The turkey season fell a little later this year due to the calendar, plus this was the earliest spring we have ever had......EVER!
I think the turkey season is about right.
The turkey season fell a little later this year due to the calendar, plus this was the earliest spring we have ever had......EVER!
I think the turkey season is about right.
I decided this morning to sleep in till 10 and get my 5.5 hours of sleep and hunt late morning and early afternoon. I started sneaking my way to my honeyhole of a tree at the end of a finger splitting two tilled up fields loaded with nightcrawlers. As I approached the tractor cutthru not 30 yards from my tree I see the same 5 longbeards standing 40 yards out in front of it! Fugg!!!
They sensed my presence and slowly made their way into the creek bank woods just beyond my tree at about 60 yards. I backed out and crossed the creek about 150 yards away and am now set up right in their roasting area on a high spot between a huge field and a steep creek bank. J shaped turkey shit everywhere. They definitely have stopped gobbling and from here on out will be silent approach and challenging to say the least.
They sensed my presence and slowly made their way into the creek bank woods just beyond my tree at about 60 yards. I backed out and crossed the creek about 150 yards away and am now set up right in their roasting area on a high spot between a huge field and a steep creek bank. J shaped turkey shit everywhere. They definitely have stopped gobbling and from here on out will be silent approach and challenging to say the least.
Make a gobble call at them Ric....good chance they will think another tom has invaded their territory and one or all of them might come to check it out.
Yeah Chad the hen calling isn't working anymore. I just got home and here is what happened later.
After sitting across the creek up in their pitch down area for about an hour and a half doing some calling I came to realize there wasn't anything interested. So I packed my stuff up and walked back to the field where my encounter happened earlier. I really slowed it down to a stalk as I neared the cutthru gap and my tree. Once I reached it I peeked out thru the honeysuckle and I'll be danged, the fuggars were still there! Just feeding in that same area. I started strategizing on how I could get within gun range. They appeared to be headed towards the far side of the field and up towards the road. That edge runs about 175 yards and doglegs toward the finger I'm in, leaving a 15 yards gap of open field or pinch spot. I had an inkling they might just feed right up thru that spot so I backed out and stealthly headed to that position keeping the thick grownup finger between us. This finger is nearly 20 years wide most of the way. Once I got out ahead of them I quietly made my way down thru this finger and got to a perfect spot right at the pinch. The toms are 120 yards out and feeding my way but ever so slowly. Then out of nowhere I here machinery that sounded like a backhoe fire up along with what sounded like a dump truck unloading a load of slag up near the road by a bridge crossing this creek. WTH! You've got to be kidding me! Well that kinda turned the group back towards where they came from and on edge just a bit. I decided to try and throw a few yelps off my glass call and see if any of them were interested. Man, all of their heads popped up and they did NOT like that one bit. They were out of the field in less than a minute. I know they didn't see me as I was back in the finger about 8 feet all covered up with brush.
It is like these toms all know every hen is bred and all they're doing now is feeding. From here on out I plan on leaving everything at home and just taking my gun and sitting at the edge of this field. What are your guys thoughts?
After sitting across the creek up in their pitch down area for about an hour and a half doing some calling I came to realize there wasn't anything interested. So I packed my stuff up and walked back to the field where my encounter happened earlier. I really slowed it down to a stalk as I neared the cutthru gap and my tree. Once I reached it I peeked out thru the honeysuckle and I'll be danged, the fuggars were still there! Just feeding in that same area. I started strategizing on how I could get within gun range. They appeared to be headed towards the far side of the field and up towards the road. That edge runs about 175 yards and doglegs toward the finger I'm in, leaving a 15 yards gap of open field or pinch spot. I had an inkling they might just feed right up thru that spot so I backed out and stealthly headed to that position keeping the thick grownup finger between us. This finger is nearly 20 years wide most of the way. Once I got out ahead of them I quietly made my way down thru this finger and got to a perfect spot right at the pinch. The toms are 120 yards out and feeding my way but ever so slowly. Then out of nowhere I here machinery that sounded like a backhoe fire up along with what sounded like a dump truck unloading a load of slag up near the road by a bridge crossing this creek. WTH! You've got to be kidding me! Well that kinda turned the group back towards where they came from and on edge just a bit. I decided to try and throw a few yelps off my glass call and see if any of them were interested. Man, all of their heads popped up and they did NOT like that one bit. They were out of the field in less than a minute. I know they didn't see me as I was back in the finger about 8 feet all covered up with brush.
It is like these toms all know every hen is bred and all they're doing now is feeding. From here on out I plan on leaving everything at home and just taking my gun and sitting at the edge of this field. What are your guys thoughts?
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Ric, I'd still take the gear with you. You just never know when they will decide they want to play. From what you have described so far, I'd guess you are on the right track though. If you can beat them to the area you have been seeing them feeding, or beat them to their bedroom, you should be able to bushwhack one. Your time in the field has definately paid off....you know these birds far better than I have ever known one! Hang with it, and if you get one, you'll know you earned it!
My Dad stopped over tonight on his Kawasaki Concours 1100. Basically the ZX1100 engine detuned for a sport touring bike. I took a stroll on it scouting for deer/turkeys while he visited with the kids. I didn't see a single turkey or deer. Probably the most temptation to crank that bike and rev it out a guy could have and what am I thinking about? Where are all the dang turkeys? Not looking good as we come down the home stretch of the spring season.
Fuggin mosquitos are about to piss me off! Fighting them off since 6:00! I'm set up amongst poison ivy( it was dark ) and honeysuckle right where these 5 toms seem to feed during late morning. Had a Barred owl announce his presence firing up a few gobblers right after fly down then a hen yelping down behind me along the creek commencing to bring gobbles right afterwards. I imagine there all together now so it's just a waiting game till she goes to nest.
Hang in there Ric...turkeys are habitual creatures when they are in groups from what Ive seen. There's a good chance they will come right back to where they were feeding yesterday. Good luck!
I presently have 3 hens in front of me at 50 yards with one being very vocal. Another one was really checking out my hen decoy. I just put her out and left the other hen and Jake dekes in my vest. All three hens gave me excellent shot ops at less than 10 yards. I took a few pics and will share later. I hear something stirring in behind me so I better go.
Those toms can't be far away Ric...especially with those hens making racket in the field. Keep your gun close!
Schu72
Well-Known Member
This boss hen has been puffed up grooming herself for over a half hour!
Just took a pic of two deer that walked in right among em! Awesome scene!
Just took a pic of two deer that walked in right among em! Awesome scene!
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That is awesome Ric! You have been so close so many times this year. I am overly impressed with your persistence. I guess it helps if you are seeing birds. I am anxiously awaiting the thread that says "I got him!"
I just had a small buck walk right in front of me at a distance of 5 yards or less and never knew I was there! Lol
I'll post pics later! Hopefully after I bust a tom! Or yote!
I'll post pics later! Hopefully after I bust a tom! Or yote!