The wild turkey is one of our most spectacular game birds, especially the impressive adult male gobbler.   They are certainly one of the most difficult to hunt based on the fact that probably no more than 30% of hunters nationwide bag a bird each year.  Myths and legends have developed over generations of turkey hunters to explain why we're consistently outwitted by a bird.  Many turkey hunters are so in awe of wild turkeys that they've created the image of a SUPERBIRD! 

A bird that is smarter than any normal human, especially smarter than us hunters!?  I've heard and read so-called experts say that a turkey:

• Has X-Ray like vision

• Can hear 10 times better than a man

• Can detect the smallest error in your calling

• Is so smart that if you call him in and don't bag him, no one will ever be able to call him in again

• I even had one of my seminar students tell me that he thought a turkey could hear the ticking of a watch at 20 yards!
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None of those previous comments about turkeys are true....they are all Myths.  If you believe these type of old wives' tales, your development as a turkey hunter will not advance far.  Yes, turkeys have keen senses for survival that have been honed over centuries.  But, they are not intelligent in human terms.  They can't think well independently.  They do learn to a degree from past experiences.  For example, they know the frightening shape of a human and that it means danger.  But, I've bagged gobblers that had shot in them from prior experiences with man.  They didn't learn much.  I think humans have mistakenly identified the wild turkey's tremendous capabilities for survival as intelligence.  If it wasn't for the strong mating instincts of gobblers in the spring, almost nobody would tag one, because at other times of the year, it's hard to even lay an eye on a tom because they are so quiet and secretive.

Turkeys aren't SUPERBIRDS and can be routinely bagged by those willing to learn as much as possible about the bird's Physical Senses and Abilities, their Spring Behavior, and their Fall Behavior.