Yamaha Outdoors Tip of the Week - Fall Squirrel and Turkey Hunts

By driving your four Yamaha wheels to hunt squirrels and fall turkeys at the same time, you can add to your outdoor experience. Steve Hickoff photo

By Steve Hickoff

It won't be long before squirrel and fall turkey seasons open. Why bother? Here's why you might ...

IT'S ALL GOOD: No matter where you chase fall turkeys, especially during some of our early hunting seasons, squirrels will likely be nearby. And if just the squirrel season is open, but not the turkey-hunting opportunity, you'll be able to get out early and scout for flocks.

Tip 1: I first learned this approach while hunting my native north-central Pennsylvania as a teenager. It was common for Keystone State sportsmen to target both fall species. Squirrels provided almost constant action on oak ridges. Often enough, turkey scratchings, droppings, and tracks could be found nearby.

FALL OPTIONS: Once you scout for and find fall turkey flocks, it can be a little easier, providing you're interested in simply filling a tag on a bird-of-the-year. If not, you can choose to hunt only adult gobblers, which might extend your autumn turkey hunts, and that's not always a bad thing. Squirrels offer action when fall turkey hunting is tough. Sometimes it's fun to make it last. It's also a great way to introduce a young or new hunter to our tradition.

Tip 2: One approach I've taken in the past is to set up and "stand hunt" a ridge (which of course involves sitting) where you find evidence of squirrel activity (oak branch cuttings, for instance) and wild turkey movement (fresh wedge-shaped scratchings). By hunting both, odds improve.

For information on tip #3, please visit - http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outdoor/events/dynamicevent/2/1676/yamaha_outdoors_tips_-_fall_squirrel_and_turkey_hunts.aspx.