Turkey Report
 

I went this Saturday and had one gobbling. I think it is the same one that gobbled here last year and, like last year, he started moving away from me and back down the edge of the swamp. Then I hear three shots in his general direction. After about five minutes, he starts gobbling again. Then, 20 minutes later or so, another single gun shot, and he does not gobble after that.

Go back Sunday with my son and we don't hear a thing. The temperature dropped like a rock and it was raining a little. Hopefully, this coming weekend will be different.

I know some folks on here have had some luck, but how are the rest of you doing?

Our season does not open until next Monday. I've been hearing birds gobbling around the house in the mornings when I let the dogs run. It's been so cold here reports are that birds are still flocked up and our Conservation Dept. is predicting a slow start for the season. I have opened the season sitting in snow once in my 38 years of hunting turkeys in Missouri. Not fun, but it keeps the ticks down some.

Season does not open here until the 25th (Excepting youth season), of course I will be in Sanford. I had 4 Toms strutting behind the house last week and they are gobbling. I have seen them out in the fields most every time I go out.

My brother got one and then missed one a few days later. My Dad has had about the same luck I have.

One thing for sure. . . the season seems to take forever to get here and then flies by when it arrives

One less in Texas!!

Last Monday.

Mark,

Are you hunting in your neighbor's garden?:) It sure looks like a scenic place to call up a gobbler.

Garry,

Timely rains in our little part of South Texas, has produced a really nice wildflower crop. Here on a friends place, the Indian Blanket flowers are partcularly beautiful, and abundant! This Gobbler met his maker about 5’ from the posed pic, because he and all his buddies trampled the blooms around the hen decoy they were “courting!”. It is truly a cathartic experience to hunt in such a stunning setting.

Spring gobbler doesn’t start in the Old Dominion until 4/14 . Although I doubt if I go the war between myself and turkey died a few years ago . Although I wouldn’t be adverse to knocking one over with my grandfathers old W&C Scott 10 gauge for old times sake !

Mills is there a fall turkey season in SC or GA ?

No, we have spring only

I got to the woods and set up at dawn. I had a open field to my left and a wooded creek bottom in front of me. Here I placed one hen decoy. For some reason, about 8:00, I looked to my left, and out of the corner of my eye there stood the gobbler. I froze. I waited for about 5 minutes, looked again, and he was, of course, gone. Oh well. I decided to give it another hour. About 8:45. I heard a bird behind me. He came in to my left making a beeline for the decoy. I raised the Trojan 12, shot, he took to the air. I gave him the left barrel. He folded in mid air and landed in the creek. 14 lb. jake.

By the way, this was Saturday, the 14th; I have never, ever, shot a turkey on Opening Day. The gun used is a Trojan 12 gauge, 28" barrels, bored improved cylinder and modified. I was using left over #4s, lead shot.

Dad and I went Saturday and had two calling on either side. Lots of hens, so no luck. Did have an armadillo running around us and should have shot him, but was holding out hope for the turkeys to come in. Beautiful time to be out in the woods, though.

Went Saturday and had at least two gobbling on either side. One got close but would not come over a clump of scrub palmetto. He was smart, I guess. Sunday, went with my son and heard some in the distance, but no luck. Story of my turkey career, but am not complaining. You can't beat the scenery or tranquility

Looking at that youngster with his Parker, I'd say this qualifies as an extraordinarily successful hunt!

Thanks for sharing the photos.

It's not his yet. He is just holding mine.

Thanks for the kind words, Garry

that son of yours mills is being raised up the right way...great looking place you are hunting sometimes a turkey will hang up on creeks fence lines and plants like yours did...stay after them you ll win one day heck just beeing in the woods this time of year is a winner... charlie

That is right Charlie. Being in the woods this time of year is just beautiful. We'll get him one day.

Well I got the monkey off my back this morning, killed two. Another five seconds and I may have gotten my season limit.I had one coming really talking when suddenly three walked in quiet. I've been busted several times this year by birds coming in behind, Good to see some come like they are supposed to.

Excellent!! Congratulations.

Did my work this morning, I sinned and took my Ithaca Grade 3 Super Ten.

A pardonable sin — three h—l Mary’s and you are forgiven (and envied...but wait, isn’t envy a sin , too?!).

Besides the Southern SxS NC has a few other things to offer.A buddy and I decided to meet at a friends farm in eastern NC for a few days of turkey hunting before heading to the SxS.
Meeting at Rocky Mount and heading to the farm a week ago Sunday with beautiful weather our hopes were high.
Since private land is hunt able on Sunday now we went that afternoon for a few hours.Really slow with one hen that came in and put on a show.
Monday was different weather still beautiful but going to deteriorate that afternoon.Had a gobbler roosted about 150yds away this morning.He gobbled once.Hens flew down and landed with in 40yds.Gobbler enter our setup about 40yds straight in front in full strut.Brief thought entered my head(this will be easy).My buddy fired and pulled his shot hitting the ground jus right of the bird.
Rest of the day was slow but I suspect the birds were preparing for the coming rain.
Tuesday rain most of the day.It let up about 2pm and I knew we should be out hunting but something told me not to go.We had a cookout and some good company that afternoon.
Next morning(Wed.)we went right to a known roost and were greeted with one or two gobbles.Birds flew down and shut up.At 8am on gobbler enter our corner then another and another then another.Milled around for about an hour.We sat still and quite.As they started to leave I called very softly.One turned and came straight to us.One down one to go.
Made a stealthy exit and and went back to lodge and relaxed the rest of the day.
Thursday decided to go right back to same spot as before.This time with a single hen decoy.Got there very early as I had a another one of those feelings again.Went straight out and set up decoy.Started brushing us in next(530am)birds started gobbling.In fact about 6 birds were gobbling all with in 150yds.Well this concert lasted till about 620am.Three few down at about 55yds and made a beeline straight to us.Second bird down at 625am.
The way the birds were acting you'd have thought it was opening day.Hens cutting and yelping.All the gobblers were trying their best.
What a morning.
Then on to the SxS Show.

Good job! I am going to try again this weekend with my new back action lifter I bought from the Southern. The season is late and they have gotten pretty wise, so we'll see

Wow now that’s a heck of a bird. I’m headed to New Mexico in the morning again. Hope to fill my tags.

Craig that's a good bird, but wow what an Ithaca!

What a great story Bob Hayes. Holy smokes that bird looks like Freddy Krugar with those hooks. Hope that bird was stone cold dead before you picked him up, those daggers would do a number on you.

Good luck Mills there's a bird there waiting for you and that new gun.
Good luck to you Phil let us know how you make out.Those NC birds are kind of intimidating after 6 weeks of looking at those little 18lb osceola turkeys.
Hope everyone has a great rest of season and a safe one.

Attachment 62395

Savannah river gobbler for you Mr. Morrison. Shame it goes out this Saturday

Excellent, John!

Got out yesterday for day 1 that actually started on Saturday here in PA. I usually miss the first 2 days due to being at the Southern, so, it began as usual. Smoked a slammer Tom at 8:15 AM. 24 lbs, 9 1/4" paintbrush beard, total spurs 2 5/16". Now for filling tag #2!!

Whoa;

Nice bird. Anything that big and well fed must of had a name and been someones pet. Did you make sure there were no strings on that turkey?:)

Just kidding. Glad you got off to the right start. Hope your next ones even bigger.

Very nice.

Todd, I have seen him for a year. Named him “El Ropo”.

Good going guys nice seeing somebody still enjoying the spring season.It will ease the withdrawals I am experiencing after two months of turkey season in Florida and NC..

Way to go Mike. I don't see a gun in the pics. Did you shoot that with your buddy Dave's Elsie? I bet he made you use it after that thrashing you gave him.:rotf:

Well you told me you were going to do it on the first day. You're like Babe Ruth calling your shots. What a bird!

Well, bird #2 went down on my day 3 at 6:58 AM. The bearded hen has a 6 1/4" beard and came in with 3 gobblers and she was taken left handed at 15 yards. Nothin' to it!! Now it's time to move on to woodchucks.

Who says turkey hunting is challenging. Congrats. Youssa Killa.

Looks like you had a great (albeit short) season. And what are you taking woodchucks with, if I may ask?