Sportsmen's Empire - Turkey Hunting

Most turkey hunters struggle with pressure and unpredictable wake-up calls—until now. Discover how seasoned hunters like Jimmy Smith master turkey hunting in crowded fields, stubborn gobblers, and tough conditions, turning pressure into opportunity.In this candid, down-to-earth episode, Dan Johnson sits down with turkey hunting expert Jimmy Smith to share real-world tactics for navigating pressure, dealing with other hunters, and adapting your strategy to the season’s changing green-up. You'll uncover proven approaches to hunt pressured birds on public land, how to respond when turkeys are bumped, and the secrets to staying patient when others have pushed the flock out of sight. Jimmy breaks down the importance of being respectful—knowing when to move, wait, or back out—and emphasizes the value of scouting and terrain awareness, especially in later season stages where foliage hinders visibility and sound.We break down:

This episode is perfect for hunters grinding in crowded fields, new hunters learning the game, or anyone wanting to turn pressure into success by understanding turkey behavior, respecting fellow hunters, and maximizing every outing. If you want to hunt smarter and become more confident in the woods, this is your essential listen.Jimmy Smith is a seasoned turkey hunter known for his success on public and private land across multiple states. With years of experience, he offers practical insights rooted in real-world hunting rather than theory—helping you hunt smarter, adapt faster, and enjoy the process more.Get ready to change your perspective on pressure and become the turkey hunter who seizes every opportunity, no matter the odds. Hit play now and start transforming your season!

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In this episode, I sit down with Shawn Grant and we keep it simple—this is straight turkey talk from start to finish. We break down calling, hunting strategies, what works in real situations, and the mindset it takes to chase longbeards. No off-topic stuff, no filler—just two guys locked in on turkeys the entire time. If you love hearing gobbles at daylight and talking all things spring season, this episode is for you.

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In this episode, expert turkey hunter Erik Barber shares his strategies for successful turkey hunting across multiple states, discussing logistics, weather considerations, gear choices, and tactical approaches to different terrains and conditions.

Key Topics:

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On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Matt Streim of Weathered Oaks Game Calls to cover all things turkey strategy in wide open ag country! Matt is the Host of the Okayest Fisher Podcast, and owner of Weathered Oaks Game Calls. In this episode, the guys discuss the technology and materials behind Matt's double-sided pot calls, how Matt sees turkeys using what limited elevation is at their disposal to strut and travel, and how he uses it to his advantage to work around them. Matt shares his thoughts on finding birds on the limb in gray light, and calling strategies to coax stubborn field birds down towards areas that he can set up. All that and much more in this week's episode!

Huge thanks to Matt for coming on the show!  Be sure to check out Weathered Oaks Game Calls to get your hands on one of his calls at www.weatheredoaksgamecalls.com and follow along with his season @weatheredoaksgamecalls and check out the Okayest Fisher Podcast wherever you do your listening!

Big thanks to our fantastic partners:

Lone Wolf Custom Gear: www.lonewolfcustomgear.com

onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com

Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

Good Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin

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In this episode, we’re joined by legendary archer and outdoorsman Tim Knight for a deep-dive conversation on the changing landscape of modern hunting. We explore how technology—when pushed too far—can undermine the spirit of fair chase, and why responsible use matters now more than ever.

Tim shares his insights on the future of archery innovation, what’s improving the sport, and what’s quietly hurting it. From bow design and equipment ethics to keeping tradition alive, this episode is packed with perspective only decades in the field can provide.

And of course, we couldn’t sit down with Tim without talking turkeys—their behavior, their challenges, and the stories that keep us chasing them season after season.

If you care about the evolution of hunting, love archery, or just enjoy a good turkey tale, you won’t want to miss this one.

Podcast brought to you by:

Sportsmen’s empire 

Asio : SEBH for 15% off https://asiogear.com/

Bowtique: SEBHP https://thebowtiquellc.com/

G5 Outdoors https://www.g5outdoors.com/

Prime Archery https://www.g5prime.com/

Dialed Archery https://dialedarchery.com/

Moultrie https://www.moultrie.com/

BHL https://bowhuntingleague.com/

Bohning Archery SEBHP2025 for 20% off https://www.bohning.com/

Scrape doctor SEBH10 for 10%  https://scrapedoctor.com/

Victory Archery  https://www.victoryarchery.com/

Catalyst archery Catalyst Archery LLC SEBH10 for 10% off

Unbound Archery SEBH10 for 10% off https://www.unboundarchery.com

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Jake Stanisch of Long Branch Turkey Calls for a deep dive into all things spring turkey hunting. From growing up in Pennsylvania and becoming hooked on the sound of a gobble at a young age, Jake shares what fuels his passion for chasing turkeys year after year. The conversation covers scouting, preseason preparation, and how understanding turkey behavior — from early spring through the month of May — can shape success in the woods. They also discuss how pressure, hens, and seasonal timing influence gobbling activity, and why persistence often matters more than perfect strategy.

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On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Drew Schliem to talk about how you and your young ones can set yourselves up for success on opening day! Drew is the host of The Predator Podcast, but when he's not chasing coyotes he's a diehard turkey hunter. Drew dives into the importance of scouting prior to the youth hunt to locate the flock of birds you plan to hunt, how to get kids comfortable shooting without making them afraid of recoil, perfect distance for decoys and which decoys you want in your spread, and tons of other great info for positioning kids for a successful first turkey hunt. Whether you're getting ready for youth weekend, or excited to get out there during first season, this episode is for you!

Huge thanks to Drew for coming on the show! Be sure to check out The Predator Podcast wherever you do your listening, and follow along with Drew's season @predatorpodcast_drew on social media, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@Predatorpodcast

Big thanks to our fantastic partners:

Lone Wolf Custom Gear: www.lonewolfcustomgear.com

onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com

Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

Good Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Pitts, renowned outdoorsman and personality from REALTREE, for a conversation that goes far deeper than the woods. We dive into the world of turkeys, archery, and the passion that keeps us heading back into the field—and we also open up about the side of the outdoors that isn’t always talked about: mental health.

Michael shares stories from the hunt, his approach to mastering archery, and what drives his love for conservation and the wild places we cherish. But we also shift gears to discuss the importance of mental resilience, the value of community, and how the outdoors has shaped the way we each process stress, pressure, and personal challenges.

This is a grounded, honest conversation about the traditions we love and the mindsets that keep us moving forward. Whether you’re a hunter, an archery enthusiast, or someone looking for a real discussion on mental wellness, this episode has something special for you.

Tune in, and let’s talk turkeys, bows, and becoming better humans—one step at a time.

Podcast brought to you by:

Sportsmen’s empire 

Asio : SEBH for 15% off https://asiogear.com/

Bowtique: SEBHP https://thebowtiquellc.com/

G5 Outdoors https://www.g5outdoors.com/

Prime Archery https://www.g5prime.com/

Dialed Archery https://dialedarchery.com/

Moultrie https://www.moultrie.com/

BHL https://bowhuntingleague.com/

Bohning Archery SEBHP2025 for 20% off https://www.bohning.com/

Scrape doctor SEBH10 for 10%  https://scrapedoctor.com/

Victory Archery  https://www.victoryarchery.com/

Catalyst archery Catalyst Archery LLC SEBH10 for 10% off

Unbound Archery SEBH10 for 10% off https://www.unboundarchery.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Nick Otto, to dive into how we can all make the most of the various wild game we have the opportunity to harvest in the spring! Nick is a Michigan-native and host of The Huntavore Podcast here on the Sportsmen's Empire Network. The guys discuss the elimination of physical hunting licenses, the revival of old tools and firearms that have been passed down, the labor of love that is butchering your own meat, the best way to level up your fish fry, getting the most (and best tasting meals) out of your wild turkey, why wild hog might be the best protein that you're missing out on, revisiting the "Veni" debate, and much more! 

Be sure to tune into The Huntavore Podcast wherever you do your listening for some FANTASTIC wild game cooking content, and follow along with Nick and his adventures @huntavore on social media

onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com

Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

Good Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the We Do This Too Outdoors Podcast, I sit down with Stanley Wymbs of Black Lightning Custom Calls for a straight-up, no-nonsense conversation all about turkey hunting. From calling strategies and reading birds to real stories from the woods, Stanley breaks down what it truly takes to be successful during turkey season. We talk about the passion behind custom calls, the grind of chasing longbeards, and the knowledge that only comes from years of experience. If you love the sound of a gobble at daylight and live for those spring mornings, this episode is one you don’t want to miss.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.