Choosing whether to hunt wild turkeys solo, in pairs, or in groups is an important decision to make.
Chasing longbeards is all about the experience, and hunting wild turkeys either on your own or with others offers different benefits and challenges. Here are the pros and cons of going solo and chasing these leery longbeards, as well as hunting with others.
The Pros: Advantages of Turkey Hunting with Others
There are numerous advantages for turkey hunting with others. In fact, there are far more advantages than disadvantages for experiencing the turkey woods with others versus going it alone. Some of these factors include the following:
A Safer Hunt (Situation Depending): Oftentimes, situation depending, turkey hunting with a partner can increase safety. This is true because each hunter can help keep an eye on the other and be there if something goes wrong. Of course, it’s only safer if both turkey hunters are experienced, and exercise utmost caution and safety in the field.
Another Set of Eyes to See: Two sets of eyes make it easier to spot turkeys while hunting. Glassing birds in the distance, or seeing a silent turkey slipping into your gun range, is more attainable with two hunters working together.
Another Set of Ears to Hear: Likewise, another set of ears makes it easier to hear turkeys. Detecting a gobble in the distance, accurately gauging the direction and distance of heard turkeys, hearing muted details that are more difficult to pinpoint — these things and more are easier with more ears.
Another Brain to Think Through Things: Turkey hunting can be quite challenging. During most hunts, there are decisions to make, and many choices aren’t the right ones. However, having another brain to think through things makes the right choice more likely.
Covering Multiple Setup Directions: Two hunters working in tandem allows the duo to cover multiple directions from one setup. Therefore, if a turkey circles around, or a quiet bird slips in that you weren’t expecting, odds are greater of getting a turkey by the feet.
Having a Backup Shooter: Most pairs of turkey hunters have a primary and secondary shooter, situation depending. If a single bird comes into gun range, hunting together allows for a backup shooter to step in if the primary hunter misses that turkey.
Running the Pendulum Play: The pendulum turkey hunting play requires two turkey hunters. This is used on a hung-up turkey that doesn’t want to come into range. One shooter sits stationary. The second hunter (caller) retreats far enough that they are out of sight and continues using mouth calls. When the gobbler shifts left, the caller shifts right, and vice versa. Hopefully, with each pass, that turkey gets a little closer, until finally, it’s in range of the shooter.
Help with Carrying Gear: Generally, wild turkey hunters carry a lot of gear afield. Calls, decoys, blinds, chairs, guns, vests, and more. It’s easier to carry all these things with the help of a second hunter.
Access to More Gear: You might not have every piece of turkey hunting gear you’d like to have. The same might be true for your hunting buddy. However, together, you can both share the price tag burden and compile the needed (and wanted) equipment.
Access to More Ground: Similarly, having a hunting buddy can theoretically open access to more hunting land. Even if it doesn’t increase private land access, it’s another hunter to help scout existing ground, or to comb through potential public lands.
More Enjoyable Slow Periods: Turkey hunting isn’t always gobbles and strutters. More times than not, it’s long periods of inactivity. Hunting with another hunter can make those “boring” periods more enjoyable.
Enjoying the Moment with Others: Hunting alone is very rewarding. However, there’s something to be said for experiencing the outdoors and enjoying the outing with other people. Oftentimes, with turkey hunting, it’s much more fun to chase gobblers with a hunting buddy.
The Cons: Disadvantages of Turkey Hunting with Others
While advantages certainly outnumber disadvantages, turkey hunting with others isn’t without its drawbacks. There are several downsides that are important to note when turkey hunting with others. Some of these things include the following:
A Less Safe Hunt (Situation Depending): If hunters aren’t well-educated in turkey hunting safety, gun safety, and general dos and don’ts of the outdoors, hunting with a partner can actually make this a less-safe activity. In fact, many hunters have been shot or otherwise injured by their hunting buddies.
Waiting on That One Who’s Always Late: Some hunters have that hunting buddy who’s always late. And those same hunters have missed out on some roost hunts because of it. Waiting on a habitually-late turkey hunter is no fun.
Another Person to Be Seen: Two turkey hunters in the field present an extra hunter to be spotted by birds. It’s double the profile and movement to hide from prying turkey eyes.
Another Person to Be Heard: Similarly, two hunters in the turkey woods equals a lot more talking. That’s increased opportunities to be heard by nearby turkeys. That can be a problem, especially for those who like to talk a lot.
Greater Odds of a Busted Hunt: All things considered, with each added hunter in the field, there becomes a greater chance of a busted turkey hunt. Regardless of how it goes, there are higher odds of things going more poorly than if turkey hunting alone.
Having Less Time to Reflect: One major element of turkey hunting is enjoying the peace and quiet that comes with the outdoors. Hunting with others takes away from that aspect of the hunt. You have less time to think, reflect, and enjoy the beauty around you.
The Takeaway: Enjoy the Best of Both Worlds
Regardless of whether you usually turkey hunt alone, or with others, get out there and experience nature. Perhaps try it both ways and enjoy the best of both worlds. Do that, and you’ll soon see for yourself the pros and cons of turkey hunting alone, and with others.
Article by Josh Honeycutt
