Turkey Hunting Tips for Kids: A Beginner's Guide to a Fun and Safe Adventure
By : Gunnar Sullivan, Eastern Kansas Coordinator
Turkey Hunting Tips for Kids: A Beginner’s Guide to a Fun and Safe Adventure
Turkey hunting can be an exciting and rewarding experience, especially for young hunters. It’s a fantastic way to connect with nature, learn outdoor skills, and spend quality time with family and friends. If you’re introducing your child to turkey hunting, it’s essential to keep it fun, safe, and educational. Here’s a guide with turkey hunting tips that are perfect for kids, helping them enjoy the sport while staying safe and respectful of the environment.
1. Start with Safety First
Safety should always be the top priority when hunting. Before you even think about heading out into the field, ensure your child understands the basics of hunting safety.
Wear the Right Gear: Make sure your child wears camouflage clothing or earth-tone colors, and is prepared for chilly mornings waiting for the sun to rise.
Gun Safety: Always remind them about keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction, keeping their finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, and never pointing the barrel at anything they don’t intend to shoot.
Know the Rules: Review the hunting laws and regulations in your area. Ensure your child knows what’s in season, what kind of turkey they’re allowed to hunt, and the bag limits.
Teach the Importance of Quiet Communication: In turkey hunting, silence is key. Teach your child how to communicate quietly in the field, whether it’s through hand signals or whispering.
2. Get Comfortable with the Gear
For a child to succeed in turkey hunting, they need to be comfortable with the gear they’ll be using.
Start Small: Make sure the gun or bow your child uses is age-appropriate. A lighter recoiling , manageable weapon ensures they’ll be able to handle it safely and accurately.
Focus on Comfort: Encourage your child to practice with their gear at home. Whether it’s shooting with a target or setting up a turkey call practice session, getting comfortable with the equipment beforehand is crucial.
3. Learn How to Call Turkeys
Turkey calling is an art, and kids will love learning the different sounds turkeys make.
Start Simple: Begin with a basic turkey call. The most common calls used by turkey hunters are the "yelp" (a clucking sound), "purr" (a soft, contented sound), and "gobble" (the male turkey's distinctive sound). You can find kid-friendly calls that are easier to operate.
Practice Makes Perfect: Set up practice sessions in your backyard to let your child get used to making calls. Encourage them to practice using different types of calls, such as slate, box, or diaphragm calls.
Don’t Overdo It: Over-calling can scare turkeys away. Teach your child to call lightly and only when necessary. It’s important to sound natural and patient.
4. Find the Right Spot
Scouting the area ahead of time is a vital part of turkey hunting. Turkeys tend to stay in certain areas, such as fields, wooded areas, and places where they can roost at night.
Look for Signs: Teach your child how to look for turkey tracks, droppings, and feathers. These signs will help you understand where the turkeys are feeding or roosting.
Early Morning: Turkeys are most active in the early morning when they come down from their roosts. Plan to be in position well before sunrise so you can be ready when the turkeys start moving.
5. Patience and Quiet
One of the most important turkey hunting tips for kids is teaching them patience. Turkey hunting requires a lot of stillness and quiet, especially when you’re waiting for a turkey to come into view.
Stay Still: Encourage your child to stay as still and quiet as possible. Sitting still is an essential skill to develop for turkey hunting, as movement can easily alert turkeys.
Teach the Power of Observation: Use this time to help your child learn to observe the environment around them. Let them notice the sounds of other wildlife, the colors of the sunrise, or the movement of trees and leaves.
6. Take Breaks and Keep It Fun
While hunting can be an exciting experience, it can also be physically demanding, especially for younger hunters. Take regular breaks to rest, hydrate, and enjoy the outdoors. Bring snacks, a thermos of hot chocolate or water, and always keep the atmosphere light and fun. Remember, the goal is to foster a love of nature and the outdoors.
7. Celebrate the Journey, Not Just the Harvest
If your child is successful in bagging a turkey, celebrate their achievement! But even if they don’t harvest anything, emphasize the value of the experience. Turkey hunting is about learning, spending time in nature, and developing skills that will last a lifetime.
8. Respect Wildlife and Nature
It’s important to teach your child the value of respecting the animals and nature. Show them how to properly clean and process their turkey if they harvest one, and teach them about ethical hunting practices. Discuss the importance of conservation and respecting the land.
