A Missed Turkey Hunt-Almost

This year I did not get drawn for the Spring Turkey hunt. This was a depressing discovery to me, though I cannot complain due to my usual success rate. The spring hunt is one of my favorites for many reasons. First the weather is wonderful, I love to hear the turkeys talk, and it’s always the perfect time for a family get-away. So I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what else the family would do. Then it hit me. Why? Why do we have to do something else?

Why don’t we all go turkey hunting anyways. The only difference; all we can shoot are pictures. This would be the perfect way to teach the children about turkey hunting. Instead of staying in camp they could actually go out with us and learn something from their dad. They are always wanting to, but at their ages, 6 and 3, it is not a wise thing to do while trying to fill a tag. They are not the quietest kids, by any means. Nor do they have much patience, but it is not too early to learn. Their dad can teach them how to hunt and call in the turkeys and I can take the wildlife pictures I love so much. This way if they are not quiet it would not be upsetting, but if we actually get the chance to see some turkeys (especially strutting toms) it would be something they would not soon forget.

The moral of the story being that just because you did not get drawn, doesn’t mean that you can’t go out and enjoy the wildlife. The children are our future, and we need to get them involved if we want to protect our heritage. Whenever you have the opportunity, take it. So until then, I will be practicing taking pictures and maybe I can convince the kids to practice at being quiet.

Annette Urquides, Wild Cooking Editor for AZOD