Youth in the Turkey woods- how to make it fun, safe, and successful!

By : Bobby Cole, Western Kansas Coordinator

“The First Turkey that ever came to me on the ground did it a long time ago. I sat there with my hands shaking and my breath short and my heart hammering so hard I could not understand why he could not hear it. The last turkey that came to me last spring had exactly the same effect, and the day that this does not happen to me is the day I quit.”

-Colonel Tom Kelly-

I’m a simple man with simple tastes—it doesn’t take much to make me happy. But I can tell you this: few things bring me more joy than watching a kid bag a turkey. I didn’t grow up turkey hunting; in fact, I only picked it up about ten years ago. Since then, I’ve harvested nine birds and learned the ropes the hard way—through misadventures, reading articles, and watching turkey hunting videos. I’m self-taught and still learning every season. I won’t claim to be an expert, but what’s helped me grow most as a turkey hunter is taking others out into the woods. Over the last four seasons, I’ve taken more than 20 kids turkey hunting—and I’ve had the privilege of watching most of them harvest their very first bird.

Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to introduce kids to hunting than spring turkey season. The weather is warmer and more comfortable, so they’re less likely to be cold and miserable. Turkey hunting is also more interactive than most other hunts—kids don’t have to sit in complete silence the whole time. When their attention starts to wander, it’s easy to hand them a slate call and show them the basics. Even if their

calling isn’t perfect, that’s okay—we’ve all heard wild turkeys that don’t exactly sound like turkeys! When the action slows down, it’s the perfect chance to explain the “why” behind your setup: why you chose this spot, what kind of habitat turkeys prefer, where they feed, where they strut, and why scouting matters—because let’s face it, we all know you should scout more than you hunt. And if everything goes right? The young hunter usually gets a clean, easy shot—and a memory that’ll last a lifetime.

Here are some simple tips for a fun, safe, and successful hunt that’s also a great learning experience. First, keep expectations low and focus on the experience, not just the outcome. The goal is to create a positive first impression of hunting. Bring snacks, dress for the weather, and make sure the kid is comfortable—cold, tired, or hungry hunters don’t have much fun. Second, involve them in the process. Let them help carry

gear, set up decoys, or try calling. Kids are naturally curious, so take the extra time to explain what you’re doing and why. Keep safety front and center at all times, and make it a teaching moment, not a lecture. Most importantly, celebrate the little wins—hearing a gobble, spotting a hen, or watching the sunrise together. These are the moments that stick with them, whether or not a bird hits the ground. Remember, you’re not just guiding a youth—you’re shaping a future hunter. Make an effort to truly teach them the ins and outs of turkey hunting.

Set them up for success. When I take a kid turkey hunting, I like to give them every advantage I can, starting with the gear. I usually have them use one of my guns that’s specifically set up for turkey hunting. My favorite youth setup is a Savage Arms 301 Turkey chambered in .410. I’ve outfitted it with a Carlson TSS Turkey Choke and a Bushnell Reflex 250 red dot sight. This combo patterns beautifully and simplifies things for young hunters: “Put the red dot on his head and pull the trigger.”

Before we even think about taking a shot, I set clear expectations. One of the most important is a strict distance limit—no shots beyond what the setup can ethically and reliably handle. Once we’re at the blind or wherever we’re setting up, we run through a dry-run scenario. First, we confirm the gun is unloaded. I open the chamber and check it myself, then have both the youth and their parent double-check. From there, I get the young hunter into a comfortable shooting position and we run a few practice drills.

I’ll say something like, “Okay, we’ve got a turkey coming in from the left,” and have them track an imaginary bird into the decoys. Then, they aim at a decoy, cock the gun, and dry-fire on an empty chamber. We repeat this from a few different angles until they feel confident and steady in those scenarios.

Running these practice scenarios—and having a well-prepared firearm setup—goes a long way toward easing the nerves that come with the excitement of seeing a real bird. It builds familiarity, confidence, and muscle memory so that when the moment comes, they’re calm, focused, and ready.

Before they ever lay eyes on a real bird, I pull out my phone and show them turkey images online. We start with the basics: learning the difference between a tom, a jake, and a hen. Once they can identify each, we move on to shot placement. I show them photos of legal birds and ask them to point out exactly where they’d aim. If needed, I help them adjust.

Then, I raise the difficulty. I show pictures of turkeys in groups and talk through the risks of pulling the trigger when birds are too close together—you could wound one or accidentally take more than you’re allowed. Finally, I scroll through a series of photos and ask: “Should you shoot this bird? Why or why not? Where would you aim?” This kind of visual learning helps lock in their knowledge before they ever shoulder the gun for real.

Looking back, I never could’ve imagined how much turkey hunting would come to mean to me—or how it would become a bridge to something even greater. What started as a personal challenge has turned into a purpose: sharing the hunt with the next generation.

Through every misstep I’ve taken, every article I’ve read, and every bird I’ve chased, I’ve learned that the greatest reward isn’t pulling the trigger—it’s helping a kid experience their first hunt the right way. It’s about building confidence, teaching responsibility, and creating moments that stick with them for life. By setting them up with the right gear, running realistic scenarios, and keeping the focus on learning rather than just success, we do more than teach them how to hunt—we show them why we hunt.

And if we do it right, we’re not just making memories—we’re building future stewards of our outdoor heritage. That’s a legacy worth chasing.