Turkey hunting story.

b.glass · May 05, 2011, 07:38:00 PM

It was a spectacular day to be in the Indiana turkey woods. I had to take my son to school before I could go, then I couldn't hunt my first choice cause there was already someone there.

So, I choose another spot about a mile away. I was sneaking along in my ghillie with my 2010 trade bow from Steve Willis and my nippers in hand when I heard something I hadn't heard before. It was like a ticking sound followed by something like a whine. Then "CAW, CAW, CAW". Oh, it's a crow.

I continue slipping along when "CAW, CAW, CAW and GOBBLE, GOBBLE!" It sounded maybe 50 yds away or less! I start making my way through the line of trees cause he's on the other side. I drop my pack cause it seems to be getting caught on every little twig. I get near the other side and I get a glimpse of him. Maybe 30 yds away and he's going throught the trees in the opposite direction.

He gobbles every now and then. It sure is nice when they gobble, easier to keep track of them. He gets to the edge sooner than me, I'm trying to be quiet and he doesn't have to try (except for keeping his beak shut). I wait near the opening where I came in hoping he will come past, but he's gone the other way. By the time I see him again he's gone pretty far and I'm not sure he hasn't seen me this time.

Then he vanished.

I kept moving hoping for another opportunity. It sure is nice...warm sunshine, cool breeze, the occational feathery cloud in a pale blue sky. We haven't seen enough of it this spring. I expected to be cold but I got a little overheated in my ghillie.

I walked back out the way I came in, slowly still hoping to see something...ooops, there he is again! I freeze and so does he. He's got about a 4" beard. Then he's gone again. Not is a flurry but he didn't waste any time either.

What should I do tomorrow morning? I didn't call today at all. It seems to have a negative affect for me. By the way, I heard no gun fire. I could set up my blind either tonight or in the morning. Tonight would be easier but it is public land. If I could get there before fly down, I've thought about a locator call then get to the other side of them cause they seem to go the opposite direction of where I call.

Thanks for reading. Bona

59Alaskan · May 05, 2011, 07:52:00 PM

Sounds like a great hunt! I am of no use on this answer but will be anxiously reading the advice you receive. I am new to turkey hunting myself.

Congrats on a great day afield and keeping up with that turkey and not getting busted earlier!

kwc · May 05, 2011, 08:07:00 PM

go roost the bird set up your blind in the dark and be back there frist thing in the morning let them start gobbling and then call softley maybe once or twice to let them know your there then very little after they fly down let them hunt you one way to go at it good luck

DannyBows · May 05, 2011, 08:16:00 PM

Can't give advise, but I can wish you Good Luck!

meathead · May 05, 2011, 08:34:00 PM

Sounds like a good morning. Just nice to be dry the way the season has been going. I would take the blind back into the same area in the morning. Looks like the rain is coming back.

Jeffh67 · May 05, 2011, 09:02:00 PM

I agree with kwc, call a little, then wait him out. He will be curious, and hopefully things work out for you!

Rob W. · May 05, 2011, 09:50:00 PM

Rain in forecast here. Find most open area if its raining and maybe put decoy out. A few light calls and wait. Good luck!

PA stickbow boy · May 06, 2011, 12:14:00 PM

I'd probably try what KWC said. Good Luck!

Over&Under · May 06, 2011, 12:32:00 PM

Well written Bona...Good luck when you get back after him!

smilinicon · May 06, 2011, 12:37:00 PM

Good luck!

John Scifres · May 06, 2011, 12:52:00 PM

Sounds like a jake. They can be pretty stupid so don't worry that you spooked him out of the area.

I would definitely call. Mainly 'cause I like to do it

But also because I like hunting turkeys aggressively. It might not work for every bird but it works for enough.

Heck I'd go back out there tonight if you can. Find where he roosted last night and set up between where you last saw him and the roost site. Call every 15 minutes or so the last couple hours of light. He'll be back.

KentuckyTJ · May 06, 2011, 12:55:00 PM

Great story and good luck.

straitera · May 06, 2011, 01:35:00 PM

Pretty exciting story. Might find a suitable roost with a hootowl call before sunlight. After flydown, call very little until/unless they answer closeby when you can purr & cluck a hen for the gobblers.

maineac · May 06, 2011, 01:51:00 PM

Sounds like a fun morning. I tend to be a little aggressive while turkey hunting, since I spend all fall sitting quite and still waiting for deer. I would try to roost him tonight and get there early in the morning. Set up blind tonight or just ghillie it again tomorrow. Set up on the area you saw him in today and call every so often. Hopefully he will answer. If you don't trust your calling just try to ambush him. Sitting still is your greatest weapon. If you are moving it is really hard to sneak on a turkey.

b.glass · May 07, 2011, 02:00:00 PM

Long story short, I didn't get to go back out Fri. I went out this morning after a twelve hour shift but didn't quite make fly down.

I couldn't get the spot I had on Thurs. so I went where I saw a Tom and a hen hang'n on my way out Thurs. I heard some gobbles early on but they came from the area I wanted to be in. I still heard no gun shots but this was the last day I could hunt since it was a drawing.

Thanks for all your advice and support!

Bona