Welcome back to Days in the Wild Big Game Hunting Podcast, brought to you by Phoenix Shooting Bags.
In this episode, recorded live from the Mile High Expo, I sit down with Jason Phelps to talk all things turkey hunting. We dive into late-season turkey behavior, why older toms can actually become more killable in mid-May, and how subtle calling can make all the difference when birds start hanging up.
If you’ve ever struggled with late-season gobblers, wondered when to call and when to shut up, or tried to figure out Merriam’s birds in the West, this episode is full of practical insight you can take straight into the field.
Jason breaks down how he approaches a brand-new area, how he likes to roost birds, where he sets up in relation to the tree, and why turkey hunting in the mountains often feels a whole lot like elk hunting.
We also get into subspecies differences, decoy use for archery, late-season patterns, and why some birds seem easy while others humble you quick.
In This Episode We Cover
Why late-season turkey hunting can be deadly on older toms
How the breeding cycle changes gobbler behavior
Why mid-May can be a prime time to target mature birds
The mistake of overcalling once a bird answers on the roost
Why subtle calling — or silence — often works better
How to think about a gobbler’s visual expectations when he pitches down
Merriam’s vs Rio’s vs Easterns and how their behavior differs
Why archery turkey hunting often benefits from a decoy setup
How Jason scouts and roosts birds in unfamiliar country
Why turkey hunting in the West feels a lot like elk hunting
The challenge and reward of aggressive run-and-gun turkey tactics
Stories from Arizona, Florida, Long Island, Nebraska, California, and Mexico
Key Takeaways
Late season can be the best time to kill older birds.
Once hens begin laying and spending more time on the nest, gobblers often become easier to work because they suddenly find themselves alone and looking.
Once a bird answers from the roost, less is often more.
One of the biggest mistakes hunters make is continuing to call too much. Once he knows where you are, silence can be your best move.
Setups matter as much as calling.
A gobbler expects to see the hen where he heard her. If your setup doesn’t account for that, you can get hung up birds no matter how well you call.
Merriam’s birds are different.
They roam more, change roost trees more often, and can require a more aggressive, mobile style of hunting.
Turkey hunting in the mountains has a lot in common with elk hunting.
Covering country, using terrain, cutting distance, locating vocal birds, and making smart moves all carry over.
Memorable Topics from the Conversation
Why Jason likes to hunt that May 5 to May 15 window for mature gobblers
The importance of knowing when a hen should be visible to a bird
How bobcats and predators can affect when birds come off the roost in certain areas
Why decoys may matter more in late-season archery setups
The difference between hunting a bird’s routine and hunting a bird that has become more erratic
Why running ridges for gobbles in Merriam’s country feels just like chasing elk
Quote Worth Remembering
“As soon as I know that my tree yelp got that gobble, do not call again until that bird pitches out of the roost. All you can do is screw it up from there.”
Why This Episode Matters
Turkey hunting can seem simple until you start trying to consistently kill mature birds. Then you realize it’s a game of timing, setup, patience, and reading behavior.
This episode is a great reminder that success often comes from doing less, paying attention, and understanding where the bird is in the season — not just how good you are on a call.
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