Why Turkey Hunters Should Understand Turkey Vision (and Why Code of Silence Camouflage is Your Best Bet)

While turkey hunters often prioritize gear, calling techniques, and scouting, one crucial aspect that should not be overlooked is understanding turkey eyesight. This knowledge can be the deciding factor between a successful hunt and returning empty-handed. At Code of Silence, we understand the significance of this and have designed our camouflage clothing to counteract a turkey's exceptional vision, giving hunters a significant advantage in the field.

The thing to remember is that when you are calling turkeys, they come in on alert and looking for something. That something is another turkey, but this means that you have eyes on you the entire time. Being obtrusive on the landscape simply won’t work. If you don’t blend, shine too much, or move, you’re an exception. And Exceptions Get You Noticed. 

How Turkeys See: Breaking it Down

Wild turkeys have extraordinary vision—arguably among the sharpest eyesight of any game animal. To put it simply, turkeys see better than humans in nearly every way.

Exceptional Visual Acuity

Turkeys possess eyesight roughly three times sharper than humans. This means they detect movement and detail at distances far beyond human capability. Coupled with their ability to see almost 270 degrees without moving their heads, sneaking within shooting range is challenging at best.

Color Vision & UV Sensitivity

Turkeys don't just have excellent visual acuity—they see colors vividly and can distinguish a broader spectrum of colors than humans, including ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths (320-400 nm). To turkeys, UV-bright clothing appears unnaturally bright, immediately alerting them that something isn't right.

Here's what you should know:

• UV Light Visibility: Turkeys can detect UV light clearly. Clothing washed in typical detergents often fluoresces brightly under UV light, making hunters appear unnaturally radiant.

• Sensitive to Blue: Turkeys are exceptionally responsive to the color blue, making typical denim and other blue-toned clothing especially problematic.

• Effective Camo Colors: Reds, browns, muted greens, and earth tones blend naturally, whereas anything bright or reflective stands out starkly.

Why Code of Silence is the Ideal Camouflage for Turkey Hunters

Given turkeys' exceptional vision, camouflage clothing isn't a luxury—it's a necessity. Here's why Code of Silence’s camo clothing gives you a distinct advantage:

1. UV-Free Camouflage

All Code of Silence garments are crafted without UV brighteners, ensuring you won’t glow unnaturally in the eyes of turkeys. Our UV-free fabrics blend seamlessly into your hunting environment, preventing detection even by the sharpest-eyed birds.

2. Neutral-LR™ Technology

Our exclusive Neutral-LR™ technology carefully selects muted earth tones—soft browns, natural greens, and subtle grays—colors proven effective at neutralizing turkey vision. The Code of Silence S18 pattern leverages these hues, eliminating vibrant colors that quickly alert turkeys.

3. Zero Reflectivity & Glare

Our fabric construction eliminates glare, sheen, and reflections. Turkeys are susceptible to unnatural shines—something commonly overlooked by other camo brands. Code of Silence clothing uses textured fabrics to ensure you remain hidden even in direct sunlight.

4. Quiet Movement

Silent movement can be critical. Though eyesight is the turkey’s primary defense, noise detection complements their visual acuity. Our clothing line significantly reduces movement noise through specialized wool and quiet-fabric technologies, allowing you to set up or adjust your position without spooking wary birds.

5. Natural Color Patterns

Our camouflage designs utilize neutral, earth-toned patterns optimized for various terrains. Patterns like our S18 camo blend naturally into wooded environments, open fields, or dense brush, making your shape indistinct to a turkey's exceptional vision.

6. Leveraging Sensory Gating

Turkeys have an incredible ability to detect danger based on visual anomalies. Our products work with the turkey’s sensory gating mechanism, reducing unnatural visual triggers that might alert turkeys, ensuring you remain unnoticed until the moment you decide to take your shot.

Tips for Using Terrain and Habitat to Enhance Concealment

Even with the best camouflage, your choice of setup location significantly impacts your success:

• Stay in Cover: Always position yourself within or near natural cover such as brush piles, logs, or dense vegetation. Natural cover breaks up your silhouette and makes you harder to detect.

• Utilize Shadows: When possible, position yourself in the shadows of trees, bushes, or terrain features. Shadows significantly reduce visibility, making it difficult for turkeys to pick out your shape. Early morning and late afternoon hunts offer the best opportunities for shadow cover.

• Blend with Surroundings: Sit against trees or terrain that match your camouflage pattern, further minimizing your outline. Choose locations where your camo seamlessly blends with the backdrop.

• Limit Movement: Minimize unnecessary movements by ensuring your position allows for comfortable, sustained sitting. This helps reduce the risk of alerting turkeys through unexpected motion.

• Terrain Features: Use terrain elements like hills, ridges, or depressions strategically. Positioning yourself slightly lower than a turkey's line of sight can significantly enhance concealment.

• Avoid Skyline Exposure: Never set up against a skyline or elevated position where your outline can easily stand out against the horizon. Always keep terrain behind you to conceal your silhouette.

Why Choose Code of Silence's Farewinds Series for Turkey Hunting

The Code of Silence Farewinds line is ideally suited for turkey hunting in spring, offering:

• Lightweight & Breathable: Perfect for changing spring temperatures.

• Silent Fabrics: Allows movement without alerting wary birds.

• Optimal Color Patterning: Blends seamlessly with the blooming and greening environments typical of spring turkey hunts.

• Comfort and Mobility: Designed for ease of movement during setup and quick repositioning when necessary.

Essential Turkey Hunting Tips for Every Skill Level

Whether you're stepping into the turkey woods for the first time or you're a seasoned hunter looking to fine-tune your approach, understanding foundational and advanced techniques can significantly increase your success rate. Here’s an in-depth guide on crucial turkey hunting tips to elevate your next hunt, courtesy of Code of Silence.

Beginner Tips

1. Master Basic Turkey Calls

Learning simple calls like yelps, clucks, and purrs is fundamental. Turkeys communicate constantly, and understanding these basics helps you interact convincingly with wary birds. Yelp to mimic a hen searching for companionship, cluck to signal contentment, and purr to ease turkeys' caution. Practicing these calls regularly builds confidence and realism in your hunting approach.

2. Scout Your Hunting Area Thoroughly

Preseason scouting gives you an invaluable advantage. Knowing the terrain, feeding areas, strut zones, and roosting sites allows you to anticipate turkey movement. Effective scouting reveals patterns, helping you pick the perfect setup location before sunrise.

3. Practice Shooting Positions Beforehand

Comfort and familiarity with shooting positions reduce errors in critical moments. Practicing seated, kneeling, and even prone positions ensures you're prepared for various scenarios, increasing shot accuracy and ethical harvest rates.

4. Be Patient—Don't Rush

Patience separates successful turkey hunters from frustrated ones. Rushing shots or premature movement can alert turkeys, costing you the opportunity. Cultivating patience helps you wait for the perfect shot and maintains stealth throughout your hunt.

5. Stay Still and Quiet

Turkeys have exceptional eyesight and hearing. Once positioned, minimize movement and noise to avoid detection. Wearing quiet, movement-friendly camo like Code of Silence apparel ensures your concealment is maintained, even in close proximity to birds.

Novice Tips

1. Master Locator Calls

Locator calls like crow or owl hoots elicit shock gobbles from nearby turkeys, revealing their position without exposing your presence. Learning these calls significantly enhances your scouting effectiveness and pre-dawn setups.

2. Understand Roosting Habits

Turkeys prefer specific trees for roosting, typically tall and open. Identifying these areas allows you to predict morning movements, positioning yourself strategically between roosting sites and feeding or strutting areas.

3. Learn Proper Decoy Setups

A realistic decoy setup draws curious or territorial turkeys into your shooting range. Pair a hen and jake decoy to provoke dominant gobblers. Correct placement—usually within clear view and shooting distance—dramatically improves success.

4. Practice Shooting from Multiple Angles and Positions

Real-world hunting scenarios rarely provide perfect shooting conditions. Regularly practicing shots at awkward angles or through minimal cover prepares you for quick adjustments in the field, ensuring accurate and confident shooting.

5. Hunt Midday When Pressure is High

Pressured turkeys often retreat in early mornings but become more active later in the day. Midday hunts capitalize on reduced competition and cautious birds venturing out to feed and breed, increasing your chances for success.

Advanced Tips

1. Develop Advanced Calling Techniques

Advanced calling involves subtle variations and realism, like soft clucks, quiet purrs, and gentle whines. These nuanced calls entice hesitant turkeys by replicating natural behaviors, especially in heavily pressured areas.

2. Utilize the Run-and-Gun Method

The run-and-gun method involves actively seeking gobblers instead of stationary hunting. This dynamic approach requires lightweight, quiet clothing, like Code of Silence gear, allowing mobility without compromising concealment. It’s effective for responding quickly to turkey movements and vocalizations.

3. Study Turkey Travel Corridors

Identifying consistent travel routes—paths turkeys regularly use between roosting, feeding, and breeding areas—allows you to set precise ambush points. Understanding these patterns dramatically enhances your tactical advantage.

4. Understand Turkey Body Language

Interpreting turkey behaviors like wing-flapping, strutting intensity, or cautious head movements reveals their mood and intentions. Accurately reading these signals lets you adjust your calling, decoy placement, or positioning accordingly, keeping you one step ahead.

5. Develop Advanced Calling Techniques

Perfecting subtle vocalizations, like soft clucks or faint purrs, is essential when encountering cautious birds. Subtlety can often outsmart wary toms more effectively than louder calls, enhancing your ability to attract even the most call-shy turkeys.

Implementing these strategic tips, combined with gear designed specifically for stealth and comfort, like Code of Silence apparel, will significantly increase your chances of a successful and memorable turkey hunt.

Making the Most of Your Turkey Hunt with Code of Silence

Understanding turkey eyesight is vital, but knowledge alone won’t close the distance between you and a wary gobbler. By investing in Code of Silence camouflage, specifically engineered to combat the exceptional vision of turkeys, you drastically increase your chances of success.

Shop our full selection of turkey hunting camo and experience firsthand the advantage of clothing built to conquer turkey vision.