Turkey hunting is a thrilling yet challenging outdoor activity, as each hunt offers a new set of obstacles to take on. This makes the pursuit of wild turkeys that much more rewarding when done successfully. Beyond having the proper hunting essentials, such as clothing, tools and other accessories, one of the most crucial factors in ensuring you don’t go home empty-handed is utilizing the correct hunting tactics at the appropriate times.
As the sun rises and sets, turkey behaviors shift, and so should your hunting approach. Whether you’re out at dawn when turkeys are most active, or at dusk when they’re traveling back to their roosting locations after a long day of foraging, knowing which tactics to use and when can make all the difference. We explain how turkey hunting tactics vary depending on the time of day, so you can find greater success in the field.
Please note: Hunting rules and regulations can differ from state to state, including laws about the times of day you are allowed to hunt. Always check your destination’s legal guidelines before heading out for game.
Hunting at Dawn: The Golden Hour
The early hours of the morning are when turkey activity is most intense, which is why many hunters refer to this time of day as The Golden Hour. Therefore, your chances of encountering a wild turkey are significantly higher in the morning. While dawn offers prime opportunities, hunters must still be prepared and apply the correct strategy to be successful.
Turkey Behavior at Dawn
Overnight, turkeys roost in trees to keep a safe distance from predators while they rest. These birds typically begin their mornings with distinctive vocalizations as the sky begins to lighten, either to demonstrate dominance or communicate with other turkeys. Hunters can use this behavior to their advantage to locate the whereabouts of turkeys.
After coming down from their roosting location, turkeys, particularly territorial gobblers (male turkeys), continue vocalizing various calls to ward off rivals and attract mates. Hens will also begin to call at dawn to communicate with their flock or respond to gobblers wishing to mate.
Tactics for Hunting at Dawn
If you are planning to head out and hunt before the sun comes up, scout the area to identify roosting locations. Turkeys tend to roost in specific spots, including mature, open-branched trees situated near water or open areas around them for better visibility. Knowing these locations allows you to set up your blind, chair, and other equipment in a premium hunting spot that will see a lot of turkey activity. Hunters should try to remain as quiet as possible, as the slightest noises can spook wild turkeys, causing them to adjust their actions and behaviors.
One of the best tactics for hunting turkey is using calls, which are especially effective in the early morning. Whether you are using a mouth, box or pot call, start with soft, gentle calls, as aggressive, harsh vocalizations this early in the morning can make turkeys hesitant to approach or head in your direction. As the morning goes on, aggressive calls may be more effective when trying to locate a gobbler or get a hen to respond.
Hunting in the Afternoon: The Midday Lull
As time progresses further into the day, turkey activity slows down. By the middle of the day, turkeys are typically less vocal, and their movements are more subtle, which can make hunting during this time challenging. Still, if approached with the right strategy, hunting turkeys in the afternoon can be productive.
Turkey Behavior at Midday
After the activities of the early morning, turkeys spend the majority of their days feeding and resting. They can often be found foraging for food in fields, forests or open grasslands. They prefer areas that provide good cover and have an abundance of food sources, such as seeds, nuts, berries and insects.
Hunters will notice turkeys are much less vocal after the early morning hours, as they are now focused on feeding and maintaining a low profile. Additionally, interactions between male and female turkeys are much less frequent, as there are fewer gobblers actively competing for hens. As their instinctual mindset shifts toward staying safe, turkeys will move more cautiously during the midday hours.
Approach to Hunting at Midday
Because turkeys are on the move in search of food, hunters should be mobile, as it can be a while before a potential harvest crosses your path coincidently. If your current location isn’t yielding results, move to other areas, focusing on locations where turkeys might be feeding or gathering. While on the move, look for signs of turkey activity, including fresh tracks, droppings and feathers.
Even with fewer vocalizations being made by turkeys during this time of the day, calls can still be an effective hunting tactic. Use soft clucks and purrs, which imitate the sound of a relaxed hen feeding. As turkeys tend to be more cautious and quieter at midday, these calls can put them at ease and make them more likely to approach the area.
Hunting at Dusk: The Evening Rush
The sun setting marks another ambitious opportunity for hunters to achieve a successful outing. After the slow-moving midday lull, turkey behaviors shift once again as gobblers and hens prepare for roosting. The sudden surge of increased activity presents an advantageous opening for hunters before nightfall.
Turkey Behavior at Dusk
Turkeys will begin their retreat to their roosting sites in the late-afternoon and early-evening hours to settle in for the night. Being social creatures, turkeys will travel in groups and follow known routes to reach their roosting area. They will often congregate in fields, open areas or along paths as they make their trek to their hideaway.
Because gobblers are generally less territorial and aggressive than in the morning, vocalizations and responses from other turkeys are less frequent as well. However, gobblers might still gobble in preparation for the night, but the sounds are typically less intense.
Strategy for Hunting at Dusk
Scouting roosting sites ahead of time bodes well for hunting at dawn as well as at dusk. If you know the direction or location where turkeys are likely to head, you can position yourself near those sites before dusk. This will give you the opportunity to intercept them as they make their way to the trees to call it a day.
Because turkeys are winding down in preparation for a night’s rest, they tend to be quiet in the evening hours. Therefore, hunters should use soft yelps, clucks and purrs, as these vocalizations are more likely to draw them in. Harsh calls during this time are often linked to danger, which makes surrounding turkeys reluctant to come any closer. If the birds believe their roost is compromised, they will set up camp in a new location.
As dusk approaches, turkeys are focused on reaching their sanctuaries safely, which is why they rarely stop for prolonged encounters. Hunters can take advantage of this urgency by using decoys to entice birds and make them believe the area is safe. When hunting at dusk, use the dwindling daylight to your advantage, be patient and remain still when possible.
Find Turkey Hunting Gear at Tractor Supply
No matter the time of day you plan to hunt, our inventory consists of the gear you need for a safe, enjoyable, and productive outing. See why we are the go-to destination for hunters when you visit your local Tractor Supply store or browse our selection online.