15 Great Turkey Hunting Habits and Traits

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A lone gobbler sounds off on the limb. It serenades the rising sun just once and then hits the mute button. This Alabama gobbler won’t go quietly into that good night, but if it does, it'll be because it refuses to gobble after hitting the ground.

Two turkey hunters heard that single sweet sound of spring glory. But one hunter gave up an hour after fly-down, and the other is still holding steady, just waiting to grab that longbeard by the throat. And, several hours later, he does just that.

The best turkey hunters are dedicated turkey hunters. They display exhausting patience, unparalleled knowledge, and unrelenting drive. Without a doubt, they have that “killer gene” that hunters commonly self-proclaim but rarely possess.

So, if you’re ready to level up your turkey game this season, check out some of the habits of such people. These are the good habits and traits of great turkey hunters.

1. Exhibiting Exhaustive Off-Season Planning

The best turkey hunters I’ve spent time with plan summer through winter for a few good weeks in spring. They network with other hunters, plan trips, trade hunts, and scout their hunting properties. These individuals knock on doors, burn boot leather on public, and get up before dawn to hear pre-season gobbles. They put in the work, and the work pays off. (Learn: "The Benefits of Fall Scouting During Spring Turkey Hunts.")

2. Exercising Extensive Pre-Season Scouting

Great turkey hunters don’t wake up on opening morning and wonder where the turkeys are. They barely sleep through the night because they already know exactly where they’ll set up before dawn. Simply, they exercise extensive pre-season scouting.

3. Not Relying on Modern Hunting Technology as a Crutch

Great turkey hunters don’t need the latest and greatest turkey hunting gear. Their foundation is built on strong woodsmanship and hunting skills. They don’t kill turkeys with their bare hands, but they darn near could if it were legal and if they wanted to tempt close-combat fate with a set of sharp spurs. Macho trumpeting aside, these hunters really do express consistent success with only traditional turkey hunting means. (Tech: "The 10 Best Smartphone Apps for Hunters.")

4. But Knowing How to Implement Modern Hunting Tech When Needed

Despite not needing it, these hunters also know how to implement modern tech when appropriate. They see the advantage, deploy the tools, and come out better because of it. After all, they like fried turkey nuggets, long beards in hand, spurs on the necklace, and memories in the bank. Tech helps with that. (Gear: "Top Turkey Shotguns Under $1,000.")

5. Understanding the Nuances of Wild Turkey Communication

Wild turkeys are more complex than hunters and the general public often give them credit for. These turkeys express multiple layers of communication, and the best turkey hunters understand the nuances of wild turkey communication. In turn, they parlay that information into highly effective calling efforts. (Learn: "Calling All Turkeys: How To Make Gobblers Respond.")

6. Recognizing the Details in Wild Turkey Body Language

Turkey communication isn’t just verbal. It’s non-verbal as well. A turkey that is in ¼ strut tells a different story in confidence, dominance, and interest than one in ¾ or full strut. The quick wing flip of a departing tom means it’s not liking something and will soon depart. The list goes on, but great hunters recognize turkey body language. They use that information.

7. Possessing Distinguished Stealth and Stalking Skills

The top echelon of turkey hunters possesses highly distinguished stealth and stalking skills. They don’t necessarily “stalk” turkeys, mind you. But they do have the ability to sneak through the woods and do things the right way. Their ability to move across the landscape undetected and with precision is unmatched and beyond the average turkey hunter.

8. Pinpointing the Best Possible Setup Locations, Orientation, and Other Details

Choosing the best possible turkey hunting setup locations, orientations, and other details is more art than science. These hunters hold the refinement of turkey setups, and their ability to choose spots is unparalleled. They understand that a spot here is infinitely better than one 5 yards away. How turning 30 degrees right or left will make the difference between a dead bird and one that gets away. And they understand all other minute details within a good setup. (Learn: "Make Your Turkey Decoys Work Harder For You.")

9. Honing the Use of Turkey Calls

In the wrong hands, a turkey call is a hunt killer. In the right hands, it’s a mighty powerful tool. The greats hone the sounds of the turkey call. They recognize when to use calls and when to remain quiet. And they deploy each wild turkey vocalization at just the right time and in the proper way.

10. Knowing the Proper Application of and Times for Turkey Decoys

Some purist turkey hunters don’t like turkey decoys. But that doesn’t mean turkey decoys are bad. Just like gun vs. bow, compound vs. recurve, and glazed vs. powdered donut, it’s a personal preference sort of thing. That said, the best turkey hunters among us recognize the proper application of turkey decoys. Some hunts, such as an open food plot or field edge, call for decoys. Other hunts, such as along a thick, timbered ridge line, do not. Every tactic has its place and time to shine.

11. Practicing Unimaginable Patience in the Field

Perhaps my greatest reason for admiration of the best turkey hunters is the simplest one—patience. It’s not a secret. It’s been touted by every outdoor writer with a pen and their non-hunting brother. Even an anti-hunter could tell you patience is needed to be a good hunter. But dadgummit, these hunters are painstakingly patient. It’s the sort of thing that makes you question whether they just might be sociopaths, or even an under-the-radar serial killer, but you go turkey hunting with them nonetheless.

12. Maintaining an Unrelenting Drive During the Hunt

The drive of illustrious turkey hunters is another notable feature. They pursue these birds with the intensity of Family Guy’s Peter Griffin chasing a plate of biscuits and gravy with a tall pint of ale. Simply, their unrelenting nature spurs them to add spurs to the collection.

13. Showcasing the “Killer Gene” That All Great Hunters Have

The No. 1 common thread that runs through the likes of every great turkey hunt? They have the “killer gene” that all the greats display. This is a tangible characteristic. If you look hard enough, it’s baked into their very genome. And I’ve hunted with enough people to know this — you either have it, or you don’t. Learned skills can help mask the absence of this chromosome but not replace it. And those who do possess it become the likes of which haunt wild turkey nightmares.

14. Putting the Bird, and Other Turkey Hunters, Before Themselves

Nightmares aside, the best and most respected turkey hunters I know put the bird first. They put other turkey hunters before themselves. They’re equipped to kill a lot of turkeys, and they’re great at it. Even so, they focus on helping the wild turkey and other turkey hunters more than helping themselves.

15. Giving Back to Wild Turkey Conservation

Lastly, they give back to wild turkey conservation. Maybe they join a new conservation organization, such as Turkeys for Tomorrow. Perhaps they attend local conservation dinners. Maybe they introduce new hunters to the outdoors. Whatever the case, they give back. They’re difference-makers. And just maybe, it’s that selflessness that makes them the greatest of the greats.

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