A field-tested guide written for serious turkey hunters who value strategy, patience, and respect for America’s most challenging game bird.
Turkey Tactics is more than a hunting manual — it’s a deep dive into the mindset, discipline, and woodsmanship required to consistently hunt wild turkeys. Corky Pugh shares practical strategies, hard-earned lessons, and thoughtful reflections that help hunters adapt to changing conditions and outthink wary gobblers.
This book blends education and storytelling, offering guidance that both seasoned hunters and dedicated newcomers can apply immediately in the field.
“I've had the privilege of being in the woods over the past seven decades with some of the best hunters chasing the elusive wild turkey gobbler all over North America. I would say that my friend Corky Pugh is as methodical as any of them to articulate why we get up in the dark every day of the season to try to be in the presence of one of God’s most magnificent creatures. His written attention to detail has no rival in the turkey world. It’s a must read for anyone who loves to hunt.”
“This is a book, in short, that belongs on the shelves of every serious hunter’s shelves, and if you are a serious hunter, you should also be devouring every bit of printed wisdom that comes down the pike. When you encounter a work like this one that simultaneously educates and entertains, you’ve got a jewel. Corky Pugh has done that for all of us, and rest assured, once you read these pages, you’ll share my gratitude to him.”
“ I have not read the entire manuscript. I don’t have to because I know the author, the man. He is meticulous, passionate, knowledgeable and humble. I know this book will educate you, entertain you and make you laugh. It will strengthen your opinion of and respect for America’s game bird, the wild turkey. I can’t wait to hold it, learn from it and share it with all who love Tall Timber Gabriel.”
Corky Pugh is a lifelong turkey hunter whose time in the woods spans decades, not seasons. Long before turkey hunting became mainstream, Corky was learning the hard lessons that only come from cold mornings, missed opportunities, and quiet observation of America’s most elusive game bird.
His approach to hunting has never been about shortcuts or numbers. Instead, Corky believes success in the turkey woods comes from understanding behavior, reading terrain, respecting pressure, and making disciplined decisions when it matters most. These principles form the backbone of Turkey Tactics.
Through years of trial, failure, refinement, and success, Corky developed a tactical mindset — one that treats each hunt as a problem to be solved rather than a script to be followed. His writing reflects this philosophy clearly and honestly, offering readers insight grounded in experience rather than theory.
A Guide to Tactical Turkey Hunting
A comprehensive, experience-driven guide for serious turkey hunters.