Trad Gang

Alright, the turkey season is starting to open up around the south.  Most of us here in the NE, especially NY state have to wait till May.  So to get me through the next month and a half, lets see some pictures, hear some stories of the stick and string.  EVEN the ones that got away!  Thanks.

The ones that got away??? Well Sean, pull up a comfy chair and put aside some time cause all I got is almosts.Ive missed 4 in the last 4 years and spooked 3  trying to draw my longbow. I keep telling myself Im gonna stick with the longbow this year no matter what.Looks like a good population up here, I cant wait.

Izzy, If I can't hunt'em, I wanna talk about'em. It's the next best thing!!  
It seems to look good all over.  I hunt Dutchess, Putnam, Delaware and Otsego counties, and I've seen good flock's this past winter.
I shot one last year at 12 yards. got him broadside while he was strutting. I set up along a logging road about 930.  It was kind of windy, so I was using a box call.  about 45 mins after I set up, I had a bird gobble on the hill above me, where the road i was on wraps around. He cam down that road all by his lonesome, and made a bee line right for my Jake decoy. I was going to wait till he turned with his @$$ facing me, but I couldn't hold back.  He spiralled out and got tangled in some barberries growing along a stone wall.

I may try it with out a blind this year.  got to see what mood I'm in.

Not many turkeys right over here!  I have only found one feather in the last 2 years on the horse farm property.  I have yet to see tracks, poop or any evidence they are here.  

I see them around while driving from time to time and want one as bad as the next guy with the bow.  In fact I havnt killed a bird in about 8 years (the amount of time I've been in NY).  Ive had one shot a couple years ago though. (before I was into archery).

Cant wait for the opener myself!

Tons of Turks here, but they are still a little behind.  Hens roosting on one end of field, and gobblers, and jakes at the other end.  A few days of warm spring weather, and they will be rocking.  It should buy me some time to devise a plan for the recurve hunt.

I can't wait for my season to start (April 19).  Here's a picture of preferred target #1 who came in the yard earlier this week (more pics of him in Michigan Traditional Bowhunters Spring 2010 Turkey Diary).  The second picture is a couple gobblers from last week.


 (http://i881.photobucket.com/albums/ac15/mjdglobal/turkey2.jpg)

(http://i881.photobucket.com/albums/ac15/mjdglobal/mjdturkeypic.jpg)

Last year I'd chased the local birds for about 2 weeks without a shot.

I'd been within range of the biggest bird for about 2 hours one evening,he was on my naibours property on the other side of the dirt road the Thorn hedge I was hiding in ran along,,about 25 yards away,but he might as well of been on the other side of the moon for me,,that hedge is the boundry an that's that.

The next evening I cast over the area with my Bino's an there he was again,but this time on my side,,,and the big plus "still beside the thorn hedge an not right out in the middle of the big paddock where I could never reach him.

It took me about an hour to cover the distance between us and put myself level with where I thought he was.

I,ve come up through the gully an just have to poke my head over the top to see where he really is,so I nock my arrow and edge forward ever so slowly.

As I come over the top the first thing I see is one of his girls,but she's not on to me yet so I keep moving forward an there he is,he's facing my way an still hasn't seen me.

I come up onto my knees an hit full draw all in one smooth movement,I can see the girls an feel their eyes as they begin to run,the big guy spots me but it's too late "my arrow is on the way".

There's a big explosion of grass an dirt an I hear him give a startled yelp as the arrow plows into the ground causing the nock end to flip over a smack him squarely in the chest.

On the way back to the house I see a rabbit at about 10 yards,,,,I tell him to go away an leave me alone.

Had 3 toms gobbling behind my house last week around 6am. Seen a nice flock the other day....NY needs to open mid April.

Misses...plenty! Also don't hunt from any concealed blinds, natural cover only and believe me its tough and challenging. Someone must be looking over my shoulder the past 2 yrs as my arrows have found 3 nice toms. Hope to continue the trend this spring.

Again this year I'll be toting my little old Browning Cobra, 58" Kempf Longbow and on the business end of my arras...160 gr Snuffers...Good luck to everyone...can't wait!!

The weird winter has them kinda funky right now, but they are starting to show signs of strut. I have never harvested one, so I am excited like crazy.

Went and pulled the camera chips.  No pics, but on the way into the woods I ran upon 27 of them.  The back four were huge and looked like they had tomatoes on their necks.
I have hernia surgery on Thursday and need to be able to pull my bow by the first week of April.  Last year we opened on the 10th.  Good thing I talked my wife into lettin me buy that little 50# recurve.  I may need it.

I agree Joe, May is a bit to late for the turkey season to start. Then again, we get a whole month where others only may get a week.  Although calling might not be as effective, if you can find food areas you might make out.  Take my advice for what its worth, cant seem to get one in range anyhow  :readit:  

Kyle, I hope your surgury goes well and you are slinging healthy arrows soon.  Good Luck!   :cool:

CYCLIC you see you don't haveing tirkeys.There's a reason water,food scorces or nesting area's.

Coyotes   :knothead:    

Lots of water and nesting, I think it would be the lack of food.  We do have an abundance of coyotes though, I have called more coyotes in with turkey calls than any predator call.  I know there are turkeys though not more than a couple miles away I just haven't met that many landowners yet.

Just so you all know I plan on having different luck this year thanks to a fellow TG'er   ;)    ;)  

he told me where the turkey farm is!    :clapper:    :pray:

If your hunting with Domestic Death dont look up.If he sees a squirrel up a tree and catches squirrel fever you just might catch one of them hickory shafts in your sky gazing eyeball.Dont ask me how I know.  :scared:

You have me scared Izzy!  
I think I know who you are referring to.  I might have to find some of those nice safety goggles I saw at the JLMBH!  I was wondering why everyone was wearing them.   :eek:  

BTW squirrels aren't in season in May!    :readit:   Thank god

I cant say for sure but he looks less than law abiding and may be of the much maligned squirrel poaching persuasion. Sorry DD, I really owe you though.

Not sure If I know who you are talking of.  I'm sure I'll figure it out when I catch an arrow in the eye   ;)  

Found that shop you told me about on Central!  Didn't stop just did a drive by.

Cant wait to get some of my own feathers for my arrows.
Gobble Gobble.

Domestic Death......now that's a cool handle!   :cool:

Alabama opened up today!  Unfortunately not much to tell...one distant gobble at daybreak - rest of the morning was quiet.  I've lived here a while now but I still think its weird that spring turkey season opens 6 weeks after peak rut.  I saw buck sign this morning that still looks pretty fresh!

Follower, I know what you mean. We have a late deer rut here in north MS, December and January, and I've found scrapes in turkey season in mid March. Too few bucks, and a really spread-out rut. State biologists doing surveys on spring does have confirmed some March breeding.

"Domestic Death".....  :bigsmyl:    :biglaugh:

Haven't heard THAT one in a while!!!!!

BTW Sean, That's my "Little Brother" Chris (Bowspirit) LOL!!!!!

Geez Chuck, you have alotta little brothers and sisters!!

Heck Sean, I "adopt" everyone LOL!!!

Sooner or later,I'll probly end up adopting you too!!!!!

Chris is a GREAT Kid!!!!! He's like a little brother and a son,all rolled into one!!!!!

I'll second that about Chris.  Hav't heard from him in a while but I agree, its hard for him to pass up a squirrel.

He's genuine, knowledgeable, and like a brother, that's why I like him.

Hey NY's only 45days and a wake up.  I guess I have time to perfect my shot and maybe make up a few Turkey arrows.

Did someone say that bright arrows are bad for turkeys?

Good luck to everyone  :thumbsup:

QuoteOriginally posted by woodchucker:
Heck Sean, I "adopt" everyone LOL!!!

Sooner or later,I'll probly end up adopting you too!!!!!

Hey Chuck I'm up for adoption!  Hey Dad I need money  :biglaugh:

Your in Charlie!!!!!!!!!!

"Son" I'm going to pass on to you the most valuble thing in the world,my "wealth" of "knowledge".....

(mostly the knowledge of how to do "without" lol)

Our season opens Sat. and I am READY to go after them NOW but I have to wait. I have been seeing and hearing them for a week now and they are going stronger every day.

Thanks Chuck!  Hopefully I can learn from your mistakes   :wavey:

Free knowledge is great.  

Good luck Scott,  Hope we can hunt Vicariously through you on Saturday!

I saw 5 today.  One Tom was half strut chasing another tom away from some hens. I nearly drove off the road trying to get a good look.

No wonder why my ears were burning lately...   :rolleyes:             :rolleyes:  

Charlie, between the two of us, we're gonna come up with at least 1 blood-covered fir this spring...and despite popular belief, we'll be nowhere near a turkey farm

Love ya', brothers...

hey DD  ton of turkeys on the mountain for us to chase again, we will have to bring Charlie this year.

:bigsmyl:    :thumbsup:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/whoffman1955/Turkey/IMG_0414.jpg)

These came up in the back yard....Jill says no

Biggie, can Jill be bribed?   :bigsmyl:

I missed one this Morning. I was hunting without a Blind . Mighty exciting hunt.I was using Mudfeathers Howard Hill Wesley and I had to lean a bit to clear some bushes and the first of four Gobblers spotted me and poped his head up and clucked and turned to run. I got in a rush and shot over his back as he was leaving. Probably a 30 yard shot.Lots of fun. Watched one strut at 60 yards for a long time. They finally went over a rise allowing me to move and bring up the four 2 year olds.First hunt of the Spring and very much a success. I could have doubled with a shotgun.LOVE them longbows.RC

Hey, Biggie....these were in the front yard a few days ago and Laura says "YES"! We are setting up two DB blinds and are replacing our window screens with shoot thru mesh. There were 18 of them all together and they just keep coming back.

  (http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Arrowworks/frontyardturkeys.jpg) (http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Arrowworks/?action=view¤t=frontyardturkeys.jpg)

Here's the same group yesterday with a couple of the toms in full strut. Got to get my Cuddebak over there.

 (http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Arrowworks/Pondturykeys.jpg) (http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Arrowworks/?action=view¤t=Pondturykeys.jpg)

Hey, Biggie....these were in the front yard a few days ago and Laura says "YES"! We are setting up two DB blinds and are replacing our window screens with shoot thru mesh. There were 18 of them all together and they just keep coming back.

 (http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Arrowworks/frontyardturkeys.jpg) (http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Arrowworks/?action=view¤t=frontyardturkeys.jpg)

Double post???????????  Don't know how that happened...sorry.

Bill, down here they'd consider that baiting!

You guys are getting me all anxious.

Glad you guys are seeing birds and having fun.

37 days for us NY'ers

Seems like an eternity however, I'm sure it will come and go fast.

Biggie....same up here. We have our blinds set up along their travel routes. I had the local CO look at our set ups   last Fall and he was OK with it. I  suspect a fair amount of turkeys die at bird feeders in the Spring, in any event.

The spring season down here opened last Saturday. I went out this weekend and I was fortunate enough to get one on Sunday morning and one in the evening. The first one came in to the decoys with a group of hens and he came right up the the dekes and was considerate enough to put his head behind the fan of my B-Mobile so I could draw and put one in him at 6 yards from my Double-Bull. He had a 10 1/2" beard and 1 1/2" spurs. The second was a little more difficult as he came down the road and circled around my spread 25 yards away (out of my self imposed range.) I watched him strut and carry on 75 yards away for over an hour and a half. Four hens joined him and I thought that I wouldn't get him back so I started cutting and purring at the hens and they finally came in to investigate with one coming in to peck at my hen decoy. He followed them over and I was able get get a shot at 19 yards. He only went a few steps and fell over. He ended up having a 10 7/8 beard.  Both birds were taken with a Sarrels Superstition, CE Heritage 250s and 160 gn. Snuffers.  (//%5Burl=http://s282.photobucket.com/albums/kk273/8myfly/?action=view¤t=IMG_1590_1_1.jpg%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk273/8myfly/IMG_1590_1_1.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]  (//%5Burl=http://s282.photobucket.com/albums/kk273/8myfly/?action=view¤t=IMG_1594_2_1.jpg%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk273/8myfly/IMG_1594_2_1.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]  (http://%20[url=http://s282.photobucket.com/albums/kk273/8myfly/?action=view¤t=IMG_1595_3_1.jpg%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk273/8myfly/IMG_1595_3_1.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]

RC- You'll get'em another time.  Good story!    :thumbsup:  

8myfly-Congrats!!...Nice birds.  Rio's?  :notworthy:  

I have to have surgery on my bow thumb in two weeks.  They said recovery time is about 3 to 6 months! Not sure if I'm going to be chasing them with a stick and string this year.     :(

Keep'em coming!!

Awesome job! You make that look too easy. Love the turkey track cresting.

i hope to get a shot at the albino, yes albino, bird in my flock this season, or the all gray counterpart.  i havent seen them strut, so if theyre hens I can only hope they have a beard....

A few strutters from this morning.

(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/tipi%20picks/turkeys1.jpg)

I thought I would drive by one of my hunting places on the way home from work and try to get some picks for Mr. Lamb.

(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/tipi%20picks/turkeys3.jpg)

They were strutting pretty good.  :D  Season opens in a week.  :thumbsup:  

(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/tipi%20picks/turkeys4.jpg)

Tracy

Tracy
Awesome/ Man I miss hunting Kansas, going to need to rethink that!

Ahhhhh May is so far away, I can't even look at this thread without drooling!

Watched a flock for about 10 min. this morning that included 3 big toms, and 2 bearded hens...no camera!!    :mad:    :knothead:

Curt with out a camera  :eek:  No way!!

I bet you will get there picture yet, You taught me well buddy.

2 bearded hens! How cool is that  :)  I have only seen 2 in person in my life. 1 alive and 1 dead.

Tracy

Yeah, no camera, can you believe it!

I bet in the last ten years I've seen over 10 different bearded hens around here...

Ya know...I keep saying that I should all ways keep a camera with me, but I never take one.  I've seen some amazing things out there.  

I'm really sweating it out, I need surgery on my bow hand thumb.  I'm looking at a 3 to 6 month recovery, so that definitely shoots down turkey season.

How have people's turkey Seasons been going?

Sean, Good Luck with the Surgery.  If you need me to hold the bow while you pull it back well then, that's what we'll have to do.    :thumbsup:

Here is mine from south Texas on 3/24/10. He had a 10 1/2" beard and 1 1/4" spurs. I shot him with my Sarrels Sierra longbow (50# @ 29 1/2"), GT 55/75 arrow and 180gr GK Silverflame DS broadhead.

 (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/3-10Turkeys005.jpg)

Good luck to all y'all who are still waititng for the season to open.

Bisch

Nice Bird Jerome!   :thumbsup:    :notworthy:

Thanks Charlie........that just might work!......I'll have the whole season off, so anytime you're ready, give me a shout.

Rain finally stopped.  Birds everywhere today....

Someone's season must have started by now?   :confused:  

I'll listen to stories   :wavey:

Three more weeks...toms are displaying, gobbling at 6am when I get home...Seen a nice tom tonite over in Lagrange...strutting in an open field while the hens ignored him....This May 1 opener is killing me.

Me too Joe!  I haven't been seeing any but miss the sound of a gobble at close range.  I love how you can just feel it through your whole body.

Today I am a knucklehead...tomorrow will be a new day. 17 yards, loving up to my hen decoy, bow on hanger, pee bottle (and appendage) in hand. Silent demon, fleeting pic with hens is all I got  :)  
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/SpringTurkey2010017.jpg)

(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/SpringTurkey2010003.jpg)
This is what I should have done instead of whizzing.

(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/SpringTurkey2010010.jpg)
Finally these girls showed up 5 minutes later without their man at 15 yards to rub it in. Thank God I have a month to torture myself and 3 states to do it in  ;)

Congrats guys on the bird I still have 3 weeks until my season starts

Season up northern Il starts Monday. Weather warm-up should help put them in the mood. I need to break a 5-yr jinx!

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Saw a handfull of small toms on the way to work this am.  one 1/2 strut  two more at the bird feeder. and a few by the woods. way in the back of this fellas house.

going to take a walk in the woods. i'll report on what i see and hear

Mornins' creepin' closer.  I don't think I'll sleep tonight.

????? what is going on with the WV turkeys, have gotten 2 in the last 2 years, season still 2 weeks away, but NO turkeys? was the "great" winter of 09/10 that hard on them?

Had a good afternoon on Friday.  Two Nebraska toms tried to destroy my jake decoy.  19 pounds and 21 pounds.  
                           (http://i996.photobucket.com/albums/af81/CraigSchoneberg/DSC_00025x.jpg)

I have been a bowhunter for well over 50 years but because of work I was never able to hunt turkeys. That all changed when I retired and last year was the first for me. Getting no shot opportunities in 2009 did not dampen my enthusiasm.

Illinois has 4 short seasons and my tags were for the first one which started last Monday. I was unable to hunt Monday or Tuesday but went Wednesday morn. Lucked out and killed my first ever! 22 pounds and 12 ounces.

  (http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c199/BillrK/130.jpg)

Whoa Way cool.  I have been seeing glimpses of birds while driving.  I saw a hen yesterday with ADK ken while we were just arriving to the mountain.

Beautiful bird you got there Bill.  We get started here on the 21st.

Congrats!

Tom number three this afternoon.  Nebraska allows three permits for the spring season.  Guess I will just have to be content with stump shooting now.  Had 4 jakes come in to my decoys.  This picture gives a little better view of my Rose Oak Creations Super Wildcat.  
Craig

(http://i996.photobucket.com/albums/af81/CraigSchoneberg/DSCF01495x-1.jpg)

nice birds everyone!!  my cast wont be off of my hand till june so im out for bowhunting till the fall.   :(   ...keepem coming!   :archer:

You guys make it look easy.Congradulations.

My 2010 opening day bird.  He responded nicely off roost and right into the deeks at 5 yards.

Before and after (a Snuffer) photos.   :)  

 (http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs486.ash1/26589_1432646302926_1435962113_1164245_8038868_n.jpg)  


(http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs486.snc3/26589_1432646262925_1435962113_1164244_2700196_n.jpg)

Sorry to hear about losing your bird Elmer. Have you been out anymore?

Great stuff guys!  Keep it com'n!

Nice turks, guys.  Our season is still almost a week away, but I know where a couple birds are hanging out.

Bill - you must not have taken your Jagd along on the recovery....I see your Tom still has his feathers! - I hope you can make it to Compton's in June - looks like we'll have a blood tracking seminar going on Friday....

R

Congrats everyone! Our season opens here Monday morning and I'm really looking forward to it!  The blind has been set and the broadheads touched up.

I need some stories to feed my obsession please.

Ryan,
No, I never used Suzy on the recovery as the turkey died immediately behind my Double Bull. I probably will miss   :(   Comptons again this year as I will be on Bear Quest IV. Wish I could be at both.

Great photos Mike R.!

Thanks for sharin'!

Shoot straight, Shinken

Here is my first. Taken last week in central Kansas. Saw a lot of birds!! He's a small jake but I was pretty tickled. First time Turkey hunting. Had a blast!!!! Taken with a 52# Kempf "Little Grizzly" and Woodsman Broadhead.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/Kagyone/IMG_2695.jpg)

Ken,   I think the advice of letting them go for a bit, similar to deer, is new.   I don't claim to be an expert, but I think it is sound advice.  

I know Brooks Johnson (former owner of Double Bull Blinds, big trad guy, and turkey hunter) advocates that you wait an hour.  


Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you.

Two words for advice on finding shot birds- String Tracker!

Congrats on your first bird Gun!

with NY's turkey season kicking off on Saturday, i'm getting pretty excited.  i got good news in that my cast comes off of my hand on the 21st. i hope that i didnt lose anything in my shooting. good luck to all.

Good Luck everyone!

Some local hunters I talked to over the weekend were complaining about the wet and windy weather but it can be an asset when the longbeards are "henned up"; some lose their hens before fly-up and apparently spend uneasy nights worrying about where the gals have gone as they're tossed about by the wind and soaked through the feathers. They can't wait to get on the ground come morning and relocate the AWOL hens.  This can create extended ground gobbling sessions with the big boys overly aggressive and once again acting plain dumb:^)  The last few wet and wild days have produced some great hunting here in KY.  I shot this lonely fellow through the "goodie box" mid-day Monday while kneeling in a big stand of river cane . . . used a 60 pound Acadian Woods Tree Stick and Terminator 250 broadhead.  A pretty good bird; 10" beard, 1 1/8" spurs, and weighed 24 pounds.  It took an fluffing with an old towel plus an hour of hang time to dry him up enough for these photos.  At least he didn't land in the rushing creek where he was heading when he finally tipped over:^)!  The old Rancho Safari "Shaggie" came through again.

(NOTE: Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh if the photos fail to load.)

(http://kystrut.com/2010turkeya.jpg)

(http://kystrut.com/2010turkeyb.jpg)

I've gotta learn to post pics.Two states,3 hunts 4 longbeards.Shotgun though situations didn't pan out for bow shots.I like to eat em too good to play too fair.3 with 10 1/2 " beards one with 11 1/2 inch beard.Two with 1" spurs and two with 1 3/8" spurs.Three getting ate 1 getting stuffed.One of these days i'll kill enough too play solely with my bow.This year is a good start.Congrats too all that do it with trad equipment.

Congratulations to all! The birds look terrific! I have had 4 very good days of hunting in CT, and had one good chance but gave it to a good friend instead. Can't wait for tomorrow and the rest of the season. Don't forget to keep setting your alarm earlier and earlier since as we go along we get more and more tired!  :)

Cade and I had an unforgettable morning yesterday!

•  (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/cadegobbler17.JPG)

hey curt, this ones a great one.  i read your thread.  congrats!!!! cade's got a great start.

great story Gary, keep'em coming.

My dad killed a biggun w/ a shotgun, but I am going with a longbow and no blind!! So these pics are making me crazy! I think I have a good set-up, but will not use decoys at this point as they have been hanging up at about 60 yds. I will try an ambush and see how it goes. I hope to be posting a pic soon...

Does anyone have any pointers for decoy shy turkeys?

Got lucky on opening morning in NY (May 1st)!

(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m84/TJReceveur/Spring2010TurkeyBestPhoto.jpg)

Nice Terry!!

17# Jake, shot with an Eastern Red Cedar Self bow i built last summer. 2 Blade Zwickey cedar shaft. Fun morning ! 4-21-10

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/ME-BIRD-1.jpg)

Congratulations to you, Terry and John!

Had birds all over me today! I have hunted 21 days (mornings before work alot) out of the last 30 and finally got a shot today. Called in 10 jakes. On the ground with no blind and got drawn without getting caught then mmmmmmissed   :banghead:  

Still all in all one of the funnest days afield I have ever had. Had 13 male birds total within 40 yards and managed to blow a 15 yard shot. I got 2 more days here in IL and a vacation day tomorrow   :pray:    :pray:

Wapiti792, I applaud your persistence.  Best of luck on your remaining hunts.

Congrads on all the birds so far. My hunt started out monday with birds gobbling early. I had them coming my way but I also called in a bunch of coyotes to ruin my party. It was still cool to hear 3 or 4 gobblers sounding off with 10 or so coyotes howling. I had them flashing though the outskirts of my decoys but no shoots on the coyotes. I'll be back at the birds tomorrow for another round. Wapiti792 I will be happy if even get as close as you did,keep at it.

Congrats to all you bonafide turkey slayers! If anyone has a jake fan they don't want please give me a hollar as I'm looking to upgrade my full strut decoy with a real jake fan.   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Laugh or cry its your choice but I actually called in a black cat this morning.Two gobblers and hens walked into a corner about 100 yards out.They started coming my way through the woods when from out of nowhere comes a black cat.Talk about s**t luck, he spooked em.Anyone got any good cat recipes???  :rolleyes:

Well my turkey hunt started out with me hard at work marking a pipeline in south central indiana...half way across a 1/2 mile field a see a turkey....can't tell hen or tom....so I make the run back to my truck...hard on a fat guy...grab my bow, decoy and leafy suit and run back to the tree line next to the field...turkey is nowhere in site...sit the dek out and slide back into the trees...wait a couple minutes and hit my joebuck scratch box....nothing! wait about 20 min and hit a couple yelps and boom he's gobblin....wait a few and hit it again....boom gobbles again this time closer and coming right along the field edge....I see him about 60 yds out coming over a rise....set the call aside and pick up the Tall Tines...this thing really in need of getting bloody....he's coming right to the dek....then I see something to my left and slowly look over and there are 2 deer 12 yds from me....now I'm getting nervous....bird is now about 30 yds out and coming....deer walk past and I feel the wind shift....the jig is up...the deer blow and are off....along with the tom. My heart was racing like a freight train! Waited awhile and made a few more calls to no avail.....but...20 mins later here come the 2 deer...walk right up to the dek sniffing it for 5 mins and don't spook! Great time but had to get back to work.

Thanks a lot deer!  All I saw last weekend were six deer and 2 squirrels.

thanks for all the stories, they're making me feel like i'm right out there!!!

Filled Tag # 1 with my BP shotgun yesterday, now it's time for the bow! Three mature gobblers came in and attacked my f****** turkeys Buckwing decoy. Violent madness for a few minutes, then one head made itself available for a clean shot. What fun!

IZZY, I had that happen 2 years ago with a black and white cat. It was a fall hunt and I called the cat to me, picked it up then had a bunch of hens walk right to me. I didn't get a shot because I had my hands full! It cost me a shot but I still laugh everytime I think of it. Keep after it everybody. No longbow turkey for me. Our season ended with 2 misses by me and lot's of cool encounters.

I gotta talk determination here. My friend Ryan Furrer from PA used to shoot a compound. In fact, he won the National Championships one year. Last year he took up the recurve. Monday morning he called me at 6:40 AM to tell me he just missed a bull gobbler at SIX yards. That made seven shots at "big game" in a row that he consistently shot over top of. Remember, this is from an ex-national champion compound shooter. I think he was having a great time but was getting somewhat depressed. After my pep-talk to hang in there he called back this morning to announce he finally did it. Got a nice goobler this morning. In fact, he said his arrow went through the fanned tail of his decoy and took out the wing butt on his trophy. I gotta hand it to guys like this who keep their determination on reaching their goals. I think he's hooked for life now and is another completely ruined guy. Good job Ryan! I'll see if someone can post a photo soon. Thanks and congrats to all. BW

Here you go Uncle B.

Way to stick with it Ryan   :thumbsup:  


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Great job Ryan!!! It was hard listening to all that whining!!!!

Hey, Thanks guys.. Making the switch has been a journey for sure! But one I'd never change... I'm still floating on air... Feels good too!!

great job Ryan!!!

Haven't arrowed my bird yet but the opportunities have been there. Last time out, thirteen sightings in one of our woodlots!!  Called in a hen, and of course had to pass. Called in a jake but he wouldn't jump over the dead fall log that was protecting his body as he eyeballed my decoy! And finally, we called in three jakes to our hen decoy and I spent too much time wondering if the jakes were in my comfortable bow range....so my buddy unleashed his shotgun (i hunt with gunmen).....next time: no think, just DO!!! As a side note, I've not been wearing camo, and have been using only natural blinds. Some of the blinds I've constructed, and the other blinds are just small bushes I hide behind. Very successful at getting these birds close. When the hen came in to bow range I was just standing beside a tree but not moving a muscle. I love this Turkey hunting stuff! It's damn exciting!!!

Had a bit of bad luck and my boat sheared off a couple of bolts in the lower unit Jet drive. Had to have the neighbor tap out the broken bolts and he didn't have it ready so I could go striper fishing this morning. Forced me to go turkey hunting instead.  Knowing I would be trying for them this morning I headed out last night to roost a few. Everything worked out perfect as there were birds everywhere. I had a group of 6 Jakes and a mature Tom that must've been a 2 1/2 year old that I decided not to bother with as I wasn't interested in a Jake. I then located 3 mature Toms and 10 hens. Right at last light the hens and 2 Toms headed up a ridge on the lower field and the remaining Tom headed to a corner that necks down between two fields. I pretty much knew what tree he was going to roost in and knew he'd be the one to meet my TimberHawk longbow in the morning.  Arrived early this morning and it was 32 degrees with a heavy frost and what wasn't frozen was a heavy dew. I knew the Tom wouldn't go into the grass field as they just don't do it early when it is wet and frosty. I also didn't think he'd go to the recently plowed field as they don't like to get clumped up mud on their feet. That left a nicely trimmed tractor trail coming down off the ridge to the 2 lower fields. I placed "Loose Lucy" right in the middle of the trail about 75 yards from where "Horny Hal" was roosted up.  Sure enough before good light a goose honked on the creek and Hal lit it up. He was ready for some action. After it got a bit lighter out and after he gobbled at a goose again I gave him a little sweet talking just to let him know Lucy was happy to see him.  At about 5:38 AM he hit the road and was strutting to Lucy. I normally wait and give them the "ole Frank Zappa" but at 6 yards he stuck his neck out and behind a little Tulip tree allowing me to draw and shoot. Amazingly the shot went right into the base of the wing butt and kept right on going. I normally don't shoot through turkeys but this time I did. I changed my broadhead from my normal wide Snuffer to a narrow Woodsman. Seemed to make a difference. Anyway a few flops later and a diving grab that Ishi would've been proud of and I had my 2nd bird of the season. This one was even faster than the 1st bird. I love it when a plan comes together.  Nice bird with a 10" beard, 7/8" spurs, and about 20#s. The photo shows the shot placement.  Good luck everyone!  I know I'm happy to have some luck!

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This morning was the absolute best turkey hunting day for me by far !!!  I took some advice that I got from this site and I went to work. I left the decoys out of play, I didn't start until 7:30 AM and I called softly and infrequently as I headed into the mid-morning hours. Two hours into the game and a Tom ghost-walked right into my shooting lane. I was standing in my natural blind,just enjoying the sound of the creek in behind me, and the sun on my camo-painted face as it started to really break through the trees, when Tommy showed up. After all was said and done, I paced off the distance from archer to turkey: 8 yards. He was eight yards away when he stopped. I was eight yards away when I raised my bow. He was 100 yards away when I realized that he had me before I had him !!  That was great! I saw his colours, his beard, his bright red neck and his enormous size !! I wonder if he looked back to see that dopey look on my face as my broad head armed arrow just sort of pointed in the void that was once turkey occupied......

Congrats y'all   :thumbsup:

I ambushed this Jake last evening as he worked his way back to the roost. Shot him at about 10'. 46# Pittsley Predator, cedar arrow and 125 gr. Zwickey.
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