Turkey Travels: Out-Of-State Options

Folks in the big-game world constantly discuss draw hunts. From Iowa whitetails to Arizona bull elk, scores of hunters pay application fees and drop their names in a hat for tags that cannot be purchased over the counter.

The topic isn’t discussed nearly as much among turkey hunters. For that matter, are draw hunts for turkeys even a thing, and what’s the point of applying for a draw when there are dozens of destinations where you can arrive and purchase a turkey tag at a sporting goods store?

The point of applying for draw tags is to give yourself a few advantages. Let’s discuss them.

In some cases, putting in for a draw gives you a chance to hunt an earlier season. Take Wisconsin, my home state, for example. The Badger State’s turkey season consists of six week-long time periods. Although you can usually buy an over-the-counter leftover tag easily for the final two time periods in some zones, there is high demand for the first three time periods. Why? Because gobblers tend to be in groups, and they haven’t been hunted very much.

Applying for the draw gives you a chance at an early tag. Given the demand, you’re far from guaranteed to draw one of these weeks, especially period A. But, if you come up empty-handed in the draw, you’ll get a preference point, and that will increase your odds for drawing the next year.

The next example involves Florida. The Sunshine State’s best public-land turkey hunting is often on wildlife management areas that have a limited quota of access permits. That means only successful applicants can hunt those parcels. The system is designed to prevent hunter crowding, reduce pressure on birds and provide those who draw with better hunting opportunities.

Florida has another type of draw hunt: special opportunity hunts. Limited access to premium turkey hunting on certain WMAs is distributed by lottery. You pay $5 per entry, and each entry improves your odds of being drawn for a quality hunt. If you’re looking to take an Osceola — demand is high, and non-quota WMAs get hammered — a limited-entry hunt in Florida is your best bet for a successful public-land adventure.

I’ll use a couple of examples to illustrate this advantage. Let’s return to Wisconsin for the first. Applying for and drawing an early time period doesn’t inhibit your ability to buy over-the-counter tags for later time periods. So, if you receive an early tag, consider it a bonus, and begin planning two trips to Wisconsin.

In South Dakota, archery hunters are guaranteed a tag. You still must submit a paper or online application, or visit the Pierre Game and Fish office to obtain the tag and you’re limited to one archery tag. However, you can potentially obtain a second opportunity by applying for a prairie unit tag. You must select a hunting unit and apply in the draw. Don’t expect to draw annually. In my experience, I can usually get the tag every other year. Having a second tag, if you want to hunt more, can be a distinct bonus of applying for draw turkey tags.

We’ve covered the main advantages of drawing a limited turkey tag. The disadvantage is that drawing a turkey tag for another state comes with greater commitment. If something in your schedule conflicts with your hunt, you’re stuck with the tag.

In contrast, over-the-counter tags involve no commitment until you arrive and purchase one. If you’re not an advance planner and want the flexibility to plan an out-of-state hunt on a whim, over-the-counter tags are your best bet. But if you’re OK at planning ahead and want to dip into higher-odds turkey hunts, tap into the draw world. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Trying a new state comes with a level of fear. Will I find any turkeys to hunt? Will hunting pressure be a huge hindrance? Is the motel nearest to the hunting area more than a half-hour away? Those are valid concerns.

Being a confirmed do-it-yourself hunter, I can’t overstate the importance of using a mapping app such as HuntStand Pro. You can determine habitat types and distances between accommodations and hunting areas and find multiple public parcels in the vicinity. You can also have land ownership info at your fingertips, should you decide to pursue permission on private land.

Still, folks hunt for various reasons. If money’s not really an issue and you want the simplicity of relying on a guide, buying an outfitted hunt could be worthwhile. Costs range from $750 on the low end for an Eastern gobbler to more than $3,000 for some Florida Osceola hunts. A great guide can put you on birds on Day 1, whereas the first day of a DIY hunt might be spent driving and scouting.