7 Crucial Turkey Hunting Strategies From Jordan of Buck Commander

So, we spoke with Jordan Summitt of Buck Commander to learn some expert turkey hunting strategies we can pass on to you. 

Over the last decade, he began hunting turkeys very seriously, leading him to his first single-season Grand Slam several years ago. After he harvested countless toms from all of the subspecies, we wanted to ask him some of the questions we (and our HuntWise app users) have contemplated in previous hunting seasons. 

First, we want you to get to know Jordy of Buck Commander better. Keep reading to learn more about him and his top seven strategies for turkey hunting success.

Who is Jordan Summitt? Tell Us About Yourself

I started working in 2006 as a cameraman and producer of the show Buck Commander. I spend the fall behind the lens, but in the spring, I love chasing turkeys. 

I've been a turkey hunter for a little over a decade now, and I enjoy the camaraderie of the hunt with friends and family. Strut Commander has always been something I wanted to see happen, and I'm just blessed to be a part of it!

When Did You First Start Hunting?

I didn't grow up hunting. Some of my family members hunted, but the times I would go, we'd deer hunt. That meant sitting still, being cold and quiet, and we never saw anything. 

But in high school and college, I found myself loving to duck hunt. It was way more interactive, and there was always action! 

Regarding turkey hunting, my good friend, Bo Dottley, took Jep Robertson and me on our very first turkey hunt early in my career at Buck Commander. I quickly fell in love with turkey hunting. 

Most of what I've learned is from some of the best turkey hunters I know. My fellow cameraman and friend Mike Miller, "The Turkey Killer" as he was called, was obsessed with turkeys, and he was very good at not just hunting them but calling them too. 

Another hunter who took me under his wing was my friend, Lyle Sinkey. Lyle is just a natural woodsman, no matter what species he hunts, whether it be deer, fish, turkeys, or ducks; Lyle was successful when it came to the harvest. 

I learned so much from these two, and I can't express my gratitude enough for their guidance and knowledge over the years.

Where is Your Favorite Place to Hunt?

Missouri is probably my favorite place to hunt. Texas is a close 2nd. 

What is Your Best Advice for Someone Wanting to Start Hunting?

Be patient and stick with it. Every time you're in the woods is an opportunity to learn something.

Jordan's 7 Critical Tips for Turkey Hunting Success

Now that you know Jordan Summitt of Buck/Strut Commander a little better, we jumped into his passion: turkey hunting. He has some excellent advice for those wanting to harvest a spring gobbler, and we wanted to share with you what we found out. 

Here's a look at our conversation.

1. What Weather Patterns, Conditions, or Terrain Do You Consider "Ideal" When Turkey Hunting?

I love a clear morning with temps in the high 30s to low 40s, with a barometer reading around 30. Turkeys seem to gobble well on those days. 

However, if you are near fields, just after rain, it is a great place to find turkeys trying to dry off and feed. 

2. You Have One Turkey Call to Use. Which One is It and Why?

A diaphragm call - a ghost cut. It's hands-free, and I can be as loud as I need and just as quiet, too. 

3. When Should a Hunter Use a Hen Decoy vs. a Gobbler Decoy?

I don't use a decoy very often because I like to run and gun. However, when I do, I'll use a jake decoy or even a gobbler decoy early in the season if they are still figuring out their pecking order. 

I'll use a lone hen later in the season when most of the hens are nesting, but a few stragglers are still looking for love. 

4. What are Your Best Tactics When Setting Up Decoys?

If I put out a strutter with hen decoys, I will set the strutter and hens in a triangle. That way, the turkey I'm hunting has to walk between the hens to approach the strutter decoy. 

I try to set up the decoys to the off side of where I think the bird will be approaching from, in hopes that his walking path will be in front of me. 

5. What is the Most Important Thing to Remember When Selecting the Correct Turkey Choke?

Test different shot sizes and shells to find which combo patterns are best with your choke and gun. I like a tight pattern out to 30-40 yards. 

My setup is a Benelli M2 -20 gauge- HeviShot HeviX Strut (#5, 6 tungsten blend) with a Kicks .560 choke.

6. What is the Best Advice You Could Give When it Comes to Hunting the Different Subspecies of Turkeys?

The western (Rios and Merriam) birds seem to be more aggressive than the eastern. So gobbler decoys work great out there. 

The Eastern's are my favorite to hunt, but they can put the mind games on strong with you, especially if they have been pressured. Try to be patient with them. 

The Osceola turkey is aggressive, too, but the one thing I tell hunters about them is that they have a muffled gobble, as in, they are much closer than you think. I'm not sure if it's the thick air and humidity down there in Florida or what, but if you think he's 400 yards away, think again. He's probably 200 yards or closer in reality.

7. What are Your Best Strategies for Locating Roosting Sites Before You Set Up?

Preseason scouting, if you can, does a lot! Get out a few weeks before the season and just listen for the birds. 

Once you've pinpointed where you think they are, you can go in mid-day and check the roost site for a turkey sign. This will help you narrow it down. However, if you aren't able to do it preseason, roosting birds the eve before the hunt can help. 

When I hunt a new place, it usually takes me a day or two to figure out the land and the birds. That is when I usually do some mid-day locating and use crow calls. 

I love a crow call; I use it more than anything. This is a great way to pinpoint turkeys without educating them or giving up your location! 

Use These Tips and the HuntWise App for Spring Turkey Success

Now that you have a little more information about these birds and some killer strategies from Jordan Summitt of Buck/Strut Commander, all you have to do is go out and put in the work. 

Check the weather conditions on your HuntWise app using the Daily View the night before a hunt because, as Jordy says, "he loves a clear morning with temps in the high 30s to low 40s, with a barometer reading around 30. They seem to gobble good on those days." Y

ou can connect with Jordan and his fellow Buck/Strut Commander buddies to follow their upcoming seasons. 

Buck Commander Instagram: @officialbuckcommander 
Strut Commander Instagram: @officialstrutcommander
Jordan Summit Instagram: @jordysummitt 

Good luck, hunters, and shoot straight. Don't have the HuntWise app yet? Download and try it for free! 

Content updated January 29, 2024.