Devil’s Tower Gobbler- Hunting Wild Turkeys in Wyoming’s Land of Mule Deer and Elk.

Ethan Fry and his father hunted elk in Colorado in 2018. They were crushed by snow and came home empty-handed but were thrilled with their father-son adventure. When a close friend’s father developed cancer, Fry decided life was too short to postpone another trip.  He arranged a hunt in Northeastern Wyoming near the Devil’s Tower, and his quest for adventure began.

Just Like Deer and Elk

The Ohio duo reached camp the evening before the hunt and were treated to typical Western hospitality.  They met with their guide, who explained that the ranch had few trees, so they hunted away from the roosts to keep turkeys in the area.  Calling and fanning were the typical strategies employed once turkeys were located.

Monster Flock

The first morning, father and son drove the ranch, stopping often to glass, much like hunting for mule deer or elk.  They spotted a huge flock of about 50 birds, but the guide continued since working with such a large number of birds had a poor probability of success.  “If we don’t locate lone toms, we’ll return and hope they have scattered,” their guide told them.

Whitetail Deer Strategy

Not finding any lone toms or smaller groups, the Frys returned to the area of the big flock, but their initial attempts to lure them closer failed. The guide suggested making a wide circle and waiting at a pinch-point where the birds would pass between a meadow and a river. The trio arrived just in time to set up decoys and get hidden. The first birds to approach consisted of about 15 jakes that gobbled, yelped constantly, and eventually moved off.  Ethan spotted four toms nearby, and the guide lured one into the decoys with a turkey fan.

Broadside Shot

Ethan knew not to budge until the gobbler was focused on the decoys. Once the mature bird began to strut, he drew his bow and launched a Grim Reaper three-blade Broadhead. The bird waddled about 15 yards and fell over dead. Since the bow kill was mostly silent, the three remaining toms were still nearby, and Ethan’s dad slipped into shotgun range and completed the double.

Ethan Fry Watched it Drop