The season will soon be here, and turkey hunters are planning their trips to the woods. Because of the nature of turkey hunting, special consideration must be given to safety if all hunters are to have safe and enjoyable experiences while pursuing "ole long-beard." Because turkeys have such keen vision, it is imperative for the hunter to be carefully camouflaged. The camouflage not only hides the hunter from turkeys, but also from other hunters. This is why safety should have special meaning to turkey hunters.

Above all, do not wear such colors as red, white, or blue! These are colors found on the adult gobbler, and accidents have happened when hunters mistook a red or white handkerchief as the head of a gobbler.

Hunters not only wear the required orange, but are putting a band of hunter orange material around the tree they are sitting under. If you are in an area with a lot of hunters, you may want to try this.

Another hazard that occurs while turkey hunting is when a hunter starts to imitate the calls of the gobbler instead of a hen. The object in turkey hunting is to make the gobblers think that the hunter is a female turkey, and thus attract the gobbler. Sometimes hunters will try to entice a gobbler by imitating another male. This can be dangerous since hunters are keying in on the gobbler's vocalizations, and will think that a well camouflaged hunter is a gobbler. Another accident!

Another unsafe practice is carrying that hard-earned gobbler out of the woods slung over your shoulder. Hunters have been injured by others thinking they are seeing a live bird. Put the turkey in your vest or in a hunter orange bag so that it is obviously not a live animal.

Turkey hunting is an enjoyable sport; let's keep it that way by using common sense. Don't sacrifice your life or that of another hunter for a bird. No turkey is worth that! Remember to know where your hunting partners are; alert another hunter if he is approaching by coughing or speaking, don't wave your hand. And always be sure of your target before you shoot!

Revised 2/16/2006.