Elk camps are high adventure, deer camps challenging, but turkey camps are just plain fun. You don’t need a horse and spotting scope, tree stand and the determination to sit still for hours, you need a few calls, perhaps a decoy and the will to succeed. I’ve hunted in turkey camps from Texas to West Virginia to South Dakota and the memories are graphic and enjoyable. One of the first was sponsored by the CVA muzzleloading company on which they invited a dozen writers to test their double barrel shotguns. Our camp was a modern cabin with running water and a full kitchen, yet one sleeping area. After an early rise and a full day afield, everyone was exhausted and the snoring was horrific. I learned that I could sleep while wearing shooting muffs and have on numerous occasions.
Learning Experience
Since that day, I always travel with shooting muffs. Additionally, I was so confident of success in Texas that I took a standard size cooler to bring back meat. Imagine a dozen turkey hunters in one room and the amount of gear they carried. I quickly realized that the cooler made the perfect storage chest and put my calls and turkey vest inside at the end of each day. “Rain” is another learning factor. Growing up, my father and I often turkey hunted in the rain with great success. I once hunted with Will Primos and Ronnie “Cuz” Strickland in Mississippi using that same CVA muzzleloader. We awoke to a booming thunderstorm and the camp considered sleeping in. Thankfully, Strickland and Primos braved the storm with me and the duo called in a gobbler on the first try. Last spring, I awoke in a South Dakota turkey camp to pouring rain and howling wind. With more than a dozen hunters enjoying a leisurely brunch because of the conditions, I grabbed my Mossberg and walked behind camp, right into a feeding flock of turkeys. Within half an hour of leaving camp, I returned with a Merriam’s longbeard over my shoulder. “I’ll have extra eggs, please.”
Turkey camps can be a challenge and these “seven crazy things” will help you enjoy the mayhem. … [continued]
