10 Turkey Hunting Mistakes That Could Cost You a Longbeard

Whether it's bad calling, poor decoy placement or missed shot opportunities, these 10 turkey hunting mistakes can cost you a bird.

Turkey hunting mistakes can turn a hard-gobbling longbeard into a putt-putting ghost in seconds.

One minute, he’s hammering on the limb and pitching toward your setup. The next, he’s walking away, putting just loud enough to let you know the gig is up.

Most failed turkey hunts don’t fall apart because of one big disaster. They unravel because of small mistakes: the wrong setup, too much calling, poor timing, bad decoy placement or simply not being ready when the bird finally shows.

Avoid the following mistakes, and you’ll put more gobblers in range this season.

a hunter with a heavy longbeard — *The author took this heavy longbeard, but he freely admits he's made his share of turkey hunting mistakes over the years.*

Turkey Hunting Mistake No. 1: Using Only One Hunting Style

Hunters often settle into their ways. They find something that works and stick with it. They stop trying new things, and their tactics become stale. In time, a turkey can even learn to pattern a hunter.

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That's why it's a mistake to use only one style of turkey hunting. As with hunting whitetails, chasing thunder also requires situational tactics. Use the right hunting tactics at the correct time.

There are times and places for being passive, and other times for being aggressive. Calling, decoys, stalking and other tactics should all be options you can use when needed.

Mistake No. 2: Mistiming Your Hunts

Large tracts of land offer flexibility. In contrast, small to moderate hunting lands tend to be less forgiving. That means you must time your hunts correctly.

Maybe a property is better during the early season before hens begin nesting. Perhaps a property is better in the late season when hens go off to find thicker cover for nesting.

Environmental factors like farming activity and other food source shifts can impact a property's effectiveness at a given time as well. Therefore, it’s good to choose the right time to hunt specific properties.

Similarly, a given tract might be better at different times of day. Turkeys express patterns in how they use the landscape.

Knowing this, hunters might scout and realize their property is better early and late in the day closer to fly-down and fly-up.

Two turkey hunters mull their options while listening for gobbles. One of the biggest turkey mistakes is not having a variety of calls at your disposal.

Maybe it’s better in the middle of the day when turkeys are seeking relief from the heat. If you’re lucky, maybe it’s an all-day farm.

Regardless, time your arrival to capitalize on when the birds are on the property you hunt.

Turkey Hunting Mistake No. 3: Moving Too Freely

Some turkey hunters act like the hunt is a '70s disco party. They move and groove all over the woods. There isn’t an ounce of sneaking and peeking or any manner of stealthiness.

It’s important to be methodical and deliberate with every move while hunting just about anything, but most definitely with turkeys.

Move slowly and stay low. Glass as you go. Keep an eye out for birds, but don’t always expect to see whole turkeys. As with whitetail hunting, train your eyes to look for parts of the bird.

Keep an eye out for a tail feather, a wing butt or a turkey’s head. Look for small pieces, and you’ll miss fewer birds. Move a few paces and stop to glass for a few minutes. Do so, and you’ll see a lot more turkeys before they see you.

If you avoid our 10 turkey hunting mistakes, you'll eventually take a tom like this one.

Mistake No. 4: Choosing a Poor Setup

A turkey hunt is only as good as the setup. Choosing the right spot can be the difference between killing a bird and hearing gobbles in the distance.

Pick the wrong setup, and you’re probably out of the game before the bird ever shows. We’re not talking hundreds or dozens of yards. We’re talking feet to only a few yards.

Additionally, the orientation and direction you’re facing can determine whether you get a shot at all.

Turkey Hunting Mistake No. 5: Carrying Only One Call

Turkey hunters should have an arsenal of calls at their disposal. Having multiple calls gives you additional options when trying to find what sound a particular turkey likes.

I often have to try a few calls before I find the one that makes a bird gobble. For whatever reason, turkeys can be picky about the pitch and sounds that turn them on.

After further thought, I guess that’s not all too crazy after all. As a matter of fact, that sounds quite familiar and relatable.

a hen turkey standing in a field can ruin your hunt just as quickly as any gobbler. Don't make the mistake of thinking you only have to fool the toms. — *A suspicious hen turkey can ruin your hunt just as quickly as any gobbler. Don't make the mistake of thinking you only have to fool the toms.*

Mistake No. 6: Calling Too Much or Too Loudly

Every situation is different. Sometimes, you need to call loudly. Other times, it’s all about being soft and sweet.

Conditions can even play a role, such as calm days versus those with high winds. Terrain and foliage also impact how well turkeys can hear you.

Measure all variables and then determine whether you should call loudly, softly or somewhere in between.

Choose the right calls to get the right volume. For example, box calls are louder, while pot calls are quieter.

Turkey Hunting Mistake No. 7: Using the Wrong Turkey Vocalizations

Every sound a turkey makes means something. It’s important to understand the message behind each individual vocalization. Understand what they mean and apply your calling in the right situations.

Yelps, clucks, purrs and all the other standalone and combo calls send specific messages to other birds in the flock.

Using the wrong turkey vocalizations at the wrong time can lead to busted hunts.

A hen turkey ruffles her wings in front of a trail camera

Mistake No. 8: Poor Turkey Decoy Placement

Incorrect decoy placement can lead to several issues. Just like calling, decoy arrangement sends a message to other birds.

Placing decoys too close to your setup is another mistake, as is positioning them too far.

The direction your decoys face matters, as does their posture. Implementing poor combinations for the time of the season will cause real turkeys to wonder if something is wrong.

Creating an aggressive mating setup when trying to lure in a timid bird is another mistake.

There are many factors that influence proper decoy placement, and it’s crucial to understand what you’re doing when trying to bring in a bird.

Turkey Hunting Mistake No. 9: Not Being Ready to Shoot

Turkey hunters must always be prepared to shoot. Not being ready after all of the effort and time invested is frustrating, so be on your guard. Keep your eyes peeled. Have confidence and expect success at any moment.

Understand the scenario and be focused, especially whenever you think a bird might be close. Don’t let a turkey sneak up on you. Keep your gun up and ready. At least, remain close to being ready to pull the trigger.

You likely won’t be able to raise your gun once the bird is in sight.

Mistake No. 10: Misjudging Distance

Turkey hunters misjudge yardage just as frequently as bowhunters do on whitetails. I've never understood why bowhunters use rangefinders nearly every time they go out, but so many shotgun hunters don’t.

Of course, it’s not that necessary for 30 yards and in. However, it doesn’t hurt to carry a rangefinder, especially in big-field settings and other situations where judging yardage is a little more challenging.

Turkey hunters are always going to make mistakes. I make mistakes every season, so don’t get discouraged when it happens. It’s not easy.

But understanding some of the pitfalls can help you make fewer mistakes. Avoid the blunders, and you’ll put more beards and spurs on the wall and turkey breast on the table.