Important Tips For Hunting Out Of State

Are you traveling out of state to Turkey Hunt? Whether this will be your very first wild turkey hunt, an additional turkey hunt, or you’re after your your “Grand Slam;” here is what you need to do ahead of time.

1) Proper License Requirements

Before traveling out of state to hunt check with the appropriate Game and Fish Department to make sure to you have the required licenses and tags. Also, see if Hunter Education is required for certain age groups.

2) Learn Hunting Regulations

Game laws can differ from your home state’s regulations. Certain states, such as Missouri, only offer legal hunting from one half hour before sunrise until 1:00 PM daily during spring turkey season. However, other states offer all day hunting.

Some states, such as Texas, allow baiting. Other states, such as Oklahoma, allow baiting, but require a hunter to be 100 yards from the baited area at all times. While states, like Alabama, strictly forbid baiting under any circumstance.

Being prepared also means being familiar with all of the appropriate game laws.

3) Driving or Flying?

Anytime you’re traveling out of state via air travel you should make sure to be packed correctly.

All firearms or bows and ammunition must be packed separately. All firearms must be packed in a TSA approved locked gun case. Guns and ammunition must be declared at check-in and inspected by a TSA agent.

4) Pattern Your Gun Or Archery Equipment

Always prepare and pattern your gun, bow or crossbow before you wild turkey hunt.

You owe it to the game you’re pursuing to be accurate with your weapon. There is nothing worse than traveling out of state to turkey hunt, only to miss out on a golden opportunity, or merely wound a gobbler because your gun or bow is not patterning or shooting accurately.

5) Prepare Physically  

Be sure you are physically prepared for your adventure, especially if your hunt takes you into mountains or rough terrain.

Walking, jogging, and strengthening your cardio endurance level during the weeks before your hunt will definitely help put you in a better position to tag a gobbler.

6) Watch the Weather

Staying up to date with current and upcoming weather conditions play a huge role in a spring turkey hunter’s success. Watching the weather conditions will help you plan your hunting attire, although, any successful turkey hunter will tell you to pack with weather changes in mind. You just never know what the springtime weather will do!

7) Study Topographic Maps

Now more than ever, a turkey hunter has access to better maps of his hunting area at his disposal.  Using Apps on your smartphone such as onXmaps and other programs offer real-time access to maps to study and learn as much as you can about the property where you will be hunting.

There is nothing like having boots on the ground to learn what you need to know, but checking your hunting area online will be a factor in your experiencing a good hunt.

Prepare for an out of state turkey hunt: be physically and mentally ready, set travel plans before the hunt, get your weapon of choice sighted and ready, and research your starting point in advance. Be ready on Day One.

Good luck!