The Rio Grande subspecies of turkey inhabits much of the South Central US and is one of the big four subspecies hunters need for their slam. Ranging from Kansas to Texas, these birds offer a unique pursuit through mesquite country, grasslands, and the mountains. These birds are fun to hunt, but like any turkey, they require patience and the right approach. As a Rio guide for several seasons, I’ve learned a lot about these birds. These tips and tactics are some of my favorites for those looking to check off the Rio Grande subspecies.
A Quick Field Story
Before we get into how to hunt Rios, I thought it’d be appropriate to share one of my favorite stories chasing these birds. A few seasons ago, I was hunting with a few buddies hunting some mountain birds. We stepped onto a piece of property that had birds gobbling all over it, and we ended up striking up a pair of midday longbeards. My two buddies doubled, and as we were trying to collect our thoughts, we heard another bird sound off nearby. We scrambled to get set up, and in a matter of about 30 seconds, we had three more longbeards gobbling and strutting their way to us. I pick out a bird from the group at about 15 feet, pull the trigger, and the gun goes “click”. In the excitement earlier, we unloaded the gun, and all of us had forgotten. We freaked out about as quietly as you could, scrounging up a shell. The birds knew something wasn’t quite right and started to ease off. Finally, I got a shell in the gun and shot my bird—a delayed triple on some mountain Rios is exactly why I love chasing these birds so much.
Four Tips to Hunt Rios
The following tips have been learned over years of hunting and guiding for Rios. While there are plenty of others out there, these four will set you up for success wherever you chase the Rio Grande.
Gear Up for Success
I’ve chased Rios in mesquite country, grasslands, and the mountains. One of the best tips I can provide is to gear up for success. Swap out your rubber boots for a laced version built to cover ground. In addition, great glass goes a long way scouting the open habitats that Rios like. Lastly, don’t forget about nutrition and hydration. Rios live in incredibly arid environments, which can be demanding on your body. I think so many folks get caught up with all the calls, vests, gear, etc., that they forget to focus on their bodies and what they need to perform (my background before the hunting industry was strength and conditioning). Proper nutrition and hydration go a long way!
Adjust to Their Call
The volume of a Rio’s gobble is significantly weaker than that of other subspecies, so if you grew up hunting Easterns, you’re in for a surprise. A good rule of thumb is if you hear a gobble and think he’s 200 yards away, take 75-80 yards off that and he’s right there. For hunters targeting Rio’s for the first time, this can make or break a hunt. When you strike up a bird, sit tight and be ready. A Rio is often far closer than you realize.
Understand Rio Habitat
To Eastern hunters, the terrain Rio’s inhabitants inhabit is vastly different. A quick glance at the NWTF subspecies map reveals some MAJOR differences in terms of country and terrain. Swap out hardwoods and bottomlands for cactus and mesquite trees. Prior to hunting, read your maps and understand the lay of the land, but the best advice I can give is to put boots on the ground. You might not find roost trees for miles in some of the areas, and these Rios are particularly nomadic. Oftentimes, they will be miles away from their roost trees during the day, only making their way back before nightfall. Another tip, especially in the hills and the mountains, is to try to always work elevation to your advantage. If you can stay above him, vs him stay above you, you increase your chances of success substantially!
Capitalize on Midday Birds
A Rio hunt can turn around at any minute. Rather than giving up after morning, cover ground and see if you can find a bird on the move. Oftentimes, these roamers break off from their hens later in the day and can be very willing to respond to calls. If you strike up a response, be ready, he will close the distance QUICKLY.
Final Thoughts on Hunting Rios
Hunting Rios opens up some of the most unique terrain you can chase turkeys in. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard to beat an Eastern, but having the ability to hunt Rios in cactus, or pines in the foothills, is something special. The places these birds, and turekys in general is why love hunting them every spring—pretty much anywhere in the country there’s places to see and birds to chase. While these tips will help you find and kill more Rios, never forget patience. Impatience saves more turkeys each spring than anything.