Ok Gang,

One more week before the MO opener.  I've been seeing a few birds doing the deal.  Crazy weather as of late has been timely...it is supposed to warm up and be "normal" for the opener of turkey season.

I am going after them with my bow (of course).  I made some arrows just for this hunt.  This is my first go at making arrows.  I used some tapered stump shooters 60#-65# from Wapiti Archery.  I used an all in one stain/poly from Ace Hardware.  I chopped the brown bananas myself, and put on an orange nock.  

I've got some pretty arrows but i'm hoping to avoid the turkeys seeing my quiver of arrows as i'm going to try them without a blind.

Here is the pic!

Saaawwweeet  

Good luck and nice arrows.I drew a managed hunt tag for an area close to the house.Bad news Ive got to get my heart scoped tommorow and dont know if Ill recover by next Monday...If Im well enough Im going for sure even if I have to be carried to my blind....

Your arrows look good. Good luck with your hunt. How does the turkey population look where you hunt?

This is my first year for hunting turkeys. The population around me looks pretty thin. I have spotted eight birds near my hunting grounds (two of them are toms) but I'm not hearing any gobbling in the mornings. Usually the toms are really vocal in the timber behind my house at this time of year.

The Missouri Conservation  Department is reporting a lot of the eggs last year were damaged by the late freeze that we had. The hens had not started incubating their eggs at the time the freeze hit our area. This is resulting in a smaller population of turkeys this year.

gatekeeper,

i'm thinking we don't have as many birds as we had last year.  i sure didn't see them this past fall like i normally do.

regardless, the tom's that are around will get vocal soon.  get in close and try to stay close to them and you'll get some action.

i've heard a little bit of gobbling....but not like normal.

You lucky dog you.........

I've seen birds strutting every morning starting last week. I do love to chase Turkeys.
I tried three years to get a bird killed without a blind. A beautiful bird flew down to my yelps, he had to walk behind a three foot wide oak. I drew my bow to within a few inches of anchor... When he came out the other side he turned inside out at 12 steps as I eased the bow back to full draw. Everything has to go "right" to get it done. Share some pics if you make it happen.
Usually I take off the first Mon-Tues of season, this year I am working and will hit the woods Saturday with my O/U... I will BBO for turkeys the 2nd and 3rd week if needed.