Ultimate Guide to the Subspecies of Wild Turkey

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Ethan Smith
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Native to the North American continent, the wild turkey was the largest nesting bird residing when European immigrants arrived. The population slowly diminished until after World War II when significant restoration efforts took place led by the federal and U.S. state governments. Since then, it has continued to be a traditional pastime and more popular sport in recent years. Wild turkey hunting has developed into a refined science, with new technologies like box calls and decoys to assist in the hunting process. For more on the science behind turkey hunting, check out our interview with distinguished professor and biologist Dr. Michael Chamberlain.

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Setting up a decoy for a hunt near Chiefland, Florida. Courtesy of Florida Outdoor Experience.

Before the hunt, you’ll need to gear up properly. If you’re going with an experienced AnyCreek guide, most will bring decoys and calls for your trip. However, you may need your own hunting permit, hunting attire, and more. In any case, we will get you set up for your first outing this season.

Gear

Camouflage

Wild turkeys have remarkable eyesight, making it imperative for hunters to minimize any detectable movements during their pursuit. To increase your chances of success, select an appropriate camouflage pattern tailored to the specific terrain you’re hunting in. Make sure your camouflage blends seamlessly with the surroundings. Additionally, consider utilizing natural features such as foliage or terrain contours to further mask your movements and ensure a stealthy approach while hunting wild turkeys.

Guns and Bows

In many states, hunters have the option of employing shotguns, muzzleloaders, or bows to pursue turkeys. Modern advancements in turkey loads and specialized chokes have significantly expanded the effectiveness of both 12 and 20-gauge shotguns in hunting turkeys, providing hunters with a wider range of firearm choices.

See also  7mm-08 Remington for Elk Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Elk Hunt Hunting Calibers 04 Apr, 2020 Posted By: Foundry Outdoors Is the 7mm-08 Remington a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for elk hunting? The accurate answer is “it depends”. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the 7mm-08 Remington is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest elk. As with anything, the devil is in the details. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the elk, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the elk in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots – the list goes on. [Click Here to Shop 7mm-08 Remington Ammo]What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a elk in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the 7mm-08 Remington within the ideal range of suitable calibers for elk hunting?” our answer is: Yes, the 7mm-08 Remington is A GOOD CHOICE for elk hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Assumption Value Caliber 7mm-08 Remington Animal Species Elk Muzzle Energy 2450 foot-pounds Animal Weight 720 lbs Shot Distance 200 yardsWhat is the average muzzle energy for a 7mm-08 Remington? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a 7mm-08 Remington round is approximately 2450 foot-pounds. What is the average weight of an adult male elk? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male elk is approximately 720 lbs. [Click Here to Shop 7mm-08 Remington Ammo]What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in elk hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for elk to be approximately 200 yards. What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the 7mm-08 Remington. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the elk being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet.Various calibersA common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether 7mm-08 Remington is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest elk - and to this question, the response again is yes, the 7mm-08 Remington is A GOOD CHOICE for elk hunting. [Click Here to Shop 7mm-08 Remington Ammo]This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting elk to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option.Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. 1 Comments Ted - Aug 28, 2024Shot placement is the key. I find most 140(139) grain bullets serve me well. Hunting should be fair chase. Sniping at 400+ yards is not hunting. Leave a commentComments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment

For bows, a traditional, cross, or compound bow is commonly used. As most turkey hunting takes place seated or lying down, make sure the bow you choose is comfortable for you to operate. If you are hunting from a blind, make sure you’ve taken into consideration the space around you and are capable of drawing back your bow.

Calls

For beginners, a box call often proves the simplest tool for achieving consistent sounds. However, there’s a wide array of calls available, including diaphragm or mouth calls, pot and striker calls crafted from materials like glass or slate, box calls, wingbone calls, and many others. Each call type requires varying levels of practice to master. It’s advisable to start with just one call; it doesn’t have to be the priciest option, but investing in a good quality call is essential.

Begin by learning the basic sounds such as clucks, purrs, putts, and yelps. As your proficiency grows, you can explore more advanced sounds and techniques, honing your ability to create dynamic calls that keep the turkeys engaged and responsive. You can always ask your guide on what is best for your day of hunting.

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Ethan Smith
Ethan Smith is a seasoned marine veteran, professional blogger, witty and edgy writer, and an avid hunter. He spent a great deal of his childhood years around the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. Watching active hunters practise their craft initiated him into the world of hunting and rubrics of outdoor life. He also honed his writing skills by sharing his outdoor experiences with fellow schoolmates through their high school’s magazine. Further along the way, the US Marine Corps got wind of his excellent combination of skills and sought to put them into good use by employing him as a combat correspondent. He now shares his income from this prestigious job with his wife and one kid. Read more >>

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