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Just a couple weeks till the Fall 2015 Turkey Hunt opens...how many guys are planing on Hunting it this Fall?
Probably the least hunted season we have the privilege to participate in...only 262 registered kills.
I never miss it, always a good challenge and great time of the year to be sitting in a tree line.
My wife and I will be going out for our first fall hunt next month.
I never miss getting a tag .you know that the one time I do not get a tag thy will come marching right under the tree stand I am sitting in waiting on deer ,I have been able to fill a fall turkey tag every year I have got one ,thankfully we have a good number of birds in are area ..Dutch
Not sure how much early deer hunting there will be and any type of hunting at the moment involves double the tags. If the wive wants to try for a turkey I guess I can sit with her, not like we will be calling anyway.
I really have no need to hunt turkey this fall, lots of ducks, grouse, geese and deer, I think this is why the numbers are so low, $30 for a tag for less than 2 weeks on a bird that will probably be 10lbs.
I love the fall turkey hunt, have not missed a year since it opened. I been lucky To bag my fall bird every year, great time of the year to be in the woods and another excuse to be in the fall woods. And as for as the price of a tag being high for what you get, how gun you but the expense on the enjoyment and the experience. Love hearing the birds calling back and forth thru the woods in the morning.
We do not have a fall turkey hunt in our area.
Wish we did.
Not even any noise this spring, toms around but no gobbling at all this spring, it did not really feel like turkey hunting.Quote:
Originally Posted by fishhawk
The ducks are starting to get loud though and seeing doves screaming over the house at last night :)
I was out on the weekend setting up some tree stands for the archery deer hunt and doing a bit of small game hunting at the same time. I saw a flock of turkeys on the property, and there were a whole bunch of turkey chicks in the flock. I was amazed at how tiny these birds were - it must have been a late hatch. I can't imagine how these birds are going to make it through the winter. Anyways, seeing this flock made me think about maybe picking up a tag for the fall hunt. I have only done this once before because the season is so short and it coincides with the archery deer hunt. I feel my time is better spent hunting for deer. That being said, I may give it a try this year. The deer population where I hunt has been down for the last couple of years, and this year doesn't look any better. It would be good to at least get a turkey for the freezer this fall.
Tried the fall hunt last year for the first time. Found it unlike the spring and quite honestly not that interesting. With upland and waterfowl providing more entertainment will opt out of the fall hunt this year. Save my time for the spring when I find it more enjoyable.
I always get my tag and have bagged a few with the bow while deer hunting, it is not like the spring season as it is more flock busting and waiting or just a lucky pass by while on a deer sit:)
Short season for an incidental shot while bow hunting. However my newest employer thinks they are a complete nuisance in his garden. Thinking it might be fun after moose season and before rifle season for deer. I'm not going to waste a "turkey " load on them, however could be real fun to chat with some hens and test out my bow. .
Don't always get a fall bird, but I do believe if we don't support the hunt, we may lose it. Common complaint I hear from WMUs that don't have it has to do with lack of data. The only way they'll be able to get data is by us getting into the woods to report. If I'm in a successfully hunted WMU beside one where there is no season, perhaps that data I help provide will get that WMU a season??
That's my logic anyway and if it comes down to dollars and cents, we should all give up hunting as it is definitely cheaper at the grocers to get out freezers filled.
Any excuse to get into the woods and away from my desk at work is a good one.
God I love the Fall season.......
TurkeyJohn
I'll be out for sure.
I've got a few properties I'm going to get out on.
I am blessed that they are all within 10-20 minutes of my office and my house.
While on the bow for deer yes I will try on a spot that has season but most of my time on the bow is north where there isn't a season.
Yes they are a big nuisance to farmers especially. The farm I hunt HATES them. They decimate his crops. His farm and the one adjacent to it have well over 100 birds that live there year round. He has given me written permission to cull them because of the damage they do. The mnr says im allowed to take as many as needed to get them under control. Problem is the buggars disappear to the back side of a swamp where you cant get to them.However when they do show up its like a huge black blanket moving across the field.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart22
I would think you would need more then just the MNR saying to go ahead and take as many as you need to ,,,,you would need a permit to cull turkeys outside of the season ,,,DutchQuote:
Originally Posted by bcxextreme
I pass on this one in favour of more time for fowl. Good luck to everyone heading out.
Nope that applies for big game but not turkey,s. Ive spoken with the mnr twice to be sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchhunter
I always put the bow away during the fall Turkey hunt and get out there as much as I can....try to get my bird and help others if possible.
when I'm not at work I will be turkey hunting....its that simple...
Look into the permit, if you are right and the farmer has an actual permit for this at any time and has you listed as an agent then why try to hunt them? You can use any means allowed on the permit, some places they do not restrict you, some state just the farmers field, not his bush and one permit I know of specifically says shotgun only. If there is no restriction on firearm and they are that bad a 22 centerfire should do quite well. Look at what the rules are on the permit too for keeping them, some let you, some don't.Quote:
Originally Posted by bcxextreme
I'm going to give it a shot this year. Atleast for a couple of days.
There is no permit required for turkeys.They said just to get something from the farmer in writing in case I,m stopped with turkeys OOS.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox
As I understand it the actual law it says they either have to be or the farmer feels they are about to do damage.I also inquired about the firearm restrictions and they told me I can use whatever will get the job done. I was surprised when the farmer told me about the amount of damage they do. They get into the cornfield and fly up to the top of the stock and use their weight to knock it down.Then they strip the cob and repeat until they have had enough. By that time it looks like someone drove their car into the corn. In the winter they come up next to his barn where he keeps his feed pile for cattle. They stay at it most of the day eating.If he chases them off they are back a half hr later.When there is that many adult birds they can eat a ton of food.
I can read the headline now, innocent hunter shot by other hunter using a centre fire rifle while hunting turkeys on the edge of field he had permission to be on, stick to shotguns and bows guys, I'm pretty sure regardless of the situation you can't go Rambo on turkeys with rifles.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox
Your comment makes absolutely no sense.Quote:
Originally Posted by Huntnfish
You can hunt coyotes with a centerfire, you can also hunt them all year long. If a fall turkey hunters or an archery hunter is going out there you can still use a centerfire rifle for hunting coyotes, target shooting, hunting groundhogs.
You have to know the target and what is beyond it whenever you shoot, you have to take responsibility for your bullet after it has left your barrel.
If it is destruction of property you can use whatever you want.
bcx - I know of a guy up this way that was given specific instructions and paperwork on how they could be shot, this could be something that is different from zone to zone though too
Yes I understand what your saying but let's be honest most guys hunt coyotes in the winter while guys are most likely not sitting in field edges hunting turkeys, you fire a centre fire bullet hunting turkeys and who says a guy is not behind the bird in a bush he has permission to be and catches it in the head, you go tell his wife and kids that you were trying to protect a farmers corn crop from the nasty birds. It's make perfect sense that there are more hunters out at certain times of the year therefore caliber restrictions are placed in these areas.
Again, you have got to be kidding me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Huntnfish
You go out deer hunting, you are the only one with permission, some hiker comes through the bush and you shoot and kill them, is it their fault for being in the bush?
Honestly, safe use of a firearm.
If you are hunting coyotes in the winter and you shoot at one along a field edge, there is someone sitting in the bush after putting in their maple syrup line, you shoot them in the head, you go tell his wife and kids that you were trying to protect a farmers cattle from the nasty animals.
What you are saying is that there should not be any use of a non-restricted firearm outside of the seasons at which you choose to hunt.
Here is another one, you are hunting for bears, you have a 7mm Rem Mag. You spot a bear along a field edge, take careful aim and take a shot. Another hunter is hunting turkeys in the fall and since you did not know if the backstop was safe the guy takes it in the head. You go tell his wife and kids that you were trying to hunt a legal species at a legal time with a legal firearm.
Yes, we have a bear hunt and a fall turkey hunt up here.
Sorry, but safe firearms shooting and handling is key here.
I am unsure if I am going to fall turkey hunt this year. I've only been out fall turkey hunting twice (both times were last year) and did not see any birds where I was unfortunately. I have recently moved to the Peterborough area and may not have time to find a spot in time for the season.
I'm with fox here. I don't know what others practice but bush or tree line is not a backstop. In most cases into the dirt.
Ok you got me shoot away guys, I'll look forward to the story about the stupid hunter who thought that farm animals and crops are above human life, I will be logging off this site now as I would never want to be associated with people who think like you "hunters?Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox
Even though I was told I could use any firearm, It will be bow or shotgun only. There are others that hunt there from time to time and even the odd neighbor that passes through on horse or 4 wheeler. I want to help the farmer with his problem of course but I certainly to not want any accidents in the process.Quote:
Originally Posted by Huntnfish
Thank you since someone with such a poor opinion of hunters as inherently unsafe does not reflect well on us.Quote:
Originally Posted by Huntnfish
Good luck with the hunt. Just curious, are you allowed to keep them? I know in my area hunters are allowed to kill OOS nuisance geese but are not allowed to keep them. It's a waste, I know, but them's the rules. TCQuote:
Originally Posted by bcxextreme
Didnt see ANYTHING yesterday. No tracks no poop no feathers..... I think im wasting my time with this fall hunt.
If you got a good looking shorthair like that you should be chasing woodcock and grouse or at least a bit of waterfowling. Save Turkey for the spring when they are the only game in town and at least far more entertaining.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheekie Bandito
one hunt....no sighting and you figure you're waisting your time...HahaQuote:
Originally Posted by Cheekie Bandito
Get some windshield time in and find the flocks. Bust them up and call them back in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheekie Bandito
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
Ya I do. I hunt this spot every spring and have for many years. There is always SOMETHING.... Tracks, poop, feathers etc. There was NOTHING yesterday. My guess is they've moved off to farm fields with some sort of crop. Last couple years the farmers around haven't grow squat other than hay.
That and the local asshats riding their ATV's through this land every few days.... Even though they know they are not allowed to. But heaven forbid someone step foot on THEIR land.
Haha.
I was planning too but the plan fell through. Will be doing this the weekend of the 23rd and also setting up for deer season while there.Quote:
Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers
I did however put a grouse up ..... Only thing I saw.
Whew....good thing you cleared that up...yea, wasting time sitting at a poor location is one thing....but there is no such thing as waiting time when you're out hunting :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheekie Bandito
I used to think I was wasting my time as well. 2 years of fall turkey hunting and no meat on the table. I saw birds but could not get them in close enough.....until yesterday morning.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheekie Bandito
Get to my spot a little late, 7am, set up my 2 decoys and go back to my chair to set up. I hear birds in the bush. Oh good sign. I turn around for a second and look at my decoys and there are 4 birds standing there. WTH!!! where did they come from. I did not even have a bullet in the gun. Did not even have it out of the case. Try to move quick but slow at the same time trying to sit down.
As I plant my butt in the chair, still no bullets in the gun, one of these birds starts to come right at me. I mean she was 10 feet away from me now. Talk about pressure. Hunting is supposed to be relaxing..lol. As I'm just trying to get 1 bullet in the gun....yep you guessed it, they all buggered off. I think these buggers all went to summer school to learn when a gun is loaded or not. Rest of the day had lots of turkeys in and around but could not them in close enough. I'll be back!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Margarine Alley
I'd be happy to have just SEEN some poop let alone a bird. Atleast I would know they are still at this spot. I have to drive an hour each way to this place so its not something I can do everyday or even every couple of days....
I decided not to buy a fall turkey license this year as I didn't think I could find a good spot. A friend took me out hunting for geese (my 1st time) on a farm that just cut down a part of its corn a week ago. Out for 3 hours and didn't get any geese to land but saw a bunch of turkeys in the distance on the property. Wishing right now I had bought that license.....may have to convince the neighbour to do a fall turkey hunt!
Well, reporting in on my fall hunt for turkeys.
Did spook a bunch of guinea hens the farmer keeps around the farm while I was walking in. Thought I had bumped some birds but when they flew into the trees I could positively ID them as their guinea hens. Clumsy and loud, all I'll say about them..
Got into the turkey woods an hour before dawn. Very windy, couldn't hear much of anything but at least no rain either. Dawn did eventually break but the wind was still up and around, again, nary a sound to be heard above the wind. Couldn't even hear the geese or roosters at the farm that I hunt at.
So...I waited...and waited...nothing... nothing....
After a couple of hours of nothing, decided I should go for a walk and call as I go, see if I could drum something up.
Had moved quite a ways, and bumped a bird, Duh, no idea it was there and it flew I know not where. So I kept going.
Was just about to pack up for the morning but decided to walk along a fence line in the woods, standing corn on the other side, so I wasn't sure if I'd see anything at. Well, I hadn't gone too far and stopped to call when I spy movement ahead of me on the trail where the bush closes in. Turns out there were 3 or 4 young turkeys coming out of the corn and headed into the bush. They had all made it into the densest brush so no shot there, but there was a straggler on the trail so I spied it up. Turns out a young fall hen was left behind and I had a clear shot. Since there are tons of birds in the area I have no qualms taking a legal bird and a young bird like that should make a fabulous supper tonight.
3 hours from field to the roasting pan...the most organic, free range bird we'll ever have.. Love it. Attachment 31095
Good luck to everyone else out there chasing fall birds where you have a fall season.
TurkeyJohn
She's legal ..... Congrats TJ
Glen
Congrats Turkey John....nice to be out in the bush this time of the year, regardless if you connect. Meat for the pot is bonus :)
This is a pic of the gang I'm hunting; I've had them come thru a few times last week and didn't pull the trigger yet, still have a few days. The one in the fore ground is a small Jake that will make a good dinner for the wife and I.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...pspit9ypbi.jpg
Go get him Mike,
My preference is Jakes in the fall, but when opportunity limits the options, I'll take what I could...
She tasted great last night in the roaster, the most tender and moist wild turkey I ever had and being so young, the legs weren't full of the tendons and ligaments I've found in older birds.
Good Luck Mike!!
TurkeyJohn
Better keep a fence around the farmers corn or the Organic people will have a freak out on this comment, ha ha ha.Quote:
Originally Posted by Turkeyjohn
Nice bird, seen a couple around but no hunting them this year for me, maybe a spring turkey next year but I still have not been out deer hunting so turkey is way down on the list.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox
You have a fall season there Fox? Seems hit and miss whether there are fall seasons in different areas....
Thanks again, the bird tasted great, as fresh as it gets..
TurkeyJohn
We do, the problem is that the patterns are iffy, the weather changes and so do the birds. I guess I grew up with big game hunters and generally that is my priority, if I were to pattern a bird I could be patterning a buck, by the way both are not really that numerous right now, no idea why as we saw deer and turkeys at this time last year on these same places, maybe they are with the ducks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Turkeyjohn
I haven't had any luck. There are 22 roaming my property, but none are shooters.
With an any bird option? What are you looking for?Quote:
Originally Posted by awndray
Something bigger than a juvenile.
No bird for me yet. come close a few times but not close enough to be confident with the shot, so no shot, no bird yet.... seeing lots of deer though...control hunt looks good
I was seriously considering going on Saturday with the Cross-bow. But I don't want to be tempted to arrow a deer if one comes by. I am trying really hard to save my one & only deer tag for the black powder controlled hunt... LOL
This is the first year I did not buy a fall tag .just no time .I did get out bow hunting three evenings and we got a small buck .six point basket rack...Dutch
Well I was told I had stuff to do over the weekend, so that meant no more guilt free hunting, so I closed out the fall hunt with a Jake.
Spent a lot of time with my call box this fall experimenting with clucks and yelps, trying to pattern the use of them. They work great for the morning hunt if you're close to the roost, you can call in the whole gang. But had little luck with the mid day and early evening. The best tactic was just to ambush them as they were returning home for the night.
Anyway, a great time of the year to be in the bush with the crispness in the air, watching the leaves fall . Best $30 admission price a guy can pay for the pure entertainment value.
I tried to fan out the tail but the wind was very strong...so it is what it is :)
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...psmp59msm7.jpg
congrats Mike on your success....... Looks like it will be a good eater..
Thanks Fratri....the meat looks great, very little fat, Sunday dinner.
Quote:
Originally Posted by awndray
Interesting observation about these fall hunts...the lack of Tom's. At this same spot in the spring I had 4 big Tom's minding this flock...tons of pics. The fall however, with the trail cam out for the past 30 days 24/7, I never had a single pic of any Tom with the flock. Lots of birds, just no Tom's. Not even any mature Jakes. All I have coming thru are the juveniles, hen and poults. Same as last year.
I may set up a trail cam on the farm field next door (as they are eating the soya there) and see any Toms are feeding there, try and locate where they are coming from.
Great Bird Mike,
Have to keep family happy, so to get a bird in the fall is no small feat,
Enjoy the Sunday dinner!!
TurkeyJohn
That was my observation this and last year as well. It's a little frustrating. I have an idea where the Toms are, but owner of that property won't allow hunting on it. I've managed to call one in half way last fall, but it got spooked. This year, I can't even hear it. Mind you, they're not really aggressive at this time of the year.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
I decided to go out one more time on Saturday afternoon. This time, there was another group of 10 following the original 22. I managed to get 3 of them to separate from the group and bagged myself an end-of-season hen.
Congrats awndray! I went for one full day and called in a small flock twice but not close enough for my bow. Still fun to be in the turkey woods and can't wait for spring now.