There’s something unmistakably electric about the presence of a wild turkey on the landscape—the shimmer of iridescent feathers, the proud strut of a tom in full display, and the sharp, alert gaze that tells you these birds are far more than just a seasonal spring icon. In this photo essay, we showcase images captured by turkey hunter and photographer, Foster Bartholow, from South Dakota. These images tell the story of spring turkey hunting, the sights and sounds that bring us back, and moments that only a turkey hunter sees. In addition to turkeys, Foster is an avid waterfowl hunter, World Champion Trap Shooter, and runs his own outdoor page and YouTube channel, Prestige Outdoors.
The Moon, The Stars, and Alien Plumage
Everybody knows that birds will get fired up on the limb, and in my opinion, listening to them on the limb can be just as exciting as when they hit the ground. “I captured this image while I was scouting for a hunt and just ended up in the right place at the right time when this bird got fired up. This bird also ended up being a melanistic turkey, my buddy Corey shot”.
Over the past couple of years, the northern lights have seemed to regularly pop-off across the lower 48. So, when the opportunity presented itself, Foster was able to not only bag a gobbler but also capture some once-in-a-lifetime images of him, his bird, and the northern lights dancing across the sky. This image also won first place in the NWTF photo competition in the Hunting/Outdoor Lifestyle category.
“I had one run-in with this bird early in the season, and he slipped away. I hunted hard the rest of that season and was finally able to capitalize on an opportunity and bag this stud. In my experience and discussions with local biologists, not very much is known about melanistic turkeys, and their origin on the landscape can be somewhat controversial.” Watch Foster & Corey’s Melanistic Turkey Hunt Here.
As Spring unfolds and the woods continue to come alive with distant gobbles and the rustle of fresh growth, the time to get afield is now. Whether you’re in the woods packing your camera or your shotgun, let these images stand to remind you of the beauty of Spring in America and the adventures that await you in the turkey woods.