Shoulder to Shoulder - South Dakota Part Three
The Keefer Brothers and longtime friend Jason Brown continue their stalk of the white-tipped Merriam’s wild turkeys. The April sun lights the prairies aglow in South Dakota, and the boys are ready. Locked and loaded with Winchester, the crew waits for the right time and the right place for feathers to fall.
Hunting is a beloved past time rooted in America’s history. Life-changing lessons and cherished memories made with Mother Nature are stamped in the minds of outdoorsmen since childhood.
But traditions can only continue if they are passed down to the next generation. Which is why it is important to keep the passion for the outdoors alive by inspiring others to fall in love with the outdoors.
Though there are multiple ways to hunt and choices of game to pursue, wild turkey hunting is a great way to introduce youth to the world of hunting.Turkey hunting offers several advantages for new and young hunters.
Hunting requires patience, which can be challenging for young hunters who have shorter attention spans. A perk for going after gobblers is how vocal the birds are, so youth hunters can enter a dialogue of sorts with the turkeys. A hunter calls, a turkey responds, and the excitement builds from there. The sound of a throaty gobble or yelp is encouraging, and satisfying. Turkey calls also allow a young hunter to get involved in the hunt from the get-go. By giving them a call of their own, they can feel involved and helpful with the hunt.
Similarly, turkey hunting is more “run and gun” versus “sit and wait.” With whitetail hunting, outdoorsmen can remain patiently poised in stands and blinds for hours before seeing any action. New and young hunters may be quick to deem the waiting game too boring, or less satisfying because of these long waits. With turkeys, the sits are shorter and more fast-paced.
Turkey hunting is a great way to build a bond between hunters young and old. By introducing the outdoors lifestyle and passions into the hearts of many, the strong hunting heritage can continue to thrive for years to come.
As co-host of Winchester Life, he feels it his responsibility to help you find your own definition of the outdoors. He takes this responsibility very seriously and will take the rest of his working life fulfilling this quest. He can go from adventurous woodsman to sharp-dressed dinner guest in no time at all.