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Each time I speak to individual hunters or speak in front of a group, the mention of fall turkey hunting gets knowing smiles and cringes of non approval all at the same time. 42 states offer fall hunting opportunities for turkeys and not all hunters who have the opportunity to try fall hunting take advantage of it for a number of opinions and reasons.
Which is the center focus of this -- if you haven't tried it, here are five reasons, in order of least to the best, that you may love it:
* No bugs: There are no (maybe just a few) ticks or mosquitoes to bother you. If you spring turkey hunt you know that as a hunter our worst enemies, of a non-predator nature, in the spring are probably the ticks and mosquitoes and perhaps poison ivy. Along with a few more layers and cooler weather you're in for a far more comfortable sit if you can keep your feet warm and your eyes open.
* A great time to practice your calling. In the fall, all of the "new birds" -- poults that were hatched in the summer and are just beginning to mature - are just learning to use their voices, much like a young child has to learn their language. If you've never been confident in your calling or doubting of yourself, this is your time to let loose and learn, because these young turkeys lack in rhythm, cadence and consistency.
* Turkey is delicious. If you haven't fall turkey hunted but enjoyed that spring gobbler you harvested in the spring, you're in for a real treat when you trade in that testosterone infused meat, and sink your teeth in the somewhat sweet, tender, and juicy breast meat of a fall hen. I know, my mouth is watering too.
* Spot and stalk, pattern, scatter and chase are all fun. In he fall you can choose to pattern turkeys like deer and know where they go before and after they go to roost and try to get in the place you need to be in. Scattering turkeys in the fall and then using an assembly Yelp to call them back in can be very effective and how you scatter those turkeys is up to you. Perhaps the most intriguing to me and something I have never tried, of course in a state that it is legal, is the use of fall turkey hunting dogs. I have a trio planned this fall with someone who owns the dogs, so stay tuned as I will most likely have plenty of material to share later.
* The sounds of fall. If you've been in the woods in the spring and heard gobbles echoing and hens yelping, wait until the fall woods come alive with turkey sounds.
Of course gobbles this time of year are not common, yet not completely unheard of, but there are usually more turkeys present in groups this time of year. So if gobbles get you fired up, let me know how you feel when you find yourself surrounded by calling when he leaves are off the trees and there's so many turkeys you don't know which way to look, because it's a pretty incredible experience.
So if you haven't given fall turkey hunting a try, I encourage it. The best thing we can do as hunters to broaden our horizons and add to our experience is try new things, even if it's just once.
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Juniata County native and former Sentinel sports reporter John Knouse writes about the outdoors from Virginia.