Turkey
The Best Turkey Hunts in Texas
Starting at $1,950
OVERVIEW
With an estimated turkey population of over 600,000 birds, Texas is a premier destination for turkey hunts. The majority of those birds are found in the Texas Hill Country and Edwards Plateau, but turkeys can also be found in parts of South Texas, North Texas and even a few out in West Texas.
There are different types of turkeys throughout the state. My ranches are in South Texas and the Hill Country, so my hunts are for the Rio Grande Turkey, which is native to those areas. My turkey hunts start in mid March and go through the end of April, which is when the toms are ‘strutting and gobbling’.
Most of my hunters enjoy the thrill of calling for themselves, so all of my turkey hunts are semi-guided. However, a guide can be arranged for your hunt for a small added daily fee. Although I won't be guiding your hunt, I am always on the ranch and available to help in any way that I can.
My Texas turkey hunts sell out fast, so make sure to get your spot now.
Everything you need to know
WHO, HOW, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE
WHO ARE THESE HUNTS FOR?
Turkey hunts are great for folks at all experience levels. I take out individuals, groups of friends, hunting pairs (like husband and wife teams or father and daughter teams), entire families, and corporate groups.
Depending on the number of hunters in your group, I provide you with your own pasture to hunt, somewhere between 400 and 800 acres per hunter. If you have a group of five or more, you will get the entire ranch and lodge to yourselves.
HOW WE HUNT TURKEY
Your Texas turkey hunt typically starts within calling distance of a roost or feeding area, from either a ground blind or a spot hidden in the brush. From there you will be free to 'run and gun' or sit and call depending on your preference.
Most hunters will hunt until 10:30 or 11:00 AM and then come in for a mid-day meal (and sometimes a short nap). Then they head out for the afternoon hunt. During the spring turkey season, gobblers will be calling all day trying to locate a receptive hen, so the early afternoon is a great time to locate a lonely tom.
As the afternoon winds down, most hunters head back to within calling distance of the roost, hoping to cut the birds off before they roost for the evening. Because this is a semi-guided hunt, however, you are free to hunt as you prefer.
ABOUT RIO GRANDE TURKEYS
The Rio Grande Turkey is similar in appearance to the other subspecies of wild turkeys. They are about the same size as the Osceola turkey. A big mature tom typically stands about 36 inches tall and weighs about 20-23 pounds. The hens stand about 28-30 inches tall and weigh about 12 pounds. Despite their weight, wild turkeys are agile and fast fliers that fly close to the ground.
Male turkeys will mate with as many hens as they can. They 'strut' for females -- that is, they puff out their feathers, spread out their tails, and drag their wings. They also gobble, drum and spit to show dominance and attract females. After mating, the females search for a nest site, and typically lay ten to fourteen eggs, usually one per day.
Rio Grande turkeys have copper-colored tail feathers with yellowish-tan tips.
Rio Grande Turkey are found in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Hawaii, and California, as well as in a few northeastern states.
WHEN AND WHERE WE HUNT RIO GRANDE TURKEYS
I offer turkey hunts in the spring, from mid March to the end of April.
The Rio Grande Turkey is native to the Central Plains states with Texas having the largest population of Rio Grande Turkeys in the lower 48 states. Rio Grande turkeys can be found in the Texas Hill Country, Edwards Plateau, parts of South Texas and North Texas and even in a few places out in West Texas. The largest populations of turkeys in Texas are found in the Edwards Plateau and the Hill Country. All of my ranches for my Texas turkey hunts are in South Texas and the Hill Country.
For either a Hill Country or South Texas hunt, if you are traveling by air, fly into the San Antonio International Airport. Rent a car there and drive to the ranch.
PACKING LIST
Turkeys have great eyesight, so full camo from head to toe is a must!
To prepare for your hunt, take a look at my packing lists. Some of the links on those lists are affiliate links — that means that I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Note, however, that I only recommend products that I use myself. In addition, take a look at my recommendations for hunting gear.
The weather in Texas can be unpredictable, and change quickly and abruptly. Make sure to check the weather forecast and pack appropriately.
Generally, summers are very hot, winters can get quite raw (especially in West Texas), and summer and fall days often have huge temperature swings with cold evenings, nights and mornings, and warm or hot afternoons.
For most hunts, prepare to dress in layers so you can add or take off clothing as temperatures shift throughout the day. For warm weather hunts, pack clothes that breathe, are well ventilated, and keep the sun off of you. For mountain hunts, avoid cotton — wool or synthetic works best.
For hunts in the late spring, summer and early fall, Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent is invaluable. We do a lot of walking through tall grass, and chiggers and ticks can be a problem. With Sawyer Permethrin you don’t have to worry about them. It's sprayed on your clothing and once it dries it’s odorless and colorless. I LOVE this product, and literally never leave home without it!
And one last - but very important - note: Do NOT wear new boots! Make sure your boots are well broken in!
Comfortable boots/shoes
Snake boots (I typically wear snake boots to keep the cactus/thorns/brush off my legs)
Jeans/Pants (Lighter weight pants for the Spring/Summer and heavier weight for the Fall/Winter)
Several Long Sleeve Shirts – lightweight shirts for fall hunts and wool or synthetic Long-Sleeve shirts for spring hunts
Uninsulated & Insulated underwear
Comfortable camp clothes
Decoys
Turkey calls
Rifle & Ammo or Bow & Arrows
Personal Toiletries & Medicines
PACKING DETAILS
PRICING FOR TEXAS TURKEY HUNTS
Includes two birds per hunter
3 days / 2 nights
Days
$2,050 per hunter, includes two birds per hunter
Flat Fee
Rio Grande Turkey Hunts
$900 per hunter
Deposit
3 days & 2 nights
2 birds (toms)/hunter
Meals
Lodging
Transportation around the ranch
Field care of your trophy
Valid Texas Hunting License (Non-resident Spring Turkey – Type 118 – $126)
Gratuities
Transportation to ranch
Taxidermy prep for your trophy
Guide
Drinks besides coffee and water
Non-hunting guests – $250/person/night
Guide – $200/day
