Turkey Hunting Archives - Page 27 of 52

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October 25, 2026

North Carolina’s statewide turkey flock and its annual harvests may be about to reach their peak in the next year or two.

North Carolina turkeys’ recovery has been remarkable

By the mid-1960s, North Carolina’s wild turkeys had neared the bottom of a free-fall, with only 2,000 left in the state. […]

7-year-old Laurel League (middle) poses with her dad Eric League (left) and granddad Art League (right) with the 21-pound gobbler she bagged on her first turkey hunt.

7-year-old hunter kills 21-pound gobbler on her first turkey hunt

Brian Cope

Laurel League went on her first turkey hunt on April 2 with her dad and granddad, and shot a prize gobbler that put her in awe. League, a 7-year-old from Summerfield in Rockingham Couny, is a veteran hunter, and has killed a few deer including a 120-class buck she bagged last fall, but her dad said he’s never seen her as excited as she was on this hunt.

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Jacob Johnston of Traphill killed this white turkey on opening day on his family's land in Wilkes County.

Wilkes County turkey hunter kills white gobbler in Traphill

Brian Cope

Along with several friends and family members, Jacob Johnston of Traphill had spotted a white turkey on numerous occasions before the start of this year’s turkey season. It was always somewhat near his family’s plot of land, but he didn’t think he would be lucky enough to see it while hunting. Luckily on opening day, that’s exactly what happened.

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Christian Cole (L) killed his first turkey opening youth day, and it was a good one. Jerrell Seawell (R) did the calling.

14-year-old hunter kills triple-bearded gobbler in Chatham County

Brian Cope

Christian Cole killed his first turkey on opening youth day in Chatham County. It was a true trophy. The 14-year-old killed a triple-bearded gobbler that weighed a hefty 24 pounds, and had sharp, shiny spurs that measured 1 3/8 inches.

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Decoys can help you kill turkeys, but they can also hurt you if you don't handle things properly.

Are decoys turkey killers, or rescuers?

Dan Kibler

Some turkey hunters swear by decoys, and some swear at them. The truth is, neither opinion is correct; if used properly, at the right time, decoys can help you wrap a tag around a tom’s leg. If used incorrectly, at the wrong time, it will put wind in the bird’s wings. […]

13-year-old Branson Miller killed this white-winged gobbler on opening day of North Carolina's Youth turkey season.

Wilkesboro teen kills white-winged turkey on Youth Day

Brian Cope

Branson Miller of Wilkesboro went trout fishing on the opening day of the season in Alleghany County, but it was what he did later that afternoon that will always stick out in his mind. Miller, 13-years-old, killed a rare color phase gobbler while hunting with his dad, Brian Miller.

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