Not only will a topographic map provide you with the lay of the land should you get lost, it can also help you bag that big old Tom you have your sights on.

Begin scouting about a week before turkey season begins. To locate the strut areas of turkey in Missouri, look for ridges on the map and begin there. Toms like to roost and strut in openings in wooded areas and they like to be able to see and be seen for long distances.

If you aren't having any luck with spotting a Tom, look for signs of his presence. Look for areas where the leaves have been overturned or there are signs of scratching. Loose feathers or droppings can be found under roosts. A figure eight created by the turkey dragging his feathers while strutting is a telltale sign of a strut.

Listen carefully for turkey calls and the response of hens. You are more likely to hear him at first, unless of course you spot him strutting his stuff along a ridgetop from afar.

Chances are that his first strut area will be near his roost and he will perform his morning rituals there. He prefers to fly down from the east and the hens will approach from the west. If you observe him, note it on the map. Be sure to include the time you see or hear him. He is likely to repeat the same routine the next morning in the same location.

Check the map for low-lying creeks. He is likely to wander down to the creek to mill away for a morning drink and enjoy another bout of female companionship. If you observe him here, note the time on the map.

Once he completes the mating ritual in this area, he will likely head uphill to an open area where he can strut in confidence.

He may have up to six separate struts that he visits daily as he works his way back uphill to his roost.

Continue the process of recording times you have heard or observed him in a particular area for several days. Check to see if he repeats the same routine by appearing at his strut at approximately the same time each day.

He may alter his route if weather conditions change drastically or if food or water supplies suddenly dry up.

You should now have a map of his daily strutting habits and will be able to pinpoint them on the map. This will allow you to set up multiple blinds in the locations that he frequents and give you a variety of times you are likely to encounter turkeys. When turkey season opens, be sure to get to one of his locations before he does and take him by surprise.