It’s the start of spring turkey season, so it’s also a good time to brush up on your hunting safety. Since turkeys have good eyesight, a successful hunter must blend in well with his or her surroundings. However that also increases the hunter's risk of injuries or fatalities if other hunters mistake you for the bird, or fail to see you behind or in line with your decoy(s) or in your blind.
Content shared with permission from Hunter-Ed.com
Tip: Check out the Spring Turkey Hunting Guide (infographic) - LINK
Shopping tip: Get your turkey hunting gear at Bass Pro Shops - LINK.
Watch video: Things to Consider When You're Setting Up Your Turkey Blind - LINK
Follow these nine important tips to keep yourself and others safe while you bag a bird:
- Don’t wear ANY red, white, blue, or black. These are turkey colors, and another hunter may mistake you for a bird.
- Be absolutely sure of your target. That extra second of verification could save a life!
- If you do see another hunter in the area, don’t move—any motion could be mistaken for a hidden tom. Instead, call out to alert the other person that you are there.
- Don’t stalk turkey sounds; it could be another hunter. Instead, call the birds to you.
- Don’t use “tail-fanning” techniques (using a fan made of feather). A fan may be large enough to hide you from view from other hunters and may be enough to trick someone else into thinking you are a gobbler.
- When selecting your spot, protect your back with a large tree, rock, or other large natural barrier. Same thing for choosing where to place your blind. You may consider tying a hunter orange ribbon high on a tree behind you to help other hunters identify your location.
- Wear hunter orange when entering or leaving your turkey hunting area.
- After bagging your bird, wrap it in either camouflage or a blaze orange bag for the haul out. A decoy should be handled the same way.
- Always tell someone else where you will be and when you expect to be back via a written hunt plan. In an emergency, help can arrive more quickly or know when you’re late returning.
Turkey hunting is a challenging and rewarding sport, but remember, no bird is worth your life!
Video: Things to Consider When You're Setting Up Your Turkey Blind
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