I can’t complain about my life. Still, I sometimes wish I could spend as much time in the woods as a game camera.
And that’s really the definition of a good tool: doing the tasks we either can’t do or prefer not to do, so we can still live a balanced life.
Game cameras - especially cellular models - have completely changed the way we hunt just about everything. And that's evident to serious turkey hunters who use them to understand birds, habitat, and timing.
Why?
Because they see it all. Twenty-four hours a day. Seven days a week.
Game cameras don’t need a kitchen pass. They don’t have to ask for time off work or squeeze in a scouting trip between soccer practice and mowing the lawn. They sit quietly where we place them and simply watch.
They don’t overcall. They don’t move, twitch, sneeze, or snore either.
They just collect information.
And these days, with cellular technology, they send those little digital “Wish You Were Here” postcards straight to our phones.
So what does the perfect hunting partner actually do for us now?
To find out, I reached out to Dan Rensel, Regional Director for the National Wild Turkey Federation and a Pro-Staff member for SPYPOINT, to talk about how modern trail cameras, particularly cellular models, are changing the way turkey hunters scout birds and understand the ground they hunt.
Dan Rensel, Regional Director for the National Wild Turkey Federation and a Pro-Staff member for SPYPOINT.
1. How can using a game camera help the average hunter learn more about their local turkey population?
Dan Rensel:
Game cameras help identify daily turkey movement patterns and show when and where birds are using specific areas throughout the day. Instead of relying on a fleeting visual count, cameras provide documented images that allow for more accurate population estimates.
They also reveal seasonal shifts. Turkeys don’t use the same areas year-round. Cameras show when flocks begin transitioning to breeding ranges, when they establish strut zones, and how their use of food sources changes through winter, spring, and summer. Over time, that data builds a much clearer picture of your local flock dynamics.
2. How does a game camera help a hunter understand turkey behavior better than in-person scouting?
Dan Rensel:
Boots-on-the-ground scouting has value, but turkeys are extremely alert and easily pressured. Human presence can alter movement patterns, especially near roost sites and strut zones.
Cameras allow hunters to observe without intrusion. You can learn when gobblers leave the roost, the routes they prefer, where dominant birds strut, and where hens feed, all without disturbing the area. That unpressured look often reveals higher-percentage locations that might otherwise be compromised by too much foot traffic.
3. Does the type of camera matter? What advantages do high-quality cameras offer?
Dan Rensel:
Absolutely. The type of camera matters.
Cellular cameras provide an unpressured, real-time overview of turkey activity. That means fewer trips into the woods and less disturbance. Trigger speed and recovery time are also critical. Turkeys move quickly, and lower-end cameras can miss key moments entirely.
High-quality video capabilities add another layer of insight. With strong audio and video clarity, you can observe dominance displays, flock hierarchy, feeding behavior, and even predator interactions. That level of detail goes far beyond a single snapshot and provides a much deeper understanding of flock dynamics.
4. What are best management practices when using cameras to improve and protect wild turkey populations?
Dan Rensel:
Camera placement is everything.
Position cameras in meaningful locations, near known roosting areas (at a respectful distance), established strut zones, seasonal food sources, and travel corridors between open areas and timber.
The information gathered should guide habitat improvements. If birds consistently use open areas, that may signal a need for more thinning, prescribed fire, or native forage development. Cameras don’t just help you hunt smarter, they help you manage smarter.
5. Can you share a personal example of how cameras changed your understanding of turkey behavior?
Dan Rensel:
I’ve used game cameras, especially cellular models, for many years, and they’ve become one of the most valuable tools in my scouting and management toolkit.
Over time, they’ve shown me exactly when turkeys return to their breeding ranges in several of my hunting areas. It’s not precise clockwork, but it’s impressively consistent. That pattern recognition has helped me identify the most productive windows to target specific groups of gobblers during the spring season.
Cell cameras have also saved me countless hours. Some of my hunting properties are more than an hour away. Real-time updates prevent unnecessary trips when birds aren’t active and allow me to focus on areas that are heating up. That ability to make timely, data-driven decisions has made cellular cameras a true game-changer.
6. How does turkey management differ from deer management, and can cameras help with that difference?
Game cameras like SPYPOINT's FLEX lineup helps hunters monitor properties, track movement, and make informed decisions long before opening day.
Dan Rensel:
Turkeys and deer use habitat very differently.
Turkeys rely heavily on visibility and line of sight for predator detection. They prefer open timber, thinned areas, and accessible food plots. Habitat management often involves prescribed burning, disking fields to promote native forbs, and opening the canopy to allow sunlight to reach the forest floor.
Deer, on the other hand, depend more on cover. Thick bedding areas, dense edges, and shrubby vegetation provide security, fawning areas, and escape routes.
Game camera strategy should reflect those differences.
For turkeys, focus on:
Daylight strut zones in late winter and spring
Field edges and open feeding areas
Time-lapse mode on larger fields to monitor broad movement patterns
For deer, camera placement typically centers around:
Travel corridors and trails
Rub lines
Scrapes
Feeding areas with heavy cover nearby
Understanding how turkeys interact with habitat allows landowners and hunters to tailor both their scouting and their management strategies accordingly.
And it saves us a lot of time we can devote to other things like family, friends, and work.
Jay Pinsky, Editor - The Hunting Wire & The Archery Wire
It’s hard to believe, but there was a time when turkey hunters actually managed to bag birds without tungsten, or a gobbler printed on their shotshell boxes.
It's true. In fact, strutting red heads fell to settler's muskets long before Red Coats did. Today, Brits, despite their affinity for warm beer, are safe here. Turkeys? Not so much.
Seriously though, today's ammo makers, like Federal, have done incredible work advancing the turkey specific shotgun shell to help us all kill more birds faster, farther, and more ethically than ever before.
World War II slowed progress for a while, but after the war, innovation returned.
Magnum loads and 3-inch shells offered more payload and velocity. But simply adding power was not enough. The real leap came when shotshell construction evolved: plastic hulls, improved waterproofing, and better shot cups made patterns tighter and consistency more reliable.
Federal played a key role introducing gauge-specific hull colors helped prevent dangerous mix-ups and set a new industry standard. By the 1970s and 1980s, turkey hunting had become a passion. Hunters wanted tighter patterns and cleaner kills. Federal Premium, launched in 1977, answered that call with specialized loads, buffered shot, and packaging that fit real hunter needs.
The late 1990s and early 2000s brought a true revolution. Tungsten-based shot meant smaller pellets could deliver equal or greater energy. More pellets and tighter patterns made for more ethical and effective hunts. Federal’s innovations, like the Flitecontrol wad and Heavyweight shot, pushed performance even further. In 2018, Federal became the first major manufacturer to load Tungsten Super Shot, making even .410-bore guns effective for turkeys.
Today, turkey ammunition is more advanced than ever. Hunters expect exactness, repeatability, and clean results. Inside Federal, engineers continue to refine every detail from cases and primers to buffer and pellet composition because turkey loads are no longer an afterthought. They are a year-round focus.
A hundred years of advances are about more than just chasing bigger numbers. They reflect a shift in responsibility and ethics. Modern turkey loads are designed for predictable results and clean kills, showing how both technology and hunters have matured. Federal’s story, from paper hulls to tungsten shot, mirrors the evolution of turkey hunting itself. If the past century is any guide, the birds may get smarter, but so will the ammunition.
(This story is based on data and historical information from Federal Ammunition.)
Jay Pinsky, Editor, The Hunting Wire & Archery Wire
Josh Johnson, co-owner of Spot Hogg Archery, discussed the company's origin story and new products including the Hogg Father Pro bowsight and ROTI Modular Sight System on The Bowhunter Podcast with host Christian Berg at the January 2026 SHOT Show.
The Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) received four trademarks from the USPTO: ComeWith!, Connecting with Conservation, Fill A Bag While Filling Your Tag, and HATS. These programs support hunting, fishing, trapping, and target shooting participation, with partnerships including Fiocchi USA, Ruger, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, and Alabama Department of Natural Resources.
Wildlife Research Center® has been named the 2026 Kinsey's Dealer Choice Award winner for Best in Category – Hunting Accessory, as voted by Kinsey's dealers. The award recognizes the Ramsey, Minnesota-based company's commitment to innovation and quality in hunting scents and accessories, including products like Scent Killer® Gold® and Golden Rope®.
The Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation presented Smith & Wesson with its 2026 Conservation Partner of the Year award. Over the past five years, Smith & Wesson has provided more than $236 million in Pittman-Robertson funds, making it one of the largest funders of wildlife conservation in America.
Wisconsin's outdoor recreation industry contributes over $12 billion to the state's economy and supports 100,000 jobs. The Greater Wausau area attracted 1.2 million visitors engaged in outdoor recreation, with Nine Mile County Forest generating $3.25 million in annual economic impact, according to Visit Wausau's Zartico analytics platform.
Team Mathews achieved first and second-place finishes at the 2026 NFAA Indoor Nationals in Memphis, with Kyle Douglas winning the Freestyle Pro Men's division and Randy Morocco placing second in Freestyle Pro Senior. The victories continue Team Mathews' dominant start to the 2026 indoor season.
Team Remington secured two of the top three overall positions at the 50th Annual 2026 Spring Grand American trap shooting competition in Tucson, Arizona. Patrick Lamont earned Runner-Up Overall, Zachari Nannini secured 3rd Overall, and multiple team members won category championships including Chase Doberinski, Michael Blazedale, and Sandra Jo Jack.
Dallas Safari Club announced the 2026 Summer Expo & Foundation Gala will expand to four days (July 23–26, 2026) at Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center. Following the inaugural event's success, the expanded format adds Sunday as an exhibition day and features hundreds of exhibitors, signature events, and a special promotion offering a free fourth day with three-day pass purchase.
Maxim Defense, a premier manufacturer of precision firearms and suppressors based in St. Cloud, Minnesota, will exhibit at the 2026 "The Gathering" Firearm Range Day and Expo presented by Palmetto State Armory on March 20-21 in Clinton, SC, showcasing their latest firearms, suppressors, and accessories including the SDX RFLX and PDX-SD integrated suppressor systems.
Whitetails Unlimited granted $267,948 to over 50 organizations in Illinois for outdoor education, habitat enhancement, and hunting preservation. Funds supported the Preserving the Hunting Tradition program and shooting sports groups including NASP, 4-H Shooting Sports, and clay target teams.
The MidwayUSA Foundation is accepting applications through April 1 for its annual range development grant cycle, with individual grants not exceeding $75,000 or 50% of project budgets. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded over $8 million to facilities nationwide to support youth shooting sports infrastructure and training opportunities.
Outtech Sales Services, a division of Legacy1846 Outdoor Group, is hiring Regional Managers nationwide for hunting, archery, shooting sports, and outdoor recreation industries. Candidates need 4+ years territory sales experience and willingness to travel weekly. Apply at HR@outtech-online.com.
Iron Valley™ Supply Co., a Birmingham-based wholesale distributor serving the shooting sports and outdoor industries, is expanding its sales team. The company represents over 150 leading national brands and seeks an Account Representative with minimum two years of sales experience to manage existing accounts and develop new customer relationships.
SK Guns commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Army's M1911 adoption with a limited-edition reproduction of the Colt Mexican Contract M1911 chambered in .38 Super, featuring authentic roll marks and 24k gold accents. The series is limited to 300 units with shipping beginning in April 2026.
Texas Hunter Products announces the release of its Timed Protein Feeder, featuring a 1000-lb. capacity roto-molded hopper, advanced timed-dispense system, and solar-powered battery. The feeder delivers 1 to 9 times daily with adjustable cycles to reduce waste and promote consistent herd health and antler development.
Blocker Outdoors® reasserts the Finisher Pro II™ Turkey Vest as the premier solution for spring turkey hunters, featuring strategic compartmentalization, specialized access pockets, reinforced seat cushion, and thermal regulation. Available in Mossy Oak® Greenleaf, Mossy Oak® Bottomland®, and Realtree® Original patterns at $129.99 MSRP.
Real Avid announces the launch of the Ratchet Rest™, an adjustable height shooting bag featuring Accu-Click™ technology for precise elevation control and repeatable shooting performance. Available in three sizes, the system supports benchrest, long-range precision, and field shooting applications.
TUO launches the Kinetic Merino 200 ¼ Zip Hoodie, featuring a 95% merino wool blend with integrated hood and facemask. Marketing Director Steve Allie highlights the unique quarter-zip design and lightweight facemask as standout features for hunters seeking versatile layering options.
NEXTORCH announced the eStar 1,300 Lumen Ultra Bright Headlamp with Dual Light, a professional-grade headlamp featuring proprietary Claw Optics™ technology, dual white and red LEDs, and dual-power compatibility. Designed for hunting, fishing, and work environments, the eStar offers spot, flood, and mixed beam modes with an MSRP of $49.99.
Avian-X has launched the Ridge Runner and Ridge Runner X turkey vests designed for mobile, run-and-gun-style hunters. Featuring lightweight designs with smart storage, EVA-molded call pockets, and magnetic quick-deploy seats, both models are finished in Mossy Oak Original Bottomland camo. The Ridge Runner X adds internal zippered pockets, fleece-lined handwarmer pockets, and a full-access rear game pouch.
Primary Weapons Systems announces the BDE762K-TI Suppressor, a compact K variant constructed from 3D-printed Grade 5 titanium with advanced monocore baffle assembly. Rated for calibers up to .300 Winchester Magnum with universal 1.375x24 TPI mount compatibility, the suppressor weighs 13.6 oz and carries an MSRP of $749.95.
Vortex Optics introduces the Strike Eagle® 1-10x24 FFP riflescope designed for tactical and competition shooters, featuring 1-10x magnification, illuminated EBR-8 BDC reticle, and a compact 10-inch design optimized for AR platforms. Available in MOA and MRAD models with a MAP of $699.99.
Moultrie Mobile has renewed its sponsorship with Whitetails Unlimited, a conservation organization with over 475 chapters and 120,000 members. WTU President Jeff Schinkten praised Moultrie's trail camera innovation and commitment to supporting the organization's mission of white-tailed deer conservation and habitat enhancement.
The Boone and Crockett Club praised the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture's bipartisan vote advancing the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which includes funding for the Forest Conservation Easement Program. Club president Mary Webster highlighted the legislation's conservation benefits for working lands and private forests.
Relentless Knives USA has been selected as the exclusive knife brand for the 2026 season of Ted Nugent's Spirit of The Wild on the Pursuit Channel. The veteran-owned company's self-sharpening titanium knives and USA manufacturing align with Nugent's commitment to American-made products.
Petersen's Hunting released its April/May 2026 Guns & Gear Issue, featuring in-depth reviews of firearms, optics, ammunition, and hunting gear from contributors Craig Boddington, Keith Wood, Joseph von Benedikt, and Brad Fitzpatrick. The issue includes reviews of the Nemo Electus, Winchester Xpert, and other notable equipment.
The Project ChildSafe Foundation announced an enhanced fundraising model combining Safety Sweepstakes and charity auctions through a streamlined product-donation process. The new form simplifies participation for manufacturers and retailers, with Joe Bartozzi, Chairman of Project ChildSafe Foundation and President and CEO of NSSF, highlighting how industry partners are essential to advancing firearm safety education nationwide.
Bear & Son Cutlery, based in Jacksonville, Alabama, has released the Genuine India Stag Bone™ 3 ½" Barlow pocketknife featuring high carbon stainless steel blades and a traditional stag bone handle. This heritage-inspired knife continues the company's commitment to American-made craftsmanship and quality.
Otis Technology announced a private label partnership with Bud's Gun Shop featuring a specially branded line of gun cleaning kits by Shooter's Choice. The collaboration offers caliber-specific cleaning kits designed for everyday firearm maintenance, available through Bud's Gun Shop's online catalog.
Kinsey's, a leading outdoor and shooting sports distributor, announced a partnership with Hodgdon Powder Company to distribute smokeless powder, with shipments beginning in Q2 2026. The expansion strengthens Kinsey's reloading category and provides independent retailers access to the industry-leading brand.
FirstSpear has entered a ten-year exclusive licensing agreement with Recon K9 LLC to assume sales, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution of Recon K9's tactical gear for military and law enforcement working dogs. Recon K9 founder Jason Watson will join FirstSpear to continue driving the brand's vision and product development.
FirstSpear launched its Vanguard Program, a strategic initiative pairing operational experts with engineering teams for equipment validation. Former Marine Raider Prime Hall was named lead maritime Vanguard to demonstrate the AAC Frog Kit and Adaptive Cummerbund's capabilities for elite military and law enforcement operations.
APEX Ammunition now offers a 28-gauge load in its SmallTown Hunting Blend turkey ammunition line, combining #7.5 Tungsten Super Shot with #9 TSS for maximum pattern density and extended range. The 2 ¾" 1 ½ oz. duplex load is priced at $64.99 per 5-round box.
Horus Vision launched the TREMOR7 reticle in the HoVR 1-8x24mm LPVO riflescope, designed for modern sporting rifles and dynamic shooting environments. The optic features daylight-visible illumination, a 34mm tube, and integrates with the free Horus Ballistics App for precise firing solutions, available at $1,199.99.
NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, announced the relaunch of its improved Where To Shoot mobile app, helping shooters find ranges across the United States. The redesigned app features location-based search, indoor/outdoor filters, and training opportunities, available free on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
Target Sports USA announces its upcoming AMMO+ Day 2 event starting April 23, 2026, featuring exclusive ammo deals for members, free shipping, and automatic entry to win a Ford F-250. AMMO+ members receive deeper discounts on select ammunition and additional perks.
Firearms News' March 2026 issue features a cover story by James Tarr on US Palm's CAT4 Storm Series AR-Style Rifle. The issue includes reviews of products from Mossberg, Smith & Wesson, SIG, Steyr, and Gemtech, plus columns by David M. Fortier, Patrick Sweeney, and other contributors.
Federal Ammunition celebrated strong performances by its sponsored trap shooters at the 50th Annual 2026 Spring Grand American in Tucson, Arizona. Westin Anderson and Ziggy Tkaczenko earned multiple championship titles across five events, with nearly 1,500 participants competing. Federal's new All-American shotshell product features advanced wad and shot technology for competitive trap and skeet shooting.
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. announced that world champion shooter Lena Miculek has joined as a Brand Ambassador. Miculek, who has won ten world titles across rifle, shotgun, pistol caliber carbine, and multi-gun competitions, is recognized for her firearms education and dedication to empowering women in the shooting sports.
TriStar Arms donated a KR22 rifle to Walk the Talk America's March 24 fundraiser auction, supporting mental health awareness and resources within the firearms community. The partnership with Pot of Gold Estate Auctions aims to generate critical funding for WTTA's programs promoting responsible firearm ownership and mental wellness advocacy.
Benelli, a leading shotgun and rifle manufacturer, has renewed its sponsorship with Whitetails Unlimited. WTU President Jeff Schinkten praised Benelli's performance firearms and their commitment to advancing the organization's conservation mission and hunting heritage preservation.
Dead Air Silencers will exhibit at the Georgia Tactical Officer Association's Annual Training Conference March 15-20, 2026, in Columbus, Georgia, showcasing its new CT5P AR-15 suppressor designed for patrol officers running semi-automatic duty rifles in 5.56 NATO and 6mm ARC.
MyOutdoorTV presents its first live hunt streaming event featuring Michael Waddell pursuing wild turkeys in Florida's Okaloacoochee Slough on March 13, 2026. The platform launches MOTV Live with this real-time hunt, offering viewers tips and techniques while celebrating wild turkey conservation success.
