Don't know about turkeys (a few close encounters I here), but I heard the manager at the all you can eat seafood buffet, paid Joey and Marty to get out.

Sounds like they may close the deal today.

Never- ever tell a Tarheel fan anything- he'll put it on the internet!

Yesterday afternoon, Joey and I went to a big oak hammock and split up. I found a palmetto clump about 10yds round and cut a hole big enough for a stool and to shoot out. I set out a Jake and hen and settled in for the afternoon. Turns out Joey was about 80yds to my right- I saw him get up and down a couple times adjusting his set up. Man, I thought, what's the big deal? I found out.

At 6 pm I heard a thunder of birds running to me- turned out to be 3 big gobblers! They put the brakes on a foot in front of the Jake and circled making this noise Joey told me was an aggressive purr- all I know is they were pissed and so was I! They had stopped just a foot short of my shooting window  :( . I had put the Jake too far to the left of that window and could not shoot. My heart was at cardiac level.

They kinda calmed down when my plastic bird didn't react and walked back behind me. I scratched this little call Joey had made me and they milled around and appeared to my right side this time and were walking toward the "master" I just knew it was gonna be a done deal.

Gotta go- in my blind and birds gobbling unless that's Joey. 39 degrees in the swamp and the sun just gettin over the trees.

Gettin' good boys...the action is heating up!!!

I ain't sayin' for who though...    


Aaaaahhhh, the highs and lows of turkey bow hunting        

Joey had out his new strutting decoy that looks more like a turkey than a real turkey. These birds were goin right to him when he strums a tune on one his many selections and they stopped dead in their tracks- and not from an arrow. He hit it a few more licks and the next thing I know- they turned around and walked away! He never saw them. Makes ya wonder how often that happens when you're calling? What an eye opener for me.
At dusk, I walked over to him and he says" man where'd you learn to do those aggresive purr calls so purrfectly! Ha! I told and showed him what happened and he just stared at me. Hell I never heard an agressive purr call let alone make one.
He showed me what was wrong with my set up and showed me about a "draw" tree and how I wasn't thinkin blah blah blah. All I know is I needed a bird to go one more foot! Just one foot! I asked if wanted me to show him how to make that call and he just stared again.

But oh what a morning I just had.

Oh boy this getting good.
Jack

QuoteOriginally posted by Marty:
At dusk, I walked over to him and he says" man where'd you learn to do those aggresive purr calls so purrfectly! Ha! I told and showed him what happened and he just stared at me. Hell I never heard an agressive purr call let alone make one.

The swamp was alive with gobbles this morning. I was in an old wooden hog trap that had been there at least 20 years that is about 100 yds from the edge of the cypress. I heard at least 8 different birds. I yelped for a while and when the birds flew down all I heard were hens. So I mimicked them- you know- made fun of em! Well here comes several dark shapes right to me that turned out to be 6 jakes. We have a 6" minimum beard rule so I took some pics and enjoyed the moment. Pretty neat stuff really. They remind me of my twin sons- pushing each
other around all the time. They finally walked away tired of the plastic reception.

An hour later a couple hens walked by followed by a bird with about an 8" beard! I could not interest him to say the least and he followed them everywhere. Here came the 6 jakes not far behind too. I figured I'd have to shoot my way outta there.

The hens took their  followers and moved on and I was thankful for the sighting. I played a little tune on a JB boxcall and the next thing I know- he's walking up to my decoys! And here comes the jakes too! Oh man/ I'm sure they heard my heartbeat but they definitely saw me reach for the bow. Talk about a let down!!!! I don't know how you serious turkey guys can take all this dissapointment! Kinda reminds me of a no touch....... Nevermind. I was as high as a kite- then had a flat tire all in an hour. Now I admit I wasn't 100%ready when he walked in, but I'm learnin.

Here's the sad news- Joey has not seen a gobbler. All the camp goobers- especially me- are seeing birds. Not him.

Batman- who you want to hunt with in Nebraska? The facts speak for themselves. All he wants to do is get back to camp and eat. ( Man- wait til he reads this )

Got a few gobbling over on this side of 70 but haven't had any come onto my little 20 acres. Good luck guys!

Marty,I have not decided if you are making it easier, or harder for me to wait until April 15th.Just keep it coming, anyway.  :D  
Bill

If they got a hog problem when we get to Nebraska, I'm hunting with Thomas. If not I will have to go with the only guy to take the Royal slam of turkeys with trad epuipment. No osceolas in nebraska. lol

Joey put a couple gobblers to bed last eve- I want more than anything for him to get one. He has been snake bit this trip! They are tuned up already on the roost and I hear them down near him- fingers crossed. We have laughed since Thursday.

So that's what's Marty been doing tapping on his phone all weekend...Heck he is one HERE!

let's back up...Marty had 3longbeards at 10 feet....they spooked walked around him then appeared to be headed for me.......

Rule number789...... Do not try a new striker on your NEW pot call......it sounded like ....well........the gobblers never made it to me nor did I ever see them.....

Oh did Marty mentioned HE CUT ME OFF!

No BS right here.....Marty can run a long box ...Friday morning he had me fooled sometimes..I made this long box years ago and he has got it broke in...I may have to take it back


I can't remember how many years I have been down here...maybe 11 or 12... Swamp birds are tough.. best part of trip is spending time with Marty ,RuthAnne ,Sarah, Daniel and Micheal...  We laughed a lot and turkeys taught me another rule...  Bedsides the fact I almost starved too death.......I'll come back if he will have me.....