Why Turkey Hunting with Binoculars Works for Me

Why Turkey Hunting with Binoculars Works for Me

Beyond the mere fact of spotting and setting up on more birds, turkey hunting with binoculars works for me on a few levels.

Why Turkey Hunting with Binoculars Works for Me. Funny thing, turkey hunting. If you think of it in that way, that is. Turkey hunting is described by such a wide variety of adjectives you could replace funny with virtually any other word from frustrating to maddening to exciting to intense. Perhaps it’s all part of where we are in the cycle.

I think the words we would use to describe turkey hunting are direct results of our experiences chasing them. In my formative years, I considered giving it up altogether on many occasions. I entered the next stage plain mad at them and spent considerable energy chasing gobblers throughout the country. Once that flame started to slowly diminish and cool, I realized that my love for chasing turkeys was about more than collecting beards.

Which is why binoculars are an important component of my turkey hunting kit on a couple different levels beyond increasing my chances of harvesting a bird.

Turkey Hunting with Binoculars

Only a few short seasons ago did I start turkey hunting with binoculars. I never considered them an important part of my setup. Still, to this day, they are the number one piece of gear that I forget. I think that is true for several reasons.

First, when I started out as a hunter, binos were heavy and clunky. As were turkey decoys. And then throw in calls, gloves, face masks, etc., and my vest got downright bulky.

Second, rarely did you see a binocular harness like we have today. Slinging the neoprene strap around my neck to bounce around all day was not an attractive notion. Still isn’t. But as binoculars have evolved into sleeker more lightweight designs, and the convenience of a harness keeps them secure to the body, I see no reason not to carry a pair to the turkey woods.

Slow Down, See More

Binoculars help me slow down and see more, which helps me spook fewer turkeys. When I’d once tromp through the woods and fields on my way to set up on a lively gobbler, I now move a little slower, taking the time to glass every 50 yards or so. I can promise you I’ve scared off far fewer turkeys this way.

Despite being a big black bird, they are surprisingly camouflaged in the green spring foliage. But one thing you’ll notice about turkeys is that 95 percent of the time they are moving. The remaining five percent, when they are stock still, they’re typically trying to make out danger. For me, taking the time to glass every so often has allowed me to see more turkeys before they’ve seen me. Why walk 500 yards to set up on a gobbling tom when you could walk 50 for a silent one you’ve spotted?

Closer to Nature

There’s a lot going on in the natural world in spring. Flowers are blooming, trees leaving, all kinds of songbirds migrating into the area. Nature is shaking itself loose from winter dormancy. And perhaps for me the most important part of turkey hunting with binoculars is getting to witness it all from a front-row seat.
It took more than a few years for me to notice or even care about any of that. But I guess it’s part of getting older. The realization that years go by uninhibited, propelled even faster by the pace of our lives in the 21st century, is causing my foot to pump the brakes, if only every so often.

I do like to see gobblers respond to my calling and walk down the business end of my shotgun from time to time. I still find joy in hoisting him over my shoulder to walk back to camp. Mostly, I like eating them. And then I particularly cherish the times when I can help others achieve the feeling you get from a tom spitting and drumming and buzzing with energy at close range.

I guess the path is linear rather than cyclical. At least for me, as we move forward into another spring. Hopefully it’s successful for you, in whatever way you measure it.