Jason Phelps Turkey Hunting tips

Welcome back to Days in the Wild Big Game Hunting Podcast, brought to you by Phoenix Shooting Bags.

In this episode, recorded live from the Mile High Expo, I sit down with Jason Phelps to talk all things turkey hunting. We dive into late-season turkey behavior, why older toms can actually become more killable in mid-May, and how subtle calling can make all the difference when birds start hanging up.

If you’ve ever struggled with late-season gobblers, wondered when to call and when to shut up, or tried to figure out Merriam’s birds in the West, this episode is full of practical insight you can take straight into the field.

Jason breaks down how he approaches a brand-new area, how he likes to roost birds, where he sets up in relation to the tree, and why turkey hunting in the mountains often feels a whole lot like elk hunting.

We also get into subspecies differences, decoy use for archery, late-season patterns, and why some birds seem easy while others humble you quick.

In This Episode We Cover

Why late-season turkey hunting can be deadly on older toms

How the breeding cycle changes gobbler behavior

Why mid-May can be a prime time to target mature birds

The mistake of overcalling once a bird answers on the roost

Why subtle calling — or silence — often works better

How to think about a gobbler’s visual expectations when he pitches down