How to Video Wild Turkey

First step in filming any wildlife is a good tripod and video camera. We used a Sony Cyber-Shot, which is a combination photo/video camera. Next, it takes a photographer with lots of patience and dedication. Wild turkey are probably one of the hardest species to capture, since they are very suspicious of movement and changes. It helps if you can talk turkey, be familiar with the appropriate turkey calls at the appropriate time. When to cluck, purr or gobble. Most important is when not to. If in doubt, don't!

Clearing a feeding ground slowly over time so as to not disrupt their schedule. Most wild turkey feed as soon as they come off the roost, so most clearing must be done afternoon to evening. Camouflage is a must for the very cautious creatures. Every thing must be concealed. We found a portable hut with zip open windows to be a very valuable asset. A light weight folding stool was a great comfort. The hut was set up two days prior to the actual filming. Allowing the turkeys to become relaxed with the new introduction to their domain. Since we are in a coyote area, I strongly recommend a self defense weapon or an armed guard partner. If you have some one that can sit still. We decided on a lone armed photographer.

During the actual filming, both hands and face, were also covered in camouflage. Over one hour of awesome mating rituals were captured. This has been edited with the windows movie maker, down to three of the best behaviors captured and posted on Our Free Video Blog. If you are not in the position to be come a part of this amazing observation, I hope you enjoy and appreciate what we have captured.