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Case: Start your prep for spring turkey season now

Photo contributed by Larry Case / If you want to bag the king of the game birds this spring, it's wise to make the most of late winter by getting out your shotgun and checking its pattern at the target range before your state's turkey hunting season begins.
Photo contributed by Larry Case / If you want to bag the king of the game birds this spring, it's wise to make the most of late winter by getting out your shotgun and checking its pattern at the target range before your state's turkey hunting season begins. Photo contributed by Larry Case / If you want to bag the king of the game birds this spring, it's wise to make the most of late winter by getting out your shotgun and checking its pattern at the target range before your state's turkey hunting season begins.

By Larry Case 4 min read

“March is a green and muddy month down below, some folks like it, farmers mostly.” – “Bear Claw” Chris Lapp in the 1972 movie “Jeremiah Johnson.”

So it seems that March is upon us. Now what are you going to do? I have always seen March as a time of transition for those of who are sportsmen and outdoorsmen. (Do I have to keep saying that includes the girls as well?) In most states, small game season ends the final day of February. If your state allows you to continue to hunt rabbits and squirrels into March, I am jealous and say go for it.

I think many sportsmen think of March as a time of doldrums and inactivity. As you may surmise, I disagree.

This is a time for most of us to be going from one thing to another. Small game and waterfowl hunting seasons are over (though some of you lucky dogs are in areas where you have the late “conservation” snow goose season), and some of you are probably thinking about those big birds that make all the noise this time of year.

Spring turkey season is right around the corner across the South. Georgia’s statewide season starts March 20, Tennessee opens April 3 and the beginning of Alabama’s season is staggered from late March to mid-April based on zones. (Be sure to check regulations for your area before hunting.)