Welcome back to Days in the Wild Big Game Hunting Podcast, brought to you by Phoenix Shooting Bags. In this episode, recorded live from the Mile High Expo, I sit down with Jason Phelps to talk all things turkey hunting. We dive into late-season turkey behavior, why older toms can actually become more killable in mid-May, and how subtle calling can make all the difference when birds start hanging up. If you’ve ever struggled with late-season gobblers, wondered when to call and when to shut up, or tried to figure out Merriam’s birds in the West, this episode is full of practical insight you can take straight into the field. Jason breaks down how he approaches a brand-new area, how he likes to roost birds, where he sets up in relation to the tree, and why turkey hunting in the mountains often feels a whole lot like elk hunting. We also get into subspecies differences, decoy use for archery, late-season patterns, and why some birds seem easy while others humble you quick. In This Episode We Cover Why late-season turkey hunting can be deadly on older toms How the breeding cycle changes gobbler behavior Why mid-May can be a prime time to target mature birds The mistake of overcalling once a bird answers on the roost Why subtle calling — or silence — often works better How to think about a gobbler’s visual expectations when he pitches down Merriam’s vs Rio’s vs Easterns and how their behavior differs Why archery turkey hunting often benefits from a decoy setup How Jason scouts and roosts birds in unfamiliar country Why turkey hunting in the West feels a lot like elk hunting The challenge and reward of aggressive run-and-gun turkey tactics Stories from Arizona, Florida, Long Island, Nebraska, California, and Mexico Key Takeaways Late season can be the best time to kill older birds. Once hens begin laying and spending more time on the nest, gobblers often become easier to work because they suddenly find themselves alone and looking. Once a bird answers from the roost, less is often more. One of the biggest mistakes hunters make is continuing to call too much. Once he knows where you are, silence can be your best move. Setups matter as much as calling. A gobbler expects to see the hen where he heard her. If your setup doesn’t account for that, you can get hung up birds no matter how well you call. Merriam’s birds are different. They roam more, change roost trees more often, and can require a more aggressive, mobile style of hunting. Turkey hunting in the mountains has a lot in common with elk hunting. Covering country, using terrain, cutting distance, locating vocal birds, and making smart moves all carry over. Memorable Topics from the Conversation Why Jason likes to hunt that May 5 to May 15 window for mature gobblers The importance of knowing when a hen should be visible to a bird How bobcats and predators can affect when birds come off the roost in certain areas Why decoys may matter more in late-season archery setups The difference between hunting a bird’s routine and hunting a bird that has become more erratic Why running ridges for gobbles in Merriam’s country feels just like chasing elk Quote Worth Remembering “As soon as I know that my tree yelp got that gobble, do not call again until that bird pitches out of the roost. All you can do is screw it up from there.” Why This Episode Matters Turkey hunting can seem simple until you start trying to consistently kill mature birds. Then you realize it’s a game of timing, setup, patience, and reading behavior. This episode is a great reminder that success often comes from doing less, paying attention, and understanding where the bird is in the season — not just how good you are on a call. Stay Connected If you’ve been getting value from the show, make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss upcoming episodes. turkey hunting tactics, late season turkey hunting, Jason Phelps turkey hunting, Merriams turkey hunting, archery turkey hunting, turkey calling tips, roosted gobbler tactics, western turkey hunting, Days in the Wild podcast, Phoenix Shooting Bags