The moon was perched high above, casting long shadows across the front yard. I quickly gathered all the information I needed. The skies were clear, and the limbs silhouetted against the horizon stood motionless. Warm and clear and calm. I shut the alarm off; it would prove redundant. I was up. Soon I would rouse my youngest son Josh from his slumber. This morning he would experience the turkey woods firsthand.

Chasing turkeys is uniquely suited to introducing youngsters to hunting. The weather in April and May is warm in comparison to an October duck hunt or November’s deer season. Addit...