Tips for hunting turkeys during a full moon?

Luring Turkeys with Cover

When hunting turkeys during a full moon, it’s essential to use the right tactics to lure them into your kill zone. Create a decoy setup with multiple jakes or hens placed at varying distances from each other. This will attract a strutting tom, which is more likely to appear in areas with dense cover such as thick woods, brush piles, or cornfields with tall stalks. Use a mix of 3-5 decoys, spaced 10-20 yards apart, to create a convincing scenario. When setting up your decoys, consider the wind direction and position yourself downwind to minimize the scent of humans.

Hunting Hours and Moon Phases

Full moon periods often coincide with warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours, which can make turkeys more active. However, it’s vital to adjust your hunting schedule accordingly. Typically, turkeys will become more active in the early morning hours, about 30 minutes to 1 hour before sunrise, and late evening hours, about 1-2 hours before sunset. During these times, the moon’s bright light won’t interfere with your vision, and you’ll have a better chance of spotting your quarry. Consider hunting during the crescent moon phase, which typically occurs a week before the full moon, when the turkey’s natural instincts will guide them to roosting sites and feeding areas.

Understanding Turkey Behavior

Wild turkeys have an innate instinct to roost at night and forage during the day. During a full moon, their behavior might be altered due to the increased light. They may become more active at dusk and dawn, and their usual roosting sites may be compromised. Be prepared to adjust your hunt plan and set up along their likely migration routes, such as ridges, fence lines, or creek beds. Additionally, be aware of their feeding patterns, which may shift towards more open areas, but still follow the same general routine of searching for food in the morning and late afternoon.