Trying anything new/different this season?

Looking to liven up the Turkey hunting discussion... too damn dead in here for being just 41 days from the season opener.

Are you trying anything new or different this season?

A new piece of gear, a different tactic, another plot of land, a new hunting partner, a better good luck charm?

- I haven't made any effort to update gear this season, but i do have 3 new ammos to try out to see if i can stretch my 30 yd max out to 40-45 yds.

-May go back to the stock Weatherby choke tube also, as my Carlson "upgrade" is garbage.

-I've been having too much fun the last 3 seasons with running and gunning. I figure it's time for me to put in a bit more effort in sitting and calling for long stretches, scouting better and trying to get set up deeper in the woods to ambush the bigger toms on their mid-day routes.

-Considering trying to use my mountain bike for faster, quieter, farther travel. We have close to 900 acres to hunt and the birds are NEVER in the spot you'd expect them to be. Could be really handy to fly along the cow paths to get from point A to point Z in a just a few minutes.

No new gear for me. I just acquired permission on some new properties therefore it is time to do some scouting on foot in the next couple of weeks.

well, got a new ( new to me anyways) APA Suphan bow.. amazing bow, just love shooting this thing.. also have new lighted nocks, the nockturnals by rage ( i am using the S nock due to my arrows).. also trying the rage hypodermic 125 grain... in terms of trying new tactics, not sure yet.. i normally hunt inside the bush, but this new property we got it's pretty big and haven't really had a chance to get it figured out yet.. only hunted it one season.. so i guess the new tactic for me is to go old school.. hunt edge's of fields and main trails in bush and base my stand sites on any traffic i see.. have to do some more scouting, but will do a majority of it after turkey season so as not to put any undue pressure on our bush before the turkey season starts.. will keep my eyes open for deer activity while turkey hunting , then do some serious foot patrol and scout the bush/property with a "fine toothed comb" and get the bigger picture and go from there

I tagged out really early last year with two Toms over 22lbs, so I can not think of anything to change right now.

I will be laying new cedar and pine branches over my existing brush blinds for a little extra fresh cover.

And intense scouting the week before opener to figure out which property will provide the best opportunity at a good Tom.

Going to use the same old slate call and single hen decoy. If I am not successful after the first week, that's when its time to start trying something different.

I'm going to try a pop-up blind this year.
I will also try an old Remington 1100 that I bought last fall. It only shoots 2 3/4" shells, so I will have to pick up some new turkey loads and test them out.
I may go back to some public land that I used to hunt on in the past, but that I haven't used in the last several years.

That's an interesting idea with the mountain bike. It might be tricky in the dark though, unless you have a headlight.

thinking of getting a new call, other then that everything will be the same. got 3 decoys one of which is a big pretty male, got my 12 ga semi using number 5 shot winchester super x turkey loads. Got permission on one good farm, but the turkey population has been declining fast. Went hunting in October and saw two turkeys get eaten by coyotes ( looks like they were running away, and got caught in the fence ). I think there is only a few left on there, hopefully I can get one this spring. Good luck to all.

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Originally Posted by rf2

That's an interesting idea with the mountain bike. It might be tricky in the dark though, unless you have a headlight.

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lol I do have headlamps, but wouldn't use them. It's usually bright enough to see the paths on the fields, the tractor trails in the bush and the old railway, no problem.

I wouldn't be tearing through the thick bush in the pitch black.

This year I took the 20 guage plunge & just mounted a new Bushnell red-dot on it. I was thinking scope but the gun shop guy said give a red-dot a try. This makes sense to me becuase all of my shot's have been less than 20 yards & a scope is kind of overkill (no pun intended).

I bought some #4 Winchester EX turkey loads to see how they pattern. I sold my old 870 12guage so I will have to make the 20 guage work.

I may also try a few trips with the Excalibur Micro X-bow using the NAP FOC heads...

Good luck to all...

I may try and get one with the relic - single shot cooey 12 gauge. I think I have a box of 2 3/4 Turkey in the cabinet.

If I get a chance at a second bird it would be nice to get one with the bow. One of the properties I hunt is still no gun Sundays so it may provide a good opportunity for just that.

a few changes here.
1. trying a wingbone call i made over the holidays for kicks.
2. going with the 12 guage instead of the crossbow
3. using a pop up blind instead of the old fashioned find-a-tree-and-squat-er-down
4. if I shoot something, that`s a big change!
5. also considering picking up one either one of those wussy jake decoys or a hen decoy. not sure which one yet.

Oh, i also have a new decoy.... but i forget what it's called and even where i stored it. lol

So, obviously, i'm not planning on depending on it.

i got a trailcam for Christmas. so I finally got it setup this past weekend, over a pile of cracked corn, to see whos in the neighborhood. looking forward to seeing the turkey inventory, so I can see all the turkeys who arent coming to my calls at the start of the season.

New for me is the fact that this year I will be hunting turkey for the very first time? savage308

I'm going to turn around. I struck out last year and I think it was cause they always came from behind my blind.

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Originally Posted by Oddmott

lol I do have headlamps, but wouldn't use them. It's usually bright enough to see the paths on the fields, the tractor trails in the bush and the old railway, no problem.

I wouldn't be tearing through the thick bush in the pitch black.

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I'd be concerned about hitting really soft ground in the dark with no headlight. If you do use the bike, please provide an update on how it worked out. I had contemplated this in the past for deer hunting, but then I bought an ATV instead :silly:. Anyways, it's a cool idea for turkey hunting - stealthy.

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Originally Posted by rf2

I'd be concerned about hitting really soft ground in the dark with no headlight. If you do use the bike, please provide an update on how it worked out. I had contemplated this in the past for deer hunting, but then I bought an ATV instead :silly:. Anyways, it's a cool idea for turkey hunting - stealthy.

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ATVs and trucks are just too noisy, imo. I still want an atv, but...

We've got a cousin that hunts the same property my bro and I do. Guy refuses to walk anywhere... drives his truck or 4wheeler almost right into his blind. In 3 seasons, he's seen one bird - not in range.

We get almost all our birds by tracking them when they're talking and working to get in front of, or beside, them. Can't do that on anything with an engine.

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Originally Posted by Savage308

New for me is the fact that this year I will be hunting turkey for the very first time? savage308

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Welcome to the jungle. You're going to be hooked. Even if you eat tag soup, as long as you've got birds on your property (and they're vocal), you'll have a great time.

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Originally Posted by Mdiddi

I'm going to turn around. I struck out last year and I think it was cause they always came from behind my blind.

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lol Ain't that always the way?

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Originally Posted by Oddmott

ATVs and trucks are just too noisy, imo. I still want an atv, but...

We've got a cousin that hunts the same property my bro and I do. Guy refuses to walk anywhere... drives his truck or 4wheeler almost right into his blind. In 3 seasons, he's seen one bird - not in range.

We get almost all our birds by tracking them when they're talking and working to get in front of, or beside, them. Can't do that on anything with an engine.

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I've never used my ATV for turkey hunting, but come to think of it, all my spots are walkable, and turkeys are not too heavy to carry back. There is one piece of public land that would require a hike of 4-5 km if I ever decided to hunt tukeys there, in which case I would use the ATV and do the last 1/2 km or so on foot. Or just use a bike right to the tree I guess. Unfortunately, I've never seen signs of turkey there during the deer hunt. If I get desperate later this year, this property will be another "New" for me this year.

I'm hunting with an apprentice who does his turkey course in a couple weeks so I imagine that it will be like my waterfowl season - no shooting for me until the he gets the first bird. I may try the bow to fill my tag though.

I picked up a new to me Mossberg Super Bantam 20 guage with a red dot on it. I have an assortment of 20 guage turkey loads and am heading out on Wednesday to pattern it. Cheers B525

I'm going to finish my hunt earlier this year. I usually hunt like to hunt all month off and on and leave the actually shooting/tagging till the last week.

But last year the Hay field grew to high and the black flies were horrendous after about mid May, I swore then I would try to tag out earlier this year :)

I will try actually getting one, change it up from last year!

I'm going out on a limb, and trying to get a turkey with my crossbow.
Any tips on a broadhead?

I will also be trying to put my tag on a bird this season. Last year there where so many birds up till 3 days before season opener and then notta till coupla days before season ended. No chance for a tagging. Will also be bringing my youngest son and hoping for him to use one of my tags. Other than that it's using the usual methods.

outback

i,m going to try my hardest to stay awake this year on opening morning. 3 straight years sleeping in that damn chair...lol

I'll be taking "the boss" (wife) out this year for an attempt at getting her first bird with her 20 gauge. As for new gear I may try a strutter type decoy this year and a different ammo...Longbeard XR #6 3". Oh ya and I'll be using a ghillie suit this spring since it worked amazing last fall on turkey and waterfowl.

Ill be going after them with my 20g this year. In the past I have been using my bow, but want to get one with the shotgun first this year (if lucky) and then one with the bow (if luckier)

New to me I will probably not hunt this spring. I have never got the chance to hunt turkeys. Last 6yrs have enjoyed hunting spring bears in BC when I lived there. This year with work and a family vacation looks like I will be sitting out on hunts until the fall.

I'm a huge fan of the peg blinds.

So easy to pack around, so fast to set up and tear down... and so far, no bird has ever busted us through them. No interest in domes or umbrellas.

Don't mind the sun or the rain, spent a fortune on good quality clothing that can handle the elements. lol

For guys with new hunting properties who can't get out to scout them prior to the season... what are your methods for playing catch-up?

Do you just dive right in and head for the center of the property and work your way out till you find signs, roosts, patterns of movement, etc?
Do you play the edges, hoping to draw birds out?
Do you just wait till you can locate them by calls and then move to follow/intercept them?

New deekes, and bringing the compound for tag #2 if opportunity presents itself.

I'm going back to basics. Last year was my rookie year where i had great success with locating and calling in toms. Opening day i hesitated and missed a golden opportunity. Closing day i took a very careful 12 yrd shot and missed.

This year i plan on leaving the extended choke tube and 3" shells at home. Going with an old full choke single shot and 2 3/4 #5.

I fell into the marketing of 50 yrd shots etc. And found i have no trouble getting em in less than 25 yrds.

I patterned my load after missing last year at the 12 yrd mark and had a pattern no bigger than 4-5 " .
And of course lots of work at the range to come. :)

Just purchased some new land we are planning to build on. Saw a lot of turkeys and deer on the land when we checked it out for purchase. Deal closes next week and can't wait to get out and scout it in depth! Also had a new hunter with me last year, who was successful, which has led to the opportunity for a new hunter to come out again this year with me. Very much looking forward to hopefully putting him on his first bird.

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Originally Posted by Gern1980

You missed a target with a 4 inch wide projectile at12 yards and blaming marketing and the gun? Lol. I think you'll find the first time things dont go as planned and that birds hangs up at 40 yds you'll rethink that. (It will happen).Worse is if you decide to pull the trigger and knowing you hit him you watch him run or fly away. Keep a proper turkey set up and hit that range to practice shooting. A guy with a single shot set up like you're talking about wouldn't hit the woods with me. Even the scenario where he's close if there are other birds you now have to worry about bigger separation so flyers dont hit the other ones. A tight controlled pattern gives you more than just range.

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You can have your opinion. A 4" pattern is only 2" on each side of center and need only be off a degree from center to be a miss. With my setup i have only single bead which allows for even more guessing. Ill be putting on a better sight system this year. And yes lots of range time as already said. :)

Grumpy my goodness!

^i think this year, i'm not going to talk any failure on this board so i don't get attacked! yeesh.

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Originally Posted by Gern1980

Lol. Nothng wrong with a good ole miss punker. Sometimes those are the best tales. Problem is when guys learn from the internet instead of their Dad and grandpa like the old days. Their "mentor" is a computer screen and sometimes there is nothing wrong with calling some of that out. Tell it like it is and dont be sensitive. Straight words on a screen. Assess the words instead of trying to infer the emotion of the poster. Guess I could throw more of those emoticons in there (okay where's the one with the rolling eyes)

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What does this and your other replies have to do with the title of this thread? Just sharing your profound wisdom?

Sorry, this off track to the OP.
Wouldn't this board classify as learning online?

Anyway, water under the bridge.

I am first Gen. Don't have family or friends into the sport. I have done a lot of leg work getting in.

The one thing i wont change up this season is the leg work. Payed off big last year with scouting and patterning the birds behavior. I believe that's why i had good luck in getting em close. I didnt rely on the just them just being present on the property and calling. I got to where they liked to be already, before they did and just called to encourage sparingly.

I do appreciate the fact that people will blurt out anything that's on their mind on here, cuz in person they just scoff behind your back. At least hearing it is helpful. whether i listen or not is another story :)

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Originally Posted by pmannat

Sorry, this off track to the OP.
Wouldn't this board classify as learning online?

Anyway, water under the bridge.

I am first Gen. Don't have family or friends into the sport. I have done a lot of leg work getting in.

The one thing i wont change up this season is the leg work. Payed off big last year with scouting and patterning the birds behavior. I believe that's why i had good luck in getting em close. I didnt rely on the just them just being present on the property and calling. I got to where they liked to be already, before they did and just called to encourage sparingly.

I do appreciate the fact that people will blurt out anything that's on their mind on here, cuz in person they just scoff behind your back. At least hearing it is helpful. whether i listen or not is another story :)

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Sometimes things don't go as planned and none of us would learn anything if we didn't make mistakes along the way. It's easier to miss at 12 yards than it is at 25 with a shotgun. As a newer hunter and learning it on your own, you should consider last year a success for just having had a couple of close calls and opportunities. There is no shortage of success stories on here but the more humble and honest ones like yours are fewer and farther between and usually make for the best reading.

Try out your old single shot and see how it hits compared to your other gun. Take the one that ends up patterning the best.

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Originally Posted by pmannat

Sorry, this off track to the OP.
Wouldn't this board classify as learning online?

Anyway, water under the bridge.

I am first Gen. Don't have family or friends into the sport. I have done a lot of leg work getting in.

The one thing i wont change up this season is the leg work. Payed off big last year with scouting and patterning the birds behavior. I believe that's why i had good luck in getting em close. I didnt rely on the just them just being present on the property and calling. I got to where they liked to be already, before they did and just called to encourage sparingly.

I do appreciate the fact that people will blurt out anything that's on their mind on here, cuz in person they just scoff behind your back. At least hearing it is helpful. whether i listen or not is another story :)

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Pretty good outlook. Never let the negs get you down. If anyone ever claims they're without fault or mistakes when hunting... they've never made it off their front porch.

The hi-viz and double bead shotgun sights were born specifically because misses at closer ranges were "a thing". I don't think most people bother to pattern their shotgun at less than 20 yards... until they miss that bird at 10 yards. lol

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Originally Posted by Oddmott

I don't think most people bother to pattern their shotgun at less than 20 yards... until they miss that bird at 10 yards. lol

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I patterned for #5 shot (2 3/4) into a piece of plywood at 3 yds.....pretty small pattern..easy to miss the head/neck...in close, no shame in that.


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps336905ae.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pmannat

Sorry, this off track to the OP.
Wouldn't this board classify as learning online?

Anyway, water under the bridge.

I am first Gen. Don't have family or friends into the sport. I have done a lot of leg work getting in.

The one thing i wont change up this season is the leg work. Payed off big last year with scouting and patterning the birds behavior. I believe that's why i had good luck in getting em close. I didnt rely on the just them just being present on the property and calling. I got to where they liked to be already, before they did and just called to encourage sparingly.

I do appreciate the fact that people will blurt out anything that's on their mind on here, cuz in person they just scoff behind your back. At least hearing it is helpful. whether i listen or not is another story :)

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This is another one that requires a "Like" button.

I make sure to shoot at close range, shot my jake last year at 8 yards and watched my shot almost miss him, we all know how things slow down when you pull the trigger.

At 10 yards a 4" pattern is tiny, they can move their head that much between your brain telling you to pull the trigger and the shot getting to the spot the head was supposed to be, no fault on your part, just reality, even if you have a red dot and have it sighted in centered on your pattern.

If you want to use the old full choke just know your range and stick to it. Put yourself in a situation where you know based on the terrain where your range is, turkeys are big and look closer than they are. Last year we placed ourselves so that any bird between us and the fence was in range, (40 yards for my 12ga) we had lots of birds that close I shot 2 and we had to let 5 pass as they were too close together to safety shoot only 1 bird.

Remember, the birds can see you very well, stay in the shadows. In the morning put your back to the east against your backdrop, this will hold you in the shadows longer. Nothing like glowing as the sun comes up, no matter how much we try, we light up like a flashlight at the worst possible time.

This year I want to get my fiancee a bird, she will be the first shot and she is taking the first 2 days off with me.
I already have gobbler stalker calls and 4 decoys but this year I will arm myself with either a bow or one of 2 of my grandpas shotguns. One of which is a 16ga single shot with a cylinder bore, yes I know it will have to be close, but when I go with the fiancee I will bring it just because, if we happen to get 2 to come in close I will take a shot. The other shotgun is a 1928 Winchester 1897 in 12ga, it has a full choke and it will be fun to pattern it once I get it back from the gunsmith.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

I patterned for #5 shot (2 3/4) into a piece of plywood at 3 yds.....pretty small pattern..easy to miss the head/neck...in close, no shame in that.


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps336905ae.jpg

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Pretty good visual.

Firing shotguns (at fast moving, aerial targets) is such an instinctive thing... you do enough of it and it just comes natural, you don't even feel yourself aiming.

But when you slow things down, and you're focusing down that barrel at the head and neck of a turkey... the whole dynamic changes and I can see how it would be easy to over-think the situation and miss at close range.

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Originally Posted by Oddmott

Pretty good outlook. Never let the negs get you down. If anyone ever claims they're without fault or mistakes when hunting... they've never made it off their front porch.

The hi-viz and double bead shotgun sights were born specifically because misses at closer ranges were "a thing". I don't think most people bother to pattern their shotgun at less than 20 yards... until they miss that bird at 10 yards. lol

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Funny you should say that, cuz ive also been pondering the truglo gobble dot, which is just that.

Universal, easy removal for the other seasons. One bead on the end and two at the rear.

You right i never dreamed my first year I'd get one up close. Never practiced closer than 20 yrds. Lol

The 12 yrd shot i was able to sit a secluded field edge in tall grass where i had patterned there routine. And wouldn't you know like clockwork the came out beside me 30 yrds to my left on their trail and walked past me towards my decoy.

Whether it matters or not, I've always second guessed aim with the single bead elevation wise.

My best guess is wasn't aiming middle neck with the excitement. And with the kick it was enough to go over. Will never know lol.
There were a few harsh words that hit em though! :)

I haven't needed it, but a surprising miss is the reason i have the semi, for a quick follow up. They do tend to stand around a couple seconds after a shotgun booms, before slinking off to the nearest bush.

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Originally Posted by pmannat

Funny you should say that, cuz ive also been pondering the truglo gobble dot, which is just that.

Universal, easy removal for the other seasons. One bead on the end and two at the rear.

You right i never dreamed my first year I'd get one up close. Never practiced closer than 20 yrds. Lol

The 12 yrd shot i was able to sit a secluded field edge in tall grass where i had patterned there routine. And wouldn't you know like clockwork the came out beside me 30 yrds to my left on their trail and walked past me towards my decoy.

Whether it matters or not, I've always second guessed aim with the single bead elevation wise.

My best guess is wasn't aiming middle neck with the excitement. And with the kick it was enough to go over. Will never know lol.
There were a few harsh words that hit em though! :)

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Shoot with your cheek in the same spot on the stock every time and pattern the gun. Single beads use your eye as the rear "sight", even though technically you never really aim a shotgun for wing shooting that is what you are doing.

If your cheek weld is always the same and you practice then you will know where your pattern will hit down range.
I do like clamp on sights though, I used williams sights on the vent rib as they double for smooth bore slug sights.

Consistency is the key to accuracy, you can be consistent with just a bead if you work at it.

As for aim, I would aim for the middle as you said, the top of the head moves a lot faster than the middle or the bottom of the neck.

Adding a third decoy, a breeder hen laying in the grass. http://media.midwayusa.com/productim...449/449935.jpg

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Originally Posted by pmannat

Funny you should say that, cuz ive also been pondering the truglo gobble dot, which is just that.

Universal, easy removal for the other seasons. One bead on the end and two at the rear.

You right i never dreamed my first year I'd get one up close. Never practiced closer than 20 yrds. Lol

The 12 yrd shot i was able to sit a secluded field edge in tall grass where i had patterned there routine. And wouldn't you know like clockwork the came out beside me 30 yrds to my left on their trail and walked past me towards my decoy.

Whether it matters or not, I've always second guessed aim with the single bead elevation wise.

My best guess is wasn't aiming middle neck with the excitement. And with the kick it was enough to go over. Will never know lol.
There were a few harsh words that hit em though! :)

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I've got tru-glo sights on my 12 gauge and they're fantastic. Work well in low light too. Put the beads together just under the head.

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Originally Posted by mbhunter

I've got tru-glo sights on my 12 gauge and they're fantastic. Work well in low light too. Put the beads together just under the head.

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A low power shotgun scope eliminates all the guesswork. I was pointed in the scope direction 25 odd years ago while turkey hunting in New York. I've been using one since.

I have used a cheap red dot for years on my turkey gun ,and it has worked very well ,very fast on target and you can center your pattern ,I was always wondering what would happen if my battery died well hunting so I always got a new one just before the season opened but you can always get a bad one and this always bothered me ,so after many days searching for a scope with a red dot as well as crosshair I found the luppy VXR ,went to the dealer to price them and wow 700$ and change .way to much heck it is more then my gun ,lol ,so I started to watch all the web sights for scopes for sale and one day there it was a brand new vxr 3to9 by 40 still sealed in the box brand new I was looking for the 2 to 7 vxr but a 3to9 is better yet ,I put her on my turkey gun and it will also be a slug gun with the rifled barrel .It still cost more then the gun but I can get two seasons out of it each year so why not ,I will post my tests this spring when I get it out to the range ,Dutch

I just picked up a HS Strutt small folding turkey seat. The fellow I work with has used one for years and really likes them. They have one set of legs a little shorter than the other so your more comfortable against the base of the tree. This will probably be the first year I don't buy a new call, so thats a change :D. TC

I planned on partisapating in the first Turkey hunt in N.B. But the Liberal won the election and cancelled the hunt. What a bummer,

Yeah.....trying to get the third part of the grandslam.....going after a California Rio....

Slept in last year and shot both toms around 1030 right after setting up. Going early opening morning then sleeping in the rest of the season.

Gonna enjoy my first Turkey season. On a plus side my friend just gave me permission to hunt on her 75 acre property that has lots of the tasty birds.

I'm going to try to get a turkey this year.

I'd like to focus on bagging my first Tom, but really, if it looks "big enough" i take the first 3"+ bearded bird that's in my sights.

I only get about 6 or 7 days to hunt over the whole season, so passing on a jake early on is a risky proposition.

My first year, the birds were extremely vocal and traveling across fields openly all day long. Would have been the perfect time to hold off and try to track down the Toms. But i didn't know what i didn't know.

The last few seasons, the birds have been quite quiet, sticking to the woods for their mid-day movements and we haven't seen any sign of a single Tom. Maybe i'll book off a few extra days...

I'm going to try carrying a roll of toilet paper this year. Tired of using my socks. The pair I used last spring were a $35 pair of thermal Lorpens.

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Originally Posted by Fenelon

I'm going to try carrying a roll of toilet paper this year. Tired of using my socks. The pair I used last spring were a $35 pair of thermal Lorpens.

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At $35 a pair... i'd live with cling-ons and toss the $2 pair of GT boutique boxers when i got home.

Guys a little tip for you, you can always turn your t-shirt or undershirt into a muscle shirt and know one will be the wiser, don't ask me how I know this.........lol. Best to just remember a roll of tp though.......

Bringing a new hunter out to get his first bird....hopefully

Oddmott - it's not that simple, as I've already used my gitch by the time I decide to ruin the socks. I do like the t-shirt idea. Kinda feel silly now when I think of how many times I've taken a Buck knife and cut the outer tarten fabric off the sleeves on an insulated Dickies trucker shirt. You walk out of the bush in a daze, with two white arms covered in polyester insulation. For round two, you just cut off the rest of the sleeves, and you end up with a really fashionable game vest. The only drawback to this is that all the really hot women in town try to "get at you" when they see you wearing a rig like this at the gas station.

The wife and I did our turkey courses last month. She just got her outdoor card and turkey licenses/seals this week. This will be our first time going after turkey (and her first time hunting). Her friend has a farm that we can hunt on. He says there is a lot of turkeys there. She is using a Rem 870 express magnum 12 gauge with a 28" bbl. My 870 is the same but with a 18.5" bbl - good for pushing the bush for deer.... I got some 3" Hornady heavy magnum #6 and #4 shot. They are designed to be used without a choke. We will see how the patterning does.... She has 3" Remington nitro turkey#4 and #5 shot. The only thing left is to get her some hunting clothes, and some trigger time on the range. I have a army ground sheet, a cammo net, and a cammo burlap blind to make a blind with. We will be patterning our shotguns in the next few weeks. I am on the fence about getting decoys, We have several box and disc calls. I think we will try with out decoys and see how it goes. If she likes it then we can get some decoys for the fall hunt. I have a lot of experience hunting deer and black bear but Turkey hunting is an entire new type of hunting to me. we are looking forward to it!

Going to try a new box call, kind of forced into it, the wife threw my box call in the garbage last summer. Left it on the dryer, just where I knew where to find it! She thought it was broken as I had left it out.

1 week count down is on!

And i've decided i'll try something new... errr... again.

I will try to record a hunt. Difficulty in the past has been trying to do too much and carry too much.

Mornings tend to be lots of running and gunning and the cameras always pizzed me off in the past and i wouldn't bother bringing them out the rest of the day. This time, i'll leave them in the vehicle during the morning and only bring them out later in the day when i'm prepared to last through a long sit.

After 14 years of turkey hunting I bought a gobbler decoy - saw it at BPS store last week & thought it looked neat!!
Comes with an artificial fan, but you can replace that with a real fan.
Also, trying to get my 13 yr old grandson his first bird opening day and I'll try anything that will increase his chances.

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Originally Posted by Oddmott

1 week count down is on!

And i've decided i'll try something new... errr... again.

I will try to record a hunt. Difficulty in the past has been trying to do too much and carry too much.

Mornings tend to be lots of running and gunning and the cameras always pizzed me off in the past and i wouldn't bother bringing them out the rest of the day. This time, i'll leave them in the vehicle during the morning and only bring them out later in the day when i'm prepared to last through a long sit.

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I'm going to try a similar thing this year but I'm going to bring my trail cam and set it on video. It's Simmons and very small and light. TC

4 of my good friends as well as my brother and brother-in-law all wrote their test this spring so I will be getting lots of opportunities to hunt with new turkey hunters and hopefully pass on what knowledge I have haha. Hopefully I am able to put at least some of them on a bird so they can hooked like me. Also have some new property to hunt quite close to home which will be nice. Good luck to everyone out Monday!

A few last minute additions to the lineup came in yesterday from Gobblestalker,

New Glass call on Vitali, diamond wood striker, and a standard issued one, as well as a new Rattler mouth call.

Friend of mine and fello GHB staffer staffs for Kevin and was kind enough to toss in a surprise hat, score!

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/...pseukuqbnb.jpg