My Turkey Season

I had a good year, didn't fill my tag ( again ), but still a good year. I hunt mostly afternoons til the end of legal. Strictly bow and no blind.
Lots of interactions with the birds. Had the hens beating up my decoys on quite a few occasions. Really interesting to see how they use the leading edge of their wings to strike. In almost every attack they went after the eyes first.
I have been hunting since the fall of 2018 and haven't filled a turkey yet. For me the spot and stalk has been a challenge but it has been interesting to say the least.
I've been chasing the same Tom since I started. He is a true beast of a bird. I'd like to post a video he but I don't think I can.
His beard drags on the ground when his is walking upright and the fan is just amazing. I had him at 12 yrds while he was sizing up my jake decoy but he picked me off. Had him coming in on a rope at 45 yrds but it was 7:01 so I backed out.
Since this will be my first turkey ever I'm gonna hold off on every other bird.
I must be improving my skills as I had a lot of turkeys walk by without seeing me. Closest was 1 yrd. A hen walked by as I sat in tall grass under a low hanging tree branch. I really enjoy using the environment instead of a pop up blind.
Hopefully one season I will have an entry for the big turkey contest.

Sounds like you had a great season even without a shot. This is what memories are made of, Congrats

Seems like your having fun, every hunt is a learning experience. Why pass on other birds? I know you want your first to be that bird but in my eyes every bird is that bird. To each is own I guess. Hope you get that bird in the fall good luck.

Chances are real good that it's not the same bird you're chasing from year to year.

-N.

Nice story and congrats on being out there and putting in the effort. That is why they call it hunting and not killing.
Every outing enriches your experience.
Pick up any ticks sitting in the tall grass?

I can almost guarantee ( 99.9 % ) that this bird is the same bird. It is a small rafter on private land. I'm the only one who is hunting turkeys in that area and I've gotten to know the birds. I was out there 27 days this season due to a very generous work schedule.
I sure wish I could post a video here. This guy is absolutely amazing and will be a full mount if I ever get him.
I think by focusing on this one bird ( and I just realized this while typing this response ) that I am improving my novice skills at an increased rate. For example..... say I set out a blind on opening day and harvested a jake with the Bowtech Revolt. Sure I would be over the moon happy with the result but I wouldn't have the experience of trying to pattern, anticipate the movements, determine what call to use and when, practice an open field stalk and the list goes on. Don't get me wrong... If this guy and I cross paths on day one I will not hesitate to send an arrow down range. When I do get him it will all have been worth it ( in my opinion ).
As for ticks.... I haven't picked any up as of yet ( bear season isn't over though ). I am usually pretty well covered. I have dealt with more than my share of poison ivy, wild parsnip and stinging nettles so far this spring. I don't know how that stuff is getting through all the clothing I wear. Maybe its residual that I'm picking up on the exterior of the clothing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by firedeptlt

I was out there 27 days this season due to a very generous work schedule.

---

I’m not sure hunting the “same” turkey on the same farm for 27 days of the 36 day season constitutes “improving your novice skills at an increased rate”. Sounds to me about as successful as pushing a rope.

You say you had several run ins with this bird — has it not occurred to you that maybe you haven’t killed him yet because you’re putting far too much pressure on him? They remember you know…

I walk away from gobbling birds every day in the woods. Turkeys hang up, it’s just something they do — go find one who won’t!

-N.

I think that was my mistake for the last 3 weeks of the season.
I only hunted weekends, and went after the same group of toms on same location weekly. thinking they would forget.
Id have them coming in and stop and 80 yards maybe on Sat, only gobbling on sundays and never saw them.
Same story next Saturday morning...
it was still amazing and had a bunch of week old moose calfs come close and smell me, and no time to scout for another location, next year ill make sure to scout multiple locations before the season.

Can't shoot them from the couch.
I don't sit it the same spot. I don't hunt at the same time. I don't use the same decoy set up every time. The farmer isn't working the same field or cutting the bush or picking rocks every day. I know they are a smart bird and every day brings a different set of circumstances.
I had him at 12 yards but he turned into me instead of away from me as I was anticipating and he picked me off drawing back. That was the only time that he reacted to the "pressure" I was putting on them and even at that all he saw was movement of the bow. I take my time blending into the environment regardless of where I am set up.
There were days when only hens came in or that I saw. Some times only jakes. Other times the one I want was escorting a bunch of hens.
I don't want or need to find the next available bird just to fill a tag.
Who are you to tell me how I rate MY improvements ?
Could I lean up against a tree and shoot an over zealous jake just to fill a tag ? Sure. Do I want to ? Not a chance.
I was relating to the forum how MY season went.

Thats how you learn….mainly trial and error for the first few years, until u learn what things may work in any situation….we all went thru that.
I lived near Midland for 9 years after retiring, and what worked for me there to get birds doesn’t work very well in Niagara. For example, I have pretty well given up on decoys here, because ALL the toms here stick with the hens all the time! Calling used to work for me up there quite well, but most of the time here the toms just ignore it. Most of my success here is intercepting the birds shortly after morning fly-down once I figure out their feeding routes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by firedeptlt

Can't shoot them from the couch.
I don't sit it the same spot. I don't hunt at the same time. I don't use the same decoy set up every time. The farmer isn't working the same field or cutting the bush or picking rocks every day. I know they are a smart bird and every day brings a different set of circumstances.
I had him at 12 yards but he turned into me instead of away from me as I was anticipating and he picked me off drawing back. That was the only time that he reacted to the "pressure" I was putting on them and even at that all he saw was movement of the bow. I take my time blending into the environment regardless of where I am set up.
There were days when only hens came in or that I saw. Some times only jakes. Other times the one I want was escorting a bunch of hens.
I don't want or need to find the next available bird just to fill a tag.
Who are you to tell me how I rate MY improvements ?
Could I lean up against a tree and shoot an over zealous jake just to fill a tag ? Sure. Do I want to ? Not a chance.
I was relating to the forum how MY season went.

---

Hey man, whatever floats your boat -- but a quote that explains something about the "definition of insanity" comes to mind. You're right, you can't shoot them from the couch but this exact lesson (i.e. hunting the same farm/flock of birds all season) is what I try to break from novice turkey hunters. I guide on the weekends during the Spring season and take out many friends new to this. I've put countless people on their first birds who have hunted turkeys for years without success. Sure, the setups changed but pressure is pressure whether the bird's directly in front of you or not. Just your presence in the bush and calling (doesn't matter if you're changing calls) has an effect. This is where my suggestion of having more than one farm to hunt came from -- usually a post like this is someone who's looking for advice after they've gone a while without filling a tag.

Never once suggested you shoot a Jake. Meant go find a longbeard that's willing to cooperate as the second tag's always available for the stubborn birds. If this is the same bird you've been hunting the whole time (keep in mind they do all look the same), that puts him at at least 5 years old, meaning you're not going to have much more time to hunt him until he croaks.

You're right, I'm not one to measure what you determine to be improvements. I'm a results guy -- and I learned a long time ago that when it comes to turkeys, you have to be willing to adapt and at times leave those stubborn birds alone for a little while both to save your sanity and maybe get a chance at frying up some turkey breasts. They sure are tasty!

-N.

Interesting story and thanks for relating it.
However I have to agree with Sprite on this one. The only true measurement on whether a person is learning AND improving their hunting skills comes with the harvesting of game. Good hunters or at least ones willing to learn from their mistakes eventually become successful.
On another note, a mature tom is 2 years of age and being that their life span is 3-5 years I'd say you really have about 2 consecutive years to hunt the "same" bird, tops.
However keep trying, one day you will be rewarded.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smokin'stoegie

. The only true measurement on whether a person is learning AND improving their hunting skills comes with the harvesting of game.
However keep trying, one day you will be rewarded.

---

In the 5 stages of hunting
1. In the Shooting Stage, you just want to shoot things.
2. In the Limit Stage, numbers matter.
3. The Trophy Stage is about being selective.
4. In the Method Stage, how you hunt and take game become more important than how much game you take.
5. In the Sportsman Stage, you are more interested in the whole experience than in “bagging” game.
Other than the first two Newbie stages harvesting weighs very little.
From his account I think the OP has already elevated himself to stage 5 and feels justly rewarded

For me, I truly believe I suck at turkey hunting. I say that because I can’t call well and I don’t have clue about decoy setup. That being said, I somehow kill a lot of turkeys. I get my 2 every year and put many others on their first birds. The greatest part of my success is having lots of good spots. I know it’s obvious but a good spot changes every year, and also during the season. That’s why I always change the farms I hunt. I also never hunt the same spot the same. I move my blind often, even 80yds away. I change up my decoys every hunt, and I change the way I call. I only hunt mornings and only for a couple hours. Pattern the birds and let that dictate how and where you hunt the next time. Also, for me April is always the best.

The way I look at it is as such….
Do I need the meat ? No
Do I want to harvest something ? Sure do but it will be the one I want to harvest. That applies to any game I hunt ( deer, bear or turkey ).
I’m try to teach myself about all aspects of the animal I’m pursuing. What it does, where it does it, what time it does it. The list goes on. Sure it gets a little frustrating but this is the way I choose to spend my money on tags.
I don’t have a mentor or money to spend on guides.
I don’t have to harvest to consider myself a hunter. I put in the time reading signs, tracking, observing behaviour. This is the style I have chosen for myself and don’t impose my views on anyone else. If you don’t like it then TFB.
My first year out I did an open field stalk ( crawling and on my belly ) to 35 yards of a Tom. It was quartering away and I didn’t feel comfortable taking that shot with my bow. Fast forward to this year and I have hens almost walking over me as I sat in tall grass with no blind. So I think I have improved.

And thank you finsfurfeathers.

Apologies to the OP. Took the bait of a troll and started a thread derail. Moved offending post to Members feed back forum

There’s been no trolling here. Guilty of being a passionate, absolutely obsessed turkey hunter? Sure. Do I spend an obscene amount of time up close with these birds? Yup, both with a gun and a camera. I’m a purist — it’s turkeys in the hardwoods without decoys or nothing. Hell, I dislocated my knee 4th day out this year guiding a buddy after I tagged out early and spent the rest of the season chasing them on crutches with a torn MCL and meniscus.

The key thing people need to understand here is that an online forum isn’t a diary or hunt log. It’s a public venue to share whatever you like — and unlike a diary, others can see and comment on what’s been posted.

There was absolutely no harm meant to the OP, it was a simple observation. I also supplied some advice on how to perhaps fill a tag.

-N.

Replied in Suggestions and Feedback, #forum killer, carry on...