The Rules of the Game ?

by John Coit

Turkey hunting is a sport that while deep in tradition, has evolved into some seemingly untraditional methods. In turkey hunting camps all around the question seems to always come into play as to what is pure turkey hunting tradition. Yes we have our elitists in turkey hunting too. Wildlife artist Jack Palluh probably gives our best look into imagining what turkey hunting began like. Indians tucked into cover, bows at the ready hoping the turkeys keen ears and eyesight didn’t unveil his ambush style trap. Somewhere during this time of turkey hunting history a wise indian discovered a hollowed wing bone when put to the lips, could create turkey sounds far better than his own mouth. A game was born, and from that day forward the rules and tools of the game have continued to evolve.

The basic relationship between a hunter and a turkey is not unlike many hunter / game relationships, the hunter seeks and the turkey evades. In turkey hunting’s most generic form, a wise hunter can scout his or her way into killing all the turkeys the pot could ever require. It is a simple minded bird after all, and like most wild things, it is bound to it’s environment and it’s own needs of survival. The brain of man is more than capable of unraveling that puzzle and winning the game of turkey hunting.

Why then, would an Indian be so inspired to invent and evolve a call that in truth wasn’t even needed to kill a turkey? The reason is simple, the development of new methods, tools, and tactics are evolved for the love of the game and the amount of success sought. The game that transpires when you expand your turkey hunting, gives rise to new found enjoyment and challenge. Gobbler and hen experience forces a turkey hunter to develop a deeper understanding of language and the endless pursuit of adding more realism and character to his calls. No longer confined to hiding in ambush and now an integral part of the experience, the turkey call gave an Indian a reason to lay out of his Indian work and just go play with Tom just because it was an enjoyable challenge.

“How do you do Mr. Tom and Mrs. Boss hen? It is very nice meeting you I am so happy we can speak about this game we play.” That first turkey hunt must have been one of the greatest conversations ever had in the woods. The games origins, still ring loud and clear in the turkey woods spring and fall, as hunters experience this tactical conversation with wild turkey. No doubt, the turkey call is a part of the game one doesn’t want to miss. To many it becomes the only game. To some, to utilize, seemingly newer tactics and tools seems a cheat on the traditional turkey hunting experience.

Thinking back on the Indians, one wonders which came first, the turkey call or the turkey decoy? I’m betting decoy, but it is really of no matter. Turkey calls and decoys along with ambushing through superior intelligence are all methods entrenched in turkey hunting tradition without a doubt. As the sport of turkey hunting continues to evolve divisions of opinion occur. Some feel it important in the pursuit of tradition to draw lines. These lines call for one tactic to be more pure in tradition or skill than another thus making it the proper way to hunt turkeys. Just taking a brief moment to reflect on turkey hunting’s roots as we just have, is more than enough to go ahead and say, currently there are no rules to the game in terms of modern tactic that do not fit in with traditions. In a very relaxed manner I intend on looking at the possibilities of how these tactics we see today came to be, and how they qualify as turkey hunting traditions.

Ambush hunting

Oh how the turkey callers fall and spring alike, gather round to scoff at the turkey ambusher. To some killing a bird that hasn’t strutted to ones call is akin to slobbery and wasteful. How would someone deny themselves the ultimate game loosing move by a gobbler to stand proudly strutting, willing to take the shot while absolutely fooled? It is after all a supremely confident win when you kill him at your feet. I would dare say the answer to that lies in what is most likely the first and oldest traditional method of turkey hunting, hunting to eat. The ambush is the preferred predatory method. In and of itself it is the root of all hunting means and methods.

Not unlike a bobcat or coyote, the first calless hunter must have taken note of travel routes and ambush spots. Until the tools of turkey hunting evolved into calls and dekes there would have been any other way to hunt. Hide and strike when they are close enough. It takes skill against the eyes and ears of a wild turkey, and it is the most basic principal covered in every turkey hunt of every traditional method. Blind hunters and camoed tree huggers all start with the same thing a desire to disappear from a turkeys eyes. Quiet will do the rest.

Blinds for Turkey Hunting

The hunting blind would have to rank among the oldest and wisest hunting tactic. It’s place in the tradition of hunting is certainly warranted. It’s place in the list of effective methods to kill turkey is almost too high at times. Some would argue, it detracts from the skills needed and the experience. That may be correct to some extent but there is still no denying the validity of the method, or its history in the game of turkey hunting.

In the spring of 98 I had my first modern day blind hunt for turkeys. I was guiding a father son team from Pennsylvania that had brought all the gear ten turkey hunters could ever need. Among this pile of turkey gadgetry was a new proto type blind from double bull archery. Being one to hunt on the side of the tree and highly skeptical of the claims that a turkey would pay it no attention, I refrained from taking up their suggestions to use the blind.

On the second afternoon of the hunt we had a meeting with two toms I already knew well. Both of these toms regularly strutted a plowed field on one of my favorite public land spots. Both seemed wise to the lurking danger in the wood lines. In typical field bird fashion, both refused to come to any unseen hen in the woods. Dekes had been tried to no avail. Calling attempts had been received well and enthusiastically responded to, but never gave enough juice to the orange to have them eat it. Woodsmanship and repositioning was out of the question, the birds roosted on private ground and loafed on the private ground. Their public land romps were never deep and never predictable. The boundary field, was the only common and established pattern to be had on the public ground.

As most turkey hunters do, we rode home in defeat, analyzing our mistakes and potential new approaches. The issue of the blind returned and with no better alternative, I gave in. We would use the blind tomorrow morning. Not only that we would use the blind in the middle of the field where the birds readily came to. It was their hunt and they weren’t going to be happy unless we employed this tactic they were so confident in. I continued to have my doubts.

The following morning found us set up as expected. I opted to stay back in the woods so we didn’t cause the birds to hang up on a closer hen than normal. I would try and call the toms through the blind set up. All went as usual, right up to the gun shot. In short order the toms had done as always and marched right to the middle of the field in plain sight of this mountain of a blind. I stood corrected as I snapped the photo of the father’s gobbler dead at his feet.

Decoys

When you observe drawings and painting of Indian wear and known hunting techniques, the use of decoys seems stepped in tradition. From wearing buffalo skins, to waving white flags to influence game, the use of visual attractants seems very familiar to Indians. Observing their headdresses and other formal wear, it is not a long reach to imagine an Indian fashioning a realistic hen deke or tail fan display. Much like the turkeys themselves, Indians were big on visual display. I have no problem taking a leap in imagination and picture an Indian fashioning feathers in a lifelike structure to attract a turkey closer to his ambush. In fact thinking that they wouldn’t have figured this simple ploy, is to assume our ancestors stupid. Indians surely noted the turkeys flock nature and how they gathered and that a decoy would improve their success.

While I am quick to agree they are not a must have in most all turkey hunting situations. Hunting with or without them can make for an entirely different game and end result. I am very confident in the history of turkey hunting, most turkeys hunters have been quick to observe this as well.

Let me say for those that scoff at deke use, yet love to trumpet about thoroughly understanding turkey language, I believe your missing half the conversation. Turkey body language and posture completes the conversation a gobbler or hen expects to have with each other. My reasoning lies simply in their instinct to display to each other in many ways. Gobblers blow up larger than life to impress, hens squat in a ready reply. These are the last visual words that have to be exchanged before procreation goes on. It is important talk that can be had no other way.

I know its tough for some human minds to remember being were so civil these days, but body posture and body language completes our conversations as well. It’s a common ploy in nature and language all understand. It is surely a tactic an Indian couldn’t have overlooked the wild turkey’s bold ways. It would have been plain to him some of this game is visual. In my turkey hunter’s opinion using dekes completes your “proper” turkey conversation for a traditional turkey hunt.

Turkey Calls

Gobble. Got your attention? Sure I do, because in the turkey hunters core it stirs a beat. In written words or in sound, this is the spine tingling magic that gives so much credence to the emphasis we place on turkey calls. To say they are a traditional hunting tool and method is never questioned. Turkey calls and the sounds we make with them are the meat and potatoes, of the sport and tradition of turkey hunting.

No other one tactic or tool has seen so much innovation and evolution. From hollowed bones to plastic eggs turkey hunters are fascinated with making turkey sounds and what you can make them with. I played a piece of oak wood with a tin roof nail stuck in it on a piece of raw slate last year, it was the hen I couldn’t find in my vest. At some point in fooling with it I had a secret thought, I must fool a gobbler with this simple tool. My fascination with finding a new tool or sound to win the game of tomfoolery still exists. Thank the hunting Gods for that first wing bone yelping Indian. What a fine tactic he started. There is no doubt, turkey calls and call innovation will always be a righteous and worthwhile turkey hunting tradition.

Close

Through the failings of these first ambush attempts, was the certain rise of all other turkey hunting tradition. From implementing extra cover with limbs and sticks, to making replicas to attract. It’s safe to say the traditional rules of engagement for turkey hunters everywhere are still well intact. The nagging need to find something new to fool a turkey’s ear or eye still persists. Have a great spring and regardless of your methods of tom foolery, make sure you take a little time to pass on the turkey hunting tradition to a new hunter.

John Coit

America’s Outdoorsman.com