A Kansas Turkey Hunt to Remember

Coming from Alaska, turkey hunting was something we only ever watched on television—full of fired-up gobblers, excited calling, and action-packed spring mornings. But we had never experienced it ourselves. That changed this year when my son Asher and I decided it was finally time to chase longbeards in Kansas. Spring is one of the best times to be outside, and a father-son hunt felt like the perfect way to make new memories. We both drew Kansas turkey tags, and Asher may have played a little hooky from school to make the trip happen. 

First Morning Success

The first morning did not disappoint. We slipped into the blind under a clear, starry sky and listened as the woods woke up around us. Birds chirped, gobblers hammered from the roost, and the whole world seemed to come alive at once. Asher was completely locked in. After about an hour, just as our guide Matt predicted, a gobbler and hen drifted into view, working across the field to our right. Asher waited patiently for his window and dropped the tom at 35 yards. Perfect shot. The bird had great spurs and a long, full beard—an incredible first turkey.

“Watching Asher take his first turkey is a moment I’ll never forget.”

After snapping photos and soaking up the moment, we headed back to camp, where the celebration continued. That evening we took a short break from hunting to film content for an upcoming seminar series on our YouTube channel, then sat down to an unbelievable dinner of tomahawk ribeyes with all the sides.

My Turn on the Hunt

The next day it was my turn to chase a bird. We set up in a fresh spot where we could hear gobblers on the roost a few hundred yards away, but they stayed stubbornly out of reach. That’s turkey hunting—highs and lows, all part of the process. After a well-earned midday nap, we moved again. Matt said the odds were good that birds would already be in the field when we arrived—and he was dead right. Not just one or two, but six longbeards were already feeding. We crept through the grass while David filmed the entire stalk. Eventually, the birds drifted behind a big oak, just enough to give me cover. When a heavy tom stepped out, I took the shot—67 yards. A long poke, but with the right ammunition it was clean and ethical.

Unforgettable Camp Meals

That night we wrapped up with smoked pork loin wrapped in bacon and topped with mushroom gravy—another camp meal to remember.

Fishing and Reflection

We finished the trip with a relaxing morning of bass fishing at a friend’s pond. Turkeys strutted in the distance, the water was calm, and it was exactly the peaceful ending the adventure deserved.

“Hunt with your kids, not for them.”

Watching Asher take his first turkey, sharing meals, laughing in the blind, and spending this time together is something I’ll carry with me forever. From our first goose hunt in Alberta to duck hunting with his sister in Kansas, these “firsts” are the foundation of a lifetime of memories.

Plan Your Own Adventure

If you’re looking for a world-class turkey hunt, give us a call—we’d be honored to help you plan a trip of your own.

Peyton Merideth is the CEO of Shoshone Adventure Consulting.