Woo hoo! Less than 24 hours till michigan turkey season starts I know we have lots of Michiganders on here so who is all headed out? Dad and I will be making our annual trip up to the thumb, this is our first year going with the opening hunt, I am a little Leary about t but we know where birds usually are so shouldn't be too much different. Good luck guys and God Bless!
i can tell you one thing works going extremely slow today...it must know im leaving for camp at 4.
I'll be out with my daughter Renae.She will be shooting her 65 Grizzly tipped with Magnus I.
Wish us luck,
David
Hunt 234, I'll be after them in two more weeks! Good luck to everyone. I wonder when the day is coming when we'll see a two bird limit in some areas?
Good luck tomorrow every one. My hunt is 234 also.
we have so many birds in southern michigan we should already have a two bird limit, but oh well good luck to the 234 guys as well as tommorow. let the feathers fly!
2 birds or more than just a week here week there hunt ! Maybe one day Mike when the dnr money doesn't just go into one lump sum, good luck to everyone! Hey mike what are the birds doing up that way?
My understanding is that the fall turkey season in at least part of Michigan encourages or even mandates the taking of hens and chicks...that sounds very appealing to me...just as any deer is a trophy with a stickbow I would have to think that so is any turkey...one day I will get down that way to test my theory
DDave
Good luck to everyone. Will be doing the 2nd hunt. Will be leaving the upcoming weekend and hike into a designated wilderness area. I'll be camping and scouting this area two days prior to my opening day. A new area to me, so I hope to find some birds as I believe they are there. If not, not a problem because it will be great to be out.
That is awesome Rudy ! Nothing like hunting and discovering a new area! Best of luck to you!
Thanks stixbowdrew. This will be my 1st traditional hunt for a turkey. Definitely out of my comfort zone, but I've heard that that is when life begins :) :campfire:
I got my first one with the longbow last year, nothing compares to it.!
the only thing better than turkeys with your bow is a big ole fat michigan doe. imo. you will have fun deffinatly.
hey drew the birds have left the thumb, went to the U.P., wanna just go up there now pretty good excuse i think.
Hahaha talon, yeah just let me get my snowshoes first then ill be ready!
QuoteOriginally posted by finkm1:
Good luck tomorrow every one. My hunt is 234 also.
X2. I have not been able to hunt the last two years so looking forward to it and I am taking the kids out this year so wanted a little more time to hunt.
We will be in the thumb after the MLA Spring Shoot. The "Editor" has a goal set for a longbeard w/ her longbow. This may be a lesson in frustration! Especially the way we shot today at Tomahawk. AHHHHHH!!
Good luck to all of you guys and gals out there. Will be out myself but not unitl later in the week. Hoping the snow will be down enough to allow me to drive into camp here in Dickinson Co.
John
Good luck, the Florida Season ended today.
Good luck, the Florida Season ended today.
Hey guys can an out of stater get a turkey permit?
Yes they can...
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10363_10958_10969-248704--,00.html
Well just put a couple to bed sounds like it should be good in the morning! Good luck to everyone headed out! Shoot straight!
Good luck! :archer2:
Can't wait to get out in the morning! I'm SUPER pumped this year as it will be the first hunt for Turkey with a Longbow. well, any bow for that matter. I just gave a few hoots off of the back porch and had several shock gobble back :) I know there is one decent Tom and a few Jakes around but hey like to roost right on the property line so depending on how they feel it's a 50/50 shot if they fly down on our property or the neighbors.
Give em a reason Timberking!
234 here
Sitting in class this morning and thinging about those of you out this opening day. Can't wait to hear the reports, as this is getting me pumped for my season in a week :campfire:
Been slow this morning, only heard one gobbling they seem to be henned up, currently have a hen within bow rAnge of the blind she's been hanging out for 20 mins hope she can bring one in!
Any luck guys? :campfire: I'm 234...
Best of luck to all you guys in Mich., collect some feathers for your arrows! Our season starts the 1st. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Well it was a slow day for Dad and I not much gobbling toms are definitely with hens, saw a pile of jakes from the road appears to be a good hatch from last spring, headed home now, will be back at it this weekend! From what I saw today the later the better, 234 should be great. Friend of mine that goes by LHbandito on here connected on a great bird hopefully he posts the story and pics tonight.
I couldn't get out this morning I had to watch the kids I'm sitting in my blind now and heard a couple gobbles at 6:00 p.m. I just got back from KS Friday and all the longbeards were getting henned up as soon as they flew off the roost. I should have had a Jake but that is another story. Good luck to all the Turkey hunters the weather looks good this week.
Had a couple of Toms and some jakes/hens fly down this morning but as soon as they touched down the hens led em off. I hought I was gonna get a shot off but NOPE... Nothing I could say did any good. I went out this afternoon and had another NICE tom with a hen come through but again he wasn't leaving her. Gotta work tomorrow then I have two more days off but it looks like rain.
I won't be back out till this weekend, good luck to everyone out this morning!
good luck guys, stick with it.
It's 8:15pm and dusk, so I decided to drive home the backway between Brighton and Howell just to see what I see. Boom... a smokey grey hen walking along the road so a slide down the window to have a chat. No need to as it sounds like a hen fest convention about 75 yards into the woods and every girl is coming. In the middle of it all is a lone gobbler doing his dance and sounding off. For fun, I gobble back (ok just an attempt at one) and he immediately answers. Just a couple more to be sure that we've made a connection and to let him knows who's boss :campfire: Almost forgot to mention the 3 separate groups of deer all within a 5 min drive. Conditions were right for all to come out and play.
go get "em Rudy there are just starting to get rocking the second hunt and 234 will be a treat this year i have a feeling.
Good luck rudy! Been thinking about going back to unit F that's where dad took me on my first turkey hunt when I was 4 years old
here you go drew. gotta keep the michigan boys up. keep this thread going.......
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/bowtechcommande/1eb32c30-f62b-4a45-a6c6-2ae8bf614bb7.jpg) (http://s257.photobucket.com/user/bowtechcommande/media/1eb32c30-f62b-4a45-a6c6-2ae8bf614bb7.jpg.html)
Talon,thats going to be a tough bird to top. Nice. I've had a couple oppourtunity's at smaller Tom's. Still waiting for "the one" I thought 2nite it would happen in this rainy cold evening. Was getting ready to pull the plug,then sure enough,here comes 8 hens,a scraggly looking jake,and a Tom with a 6 inch beard. I know we have a couple BIG birds in the back woods here. My dad in law,and Mrs.Whitaker have seen one that is real slick with a beard that as my Father-in-law puts it..."Ryan..it's dragging on the ground." I'll put in the time,and keep them fingers crossed. Go Get em' Michiganders!!!
Anyone out braving the elements today? If so kudos to you! Friend of mine connected this morning on a jake in Ohio with his longbow, anyone with a first season like me... This weekend is shaping up to be awesome!
How has everyone fared so far this week? Weather has been trying that is for sure headed up tomorrow after work it's going to be hard to get through the day knowing what the weather is doing!
goooooood luck drew i want to know step by step looking forward to it i know them simmons are sharp and read to go.
Well this evening was a good one, got off work at noon and headed north! Got to the spot had seen birds all over the place on the way up so I was pretty optimistic. I got my gear and blind together and head back to my favorite secluded field on my way back through the swamp I hit the woodpecker call to make sure nothing was in the field I got a faint response but with how thick the swamp is I couldn't tell where the gobble came from, so I pressed on, while standing in the field comptenplating on where to set up I noticed some movement to the north, and there was the flock of hens with the boss gobbler! I knew I didn't have a chance of pulling them over to me so I stood up made my presence know and they slowly cleared the field no worse for wear, it was after the field had cleared I went to work on my set up got the blind just how I wanted it staked it down and set my deeks up and got out of there, after some road scouting of my other areas I came back to my blind got settled in and started my every ten minute soft calling routine, well about an hour before legal shooting time I had a group of hens come in feeding and dusting, I wasn't sure if there was a gobbler with them so I payed them little attention BIG MISTAKE! I no sooner set my phone down and there was a big red head charging my decoys! I turned my camera on and got the bow ready, this Tom was so fired up he wouldn't stop cutting or moving finally he stopped for a moment I came to full draw settled in and let it fly! Right over his back at ten yards! This is the boss gobbler! The hens didn't spook and he got out of range and continued to bark at my jake decoy! Eventually the hens moved off slowly unspooked and he followed they didn't make it too far before flying up it was such a great hunt! I cannot wait to climb back in the blind tomorrow morning the birds will be coming through as its a prominent dusting area! Hopefully I can redeem myself good luck to everyone out there chasing them lovesick toms!
Nice Bird Talon! We leave for unit F Thursday night, I hope Rudy leaves us a bird or two :D
second hunt is comming up hopefully us michiganders can put some more birds on the ground good luck to everyone out right now
Good luck guys, I can't get after 'em until the first weekend of 234...
Missed again this morning! Having more fun than I ever have in the woods good luck guys!
Can anyone tell me if it is too late to buy an over the counter tag for the late season?
no you have till the end of the month
Well Michigan TradGangers. I had a nice Tom stroll in front of my blind this afternoon. He had 4 hens in tow,and they were eyeing me pretty good even through the mesh,and all camo-ed up! They were 10 yards out,finally this Tom lined up real nice in front of me. I drew,got on point quick,and will never forget how sweet it looked watching my Grizzly headed 2018 go smokin'through the mesh and deliver the hit! right above the hips. Took out the drivetrain,and he collapsed right there. Thank God for these Turkeys!! They are a blast to hunt. Nice average bird,never even weighed him. Beard was 7"long,spurs were 1 inch. He will go good with some mashed taters,and gravy. Good luck to you all. rat' (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z473/ryanwhitaker/007-4.jpg) (http://s1191.photobucket.com/user/ryanwhitaker/media/007-4.jpg.html)
(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z473/ryanwhitaker/013-1.jpg) (http://s1191.photobucket.com/user/ryanwhitaker/media/013-1.jpg.html)
(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z473/ryanwhitaker/006-8.jpg) (http://s1191.photobucket.com/user/ryanwhitaker/media/006-8.jpg.html)
That's what we like to hear Rat. Big congrats and thanks for sharing. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Good job Rat, I was hunting over in Calhoun country this weekend and the gobbling was pretty slow. I came close twice but still no shot here in Michigan
Way to go Rat! I'm glad to know that classy looking centaur can get down to business when it needs too! That's a great looking bird, how many longbow turkeys does that make for you now?
Thom
Congrats! :thumbsup:
Way to go Rat!
Nicely done Rat! Beautiful bird and bow!
Thanks gents' and best regards to you all. Thanks Stixsbowdrew for the thread we all can share. rat'
Nice job R2. Congratulations. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I'm still waiting for next week and the final hunt here in Area K. Didn't get drawn for the first hunt, but the late spring may have made the last hunt the prime time anyway.
Awesome work rat! That is something to be proud of! I had my chances but I blew it funny how the 20lb bird can get you all scatterbrained ! Good luck to everyone the rest of the season I can't wait for more hero shots and stories!
great bird rat. way to let that centaur eat. congratulations. as always good luck to everyone yet to get out and hunting the second hunt.
Nice work Rat!!!! Glad you got it done!
chris <><
Excellent job Rat!
Thanks guys. We are putting the bird in the roaster pan,with a oven bag. Seasoned with fresh dill,thyme,rosemary. My wife is putting some other stuff that I can't think of right now. But fellas...they really do eat good. I hope the rest of my fellow Michiganders have success in season #2!! Thanks again guys! :archer: rat'
Way to go Rat!! :thumbsup:
Good job .RC
Congrats on your bird Rat! Would love to stick one in the oven bag too. Amazing how they come out, but not in the cards this year for me.
I spent the past weekend scouting the Hoist Lake Foot Trail area for Monday's hunt. Although I've never been there, I've taken birds in the surrounding area before so thought for sure there would be some action in this area. The area is approximately a 4.5 square mile area that is only accessed by foot. Was I fooled, as I never heard a bird or saw any sign whatsoever. Oh well, humped the trails to Penoyer Lake which is about in the center of this track of old growth forest. Set up camp overlooking the lake with an awesome view. Spent the entire Sunday walking the trails and calling and searching for sign to no avail. Non the less, I enjoyed some beautiful weather, and some peace and quiet with a good friend that joined in at the 11th hour. Will now look forward to calling in some local birds for my son and daughter during the 234 hunt.
:bigsmyl: It's all good!
my dad got it done yesterday morning... on the second hunt. will get pics up shortly
Shot my gobbler thursday at noon. Set up my blind, no dekes, really just planning on taking a nap but hit the slate and he gobbled. Sounded like he was about 150 yards out. Kept talking to him and he moved closer but hung up about 100 yards out so I shut up. After fifteen minutes of silence I hit the slate again to see if he had lost interest and he sounded off now only about 30 yards out and looking for the hot hen. Shot him at 14 yards. 10 yard recovery. Tigershark 4 blade head on the end of AD trad lite shaft. Never did get my nap.
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Good luck to all those hunting the 234 season.
Way to Get R Done.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Nice!!!
Congrats guys, heading up to scout a little for next weekend!
great job, very nice bird. Next weekend for me, have to many responsibilities this weekend to make it.
John
Great job on the birds guys!!!!
very nice bird!
Thanks guys! That was only my second bird with bow and first longbeard so I was thrilled. Looking forward to the stories and pics from the late season! Good luck!
Glad to see my buds post their pics, that stuff is too good not to share!!!
I'm hooking up with DGF at 5am for my first trip out. Pre packing the car now!
Thom
Gary!!! Nice bird buddy! :thumbsup: Even without the nap Gary,I bet you still thought about pinching yourself just to be sure! :laughing: Big Congrats Flingblade,rat'
Congrats On the birds guys. :clapper:
This is all I have to show for my season...Public land in Northern MI. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find the body in all of those feathers. :(
This was 5/8/13, even though no turkeys made it to the fryer, it's by far my best turkey hunt ever!!
More Turkey Letdown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBF0OBA23VI)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBF0OBA23VI
Turkey Letdown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTsFxWl79Lw) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTsFxWl79Lw