Issues to know when planning out-of-state turkey hunts
By Will Bowen | PUBLISHED March sixteenth, 2023
Nothing will get me fired up like sealing the deal on a gobbling turkey. There’s simply one thing magical about them. Their elusive nature and general irritating conduct makes me overlook that their mind is the dimensions of a pea. If that’s the case, on the subject of looking, mine have to be the dimensions of a grain of sand. At the very least that’s what it seems like. However like I mentioned no quantity of prior frustration retains me from feeling the enjoyment related to shoving a harvested Tom in my vest.
Due to my love for turkey looking, I’ve began a brand new Spring custom. For the final couple of seasons I’ve put aside a while to journey to new states and chase gobblers. I’ve hunted a number of states now and am truly finalizing my plans to move to Oklahoma this Spring. This obsession all began in 2019 with my first out of state turkey looking journey to Kansas. To make a protracted story quick, I solely needed to spend three hours within the state earlier than I used to be capable of bag an enormous gobbler. That set the tone proper then and I knew this is able to solely be the start of searching for new turkey looking adventures.
Turning into a touring turkey hunter is a call that I feel only a few would remorse. There are such a lot of nice advantages of touring that I might love to debate with you, however earlier than I dive into why I really like touring to hunt turkeys, I really feel that it’s my obligation to put out the few cons related to it. They’re minor and in case you are something like me, they gained’t cease you!
Step One
First, and most clearly, touring isn’t free. Tags, fuel, meals, and lodging all value cash. Happily for hunters, meals and lodging might be mitigated some by tenting and cooking your personal groceries. Sadly on the subject of fuel we’re all on the mercy of oil tycoons and politicians (I might go on and on about this however I gained’t). A nonresident turkey tag will value you greater than your native state’s resident tag, however typically aren’t financial institution breakers. There are a number of states that can promote you a turkey tag for $150.00 to $200.00. I perceive that isn’t chump change, nevertheless it beats a $760.00 elk tag.
Step Two
Secondly, an out-of-state turkey hunt will value you time. Spending PTO and time away from household and work obligations can each be exhausting on you. PTO is commonly restricted and having a younger household might probably make important size journeys solely a dream. Nevertheless, as in comparison with an enormous recreation journey, a fantastic turkey hunt may very well be had in simply three or 4 days. So long as you aren’t having to journey too far, shorter looking journeys can nonetheless yield nice outcomes and an incredible journey.
Alright, are you continue to with me? If that’s the case, good! Now we are able to talk about the issues that can preserve you coming again for extra out of state adventures.
I mentioned tag prices as being a con earlier, however that was solely as a result of it was going to value more cash than a resident tag. I additionally talked about earlier that nonresident turkey tags are means cheaper than large recreation tags. They’re primarily 1 / 4 of the value. So in case you have the itch to journey and hunt, a turkey hunt is a less expensive option to do it. You get to see the identical new nation and luxuriate in the identical expertise as you’d chasing large recreation. For instance, it’ll be a pair years earlier than I can draw a Wyoming mule deer tag (practically $400.00), however I can turkey hunt Wyoming this Spring and each Spring to come back for round $100.00. In my thoughts you simply can’t beat that. You too can use your turkey hunt as a scouting journey for future large recreation hunts.
Out of state turkey hunts are additionally a good way so that you can spend time with your loved ones or looking buddies. I wish to make these hunts a bonding expertise. My dad has been my touring buddy for the final couple of years and we’ve solely grown nearer due to it. This 12 months now we have invited my in-laws to hunt with us. I do know we’re going to have a superb time and the birds higher be careful due to it. I’ve a sense this may grow to be a Spring custom.
As a touring turkey hunter, I really feel blessed. I get to expertise new locations and new turkey flocks yearly. I get to spend time with some good folks and fellowship. I get to check my small mind towards a turkey’s. You simply can’t beat looking turkeys in new locations. Now that you simply’ve dove into the thoughts of a touring turkey hunter, are you going to present it a strive your self?
