Quick Guide to Turkey Scouting (Public Land Edition)

Finding turkeys is 90% of the work for a Turkey Hunter. Finding areas such as Water sources, Food Plots, and the Roost all give you places to start your hunt. With the right preparation, it can also lead to some of the most rewarding experiences in the field. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or new to the pursuit, this guide will walk you through the essential steps for finding turkeys before the season starts—from using maps to locate promising areas to mastering calls that can help pinpoint a gobbler's location.

Pre-Checking

The first step to scouting turkeys on public land is identifying areas where they might roost or feed—these are your best places to start.

Use your preferred map—either a physical one or a digital app like OnX.

Look for public hunting land such as:

• Conservation Areas

• State Parks

• Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)

• BLM Land

Once you've located a potential area, check local regulations and gather any online information available. Then, start identifying key landmarks, such as hills and water sources, which are great starting points. Look for large clearings, as turkeys prefer open spaces to keep an eye out for predators and hunters.

Locating with a Call

Once you’ve identified areas to check, it’s time to use calls to help locate gobblers. Here are some tips to keep in mind. Gobblers won’t always respond. Often, they’ll come in silently once they’ve heard your call. If you’re not seeing turkeys but find tracks, feathers, or droppings, they might be nearby and already aware of your presence.

Types of Calls:

• Turkey Call (hen/gobbler sounds): Might trigger a response, but don’t expect it every time.

• Crow Call: Less likely to spook turkeys and often triggers a “shock gobble.”

• Predator Call (like a coyote): Can cause turkeys to respond, but may also put them on high alert—use with caution.

Pro Tip: Choose the call you’re most comfortable with.

The author's go-to: Woodhaven Black Wasp mouth call using clucks and chirps, then Woodhaven Ninja Owl call for a locator.

Important: If a gobbler responds and then goes silent, avoid overcalling. Too much noise can spook them.

Hitting the Field

With a plan and a call in hand, it’s time to scout in person. Get out there 30 to 60 minutes before sunrise. This gives you a good chance of hearing gobblers near their roosts. Don’t stress if you get out later—you can still find them.

Field Strategy:

After leaving your car, walk to your planned spots. Call every 150–200 yards, or roughly every 5 minutes. At clearings, walk the edges slowly and scan for movement. Near water: Observe, especially around the edges of lakes or ponds. If following a stream or river, try walking upstream or downstream to potentially encounter turkeys. Don’t hesitate to put in the miles—walking 5+ miles may increase your odds significantly. The more ground you cover, the better.

Last Thoughts

This is a basic scouting guide, but conditions will vary based on:

• Hunting pressure

• Vegetation thickness

• Proximity to roads

• Weather and season

When you find a good spot, mark it down and save it for opening day. And remember, scouting success isn’t guaranteed. Sometimes, it's just a matter of luck.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to scout the same area twice. You never know what you might have missed the first time.