We are hunting tributaries of Montana’s Powder River, a network of prairie streams defined by linear stands of ash and cottonwood trees, and enough buffalo berry and chokecherry underbrush to make turkeys feel comfortable. But instead of a high-pitched box call or a coyote howl to locate these Merriam’s turkeys, Rich Loeber uses his optics.
“We’re going to get up on a high point and glass,” Loeber says. “To my mind, the best piece of gear for turkey hunting out here is a good pair of binoculars. I’ve noticed that these open-country birds are way more visual [than their timber-country cousins]. They’re doing the same thing we are, getting up on high points and looking out for danger. If we can see them before they see us, then we have an excellent chance of getting into
