Some pix from a months worth of Turkey scouting...

[Guru]

Been hitting the honey-do's hard here at home, and been busy in my shop so I haven't been around here as much as usual.

But I have been getting out every morning for a short time scouting for the upcoming season here in NY....we finally get going May 1st!

Thought I'd share some pix...

This is a gobbler that earned the name "droptine", the first time I saw him the shape of his beard reminded of one....
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This is "Hook" and "Crook". Hook is the one with his fan facing us. He's got very long, sharp spurs/ hooks....
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This is "Crook", as you can see the top band on his fan is crooked as a result a tail feather that didn't grow full length...
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These two have always been together, and seemed like friendly partners. But what I saw yesterday changed my mind about that!   I'll get to that later....


I've seen many beautiful sunrises...
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more on the way......

[K.S.TRAPPER]

   

[steadman]

Lookin good Curt!

[Guru]

A little woodsy treasure...
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"Droptine" again...
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"Hook" and "Crook" about to show for the ladies...
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[Big Ed]

Awesome bud!!

[Don Batten]

Must be hard having to wait till may1st and having to read all the turkey stories on here at the same time. I'm sure you got a plan. Speaking of stories, I hear that a bunch are on the way home from NE. Hated to miss that trip but, glad I aint driving back today. Good luck Guru.

[DesertDude]

Very nice Guru........

[jimmerc]

I was wondering where you been, I can alway count on Curt to fire up the turkey hunting blood for sure!! Awesome bud, thanks for sharing and good luck out ther this week!!

[Guru]

A band of 3 marauder jakes that are always trying to steal the girls....
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"Droptine"
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Turkey train...
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A couple I caught crossing a road by one of my areas...
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Another sunrise in apple country...
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Another over a local reservoir, we're never alone in nature...
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Now back to "Hook" and "Crook" seeming to be best buds....
I was driving thru one of the orchard yesterday evening on a little scouting mission. I drove in saw one hen, turned around and drove right back out, not 5 minutes had passed since I drove through on the way in.....

I turn a corner and there's Hook and Crook in an all out, knock down-drag out turkey fight like I've never witnessed in my life!

I drove to within 50yds. before I saw them.  I just stopped, grabbed my bino's and couldn't believe what I was seeing!

It was a very even battle, and seemed to sway back and forth as the flew up at each other, banging together in an attempt to spur the other. They neck wrestled and pecked each other so violently that both of them were a bloody mess!

I could easily see with my bino's that each birds beak was blood red, and both had open, dripping bloody gashes on there heads and upper necks!

There heads where a color I've never seen before in a turkey....purple! All purple, top to bottom. Must be the color they turn when aggressive and angry.

I mean this was almost hard to watch for the 5 minutes I did...it was extremely violent!

In the end it was Crook that eventually gave in and started to run off...with Hook right on his tail feathers....

All that and no camera!!

[Bigriver]

I could not help but think that has to really smell good walking down that lane with all those apple blossoms.Nice pics.

[Mike Gerardi]

Man you sure know how to start it off Curt. Good luck opening day.  

[glenbo]

Best of luck Tuesday Curt.I will be pulling-on wrenches and watching untouchable birds at the place I am working .Saturday am behind the house will be the first for me.Great photos. glen

[Bernie B.]

Great pictures and a good lead to your upcoming May hunt.  Good luck!    

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

[Dirtybird]

Curt good luck.  You better take HOOK out of the flock it seems he might beat everyone up.

Cool deal, Curt! My turkey season here in S. TX just ended today and yours has not even started yet.

I know you don't need it, as you are the Mad Turkey Slayer, but Good Luck this season. I'll be waiting for the pics.

See ya later,

Bisch

[Charlie Lamb]

This is the real secret to turkey hunting success!

Liked the "turkey train" pic. Wasn't that the name of an Ozzy Osborn song?
 

[joebuck]

one of my favorites was your hero shot a few years back with gobbler slung over the stone fence.  how about a repeat!

[wapiti792]

Great pics Curt! Good luck...forget that. You don't need it  

[monsterbuck]

Thanks for sharing, great pics. Looks like you've got a great place to hunt tomorrow.  Good luck and keep us posted.  God bless.

[SheltonCreeker]

Great Pics thanks for sharing. Looking forward to the up close and personal photos of one of those unlucky fellas!