The turkey hunting area with the most public access in the state is Area 1. That area includes the Black Hills National Forest, and it’s chock-full of wild turkeys.
When turkeys were transplanted to Wyoming, the Black Hills area was one of the first places the birds were released. Since they were put there, turkey populations have taken off like gangbusters. With the healthy populations and the hefty amount of public land, the Black Hills is a great place to hunt these big birds.
Most turkey hunters put a lot of stock in camouflage clothing, but more important than camo is patience and the ability to sit still. Turkeys have excellent eyesight, and even if you have the latest, greatest camo outfit that covers you from head to toe, any movement will give you away quicker than you can say “gobble.”
To help conceal your movements, you might want to invest in a portable blind. These contraptions allow you to call while the birds are looking your way, and they let you set up for a shot without spooking your quarry. The drawback is that once you set up your blind, it’s not as easy to pick up and move to a different spot if the turkeys aren’t moving through your area.
You can hide yourself nearly as well if you use the brush to your advantage. Set up in a spot where you can hunker down in deadfall or piles of tree branches. If the birds have been using the area, they’ll be less likely to notice something’s not quite right if you’re hiding in the debris that’s been there for a while than if you set up a big, bulky blind.
Go after a turkey this spring. Calling in a strutting tom is one of the more exciting experiences a hunter can have. Turkey hunting is a thrill, and it’s good practice for the big game hunts you’ll go on in the fall. And to top it off, turkeys make for great eating.
