Editor’s Note: Fred Darty, today of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, specialized in hunting canny old gobblers – birds that eluded other hunters many times. He learned in his years of hunting turkeys that no one else could take that, “A trophy turkey must be at least 5-years old and must have encountered many hunters. All but a handful of men have given up hunting him. He rarely will come to a hen or a caller. Caution has superseded his sex drive, and he’s probably the wisest creature in the woods.” Darty was like an Olympic athlete. He studied, he trained, and he polished his skills as he competed against the very-best adversaries he could find. He didn’t always win, but that’s what made his hunting turkeys worthwhile.

Moving up on old gobblers is one of Darty’s favorite tactics. “I’ve learned that a hunter is more effective with trophy turkeys, if he calls much less than he does with a younger bird. Getting to a point where the turkey will come is far-more important than the ability to call when you’re hunting a wise, old bird. Good calling will bring young turkeys to you, but a veteran turkey has heard and answered good calling before and has had problems with hunters. He won’t come in like a young turkey. You have to meet him at a spot in the woods where he feels safe, and where he normally wants to go. Knowing where that place is, getting there quietly and staying hidden long enough for him to show up are the top requirements for bagging a boss gobbler.

“Another technique I’ve used on trophy turkeys once I learn where they’re roosting is to move in close and yelp to the gobbler as the hens are flying-up in the evening. Once he gobbles back, I leave. The next morning, I try to get between the gobbler and the hens and give a few light tree calls as the hens fly-down. I use the same call I’ve used the afternoon before and give a light yelp. Then I wait.

“Once, a jake (a 1-year-old male) moved in before the old gobbler arrived after I’d called early in the morning to the mature bird. Knowing the jake might spook the trophy bird, I waved my gloved hand. When the jake saw the movement, he left. A few minutes later the big turkey I had attempted to outmaneuver for a week came into gun range, and I bagged him.”

To learn more about hunting turkeys successfully, visit John E. Phillips’ Amazon book page at https://www.amazon.com/John-E.-Phillips/e/B001HP7K6O. For even more information from top turkey hunters and callers, check out https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CFP9V2Q/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i2 to see the book, “How to Hunt Turkeys with World Champion Preston Pittman,” available in Kindle, print and Audible. You may have to copy and paste this link into your browser. (When you click on the book, notice on the left where Amazon says you can read and hear 10% of the book for free). On the right side of the page and below the offer for a free Audible trial, you can click on Buy the Audible book. You also can order “The 10 Sins of Turkey Hunting with Preston Pittman,” available in Kindle at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D7NQFS8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i10.

Tomorrow: What Tips Help Take Tough Turkeys