By Paul Campbell | March 1, 2023

For me Turkey Season never really ends. The pursuit of hunting turkeys, inevitably comes to an end every year as spring slips into summer. When the cool Spring mornings fade into the hot muggy mornings of Summer, my mind and my soul ceaselessly drift back into those first few weeks I spent in the spring Turkey woods. Springtime is the great reawakening of life. As Mother Nature loosens her wintry grip on life in the woods, I find myself enjoying the rebirth of life as much as I enjoy the thundering gobbles of Wild Turkeys. If you’ve ever stumbled upon a patch of bluebells tucked deep within the  forest, hidden from the world, you understand. 

Turkey Season officially begins the moment I open my truck door on that first spring hunt and I’m greeted by a rush of  crisp, cold spring air. It’s 3 am, I didn’t sleep a second. The anticipation was too great. I’m nervous. I’m focused. My mind is already racing about the day that I hope unfolds. What seems like 10,000 Whip-Poor-Wills are blaring their nightly call as I step out of my truck. An Owl thunders on the ridge behind me. My heart pounds and my ears strain to hear that first gobble. The Whip-poor-wills seem to call louder. The smile on my face is ear to ear.  I grab my vest and shotgun, down the final bits of coffee, lock the truck and take my first step towards the woods. The smile on my face fades. My mind starts to focus on the hunt. I know this season will challenge me. Mentally, physically, emotionally. The yearly Spring ritual has finally arrived. I am ready.

Welcome to Turkey Season
Paul Campbell