Turkey Season with American Hunter

by
posted on March 24, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
scott_rio_f.jpg

It's turkey season, y'all. Though seasons aren't quite open nationwide yet, thousands of hunters have already ventured into the great outdoors this spring to embrace the madness that is turkey hunting.

The team here at American Hunter (and NRA Publications at large) has had the opportunity to get in on some of the action, and thus far we've run into nothing but success. We're actually three-quarters of the way to a team Grand Slam. Editor in Chief J. Scott Olmsted bagged himself a Rio, Executive Editor Adam Heggenstaller has tagged an Eastern and Senior Web Developer Tom Rickwalder took care of the Osceola. All that's left is a Merriam's, which Associate Editor Jon Draper will be after in late May. We'll keep you updated as to his progress. In the meantime, you can catch up on the hunts of Rickwalder, Olmsted and Heggenstaller in the notes that follow.

Tom Rickwalder—Osceola
Rickwalder tagged a pretty Osceola, pictured to the right, with Osceola Outdoors. He joined The National Wild Turkey Federation on the trip, and knocked down his bird with Federal Premium's 3rd Degree and a custom Savage Arms bolt-action shotgun.

J. Scott Olmsted—Rio Grande
Olmsted was hunting the Rio Grande subspecies at Canyon Ranch in Sonora, Texas with Bad Boy Off Road when he nailed his gobbler. He called in three toms on a Tuesday evening, just before 7. All three were mature, so Olmsted shot the one doing all the talking. He had a Stevens 320 pump, some 3rd Degree of his own and some Primos accessories. They helped seal the deal. His bird is the featured image above.

Adam Heggenstaller—Eastern
Heggenstaller's success was the result of an afternoon spent in a blind with two masters of turkey hunting. Harold Knight of Knight & Hale Game Calls pulled in a longbeard using his company's Last Call push/pull box and the Scarlet Fever pot. Heggenstaller did the rest as triggerman. David Hale was on hand, too, offering advice to both parties. Adam and his bird are pictured below.

As we said, all that's left for a staff Slam is the Merriam's subspecies, which we're hoping to have accounted for by the end of May. For more information on all of the trips described above, stay tuned to AmericanHunter.org and the American Hunter print magazine. Please feel free to share your own 2016 stories in the comment section below!

Latest

LEDE Count Some Quail
LEDE Count Some Quail

Count Some Quail, Tally Some Turkeys

The Arkansas turkey season ended in May, but there’s still good reason for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to keep the birds in mind when they head out to their favorite hiking trail or drive the backroads of The Natural State. Outdoorsmen who scare up coveys of quail are welcome in the survey as well.

2025 Online Firearm Sales Continue to Grow

While nationwide firearm sales have held steady this spring, guns.com is reporting significant growth, surpassing 10-percent year-over-year gun sales growth in the first half of 2025, according to the company's internal data.

#SundayGunday: Henry Special Products Division HUSH

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the HUSH Series, from Henry’s new Special Products Division, SPD for short.

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Utah Wildlife Board Updates

The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few new and updated rules, some of which are necessary after recent legislative changes—including the wildlife management area license requirement for certain counties and the new process for regulating hunting guides and outfitters—along with a few other proposals during a public meeting Thursday.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.