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Stressless's 2023-2024 season journal

Stressless

Active Member
2,414
85
Keene, OH
Spring Turkey Season.

The anticipation was running high until the early spring green-up, here on Coshocton Co. between some neighbors we think its a full two week early this year.

Sat/Sun prior to youth season is the last I had on camera of daily visits to the plots by a number of Tom's. This is day three of the hunt for me and not a single gobble heard by me my neighbor Cliff whom harpooned a mature Tom yesterday- that came in silent. For whatever reason they have silent and deep.

My niece Oliva wants to get into hunting, primarily with a bow and we all talked the other night, Cliff's a master archer and is going to help her get setup- so bringing a new hunter, bow hunter to the fold 😀.

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Monday I tried a new blind and although no birds were harmed the configuration worked good enough for a shot if a Tom came along, an old wet hen absolutely berserked on my alert hen decoy.

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No Toms or jakes heard or seen by Cliff or I. Interesting, no shots heard on opening day by us either, that was a first.

Oliva came down Sat and got her setup on Greenbrier, gave her my 35 y/o 11-87 test fired it a couple times and she was checked out. No turkeys seen or heard by her so I was disappointed for her first hunt but as I making chow, Cliff and her cleaned his Tom.

Setup in Pine plot, been a good travel route for Toms out looking for love. We'll see.
 
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Fletch

Senior Member
Supporting Member
6,185
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Good luck to you and your niece.... Plenty of time... As it gets warmer I'm sure gobbling will pick up....
 
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Stressless

Active Member
2,414
85
Keene, OH
Got.an older Tom this AM, to keep continuity of this year I'm reposting here from the Turkey 2023 thread.

Heard the first gobble of the season this AM, two long beards rolled in after two series of yelps and they responded, put the call down after that.

One lined up perfectly, popped his head off with a bullhead. Should have a video after bit.

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LoL - well the browning game cam luck is holding!

Disclaimer: A turkey dies in this graphic video, it exhibits the classic body spasms if the brain is detached or destroyed before organ failure. No animals suffered.
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Had some nice hooks on him, 1 1/4"
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I figured out couple years ago the Toms like to come up behind quartering into the Jake they stretch their neck to peck and well, whammy.

This guy comes up kinda quick and silent, then chest bumps my decoy to be facing 90° from where I set it which put ol'Tommy directly facing me... I was at full draw, thought he might drop his tail... held... nope, so not taking a chance after last year- whammy.
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Wiley E Coyote

Active Member
Got.an older Tom this AM, to keep continuity of this year I'm reposting here from the Turkey 2023 thread.

Heard the first gobble of the season this AM, two long beards rolled in after two series of yelps and they responded, put the call down after that.

One lined up perfectly, popped his head off with a bullhead. Should have a video after bit.

View attachment 177463

LoL - well the browning game cam luck is holding!

Disclaimer: A turkey dies in this graphic video, it exhibits the classic body spasms if the brain is detached or destroyed before organ failure. No animals suffered.

Had some nice hooks on him.
View attachment 177478
Great job and video
 

Stressless

Active Member
2,414
85
Keene, OH
There's a hill on the farm that we've taken dirt from makes a great backstop for pistol or rifle but kinda short at 100-110yds for rifle.

Hadn't shot in too long, months, and broke my .45 1991 out that I carried in most of my deployments. 30 rounds at 30' working for 2.5 second splits, this was probably`3 second splits on average. SJHP, my chest shadow for group reference. I'll roll a couple more sessions with drawing and moving and that'll spread the group for sure.

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Stressless

Active Member
2,414
85
Keene, OH
LoL this is an interesting observation on the deer here, I drive in for the first time since I left after turkey season in late April. Pulling into the farm I stop, walk around Frontpad plot totake a quick strech and look around get done head to the cabin, minutes later a doe is saying "WTF, a hairless ape walking around my salad bar... I'll fix that nasty ass ape smell..."
😂
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Wildlife

Denny
Supporting Member
5,396
191
Ross County
Such a beautiful place! Highly impressed with everything you've done and really appreciate reading up on your threads. Heck of a job!
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Attached is a pic taken @theotherfarm[Fairfield Co.] on August 28, 2023 when tending to that location last. They were just starting to hit the ground then.
 

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Stressless

Active Member
2,414
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Keene, OH
Got the target rest mini task done with some wood I had laying around and under the shed, target holder is the back of campagin signs from the Mrs three election campaigns :p she's done after this term!

Decided to try with draw and 2body+1head w the 1991 .45. 4x15 yd and 24x9 yd. 2 second 3 round sets goal 90% were in the that window with ~.5 body -.75 head splits. Started with me impacting a bit left and got that resolved in the third of forth set.
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Along those lines, I like the double your practice distance for bow. The first two 50yd shots today. I've been tardy to archey practice in the summer, so damn hot 🔥. So stretched after to a couple dozen shots at 20 and 30.

On the 8 target walking range at home I have 2 that allow +50yd shots.

...that shot has eaten a few shafts .... 🙄
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Limiting myself to 25yd... 30yd if shot conditions are perfect in 2023. Anyway, loosed 2 at 50yds and walked up.
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Got some work to do but happy with where I'm at... it'll prolly go all to shit when I put the broadheads on in a week or so.
 
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Stressless

Active Member
2,414
85
Keene, OH
Really happy for my friend and neighbor Cliff. An extraordinarily good hunter who teaches me things in every conversation. He got a nice core buck in a couple pics Aug and Sep. The buck "Travolta" left for a couple weeks in early Oct.
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Travolta came back a week or so ago. Cliff played the wind. Hunted smart and bushwacked another stud this evening. Cliffs 71.
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Better perspective.
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Stressless

Active Member
2,414
85
Keene, OH
LoL well successful first sit for '23 deer season and none of the mess 🤣

Thought I slipped in behind the rain, nope. Some gental rain, always some spider piss. In drying off for the afternoon in Pine.
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Let the twins go.
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Drew back to test it when she stopped and got involved with the licking branch for about 30 secs. 23yds. Let down and she never knew I was there on Spoil.
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