TIPS FOR HUNTING TURKEYS ON PUBLIC LAND Turkey hunting is a sport involving the pursuit of the elusive wild turkey, there are two species of turkey pursued; the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and the ocellated turkey (Meleagris oscillate), the wild turkey is hunted either in the spring or fall. Spring hunts target gobblers (male turkeys) and fall hunts usually target either sex. Spring hunting coincides with the wild turkey mating season, where gobblers can be called into gun range with calls