How to Gut a Turkey

Michigan Turkey Hunting with Janis Putelis

Janis explores turkey hunting in his home state of Michigan, a land that barely held turkeys in his youth. The hunt delivers challenges of quiet birds and tests Janis’ patience down to the last moment.

MeatEater Turkey Calling Contest: Janis vs. Clay

Folks, we’re not cluckin’ around. It’s the first-ever MeatEater Turkey Calling Contest. Crew members will be facing off head-to-head to see who is the best turkey-talker of the bunch. There will be three categories of calling throughout the contest: best turkey call sequence, crow call and owl hoot, and turkey gobble—and you get to pick who wins. The winner of the contest will get to donate $1,000 to the National Wild Turkey Federation in their...

How to Reap a Turkey

The beauty of spring turkey hunting is that success can be achieved through multiple hunting styles. You can run-and-gun with a shotgun or set up shop in a hub-style blind with your bow. You can crawl around and bushwhack them, or put out a whole spread of decoys and only take the safety off when a gobbler struts in to put on a show. Or you can reap. Reaping is the act of crawling into a longbeard’s guard and popping up a fan or a decoy built...