeys and
see them approach, giving them a greater appreciation of the experience and letting
them prepare for a quality shot. Also, because food plots call for a stationary
approach in a blind or similar hide, they’re ideal for children, other
beginning hunters or folks who aren’t mobile. Above all, knowing your food
plots provide turkeys with quality nutrition and habitat helps you appreciate
your connection with the land and the stewardship aspect of managing your
property. And remember: Those beautiful
green plots continue to help deer year-round, so even when you’re obsessed with
spring turkeys, you’re continuing to improve the quality of the deer for your
fall and winter whitetail hunting.
