National Wild Turkey Federation - Lake Washington Chapter
Scouting
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Good scouting is important.  Read these tips on scouting and maybe it will help  you to be a better turkey hunter.

  • Scout and study the habits of the wild turkey as much as possible. Good scouting and knowing the behavior of turkeys is at least half the battle to successfully hunting them.

  • Turkeys spread out into different areas in the spring. Don't expect the place you saw a huge flock of wintering birds to have those same birds in the spring. It's best to get out and scout the last few weeks before the season starts to see where the birds have moved. Some areas only hold birds in the spring while others may only hold them in the winter.

  • Think like a hen.  Instead of looking for gobblers when you are out scouting, find an area that has lots of hens and the gobblers won't be far away. Look for areas that have good nesting habitat nearby and you'll usually find hens and the gobblers too.

  • Turkey tracks over 4 1/2" long are gobbler tracks. Hen usually have tracks that are 3 1/2" long or less.

  • The size and shape of the droppings are also useful in distinguishing hens and gobblers. Hen droppings are looped, spiraled or bulbous with a main stem diameter of 5/16" or less. Jake droppings are larger with a diameter of around 3/8" and adult gobblers average about 1/2". Male droppings are relatively straight or J-shaped.

  • Scout during pre-dawn hours walking forestry roads and listening carefully for toms gobbling from the roost.  Don't do any locator calling.  Mark the spot on your GPS or map.  This will help you to set-up on the gobbling tom before the fly-down.

  • Scout during dusk hours.  Listen for toms in the roost.  Without spooking him try to determine which tree he is roosted.  This will also help you to set-up for the fly-down.

  • Look for roosting trees.  You will recognize roosting trees by the significant amount of droppings and feathers at the base of the trees.

  • Look for dusting areas which are marked by circular bowl-shaped markings in the dirt.  These will usually be found in areas where there is dirt or gravel.

  • Look for turkeys themselves.  If you're able, try to watch where the head back to in the evening.  Then listen for gobbling activity so you'll know where to set-up.

  • Prior to the season look at topographical maps and aerial photo maps.  Look for open fields on ridgetops, creeks, agricultural areas, old forestry roads, ponds, and power lines.  Then go scout these areas and get familiar with the lay of the land.