How To Plan a Turkey Hunting/Camping Trip

One of the great things about turkey hunting is the variety of habitats and places they live, and the opportunities this presents to get out and explore new places while hunting for them. Camping in the springtime is phenomenal because it lacks the crowds of summertime camping, all the nighttime spring peepers and whip-poor-wills are out calling and really making it sound like spring after a long winter.

Camping for turkey hunting is a cost-effective way to spend multiple days in a new place while hunting for turkeys. You can be mobile, immersed in the springtime woods, and spend even more time outdoors when camping for turkeys! There are just about as many ways to plan a turkey camp as there are ways to kill a turkey, but here are some basic things to keep in mind.

Find Camping

After securing the correct licenses for the state/zone you plan to hunt, the next step is tracking down camping opportunities within the vicinity. Choosing a camp spot is contingent upon what amenities you want as well as the proximity to the areas you plan to hunt. Established campgrounds usually have access to a bathroom, water pump and sometimes even electrical hookups. If you plan to use a camper that needs electricity, it’s important to seek out the right hookups. One thing to keep in mind during turkey season, however, is that some campgrounds haven’t opened for the season yet. If you are set on using a particular campground, make sure to find out its opening date so you don’t show up and find a locked gate and an “Opens June 1” sign.

An alternative to the established campground route is camping on state or federal land at a site you choose. Check the regulations of the land management agency as far as camping and staying overnight, but many public forests allow camping at undeveloped sites. Drive around any large forest and you will find pull-offs with old fire rings and spots where people commonly camp. These are free and don’t require a reservation, but you will need to make do without a bathroom or electric hookups.

Cold Storage

Have a plan for your turkey meat. Unless you plan to eat the whole bird right away, have access to a cooler or other form of cold storage to keep your turkey breast and legs in for the trip home. This is especially important if you are either planning to harvest multiple birds or have multiple people killing turkeys. Cool spring weather can help keep ice from melting too fast, so it can be a lot easier to keep meat cold while camping.

Layers are Key

Plan for nighttime temps in the 20’s and daytime highs in the 80’s during turkey season. Rain is likely, too! Having a sleeping bag with a sleeping bag liner can allow you to add or remove an extra 15 degrees of insulation (depending on what the liner is rated for). The same goes for clothing—having a solid sleep system and camo layering system is so important for staying dry and comfortable, so plan accordingly.

Water Filtration

Running around hunting all day (even sitting all day!) means staying hydrated is so important. Bring a big container of clean water to use for camp things like cooking and washing dishes/hands, and also for filling water bottles. The less time you spend running into town to buy little plastic Aquafina’s, the better. One of the most efficient ways to have clean water without having to carry too much at a time is to have a backpacking-grade water filter in your pack. Carry it with you and filter creek water into a couple of Nalgenes when the opportunity presents itself.

Take Advantage of All Spring Has to Offer

Killing a turkey might be the goal, but the best part of turkey season is experiencing all the wonderful parts of spring for days on end, up close and personal! Find morels. Do some fishing. Cook your turkey, morels and fish at camp. Unplug your phone. Spend time with good friends. Turkey camp is whatever you want to make of it, so make the most of it!

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