Big game hunting typically involves traveling to remote places in search of such animals as bears or deer, as well as the more exotic creatures, like the Oryx and Dall sheep. There's something decidedly American, though, about going out to bag a turkey, the bird that Benjamin Franklin wanted to use as our national symbol.

One of the best places to go for gobblers is New York State, a region that schedules turkey hunting seasons in both the spring and the fall. You can use a hunting dog in the latter part of the year, but you can't bring your four-legged friend along during the spring turkey season. New York State also requires all hunters to purchase a permit, and the bag limits are strictly enforced.

Don't Become a Target
After eight years of serving as Vice President under George W. Bush, Dick Cheney always will be remembered for an unfortunate hunting incident that took place in 2006. According to CNN, Cheney was quail hunting with some campaign contributors when he accidentally shot a member of his party, a gentleman named Harry Whittington.

New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) wants you to avoid being a turkey like Cheney when you are out in the woods looking for the gobblers. If you are careless, other hunters might mistake you for a wild bird and start shooting at you. Your friends may think you act like a turkey sometimes, but that doesn't mean you have to get shot.

Although it sounds a bit unpatriotic, the DEC recommends not wearing colors like red, white and blue while you are hunting for these game birds. One of the best ways to avoid accidents is by wearing gear such as the Columbia Rogue Plaid Fleece Jacket. Choose colors for your jacket that are bright to help other hunters can see you clearly.

When you get an animal in range make sure that it really is a turkey or other game bird and not a campaign contributor before pulling the trigger, especially during an election year.

Sources:
http://www.newyorkgameandfish.com/hunting/index2.html
http://www.nwtf.org/hunting_tactics.html
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/32162.html
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/12/cheney/