The Friday Hunting Briefing — Issue #8

The Bargain Blind

25% off · Franchi Affinity 3 Turkey Elite Semi-Auto Shotgun · $898.98 · $1199.99

The Affinity 3 Turkey Elite is Franchi's purpose-built turkey destroyer, and this $301 discount has held steady for weeks — suggesting it's the real deal price, not a flash sale. For a semi-auto specifically designed for spring gobblers, this is solid value.

Field Report

• TSS Turkey Loads vs. Brush: Shocking Test Results — Outdoor Life tested how brush affects TSS pellet patterns and got surprising results that could change how you hunt thick timber. They're calling it knowledge that comes with responsibility — worth understanding before turkey season.

• Public Land Turkey Tactics That Beat the Competition — New guide breaks down why public land gobblers are tougher and how to adjust your strategy accordingly. Covers the reality of less vocal birds, more hang-ups, and hunting pressure from other hunters.

• Why Turkey Hunting Is Perfect for New Hunters — Compelling argument for starting newcomers with turkeys instead of deer. The author makes the case that turkey hunting's social, interactive nature hooks people better than sitting quietly in a tree stand.

• Western Wildfire Season Looking Brutal — March saw Nebraska's largest wildfire in history burn 640,000 acres, while 240 fires already hit Wyoming by early April. Power companies are preemptively shutting off electricity to prevent more blazes — could impact hunting access this fall.

The Watch List

MidwayUSA · ALPS Outdoorz Grand Slam Turkey Vest · $99.99 · 50% off · Bass Pro Shops · Herter's Strutter TSS .410 Bore Turkey Shells · $47.99 · 8% off · Cabela's · Cabela's Turkey Chest Pack · $89.98 · 10% off

Trail Tested

Wired to Hunt: What 100+ Farms Taught Us About Big Bucks

Jake teams up with Jack Huston from Midwest Deer Surveys to break down insights from thermal drone surveys of over 100 farms. They dig into what consistently produces big bucks — thick cover, social stress factors, and bedding areas — while challenging some conventional hunting wisdom.

MeatEater: Turkeys Break the Internet

Rinella and crew cover Wisconsin's turkey tag system crash, expensive tungsten ammo costs, and black bear hunting politics in multiple states. Also includes Clay's mountain lion hunt and various corrections from previous episodes.

Planting This Week

Spring planting windows are wide open across most regions. Time to get serious about your food plots.

White Clover (North) · April 15 – May 31

Plant shallow — clover seed needs light to germinate, so barely cover it.

Chicory (North) · April 15 – June 1

Mix with clover for a balanced plot that deer hit hard in late summer.

Corn (Mid) · April 15 – May 31

Wait for soil temps to hit 55°F consistently — cold, wet soil kills corn fast.

Soybeans (South) · April 15 – June 1

Inoculate your seed — the nitrogen-fixing bacteria makes all the difference.

Get personalized planting alerts for your property.

The Sign-Off

"The turkey is one of the most difficult game animals to hunt successfully on a consistent basis." — Tom Kelly

Turkey season's heating up and the spring planting window is wide open. Time to get after both.