Hunting Tips

To prepare a spring food plot that promotes optimal antler growth, focus on high-protein legumes (20–30% protein or higher) and on essential minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, which are fundamental for antler development. During the spring "antler genesis" window, bucks require prime forage to recuperate from the winter and support active daily antler growth. 

Spring turkey hunting in May starts with locating roosted birds, setting up before sunrise, and using simple, realistic calls. The best time to hunt is early morning and mid-morning after fly-down, when gobblers are most active and responsive. Staying patient and minimizing movement are key to success.

To find hunting land, use a hunting app to locate public and private land, identify habitat and travel corridors, and analyze wind, weather, and terrain features. Hunters can use mapping layers, land ownership data, and scouting tools to plan access routes, mark sign, and choose the best locations to hunt.

To build a ground blind, choose a location with natural cover, use branches or brush to create a concealed structure, and position shooting lanes for clear visibility. Effective blinds blend into the environment, minimize movement visibility, and provide concealment from a deer or turkey’s line of sight.

The best turkey hunting tools help hunters scout smarter, find land, mark sign, track wind direction, and adjust to changing weather conditions. HuntWise combines mapping layers, land ownership data, markers, offline maps, topographic tools, and HuntCast weather features to help turkey hunters plan setups, locate birds, and hunt more effectively.

Hunting turkey on public land requires scouting, early access, and adapting to hunting pressure. Success comes from locating less pressured areas, arriving early, and using subtle calling techniques to avoid competition from other hunters.

The best turkey hunting weather often includes light rain, cloudy skies, gentle winds, and the period following a storm, as these conditions tend to boost turkey activity while lowering hunting pressure. To increase their chances, hunters should adjust their strategies accordingly —for example, using louder calls in windy conditions or targeting feeding areas after rainfall.

Whether you're a hardcore turkey hunting enthusiast or a whitetail hunter keen on maintaining your hunting fitness and skills during the off-season, there's no better time to chase some gobblers than in the Spring season in April.

The best turkey calls for beginners include the box call, mouth calls, and the push-pin call.

North Carolina's 2026 spring turkey season opens in early to mid-April with a season bag limit published by the North Carolina Wildlife Agency. Fall turkey runs in October-November where offered.

One of the best ways to find land to boost your chances of bringing home a turkey is to scout digitally with HuntWise. Locate field, water sources, and timbered cover before heading out for your hunt.

Every year, after my deer tags are filled and duck season comes to a close, I shift my attention to predator control. Coyotes can be hunted year-round in nearly every state, but the late winter and early spring is a great time to focus on hunting coyotes.