As turkey hunters, we’re always looking for aids and accessories to help us in our passionate pursuit of the noble birds. Most of us aren’t looking for “magic bullets” or turkey calls made by magical elves—but we are willing to make use of innovation and technology if it can give us a needed leg-up in our quest. Our current arsenals include clothes, boots, blinds, and even some calls that are the result of space-age manufacturing technology. And now, thanks to HuntStand’s advanced digital/cellular technology, we also have the unique HuntStand app for smartphones, which is optimized with top HuntStand Pro features for spring turkey hunting.
The HuntStand app is an indispensable toolbox for turkey hunting. It won’t locate a turkey or call one up or aim your shotgun for you—yet it is a modern-day convenience that will make any turkey hunter more efficient and effective. And it’s just so convenient.
Marking Turkey Sign
HuntStand Pro’s easy-to-follow tutorials for every operation make it super-easy to use, and the applications are many. The advantage of marking and saving the locations of turkey roosting, loafing, and feeding areas—even strut zones—on a detailed satellite map of your hunting area you carry in your pocket is invaluable. Knowing the location of a prime turkey ambush spot is a huge “foot in the door,” HuntStand’s accurate and detailed weather forecasts is absolute “must-see” info prior to (and even during) all of my turkey hunts.
Many turkey hunters must hunt on weekends or during pre-scheduled work vacations—weather or not—but using the HuntStand app for instant access to “real-time” weather conditions, with hour-by-hour temperature and precipitation forecasts, even real-time radar—will let you “micro manage” your day (or days) for maximum success. Using this info will not only tell you which areas to hunt, but how to dress and where to set up, and you’ll also have a good solid timeline for when things should start “happening.”
Most of us aren’t looking for “magic bullets” or turkey calls made by magical elves—but we are willing to make use of innovation and technology
Monitoring Weather Forecasts
For example, if you see an extended run of steady rain on the HuntStand forecast, a specialized tactic will be in order. Why? During steady rain, turkeys prefer open areas—away from the confusing motion and sounds created by rain in the woods. Being so forewarned, pack a ground blind and set it in a feeding field. Stake it down securely. Set out some decoys and then hunker down with complete confidence. Hunt where the turkeys want to be, with the luxury of having a welcome roof over your head.
If in the blind and you see a severe spring thunderstorm approaching on the HuntStand radar, find some suitable shelter and ride it out. Then, be in position when the storm passes. This is a critical window of opportunity.
How to Use Turkey Locator Calls
Turkeys can get scattered during sudden storms. Those gobblers that have been gobbling at every thunder clap will be eager to get back together with the hens when the storm passes, so typically, they will trip over their beards running to you when you yelp at them.
High wind is a turkey hunter’s worst nightmare, and also calls for a specialized approach. If you see sustained wind speeds over 15 mph forecasted on my HuntStand app, hunt “hollows” that are out of the wind—so you can hear the local turkeys and they can hear you.
Finding Good Ground
Can’t seem to locate a place to hunt? HuntStand Pro also helps you find quality turkey hunting land. Whether searching for public ground with the Hunting Lands and Public Lands layers, or the Property Info layer to contact private landowners, this app is great for aiding in gaining access to quality hunting tracts.
Once in the field, staying connected in real time with current weather conditions, live radar, and hour-by-hour updates of wind speed and direction is invaluable to savvy turkey hunters. So is knowing moon phases and major and minor feeding times, which are more prime factors in a smart success formula. The HuntStand app brings you these and more.
Whether you are laying out hunting strategies for future hunts in your home office or playing it by ear on location in the big woods, the satellite maps on the HuntStand app are almost like being there. Remember the maps are actual photos, with enough detail when zoomed in to show fields, timber, likely feeding areas, and travel intersections for prime setup spots.
Staying connected in real time with current weather conditions, live radar, and hour-by-hour updates of wind speed and direction is invaluable to savvy turkey hunters.
Take Scouting to the Next Level
Are you lucky enough to have several places to hunt? The HuntStand Hunting logging system will help you keep track of turkey populations and activities, and establish hot patterns, on as many properties as you have time to scout. If you are hunting or planning to hunt unfamiliar terrain, you can zoom-in on the satellite map to your anticipated location, find out what surrounding areas look like, and determine the best route to your setup without thrashing around in strange territory and generally terrorizing the local wildlife.
Want More Spring Turkey Hunting Success? Think Like a Turkey.
There is nothing not to like about having this much information in the palm of your hand. You’ll still need to get up early to get to the gobbler you roosted last evening, but now, you’ll have him marked on your app and you’ll know exactly where to go and where and how to set up. And if he flies down with a bunch of hens and wanders off instead of responding to your pleading hen yelps, you’ll know how to get ahead of them courtesy of the flock movement patterns in your app log. And if you strike out with one gobbler, the game isn’t over. You can check out likely alternatives marked on your map.
In the end, you will probably lose as many confrontations as you win with spring gobblers, as the app isn’t magic. But I promise you, the HuntStand app will make good turkey hunters better turkey hunters. And with spring turkeys, that kind of an edge can be all it takes to close the deal on even the cagiest of birds.
