How to Fall Turkey Hunt Like a Pro

On a spring turkey hunting trip to Tennessee, the very year the first fall turkey hunt was to take place in my native Wisconsin, I asked my hosts for advice on how they hunted turkeys in autumn. They described the classic scatter-and-call-back scenario, whereby a hunter rushes a flock of turkeys to scatter them to all directions of the compass, then sets up and goes to work calling the lonely, discombobulated birds back in to re-group with their flockmates.

Those guys had several long Appalachian ridgelines at their disposal, with multiple turkey flocks roaming the hills. When I thought about the two small farms I had access to for turkey hunting back home, I thought there had to be a different way. Why booger and try to call back, then shoot at, and scare again, the very turkeys that I wanted to hunt all fall?

So I decided to go “scatter-free,” as in, hunting turkey flocks as they go about their natural daily business, much like you would whitetails. Here’s the eight-step process that I have developed since then.

Fall turkey hunting season provides a fun and challenging opportunity to pursue wild turkeys. While spring hunting focuses on calling in lovesick gobblers, fall hunting requires different tactics to find and harvest these wary birds. Follow these tips to set yourself up for fall turkey hunting success.

Understand Fall Turkey Behavior

Turkeys behave quite differently in the fall compared to the spring. Hens, poults, and gobblers form flocks and focus on feeding to build up fat reserves for the winter. Their top priority is finding food, not breeding.

Flocks establish feeding patterns in crop fields and woodlots, Aggressive hens defend these food sources from rival flocks Gobblers spend more time with other males and are not as interested in responding to hen calls Understanding these behavioral changes is the foundation for effective fall turkey hunting,

Thorough Scouting

Scouting crop fields, woodlots, and forest edges is critical to locate active turkey flocks and identify their feeding patterns. Look for turkey tracks, droppings, feathers, and scratched up soil where they have been feeding.

Pay attention to flock noises at dawn and dusk to pinpoint roost sites. Observe flock movements and behavior during mid morning and afternoon as they travel between food sources Identify their preferred routes and map out ambush sites along the way Dedicate plenty of time to scouting so you know where to set up for the highest odds of success.

Ambush Hunting

With birds focused on feeding, ambush hunting along known travel routes between food sources is highly effectiveFind a place to conceal yourself along their route where you can safely take a shot when they pass through

Position yourself downwind and remain still and silent as they approach. Camouflage clothing helps avoid detection. Be patient and ready when the flock emerges from the brush. The lead hens often pause briefly to survey the area before continuing onward. Take advantage of this momentary window of opportunity.

Decoy Setup

Another go-to fall turkey tactic is setting up a decoy in one of their feeding areas. Pick an active field or woodlot where you have repeatedly seen birds feeding. Arrive before dawn and position a lone hen decoy about 20 yards away from your hiding spot.

Sit against a tree trunk or bale blind with a clear view of the decoy. When the flock arrives, start softly yelping, clucking, and purring. Aggressive boss hens will confront and attack the decoy thinking it is a rival bird intruding on their food source. Be ready when they come charging in.

Calling Birds In

While calling doesn’t trigger the same intense response as spring, properly calling can still draw in birds during the fall. After locating an active flock, plan an ambush along a likely travel route. Mimic feeding calls like clucks and purrs to pique their interest.

When they call back, get more aggressive with bold yelping to signify an intruder. The flock often can’t resist coming to investigate and confront what they perceive as an encroaching hen feeding on their resources. Just be sure to have your shotgun or bow ready when they come running in.

Attempt to Scatter and Recall

This advanced tactic involves actively breaking up a flock and then trying to call them back together. Once you have identified an active flock, sprint directly at them waving your arms and yelling. The sudden chaos should scatter them in different directions.

Quickly settle into a concealed ambush position at the break point. Mimic kee-kee runs of anxious young birds separated from the flock and the assembly yelp of the hen trying to regroup. With any luck, this triggers their strong instincts to reunite and brings wandering birds back to your position.

Target Roosted Birds

Another opportunity is targeting flocks as they return to the roost site at dusk. Identify active roost trees by scouting flock movements at dawn and dusk. Set up nearby with a clear view of the anticipated flight path as they return to roost in the evening.

As the flock approaches, yelp aggressively to mimic an intruder hen that has entered the roost. The lead hens will often break away from the flock to chase out the perceived imposter. Remain hidden and be ready to take your shot when they fly within range to confront the decoy.

Hunt All Day

Don’t make the mistake of quitting too early if you haven’t had any action. Turkey activity peaks in the mornings and afternoons as they leave the roost and return in the evenings. But flocks continue moving and feeding sporadically throughout the day.

Some of the best success comes around midday when hunting pressure drops off. Stick with it and stay alert. Follow up on any distant gobbles or flock calls you hear. Relocate if you haven’t seen any birds. Persistence and an all day effort increases your odds for success.

invited Hunting Partners

Having a hunting buddy or two along is great for fall hunting. Turkey flocks can quickly disperse in multiple directions when startled or shot into. Extra eyes help spot approaching flocks. Additional shooting opportunities are common as flock members run to inspect or chase down wounded birds. More hunters also means more calling versatility.

Partners can strategically split up and cover more ground after scattering a flock. One person maintains calling at the break point while others set up down the trail. The flock gets hit from multiple sides as birds merge back together. But solo practitioners can still get it done with smart scouting, setup, and calling.

Safety Considerations

Some key safety reminders when fall turkey hunting:

Wear blaze orange when moving between setup locations
Positively identify your target and what’s beyond it
Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire
Never stalk a calling bird outside of shooting range
Unload your firearm when traversing obstacles or uneven ground
Avoid climbing into an elevated stand with a loaded gun
Carry a flashlight and emergency gear in case you’re out past dark

Gear Tips

Having the right gear for comfort and concealment is part of the preparation:

Insect repellent and tick spray keeps the bugs at bay
Cushioned seat pad for long sits away from your vehicle
Facemask and gloves for frigid morning sits
Leafy camo suit or ghille to break up your outline
Comfortable backpack to haul gear long distances
Foam or rubber knee pads for kneeling behind trees
Sharp broadhead and accurately sighted in bow
Extra arrows within reach for quick follow up shots
Pattern master choke tube for dense turkey loads
Slate, box, and diaphragm calls to mimic flock talk

Woodsmanship and Marksmanship

Beyond scouting, setup, and calling, success requires good woodsmanship and shooting abilities:

Stalk silently without snapping sticks or rattling gear
Pinpoint bird location by sound before they emerge
Remain motionless when birds are close – don’t shift feet
Allow birds to fully extend head and neck before shooting
Fold and tuck in elbows to steady your aim
Visualize your shot and the bird dropping before firing
If using a bow, draw slowly without motion to avoid detection
Only take high percentage shots you are confident in making
Relax focus and breathe naturally when preparing to shoot

Mastering these core fall hunting tactics, tips, and techniques will lead to fooling those wise old birds and filling your tag this autumn. Pay your dues through extensive scouting, remain patient on stand, and be ready when opportunity strikes. With persistence and smart hunting, you’ll celebrate success in the challenging world of fall turkey hunting.

how to fall turkey hunt

Hunt the Travel Corridors

Avoid getting in tight and hunting a roost itself until you are closing in on the end of your season. Just as scattering can move turkeys out of your neighborhood, meddling with turkeys in their immediate roost area can send them packing for a new address.

A better plan is to figure out how the birds get from roost area to feeding area (morning), or from feeding area to roost (evening), then hunt the travel lane or corridor that gets them where they’re going much like you would set up for a whitetail.

Read Next: How to Call Turkeys: Has Cutting and Running Lost Its Effectiveness?

how to fall turkey hunt

Find the Food

A fall turkey’s life revolves around two priorities: surviving and eating. Surviving is inherent to their nature. You already know this. That’s why figuring out what the birds are feeding on, and where, is your chief priority for scouting.

FALL TURKEY HUNTING/ How to Find Fall Gobblers

FAQ

What is the best method for fall turkey hunting?

The preferred method used by most fall hunters targeting male birds is scouting and ambush. They’ll often cover more ground, but fall turkeys, if left undisturbed, tend to be more predictable in their daily routines. Pattern them, then get where they’re going before they do.

What time of day is best for fall turkey hunting?

So, one of the best times of day to hunt turkey is first thing in the morning as they stir and leave their roosts. Get out to your blind early and listen for turkey yelps, gobbles, and cackles as they stir and start in the search for breakfast.

Is it harder to hunt turkey in the fall?

Without wound-up gobblers sounding off, locating turkeys is a lot harder than in spring. Here’s the primer for how to find fall birds. Turkeys are flocked up in fall, but not always in the same place you saw them in spring.

How do you scout a turkey in the fall?

Since turkey leave many clues as to where they hang out, they are not overly difficult to locate. Start off by looking for roosting trees, then walk through the woods and look for tracks and upturned leaves from scratching. If you have dirt roads in your hunting area, look for dusting areas and strut zones.