There is no ammo more effective for turkey hunting than tungsten shot. There is also nothing more expensive… On this episode I equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about the best ammo for you and your circumstances.

Take Aways

• Not all tungsten shot is created equal. Watch this video to learn more: The Truth & Lies About Tungsten Shot
• TSS (Tungsten Super Shot) is a brand of tungsten shot made by Federal, it is not a type of shot or a quality rating.
• Other companies and brands make tungsten shot that is just as good or better than TSS, like BOSS who copper plates their tungsten shot.
• True tungsten shot has a density of 18 g/cc. Don’t pay up for anything less.
• Tungsten shot gives you more range than lead and more consistent turkey killing ability at mid and long range.
• For anything closer than 30 yards, Tungsten is not worth it. Tungsten begins to become worth it at distances of 40 yards+.
• Here is the ammo comparison I mentioned in the episode: 8 Turkey Hunting Ammos Put To the Test
• Here is the main ballistics gel test I mentioned: BOSS Tom TSS vs. Winchester Longbeard XR
• Listen to the episode to hear the case for and against tungsten shot. 

Most people assume a hunt is over once a turkey has been spooked. Sometimes this is the case, but sometimes you can have a good chance of success if you change your tactics. On this episode I talk about strategies for hunting a gobbler after he has been spooked.

Take Aways

• Turkeys are spooked throughout the day by all kinds of things.
• If being spoked caused them to be quiet and hide, they would never move or gobble.
• It is true that a turkey will almost never return to the place where it spotted a hunter pretending to be a turkey. So you have to change tactics.
• You need to think like a turkey, not like a turkey hunter.
• Do not let giving up be you default response to a spooked turkey.
• Time and distance can quickly heal a turkey’s anxiety. 
• NEVER try to sneak up on a turkey to shoot it. That is often illegal and always unsafe.
• Listen to the episode to find out how to hunt a turkey AFTER it was spooked.

If you hunt turkeys, it is only a matter of time before you run into turkey hunting marketing. The key to finding the right gear for you is to let the woods tell you what you need, not a catalog or big box store. On this episode I identify common turkey hunting marketing pitfalls, how to avoid them, and how to decide what kinds of things are truly worth your spending your hard-earned money. 

Take Aways

• Remember the marketer’s job is to sell products. But it is not your job to buy them.
• Turkey hunting is a sport where significant innovations are few and far between.
• Never assume that the latest newest thing is of any benefit to you, no matter how compelling the case or packaging.
• The best thing you can do is spend more time in the woods and let that experience guide you to what you need to buy.
• Listen to the episode for more!

Putting a red dot or similar optic on a shotgun is very popular, it seems like everybody is doing it. But is it right for you? On this episode I talk about the pros and cons to help you make the best decision for you, and to help you see through some of the turkey hunting marketing hype.

There are situations where a red dot, scope, or other optic is a good idea for some people. But it can cause bigger overarching problems for others.

• If you have problems with your eyesight, particularly in low light, a red dot or other optic may give you a new lease on turkey hunting. 
• If you only hunt turkeys and you only use your shotgun for turkey hunting, an optic may help give you an edge.
• If you are primarily a rifle hunter and are brand new to turkey hunting and want to try it out, a familiar optic might help you get your feet wet.
• There are other situations where a red dot, scope, or fancy new optic may be a good fit for you as well. However MOST of the time I recommend that people DO NOT use an optic for turkey hunting. In fact, it can cause you big problems if you do in some situations. 

Listen to the episode to hear the whole story!

Soft calling may be the easiest way for new or long-time turkey hunters to up their chances of success in the woods. On this episode I talk about how to accomplish more by calling less and quieter in many common situations where gobblers are close by. 

Turkey hunters tend to want to call loud, aggressive, and often. There are certainly times when this approach works but more often the soft call is what is going to get turkeys to come into range. There are a variety of reasons for this but the biggest one is simply that most hens call softly and sparingly most of the time. 

Most turkey hunters only hear the loud aggressive calling because they do not get close enough to hear the softer and more subtle sounds. But it is that subtlety that will help put more birds on your wall. 

And the best part is, it involves calling less with more margin for error, something that is perfect for new hunters.

Listen to the episode to learn about soft calling.

This is a special alert episode to help you be successful despite the current struggles to get turkey hunting ammunition. I cover strategies to find the ammo you want, as well as how to select a plan B shotgun shell, and how to find unconventional turkey loads.

No matter what ammo you end up using, make absolutely certain you pattern test that new ammo before taking it into the woods. You need to know how it performs at hunting distances and you need to know where to aim on the turkey because every shell can be different.

When it comes to turkey hunting, sometimes fixing mistakes can do more to boost your chances of success in the woods than anything else. On this episode I share 7 bad habits that new and experienced turkey hunters easily fall into that can cost them hunts.

People often try to figure out exactly what they should do or what the next big thing they can add to their strategy or gear to make them better. These aren’t bad ideas but if you are making big mistakes or have a few underlying bad habits, you need to fix those first. Else any incremental gains from better strategy or gear will not amount to much.

Plugging the lowest hole in the bucket requires a willingness to learn and a dash of humility. We all have blind spots, and we can all improve in different areas.

Listen to the episode to hear the 7 turkey hunting bad habits.