Several weeks before the season, take stock of the turkey habitat in your region. Discover where the birds are most abundant. Talk to farmers and to managers of public land. Ask where they see turkeys before the season, and where they hear gobblers once the season begins.
Turkeys prosper in a variety of habitats, from swamps in the South to dusty scrub in the West.
The classic location is a mature hardwood forest with grassy openings and plenty of oaks. Find acorns, and you ll probably find turkeys. Their diet also includes grasses, berries, grains, buds, and insects. Essentially, turkeys will eat anything slow enough to catch and small enough to swallow. Signs can help you determine where turkeys are abundant.