Find More Spring Turkeys with HuntWise

If you’re serious about your turkey hunting and want to maximize your time chasing gobblers, HuntWise has you covered. From planning out your turkey hunts to e-scouting, HuntWise can help you stay one step ahead with live weather reports, weather forecasts, sunrise/sunset times, and species-specific turkey predictions.

Putting in the work can make all the difference when it comes to filling a turkey tag. In the turkey woods, strategy is key. Luckily, there are tools to make things a lot easier. HuntWise makes a strong case as the toolset all turkey hunters should have in their pocket. Here is a look at the top tools in HuntWise to help prepare for, and improve, your spring turkey season.

Finding Turkey Land

With up to date property lines, HuntWise Land Ownership mapping layers allow you to uncover public and private land hunt areas. Whether you're scouting out a new field or searching for private land access, HuntWise displays landowner information and invisible property lines.  

HuntWise mapping layers make it easy to identify public land and access points to plot the perfect route. Get an instant edge over other hunters and uncover unpressured land plots using the BLM Lands Layer, USFWS Layer, and more. Look for the smaller plots of public land, that might be overlooked by other hunters who assume there aren’t any turkeys there. Public land turkey hunting presents different set of challenges. But with new challenges come new opportunities. Here are our top strategies for public land turkey hunting.

Along with public land boundaries, HuntWise can help you find private land plots. With private landowner boundaries and information available for all 50 states, you can directly contact landowners within the app. If you find a money spot in the field or can’t seem to lure a gobbler over property lines, use HuntWise to get permission to hunt that particular piece of land. During turkey season, landowners are more likely to allow access. 

Here are some tips for improving your chances of success when contacting landowners for permission to hunt private land:

• Be respectful

• Write letters

• Provide references

• Make an impression

Want more tips on finding turkey land? Read on here.

E-Scouting

For many turkey hunters, the thrill of scouting gobblers is second only to the exhilaration of hunting them. Scouting is key to any successful turkey hunt. E-scouting, in particular, gives hunters an edge. 

In the realm of e-scouting, HuntWise is more than a map. With over 350 map layers, 3D maps, offline maps, and more, users gain insights and perspectives on the land they hunt. Use the Satellite Layer, Topographic Layer, and more to identify choke points, funnels, benches, and other features that influence turkey movement. After you’ve found the general land you intend to hunt, use the HuntWise Web Map or work directly in the app and scout out potential locations of roosts, or calling setups. 

HuntWise can help you optimize your time chasing birds by giving you the lay of the land before your boots hit the ground. In the spring, turkeys are often creatures of habit, and will strut in open and sunny agricultural fields or clear cuts. Aerial imagery in HuntWise will give you an accurate bird’s-eye view of these fields and openings with nearby woodlots for roosting. 

Looking for turkey scouting tips? Watch here.

Incorporate Markers

Markers are one of the most useful tools in the HuntWise app for all hunters, not just turkey hunters. Whether you are e-scouting or directly in the field, drop markers on areas of interest. Markers automatically sync between your divides and work offline to ensure you always have your notes at all times. 

Markers are especially useful when hunting with your buddies since you can share them. In HuntWise, you can add photos and notes to markers for increased detail. Also, markers are color-coded by category to provide at-a-glance insights. Drop markers for tracks, droppings, and struct marks which can reveal travel, loafing, or feeding areas. Droppings and feathers, especially primary wing feathers, near trees might reveal roosts. As you find sign, mark areas for potential set-up spots or ambush sites.

Accordingly, the wind plays a huge part in where the birds will come in. Being able to go over your hunt locations and check the forecast for the next hunt is useful. Drop a marker and use HuntWise ScentDrift™ to see how your scent will blow and dissipate hour by hour.

Offline Turkey Hunting Areas

More often than not, our hunts take us beyond the reach of cell service. Before heading to the turkey woods, be sure to download your HuntWise maps and markers. Saving maps prior to hitting the blind will equip you for the unexpected and allow you to access your map even if the birds are not following the script.

Topographical Maps and Turkey Roosting Locations

Whether you’re deep in the field or prepping at home, HuntWise helps uncover all the possibilities from scouting. Simply finding tracks, feathers, and droppings in the turkey woods is just the beginning. Topographic maps can help you uncover where turkeys might be heading and the route they’ll likely take. 

Turkeys love to roost in higher elevation areas. From a topographic map, you’ll be able to see the gradients of draws and valleys, and which swamps or cliffs you should avoid in the woods. Beat the turkeys at their own game by understanding areas of high elevation. Finding travel routes between bedding areas (roost trees) and food sources can be gold. Get in, get set up, and get on birds.

Hunt Turkeys with the Weather

Weather is unpredictable. Not every spring day is clear, calm, and warm. From rain to sleet to fog, the weather affects turkey patterns. Knowing how turkeys react in poor conditions can help fill a slot on your gobble tag. Turkey behavior is heavily impacted by the weather. When it's raining, birds find cover to get out of it, but as soon as the sun peaks out, they will group up, dry their feathers, and move food sources. Using HuntWise stay one step ahead with live weather reports, weather forecasts, sunrise/sunset times, and species-specific turkey predictions.

Looking for tips on bagging a bad-weather turkey? Learn more here.