What Time of Day is Best for Turkey Hunting?
What Time of Day is Best for Turkey Hunting?
Spring turkey hunting is a popular pastime for many people, but it can be tricky to know when to go out. The best time of day to hunt turkeys depends on a number of factors, including the weather, the time of year, and the location. In this article, we’ll discuss the factors that affect turkey hunting success and help you determine the best time to go out.
Weather
The weather is one of the most important factors to consider when planning a turkey hunt. Turkeys are most active during warm weather, so the best time to hunt is usually in the morning or early afternoon. However, if the weather is hot and humid, turkeys may be less active and more likely to stay in the shade. In these conditions, it may be better to hunt later in the day when the sun has gone down and the temperatures have cooled.
Time of Year
The time of year also plays a role in determining the best time to hunt turkeys. During the spring, turkeys are more active and easier to find. This is because they are preparing for mating season and are more likely to be out looking for food. In the fall, turkeys are less active and more difficult to find. This is because they are molting their feathers and are more focused on conserving energy.
Location
The location of your hunt is another important factor to consider. Turkeys are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and open areas. The best time to hunt turkeys will vary depending on the type of habitat you are hunting in.
Summary
The best time of day to hunt turkeys depends on a number of factors, including the weather, the time of year, and the location. By considering these factors, you can increase your chances of success on your next turkey hunt.
Time of Day | Best for | Tips |
---|---|---|
Morning | Roosting turkeys | Hunt in areas with thick cover, such as brushy fields or wooded areas. Use a decoy to attract turkeys. |
Midday | Feeding turkeys | Hunt in areas with food sources, such as fields of corn or soybeans. Use a call to attract turkeys. |
Evening | Gobbling turkeys | Hunt in areas with open areas, such as fields or clearcuts. Use a call to attract turkeys. |
What Time Of Day Is Best For Turkey Hunting?
Turkey hunting is a popular sport enjoyed by people of all ages. However, one of the most debated topics among turkey hunters is the best time of day to hunt. Some hunters swear by hunting in the early morning, while others prefer to hunt in the midday or afternoon.
The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when is the best time to hunt turkeys. The best time to hunt turkeys will vary depending on a number of factors, including the weather, the terrain, and the time of year.
In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of hunting turkeys in the early morning, midday, and afternoon. We will also provide tips for hunting turkeys at each time of day.
The Early Morning
Hunting turkeys in the early morning has a number of advantages. First, turkeys are most active in the early morning hours. This is when they are looking for food and water. Second, the early morning is typically cooler and less humid than the midday and afternoon hours. This can make it more comfortable to be in the woods for extended periods of time.
However, there are also a few disadvantages to hunting turkeys in the early morning. First, it can be difficult to see turkeys in the early morning light. Second, the early morning is often the busiest time of day for other hunters. This can make it more difficult to find a secluded spot to hunt.
Advantages of Hunting in the Early Morning
- Turkeys are most active in the early morning hours.
- The early morning is typically cooler and less humid.
- It is often less crowded in the early morning.
Disadvantages of Hunting in the Early Morning
- It can be difficult to see turkeys in the early morning light.
- The early morning is often the busiest time of day for other hunters.
When to Start Hunting in the Early Morning
The best time to start hunting turkeys in the early morning is around sunrise. This is when turkeys are most active and looking for food. However, you can also start hunting turkeys a few hours before sunrise. This will give you a chance to get settled in and find a good spot to hunt.
Tips for Hunting in the Early Morning
- Wear camouflage clothing that will help you blend in with your surroundings.
- Use a call to attract turkeys to your location.
- Be patient and still. Turkeys are very wary and will spook if they see or hear you moving.
- Take your time when shooting. A missed shot could spook the entire flock.
The Midday
Hunting turkeys in the midday can be a challenge, but it can also be very rewarding. Turkeys are less active in the midday hours, but they can still be found if you know where to look.
One of the advantages of hunting turkeys in the midday is that the weather is typically warmer and more humid. This can make it more comfortable to be in the woods for extended periods of time. Additionally, the midday hours are often less crowded than the early morning and afternoon hours. This can give you a better chance of finding a secluded spot to hunt.
However, there are also a few disadvantages to hunting turkeys in the midday. First, turkeys are less active in the midday hours. This means that you may have to spend more time scouting and calling to find turkeys. Second, the midday sun can be very intense, which can make it difficult to see turkeys.
Advantages of Hunting in the Midday
- The weather is typically warmer and more humid.
- The midday hours are often less crowded.
- You may have a better chance of finding a secluded spot to hunt.
Disadvantages of Hunting in the Midday
- Turkeys are less active in the midday hours.
- The midday sun can be very intense.
- You may have to spend more time scouting and calling to find turkeys.
When to Start Hunting in the Midday
The best time to start hunting turkeys in the midday is around 10:00 AM. This is when the sun is at its highest point and the temperature is starting to warm up. However, you can also start hunting turkeys a few hours earlier or later, depending on the weather and the time of year.
Tips for Hunting in the Midday
- Wear light-colored clothing that will help you stay cool in the warm weather.
- Use a call to attract turkeys to your location.
- Be patient and still. Turkeys are very wary and will spook if they see or hear you moving.
- Take your time when shooting. A missed shot could spook the entire flock.
The Afternoon
Hunting turkeys in the afternoon can be
3. The Afternoon
Advantages of hunting in the afternoon
There are several advantages to hunting turkeys in the afternoon.
- Turkeys are more active in the afternoon. This is because the sun is lower in the sky and the temperature is cooler, which makes turkeys more comfortable moving around. They are also more likely to be looking for food, as they need to eat more to maintain their energy levels.
- There is less competition from other hunters. In the morning, many hunters are out in the woods trying to get a turkey. By the afternoon, most of these hunters have already gone home, leaving you with fewer people to compete with.
- The weather is often more favorable in the afternoon. The sun is not as bright and the temperature is cooler, which can make it more comfortable to be out hunting.
Disadvantages of hunting in the afternoon
There are also a few disadvantages to hunting turkeys in the afternoon.
- Turkeys are more difficult to see in the afternoon. The sun is lower in the sky, which makes it more difficult to see turkeys against the background. They are also more likely to be hiding in the shadows, which makes them even harder to spot.
- Turkeys are more likely to be spooked by noise. In the afternoon, there is more human activity, such as people driving by or other hunters in the woods. This can make turkeys more skittish and less likely to come to your calls.
- The weather can change quickly in the afternoon. The sun can come out from behind the clouds, which can make it hot and humid. It can also rain, which can make it difficult to stay warm and dry.
When to start hunting in the afternoon
The best time to start hunting turkeys in the afternoon is around 2:00 PM. This is when the sun is starting to go down and the temperature is starting to cool down. Turkeys are more likely to be active at this time, as they are looking for food to eat before they go to roost.
Tips for hunting turkeys in the afternoon
Here are a few tips for hunting turkeys in the afternoon:
- Use a call that sounds like a hen turkey. This will attract the attention of male turkeys, who will come to investigate.
- Hunt in areas where there is plenty of food. Turkeys are more likely to be active in areas where they can find food.
- Hunt in areas with thick cover. Turkeys will use cover to hide from predators, so hunting in areas with thick cover will give you a better chance of seeing them.
- Be patient. Turkeys can be difficult to see and even more difficult to shoot. It takes patience to be successful at hunting turkeys.
4. The Evening
Advantages of hunting in the evening
There are several advantages to hunting turkeys in the evening.
- Turkeys are more predictable in the evening. They are more likely to be following their normal routines, such as going to roost or feeding. This makes it easier to predict where they will be and when they will be there.
- There is less competition from other hunters. By the evening, most of the other hunters have already gone home. This leaves you with fewer people to compete with for turkeys.
- The weather is often more favorable in the evening. The sun is setting, which makes it cooler and more comfortable to be out hunting.
Disadvantages of hunting in the evening
There are also a few disadvantages to hunting turkeys in the evening.
- Turkeys are more difficult to see in the evening. The light is fading, which makes it more difficult to see turkeys against the background. They are also more likely to be hiding in the shadows, which makes them even harder to spot.
- Turkeys are more likely to be spooked by noise. In the evening, there is less human activity, but there is still a chance that you will spook a turkey with your noise.
- The weather can change quickly in the evening. The temperature can drop quickly, which can make it difficult to stay warm. It can also rain or snow, which can make it difficult to stay dry.
When to start hunting in the evening
The best time to start hunting turkeys in the evening is around 4:00 PM. This is when the sun is starting to set and the light is starting to fade. Turkeys are more likely to be active at this time, as they are getting ready to go to roost
What Time Of Day Is Best For Turkey Hunting?
Question: When is the best time of day to hunt turkeys?
Answer: The best time of day to hunt turkeys depends on the time of year. During the spring, turkeys are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. In the summer, they are more active during the cooler hours of the day, such as early morning and evening. In the fall, turkeys are most active in the early morning and late afternoon again.
Question: Why is the best time of day to hunt turkeys different during different times of year?
Answer: The best time of day to hunt turkeys changes throughout the year because turkeys’ daily routines change with the seasons. In the spring, turkeys are focused on breeding, so they are more active in the early morning and late afternoon when they are looking for food and mates. In the summer, turkeys are less active because they are molting and trying to stay cool. In the fall, turkeys are again more active in the early morning and late afternoon as they prepare for winter.
Question: What are some tips for hunting turkeys at different times of day?
Answer: Here are some tips for hunting turkeys at different times of day:
- In the spring, focus on hunting in areas where turkeys are likely to be feeding, such as fields and forest edges.
- In the summer, hunt in areas where turkeys are likely to be loafing, such as thickets and brushy areas.
- In the fall, hunt in areas where turkeys are likely to be roosting, such as wooded areas with tall trees.
Question: What equipment do I need to hunt turkeys?
Answer: The basic equipment you need to hunt turkeys includes a shotgun, a turkey call, a turkey vest, and a pair of camouflaged hunting pants and shirt. You may also want to consider investing in a turkey decoy.
Question: What are some common mistakes that turkey hunters make?
Answer: Some common mistakes that turkey hunters make include:
- Not scouting properly before the hunt.
- Calling too much.
- Poking around in the leaves.
- Not being patient.
Question: What are some tips for being successful turkey hunting?
Answer: Here are some tips for being successful turkey hunting:
- Scout the area thoroughly before the hunt.
- Call only when you know turkeys are in the area.
- Be patient and wait for the turkeys to come to you.
- Be quiet and move slowly.
- Use a decoy if you can.
Question: What are some safety tips for turkey hunting?
Answer: Here are some safety tips for turkey hunting:
- Wear blaze orange clothing when hunting in areas where other hunters may be present.
- Be aware of your surroundings and the potential for other hunters.
- Use caution when handling firearms.
- Follow all applicable hunting regulations.
the best time of day to hunt turkeys depends on a number of factors, including the time of year, the weather, and the location. However, there are a few general tips that can help you increase your chances of success.
- During the spring and summer, turkeys are most active in the morning and evening.
- In the fall, they are more likely to be active during the day.
- If the weather is hot, turkeys will be more active in the morning and evening, when it is cooler.
- If the weather is cold, turkeys will be more active during the day, when it is warmer.
- Turkeys are more likely to be active in areas with thick cover, such as forests and brushy areas.
- They are also more likely to be active near food sources, such as fields of corn and soybeans.
By following these tips, you can increase your chances of successfully hunting turkeys.