Jeremy Toman (right) took this monster bird on an exciting spot-and-stalk hunt with guide Jody Smith. Photo by Scott Haugen.

The key to successful spot-and-stalk hunting is not being seen, and it's no different with turkeys. Use the shadows of trees, the broken terrain and any cover in the land you hunt to help stalk within range. Once you spot a bird, carefully plan an approach route, and then stay out of sight until the last moment.

Too often, hunters make the mistake of wanting to see their quarry throughout the duration of a stalk. If you can see the animal, they can see you. Stay out of sight for as long as possible. You don't have to worry about the wind; turkeys have poor sniffers. Go quietly, work wisely and have confidence in your approach. If the bird moves by the time you reach him, find the tom again and develop a new game plan. Patience and persistence will pay off and help make you a better hunter.

2. Ground Blinds
The biggest tom of my life came on the last day of the season, from a ground blind. Actually, all I did was pull the trigger; good friend and noted turkey guide Jody Smith did the work.

The toms were hanging in bachelor flocks and the hens nesting at this time, and Smith was having a heckuva time calling in any birds. He'd been watching about a half-dozen different groups of toms, and one had a giant longbeard in it.

On the morning of the hunt, we popped up a ground blind 30 minutes before first light. Smith put the blind about 400 yards from where the birds were last seen roosting, at a point where the toms had been traveling one of two trails.

The birds gobbled in the tree, then shut down the minute they hit the ground. Still, both of us called, but never drew an answer. Twenty minutes later, two toms came into sight, one of which was our target bird. He followed the exact trail Smith had watched him on the morning prior. At 32 yards, the shot was a slam-dunk.

The bird sported an 11 3/4-inch beard and 1 7/8-inch spurs, a monster for a western Oregon Rio.

When it comes to hunting turkeys from blinds, there's no need to erect the blind days in advance. I've taken dozens of toms from ground blinds in recent years, and I never recall having one spook from it. In fact, we'll often set up decoys within 10 yards of the blind, and have filled many tags this way.

Blinds allow you to hunt open land you'd otherwise not be able to. Get set up in the dark or out of sight from the birds and keep movement to a minimum. You'll be amazed at how effective this tool can be.

3. Pattern Movements
Observing turkey movements can teach you a lot this time of year. Start early and stay late, and you'll become a better turkey hunter from what you learn.

Birds may stay in tall, grassy fields all day. Such habitats provide food in the form of seeds and insects, and water from early-morning dew. During the heat of the day, they'll often lie low in the shade and coolness of the grass, then move to roost in the closing moments of light.

In timber and amid short vegetation, birds will cover more ground, but this late in the season their movements become predictable. Once you find a flock of birds, stick with them. Try calling first, and if they don't react, be patient. If there's no way of stalking to within range, be even more patient. Watch where the birds are moving to and try to get in front of them.