Turkey Hunting Safety
Turkey hunting continues to be very popular. Unfortunately, turkey hunting can be dangerous. In fact, each year a significant percentage of hunting-related shooting accidents involve turkey hunters—as much as 25-30% of all hunting-related shooting accidents—in those states with many turkeys and turkey hunters.
Without question, the number-one cause of turkey-hunting incidents is hunters failing to positively identify their target before shooting. The unique nature of turkey hunting explains this problem: hunters dress in full camouflage, hide, and then make turkey sounds to attract other turkeys. Naturally, they also attract other hunters who are looking for turkeys to shoot!
To safely hunt a turkey:
- Assume any noise is made by a human and not by a turkey.
- Never wear turkey colors—red, blue, black, or white.
- Call only with a large tree at your back.
- Drape an orange vest around a tree near your calling location so that other hunters know you’re there. Wear hunter orange when entering or leaving your turkey hunting area.
If you see another hunter:
- DON’T MOVE!
- Don’t wave, whistle, or make turkey or animal sounds to attract his or her attention.
