By: Meagan Duffee-Yates

1. Look for Sign
Turkey sign comes in many forms. Turkey are creatures of habit and if you can locate the areas that they use on a daily basis you are almost promised to have a strutter slung over your shoulders. Look for fresh droppings, toms and jakes will be “J” shaped and hen’s are swirled. Typically you can find fresh droppings under their roosting sites, which are typically in the same locations unless they have been frightened.

2. Know Your Terrain
You spent your archery in a stand, high above the ground. Unmoving. You may have seen turkey, but like deer their patterns change with the season and you need to get out to learn the terrain that you plan on hunting. Thinking like a turkey is best, knowing their patterns is better. If you can locate turkey sign you are on the right track, but understanding how turkey’s use the terrain and why is best.

3. Use Trail Cameras
With modern technology we are able to capture nature in the act, including setting up trail cameras in locations where you have been seeing turkey sign. After locating fresh sign and if you have a trail camera you can always set up in a location where you think is the best angle to capture the action. March is when those turkey’s begin to fight for dominance, gobble and strut. Locate a good location that will allow the best possible angle for capturing pictures of turkey. Try not to check your camera daily, as you could possibly force these birds to another area. Setting up cameras in multiple locations is ideal, allowing you to pattern your birds daily and even hourly.
Sometimes nothing can beat getting out and doing some scouting. Not only does this allow you to know every nook and cranny of the property that you will be hunting, but it allows you to get your hands “dirty” and locating sign in places that you may have over looked before. If you can locate sign, know your terrain and scout either on foot or with trail cameras, you are likely to harvest a tom this upcoming spring.