Lessons Learned From Turkey Camp
Mark Naida, editor of Michigan Enjoyer, had never hunted until he recently joined us for a turkey hunt in West Michigan. Over two days in northern Michigan, Mark lugged a shotgun, slept on a cot, and learned why turkeys are both geniuses and idiots. Here are four quick takeaways from Mark’s first plunge into turkey hunting that every outdoorsman can use.
1. Turkeys See Everything
Mark’s biggest lesson: “Don’t move. Don’t move. Don’t move.” On day one, he reached for ear protection as a tom closed in, and that tiny motion sent the bird bolting. Turkeys have better eyesight than humans and can spot the slightest twitch.
For hunters, this means freezing like a statue when a gobbler’s in sight, even if your nose itches. Their eyes are everything..
2. Turkey Hunting Is a Mind Game
Turkeys often demand a conversation. James used hen and jake decoys to lure a tom, calling to trick it into leaving its script of gathering hens off the roost. “You’re working them,” James said, describing the thrill of getting a gobbler to do something unnatural.
Mark felt the rush when a bird answered their calls, only to hang up on a ridge. For hunters, this chess match is what sets turkeysapart. Study basic calls (yelps, clucks) and flock dynamics before spring, and it will help turn a silent morning into a showdown.
3. You Don’t Need Much to Start Hunting
Mark went from office clothes to camo in hours, proving hunting isn’t as daunting as it seems. With a base license, a shotgun, and some calls, he was in the game on public land. “You don’t need a cabin or generations of know-how,” Mark realized. Michigan’s public lands, mapped by tools like OnX, make access easy.
For new hunters, this lowers the barrier. You don’t need expensive gear to chase gobblers; basics and grit get you started. Hit public land near home for a morning hunt, and you’ll learn by doing, just like Mark.
4. The Woods Are About Freedom, Not Just the Kill
Mark didn’t bag a turkey, but he left hooked on the experience. The spring woods, alive with songbirds, wood ducks, and deer, felt like freedom. “It’s not about the kill,” James said, noting how chasing birds is the best part. Mark, a dad of three, rediscovered the kid-like joy of roaming without a plan. For hunters and anglers, this is why we endure cold cots and long walks. Whether you’re after a tom or whitetail, the mission reconnects you to the wild.
Mark’s hunt shows why turkey season fires up outdoorsmen. It’s active, tricky, and doesn’t take much too much to get started. Check out Michigan Enjoyer for more on the state’s wild side, and download OnX to scout public land. Got questions about turkey hunting? Hit us up or leave a comment, we love getting new hunters in the woods.