Spring Rio Grande Wild Turkey Hunting in CA
Description
To put it mildly – we love our turkey hunting. Turkeys in California are expanding their range every year, opening up new opportunities. In the areas we hunt it's typically considered the Rio Grande subspecies of wild turkey. We offer Spring turkey hunts where you can experience your heart pound as a longbeard struts into view. We can also put you on an autumn turkey which requires a different approach but can easily be combined with several other hunting opportunities.
We offer hunts on exclusive private ranches in the beautiful oak woodlands of California and also on public forestland where you can match wits with a truly wild mountain turkey. The choice is yours.
2023 Spring Turkey Season
General: March 25 – April 30
Archery: May 1 – 14
Additional Junior: March 18 – 19, and May 1 – 14
Spring bag limit is 1 bearded bird per day and 3 per season combined
What to Expect
Long before the season the male turkeys begin to gobble and that's when we start hitting the hills listening and looking for strutting zones and roost trees. A day in the spring turkey woods is like magic. It starts early in the morning where we will set up near a roost tree long before first light. When the songbirds begin to sing their spring rituals is right about when the ring of gobbles echo from atop the roost trees. We will begin some light calling sequences to let the birds know there is a hen nearby. After the turkeys fly down it won't be long before we will know if the plan worked out.
Getting turkeys soon after they land on the ground from the roost is an excellent tactic. Some folks end the hunt after the morning thunder turns silent. We don't stop there. If everyone in the group hasn't got their bird we will hunt all day. In our experience hunting gets better as the late morning turns to afternoon. If you can get a gobble out of a turkey at 2 pm, that's a bird that wants to play.
Legal shoot time for spring turkey ends at 5 pm. On multi-day hunts the group is welcome to go and relax for the afternoon or join the guide to try and roost some birds in the evening for the next morning hunt.
Gear & Equipment
Detailed gear list will be provided to guest(s) well before the hunt.
Weapon Details
Shotgun, pellet gun, archery, and crossbow
Pricing Details
Below is the standard rate chart for turkey hunting with accommodations provided. These are some common trip lengths, as we offer trips of nearly any duration.
Rates are per person. Two day or two hunter minimum.
1 day/0 night = $700
1 day/ 1 night = $900
1 day/ 2 night = $1,100
2 day/ 2 night = $1,600
2 day/ 3 night = $1,800
3 day/ 3 night = $2,300
3 day/ 4 night = $2,500
4 day/ 4 night = $3,000
Extra nights = $200
Extra days = $500
Price includes the harvest of one turkey, additional harvested birds on multi-day hunts are $200 per turkey.
What's included:
• A knowledgeable and experienced guide.
• Transportation from a pre-arranged meeting location to the field where we will begin our hunt.
• Lunch for paid days of the hunt - usually simple foods and snacks, such as, sandwiches, jerky, salami, pepperoni sticks, fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, trail mix, candy bars, and prepared freeze-dried meals. Please let us know of any allergies or preferences.
• Breakfast and dinner if we provide lodging accommodations.
• Lodging for paid nights – sleeping arrangements vary by hunt type. Let us know what you want. We surely have something that will suite your groups needs.
• Field care (plucking and gutting).
What's not included:
• Hunting license, and game bird stamp.
• Personnel items, backpack, and clothing. We will help you plan and prepare for the hunt and what to bring to stay comfortable. If you do need something let us know and we can usually work with you.
• Weapon and ammunition. Practice with your method of take. Plan to be accurate with archery equipment out to 35 yards and pattern your shotgun.
• Alcohol or tobacco products – no alcohol may be consumed before or while hunting. • Lodging and meals for before and after the hunt dates.
• Transportation to the pre-arranged meeting location.
• Storage, butchering and processing of game beyond the basic field care. It can be hot, have a plan in place for the turkey after the trip.
• Taxidermy services.
Terms & Conditions
50% non-refundable deposit due to book and reserve a hunt.
Remainder due upon arrival.
Deposit will only be refunded in very special circumstances.
A hunt agreement will be given to guests as part of the booking process.
Camp/Accommodations
Sleeping accommodations vary by hunt type. Let us know what you want. We surely have something that will suite your groups needs.
Permit & Tag Application Process
All hunters will need a valid hunting license and upland game bird stamp.