Turkey Scouting

Trail cameras are also a great way to find that secret strutting are for a big old longbeard. I use a similar method as I do for scouting out an individual buck. However, I need to speed things up a bit since the spring season is so short. I start out initially placing cameras on the perimeter of several foodplots (turkeys seem to prefer the clover ones best). I will then use the information garnered to focus in on a general direction of travel for the longbeard. I will head off in the woods, following the contour of the land looking for any flat stretches of ground. These areas can be on a ridge top, in the bottoms by a creek, or even paralleling a hillside. These areas are usually several yards wide and at least thirty-forty yards long (old logging roads are ideal). This is the type of area a wiley old bird will seek out after experiencing any amount of pressure. I will place a camera on several likely areas and monitor them for several weeks prior to season. Before being pressured, a bird is likely to only visit the area occasionally. But later in the season, he will move there on a daily basis. By knowing which areas he prefers, you can be there and set up when he comes strutting along.