Calling the Wild: A Turkey Hunter’s Deep Connection to Land and Legacy

From City Streets to Quiet Woods

After retiring from the police department three years ago, John Shefcik traded sirens and city streets for silence and songbirds. A lifelong resident of suburban Chicago, John now travels the country chasing an ambitious goal: completing the U.S. Super Slam by harvesting a wild turkey in every state.

“Some guys chase elk, others chase whitetails,” John says. “Me? I chase gobbles.”

This spring, his journey brought him to Southwest Michigan Acres—a 90-acre private parcel just minutes from his sister’s cottage in South Haven. What began as a convenient booking through LandTrust quickly turned into a hunt to remember.

Scouting, Strategy, and the Sit-and-Wait Game

When John pulled into the property the night before the hunt, he immediately spotted three toms in a nearby field. One strutted while the others loitered—a clear sign of a dominant bird. As a seasoned turkey hunter, he knew this would shape his approach.

“I wasn’t going to pull them off the roost in the morning,” he says. “But come afternoon, when they’ve been ditched by the hens, they start looking.”

The next day was textbook sit-and-wait. The birds dropped early and paired up with hens. Despite attempts to intercept them, the tight parcel left little room for run-and-gun tactics. On Easter Sunday, John considered calling it quits to make dinner—until a single hen call changed everything.

“I yelped once, got an answer back, and then suddenly the woods just exploded,” he recalls.

Within minutes, three toms barreled toward his decoys, pulled in by a vocal hen and the perfect setup. At 20 yards, John dropped the dominant bird—the same one he’d seen strutting the day before.

More Than a Hunt

For John, the thrill isn’t just in the harvest—it’s in the dialogue.

“Turkey hunting is like a conversation,” he explains. “You call, they respond, and you figure out what to say to get them to come closer. That’s the addiction.”

And it’s one he proudly admits. He’s booked eight hunts with LandTrust in three years and counts seven successes. From Clinker Ranch in Wyoming to farm parcels in Kansas and Nebraska, he’s formed genuine connections with landowners and always does his homework.

“The reviews are everything,” he says. “If you’re not leaving one, you’re doing other hunters a disservice.”

DIY, Not High-Dollar

John is no stranger to the changing economics of hunting. He’s knocked on doors, gotten rejected, and even been quoted $1,700 for a week of turkey access.

“That’s just not realistic for the everyday guy,” he says. “LandTrust makes it affordable and transparent. You know what you’re getting.”

He’s also quick to point out that success comes with preparation. Looking at aerials, scouting habitat, and reading reviews all factor in. His advice to new hunters on LandTrust? Do your due diligence. Set realistic expectations. And enjoy the journey.

The Landowner Connection

While John never met Amanda, the landowner at Southwest Michigan Acres, their communication was seamless. Texts before and during the trip gave him confidence and access.

“The landowners I’ve dealt with are always kind, welcoming, and helpful,” he says. “Some even walk the property with you.”

And for John, that’s part of what sets LandTrust apart. It’s not just access—it’s appreciation.

Final Thoughts: Time, Trust, and Turkeys

John may be chasing birds across America, but he’s also chasing peace, purpose, and a chance to connect—with nature, with people, and with himself.

“I used to guide hunts when I was younger,” he says. “But these days, it’s all about the DIY experience. Being out there, calling birds, sleeping under the stars—it’s everything.”

And thanks to LandTrust, he doesn’t have to choose between affordability and quality.

“Whether you’re knocking out your Super Slam or just trying turkey hunting for the first time, this is the way to do it.”

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