The sweet aroma of springtime fills your nostrils as you snuggle against the base of the massive oak. With the first rays of dawn brightening the eastern sky, an ovenbird begins its repetitive chorus. Soon other feathered songsters join the melody, and the forest has again come alive with sights and sounds. It feels good to again be afield for another season as your ear strains to locate the first gobble of the morning. To many hunters, turkey season is their favorite time afield.
Most jurisdictions offer spring seasons and many have fall hunting opportunities as well.
As a matter of fact, the National Wild Turkey Federation currently estimates that in the United States some 2.6 million sportsmen and women annually pursue a turkey population that exceeds 5.4 million birds. States such as Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Missouri and New York enjoy very strong turkey hunting traditions with a total of about 600-thousand licensed turkey hunters alone. Unfortunately, turkey hunting can be dangerous by the unique nature of the hunt. Dressing in full camouflage and trying to realistically imitate the very sounds of their quarry have lead to an unacceptable number of hunters being shot in mistake for game. This is a term used to describe the series of acts or events that occur prior to the point when the offender decides to shoot.