Guys,

Just out of curiousity: Why is the Turkey Hunt WAY MORE expensive than WT Doe Hunt? People are charging anywhere from $400-800 a day for 1 turkey. Whereas, WT Doe hunt was $175-250 on average plus some hunters offering addtl WT doe for $100. I can buy a full turkey for $100 from a store. Hmmmm......

Market determines value. You're not paying for 15 pounds of meat. You're paying for a hunt.

I have four places totaling over 400 acres within an hour drive of Denton or Frisco that have turkey on the property. Wonder what would be a good price to charge for attorney, doctors, oilmen?

Why is a white tail doe hunt so much more inexpensive than a trophy buck hunt?

Because the market determines the value. Thank God.

BC, you can charge and old painter $2fitty!

Last I paid to hunt Turkey was on a huge ranch near Ft Davis, 100+k acres, paid $500 to fill the tags. This was around 2007 and they said they had very little interest in turkey from hunters. Their money was in exotics and elk and WT/MD and speed goats.

This was SW Texas, get closer to the bigger metros and I'd bet it changes.

I think that is it in a nut shell.

For many neophyte turkey hunters, the guide is very important. Someone that actually knows the birds and their habits on that property.
For experienced hunters, as was stated before, it's for the experience of the HUNT.

Not to mention, on most of the guided spring turkey hunts I've been involved in, you aren't just sitting in a stand waiting for them to show up. You are actually out hoofing it trying to outwit a bird.

Most of the time Turkey hunters they want to do most of the calling. In my time as a guide I figure on a lot more work for turkey hunt. Also generally you have less hunters. Turkey hunting to me is all about the hunt. I am willing to pay more for the game the meat has almost nothing to do with it. sort of a little bonus.

Turkey hunting is a real thrill for me and I am so glad we have them on our lease. But for me these prices for turkey hunting are out of line. But someone is obviously paying the price.

I want to do a turkey hunt, but am unwilling to pay the price that is being asked by most guides. I do not think their prices are out of line, it is just more than I am willing to spend. Especially since I am pretty sure the meat will be mediocre at best. Many people think that turkey hunting is one of the most thrilling hunts to go on, I personally can't say as I have never been. This is the reason people are willing to pay such high prices. If people were willing to pay $400 for a squirrel hunt, the market would charge that.

This

If it was up to me, they would be the cheapest animal out there.

I wouldn't give 25 cents for a shot at every ground buzzard in the state. Some folks feel differently and that's what drives the price.

Spring turkey maybe.......fall turkey ought to be free!

Dont charge them anything. LOL... They are doing good for the community. LOL.

If you're up close and personal (on the ground with 'em in some manner vs up in a box blind), it's a pretty engaging adventure. Pitch the dark meat and breast 'em like a duck and fry it up in strips, I've found it to be pretty good eating. Tasted better than chicken.

Charlie

I normally kill 4 gobblers every spring. Much prefer wild turkey to butter ball turkeys or the other store bought birds.

The dark meat makes for very good pot pies, dumplings, stew, soup...

The breast are good grilled, fajitas, fried nuggets...

Sometimes will pluck and smoke one.


As to why they are more expensive than other hunts, people charge what the market will bare. Spring is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and turkey hunting is a fun way to spend time out there and get some great eating to boot. It is also a lot more interactive than many other types of hunting and has proven to be a fun way to introduce new hunters to hunting.

Turkey hunting is extremely exciting & challenging. If you've never hunted turkey with a call, from the ground, it really is a great experience. The hunters that are into it, are really into it.

Thank you SO MUCH guys. I did not realize the emotions behind hunting of Turkey. Now I am all excited about the Turkey Hunt. I think I am going to love it. Hopefully I will get 1 (or 2) this season. Also, if I understand my hunting tag correctly, I can bag a MAX of 16 turkeys for the season. Correct? Each tag says bag limit of 4 turkeys and I have 4 tags. Or does it mean 4 turkeys for the season and each tag for each Turkey up to a Max of 4 in a day? Thanks.

Each tag, is good for one Turkey, so 4 for the year.

I highly doubt you would want 16 turkeys even if you could!

Read the regulations for the county you are going to hunt in. You use one tag that has the day and month cut out per turkey. Fill out the back of the tag also with required info. Once that day and month cut out you can not reuse the tag.

Land owners usually need to reduce doe population. Turkey are not so big a problem as they tend to spread out. Turkey also don't respect fences. I'd have to charge you $150 a day just to visit. That's the baseline cost even if you're taking hogs and varmints for free. And they don't eat as well as doe.

That said, I do like turkey, but butterballs are cheap and very tasty. The hunt is all about foxing out a very smart and savy prey. They are beautiful animals. I hand feed several dozen toms every morning, within a few feet of me and many more hens. These are wild Rio Grandes and it's harder every year to hunt them. But I know their destiny is for the table and accept that. Good luck on your hunt, you will love it. It's priceless.

Best game going in April

Rios are the absolute dumbest bird on the planet. Drive around before daylight honking your pickup horn. The gobblers will gobble at it, letting you know exactly where they roost. Set up a couple of hundred yards away and go to calling when legal rolls around. Done deal. No offense, just sayin, with all due respect.