2 nd day hunt report

[charlie cleveland]

i did not get to go turkey hunting the first day the season opened in mississippi on friday...first time in my life its ever done this...well went saturday it was a good day no wind and about 45 degree temperature..i heard no gobbling going on early that morning but about 8.30 a m i called and a hen answered me across a small creek it took them about 15 minutes before they flew into the field i was set up in..they really liked the hen decoys one little fellow with about a half inch beard fuzzed up and was rubbing shoulders with her... 2 nd little fellow had no beard that i could see and he could only attemt about a half fuzzed up stance..there was seven of them they finally wondered off after not getting any attention from the hen decoys.. in about 30 minutes 3 long beards came into field at about 2 hundred yards i never could get them any closer...i had to leave at 9.30 so no turkey killed...then went this morning i only heard one gobble and never heard another peep.again left at 8.00 oclock to go to church so will be going early in the morning totin that old ten ga parker... charlie

[Dennis V. Nix]

Darn it Charlie if only you had taken your 8 bore the 200 yard shot would have been easy. Darn the bad luck anyway. I know you are wanting to make it sporting for the turkey and give them a chance to come in closer. Ha...

Dennis

[Stephen Hodges]

Charlie, we have to wait until May 3rd to Turkey hunt here in NH!!!!!!!!!!! I was at my camp in Pittsburg, NH this weekend getting in a little late riding, and it was -6 this morning when we got up!!!!!!!! Good luck hunting.

[Mills Morrison]

I went several times this weekend. For all of our talk on here about long range shots, I had one come up about 5 paces from me. I heard calling and calling and next I knew he darted from behind a tree and almost ran into me. He escaped. I took my son Harry out Saturday afternoon and we heard some but they would not come. We saw them in a small field on the way back and there was about five hens for every one gobbler. Went out this morning and had three gobbling, but then all the hens on Dad's place found them and that was that.

[charlie cleveland]

them hens will sure mess a good thing up in a hurry..it s raining hear today i got up early but only heard one hen....

[Mills Morrison]

To quote my brother, you can't compete with the real thing. The season is early and Georgia opens up this weekend, so hopefully luck will change.

[will evans]

For all of our talk on here about long range shots, I had one come up about 5 paces from me. I heard calling and calling and next I knew he darted from behind a tree and almost ran into me. He escaped.

Such is life sometimes...:rotf::rotf::rotf: He's probably telling that story to impress the hens.

[Mills Morrison]

You know, I bet he was doing that Saturday afternoon when I saw them with all the hens.:rotf::banghead::crying:

[charlie cleveland]

well i got up at 4.00 this morning fixing too load up the truck and head to the woods...my uncle called me last night said he got a gobbler that weighed 20 lbs and sporting a 9 inch beard...the ve not been gobbling much here nothing was heard yesterday or seen... gotta go... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

what a day its been today im tierd and wore out...was in my blind by 6.30 with decoys put out..man was it cold a fella got be part crazy to git out and set and freeze looking for a turkeyany way i heard not a peep...the sun finally poped out about 10.00 but was not warming me up much i had been throwing my best calls into the wind but still no gobble...just then i thought i heard something and i had it was 2 dogs a really running something then i seen what it was 3 deer old does came close enough to have got them with the bird shot...i decided to go and eat at the house this was at 11.00 by 12.00 i had my bycickle loaded up into truck and old single barrel 12 with a rope tied on it for a sling...that bycikle sure let me cover a lot of ground but still no turkey seen...got back to truck and went looking at some large fields using the bino..but no turkey seen by 4.00 i called it a day.... charlie

[Mills Morrison]

They don't seem to like cold weather, if Charlie's experience and my cousin's experience last Friday morning are any guide. My cousin went out Friday and did not see anything and that is unusual for him.

[charlie cleveland]

yesterday i got up at 4.00 am fixed my breakfastand then got ready togo to the woods...fixing to get into truck and it started raining and the wind was blowing pretty good...i decided to wait a while to see how the weather got..well it finally cleared up a little at 1.00 pm i jumped into the truck and off to thw woods i went...it was still cloudy but wind had died done..got my decoys set up and got in the blind at 2.00 i see a turkey at about 250 yards.. it took it about 30 minutes to come over to check the decoys out it was a big hen...as i watched the hen grazearound the decoys i suddenly heard a growling sound behind me at first i thought it mite be a coyote but it turnrned out to be a small red dog it was growling at my decoys...well i slapped my hands together and little dog got the message and run off...i figured my evening hunt was over but decided to stay with it ...after about an hour oif calling at 15 minute intervals 6 big jakes came onto the field boy was they hungary they payed not a bit of attention to the decoys or me softly calling to them so i just sat back and enjoyed the show....about an hour passed by and then another turkey came onto the field and joined the other group..then another turkey came out and he was the one i was waiting for...i called to him and he just fuzzed up nice and pretty...the turkeys were at about a 100yards i looked at the time it was 6.00... they finally picked up the pace and was coming slowly to the decoys i layed my call down and pushed the safety off that old ten ga parker...big gobbler came by at 20 yards yep the bad boy met his waterloo...the big gobbler was shot with the ph ten ga 32 inch barrels used gauge mates in 12 ga in it...turkey was shot with 3 1/2 inch winchester no 6...turkey weighed 20 1/2 lbs 10 inch beard 3/4 inch razor sharp spurs...the turkey was a 3 year old turkey in my book...i lookes at the time it was 6.25 pm when i killed the turkey..this turkey never gobbled a time only yelped a coupla times.anyway it was a good hunt...... charlie

[Mills Morrison]

Good job Charlie! I was all fired up for today, but it is cold as can be outside so looks like tomorrow.

[John Dallas]

10 inch beard? We won''t see a bird like that in Michigan. There is a story going round that often turkeys up here have their beard frozen to a tree branch while roosting in a wet/rain/snow event, and when he flies down, leaves his beard frozen to the branch

[Dennis V. Nix]

Congratulations Charlie. I think you know we were all rooting for you to kill that bird. Good for you. Can you shoot another one or is the limit just one per season? I envy you for being able to sit in a stand. My limit is maybe an hour and after that I need to get up and look elsewhere.

Dennis

[charlie cleveland]

the limit is 3 gobblers per season.... dennis i seemed to have aquired the patience to stay in a blind from my father he could set all day in a blind...still very cool here today. last night it came a hail storm at 3.00 this morning...was about 2 inches of thumb size hail on the ground...i figure them turkeys had it rough last night..i was lucky my wifes car was outside but no hail damage that ive seen yet it sounded bad on the tin roof but no damage to it either... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

forgot to say ive added the 2nd turkey for this year as of today...gotout late this morning but set my decoys up anddid a few yelps was nt long here comes a big jake....he was very wary of the decoys did not want to come in so i switched from the box call to one of those finger pushed yelpers i guess the big jake liked the call he came to about 40 yards and the old ten roared to life...that bird dropped to the ground without even a flutter..i used the ph 10 ga again with the gage mates adapters...shell used winchester surpreme 3 inch no 4 lead..distance 40 steps head shot...looks like im finally doing something rite for a change...next hunt i hoefully will be useing the silent auction 8 bore.. charlie

[charlie cleveland]

just loaded me up some shells for the old mills 8 bore..winchester hull clear one. a winchester 209 primer. 70 grains of triple 7. aguande plastic wad.with 1 3/4 ounce of no 6 copper plated lead shot...will not get to pattern them this evening its raining again here..will pattern it on jerrys target of the turkey s head at 40 steps...hope it patterns well at that distance it being cly bore.i did not slit the plastic wad so it should a good pattern...charlie

[Mills Morrison]

I hope that old 8 gets your last one. That old gun deserves it after the years of rust and neglect. I missed today due to bad weather and stuff going on around here, but tomorrow I am going no matter what.

[charlie cleveland]

mills thats the way to go hunting dont matter what the weather like just go hunting...i like to hunt when its raining and hopefully warm..those turkeys like to get in a shallow drainway and look for snails and other critters...im working on the old 8 bore as of today tighting it up a little more..i shot the shells i loaded up yesterday at 45 steps.. old gun holding up well hardly no recoil with even 70 grains of triple 7 powder...only thing wrong with my loadings is ive either got to split the wads im using and make pedals on them or use a wadding with no cup holder for the shot..i shot 3 times and not a hole in the target did i put...then i got a 50 lb empty dog food sack and shot it4 times all i had was 4 nice big holes in it...they would make good slug loads...i had trouble before useing these wads so will just cut the sides off it or switch to remington wads ... i do not see how all the shot is staying in that wad but it does...the no 6 shot is level with the top of the wad then iput a piece of tissue over the shot then use 2 real thin 10 ga over shot cards over the paper tissue then roll crimp the load...i could see how the shot was staying together thus making a slug load if the top wadsover the shot was going down in the plastik wadding but it cant because the shot ius to the top of the wad..has any of you had this problem before... mills hope you get that bird and you other boys... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

got up early this morning and was in the woods before daylight..nary a gobble did i hear it was fairly cold had a frost on the grass..its got to warm up before long in the mornings it was nice this afternoon...i went back to the woods about 2.30 at 4.30 a group of 5 turkeys came out on the field i was hunting they paid my decoys and calling no mind..at 6.30 they finally came close enough for me to see them good they were all big hens...they stayed on the field till 7.00 was dark just about time i got home..heh and i had the 16 ga with me still working on the old 8 ga.. charlie

[charlie cleveland]

this was a warmer morning than usal..i was in the woods by 5.30 i went to a little hill to listen and sure enough i heard a turkey gobble...in about10 minutes i heard another gobble but it was not the same turkey..he gobblled again and i had a good line of direction on him and after him i went...after a quarter mile of double timing it i stopped and called that turkey gobbled but i bet it was still a quarter of a mile to him...i closed the distance and set up my chair and put the face mask on and yelped a coupla times that turkey gobbled again but it was the last gobble he made. i dont know what happened buti believe he had hens with him and they led him away from the calling... will go after him in the morning if it isnt stormy weather..one thing for sure this 16 ga is a lot lighter to tote than my 8 ga or the 10ga s... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

was up early again this morning boy could i have stayed in bed a coupla more hours...anyway got up and done the chores and was in the woods well before daylight.. at 6.30 that old gobbler cut loose he gobbled 8 times in about 15 minutes then he shut up and not a peep did he make... i kept hopeing to see him even though he was silent i gave him the most alluring calls i knew how but he did a no show..but two large jakes did come looking but i let them pass...i want that old gobbler who s been talking these last coupla morning s... will not hunt him tommorrow morning on account of EASTER but will be listening for him monday morning we hope... charlie

[Mills Morrison]

Saw a buzzard and eagle get in a fight this weekend. Gobblers on the move, but still lots and lots of hens. You hear one gobble and then about three hens clucking and heading straight for him.

[charlie cleveland]

now thats my first to hear of a buzzurd and a eagle haveing a fight...i d say few humans have seen this...mills it hard to do any thinh with a cobbler that s got hens running after him...good luck that birds waiting on you out there.. charlie

[charlie cleveland]

todays hunt started early as usul but lord it was foggy...i had the old gobbler figured out i thought each day he has gobbled more and more..only thing i did not figure on was the fog it was so thick you could have cut it with a fork...the fog stayed on till 9.00 and it began to lift..evidently turkeys are not very vocal during a fog i never heard a sound this morning..was going this evening but wife got me started helping her make some girl scout crafts and well here i am tellin ya ll instead of being in the woods...i ll have to see if mr gobbler will talk in the morning...charlie

[Jack Cronkhite]

Charlie, just gotta say I'm getting a second hand thrill from your stories. Never shot a turkey but may have to add that to the bucket list. Had a look at the recipe forum and don't see any turkey recipes. Maybe you could fix that, just in case I find myself having to prepare a wild turkey meal one year. Hope you bring number three home soon. How long is your season?
Cheers,
Jack

[charlie cleveland]

thanks jack...our season lasts till may 1 st...im gonna be honest ive killed and cleaned a lot of turkeys but ive got my first one to cook too..im gona have to call on someone else to post a turkey recipe..now come on boys jack and me need some help here..hope you have to cook a turkey someday jack a wild one... charlie

[tom tutwiler]

Fajita's baby. Marinade turkey strips in Fajita seasoning and then cook in a real hot cast iron skillet for just a few minutes. If you overcook them they will be tough. If you think they are done yank them out of the skillet right then. Then add a bit of oil to the pan and heat it up again real hot and throw in some sliced onions and sliced red peppers. Get those browned good and then yank them off the heat. Put everything in a warmed flour tortilla and throw in some homemade pico de gallo and some sour cream. Roll it up and eat away. You will think not much in the food world is better then this. PS. Wash it down with some good Mexican beer with a side dish of Charro beans. :)

[Mills Morrison]

I like em fried, but then I am from the Deep South.

[charlie cleveland]

mills i learnt from a buddy he said deep frying a wild turkey was a bit more difficult to deep fry..said you had to not over cook it or it would be tuff...what do you do... charlie

[Fred Preston]

Take an 18# jake; gut and skin it, put a stick of butter in the gut cavity, slip it into a plastic oven bag, and slow bake it till done. I forget the time and temp and you might want to season it to your taste.

[Jack Cronkhite]

Fajita's baby. Marinade turkey strips in Fajita seasoning and then cook in a real hot cast iron skillet for just a few minutes. If you overcook them they will be tough. If you think they are done yank them out of the skillet right then. Then add a bit of oil to the pan and heat it up again real hot and throw in some sliced onions and sliced red peppers. Get those browned good and then yank them off the heat. Put everything in a warmed flour tortilla and throw in some homemade pico de gallo and some sour cream. Roll it up and eat away. You will think not much in the food world is better then this. PS. Wash it down with some good Mexican beer with a side dish of Charro beans. :)

Tom, could you post "Wild Turkey Fajitas" in the Recipes sub forum as well. I don't have any turkey but I'm going to give this a go with some pheasant. I think the cast iron skillet is one of the most versatile pans in a kitchen. My mouth is watering now, so I know what is happening for lunch tomorrow. Just have to pick up some wraps and find some Negra Modelo.

Thanks.
Jack

[tom tutwiler]

Tom, could you post "Wild Turkey Fajitas" in the Recipes sub forum as well. I don't have any turkey but I'm going to give this a go with some pheasant. I think the cast iron skillet is one of the most versatile pans in a kitchen. My mouth is watering now, so I know what is happening for lunch tomorrow. Just have to pick up some wraps and find some Negra Modelo.

Thanks.
Jack

I'm blind. Where exactly is that forum and I'll post it there as well. Tom

[Jack Cronkhite]

Tom, starting at the home page, click Discussion Forum on the left side. Scroll down to Hunting With Parkers and click. That opens up all the fun threads that we all enjoy reading. Look at the top of the page before all the fun hunting topics listed and you will see

Wild Game Recipes

Click on that and you can add a new thread - your Wild Turkey Fajitas.

This keeps all the recipes in one spot for ease of finding them and enjoying them from time to time.

Thanks again for these fajitas.

Cheers,
Jack

[Mills Morrison]

mills i learnt from a buddy he said deep frying a wild turkey was a bit more difficult to deep fry..said you had to not over cook it or it would be tuff...what do you do... charlie



We have a restaurant near my parents' that specializes in fried turkey and they will do it for you. I leave such things to experts.

[charlie cleveland]

was up early again this morning walked outside and it had quit raining..it had warmed up during the night so decided not to wear rain gear...turned out i did not need it...i arrived at my hunting spot at 5.30 am got my decoys and chair and loaded the gun and took a pretty good walk 1/2 mile i guess to where i had last heard that old gobbler ...i found the perfect spot it was a little curve in the old road that runs by a little creek..i could see for 50 yards either way i set the decoys out and got in the middle of a black berry patch man what a good blind i had only trouble was i could not see the 50 yards any more..could only see about 20 yards but this was ok it was such a good blind...got the calls out a box call and the thumb operated one throwed out my best calls but no anwser did i get...stayed there till 6.30 all i seen was some wood ducks they seemed interested in the turkey calls...ha i left this good spot and returned to the truck but before i got to the truck i scared up to turkeys it always amazes me how fast these big birds can get into the air..they looked to be hens judgeing by the color of there feathers...and as i got to my truck and was putting up my gear them same to turkeys flew outa trees rite there at the truck...had to cut my dads yard is the reason i came out early but i goit it cut and back in the woods by 3.30...was a nice evening up in the 60 s not much wind.. set the decoys up and stayed till 7.00 no turkey seen or heard..will be there again in the morning that old turkeys in there some where.... charlie

[hugh rather]

Sounds like maybe the gobblers are with hens now;that will soon change when nesting increases.I know the gobblers are getting more aggressive,even seeing some in town in residential sections in the past week.Only problem is the maple leaves are the size of squirrel's ears,time to go crappie fishing[that and my neighbor that crappie fishes took his boat out today].Decisions.Good luck to you tomorrow.

[Mills Morrison]

Harry and I were out today and saw nothing. He is learning how to sit still and be quiet which is progress

[charlie cleveland]

this getting up early every morning is telling on me..was up at2.30 this morning could not sleep...cooked me some bacon and eggs and a coupla biscuits and washed it down with some strong coffee and now i m ready to go except it wont be daylight for a coupla hours yet...loaded up my gear in the truck and just finally got tired of waiting and drove too hunting site.. i drove up a old log road till a fallen tree was in the way...got my gear and gun and checked to see if i had my shells and gun yep ok... went a about 3 hundred yards and fpond a place to set up decoys...as i was putting out the decoys i heard a gobbler but he was to far and he only gobbled twice...then another turkey cut loose gobbling sounded like he was about a 1/2 mile this turkey was gobbling good..i made a few loud yelps to him and he responded every yelp.the turkey was a coming to me i got ready checked my face mask looked around to see if any obstructions were around in sight path ...as this turkey kept coming gobbling a turkey gobbled behind me about 3 hundred yards to the back of me about this time crows had spotted this gobbler behind me boy every crow around was giving this old turkey a fit..the gobbler that had been coming to me must not have liked all that racket for he shut up and i heard him no more... that turkey the crows were after had gone further away from me. i should have took off after that turkey while the crows were after him good...but i did not finally the crows got tired of harrassing that old bird...them crows flew rite over the top of me and i raised my gun thinking..no did not shoot for about that time another turkey gave a half gobble about a hundred yards from me...well were he went is anybodys guess... about mid morning i went to the house..as i drove i thought was a real good morning hunt heard 4 differant gobblers and a good crow fight...well went home and cut the daughters lawn got back to the house and ate..told the wife i was tired thought i would rest a spell before going back hunting i looked at the clock it was 1.30pm decided just to set in the recliner for a hour well that hour turned into a few hours when i woke up it was 5.30... so moral of storey either dont set in recliner or else set the alarm clock..ha well gonna get ready to see if i can find that gobbler that was gobbling so much this morning in the morn... charlie

[Jack Cronkhite]

Good luck Charlie. Enjoying your posts.

[charlie cleveland]

got up early this morning throed together a peanut butter sandwich and off to hopefully here that old gobbler..was at a place we call the indian mound its not really a burial mound but was a old campsite many of a arrow head has been picked up here..this is where i expected the old gobbler to be close to but that old gobbler never made a sound this morning..i did hear 1 gobble but 15 minutes later there was a shot so i presume somebody got a turkey..well today is my church day so had to quit hunting at 7.00 be after him again in the morning... charlie

[hugh rather]

Good luck in the morning,weather's getting unsettled some,maybe they'll move. Those arrowheads are a good omen someone liked hunting there before.

[charlie cleveland]

well today almost turned up bird no 3....a cousin called me and wanted to come down and film a turkey hunt this weekend so i told him to come down today...he arrived this morning at 5.00 am he came into the house with a new gobbler decoy in a box and gave it to me...boy this thing is state of the art...it unfolds and twists back up like one of themlittle pop up blinds...this things has 2 sides of a real turkey painted on it thing sets on a little rod that pushes in the ground and the wind will turn and move him around..this thing is so life like you wanta shoot it... well off to the woods we went we stood and used a locater call but nothing heard so we set up our decoys and got into the blind sat there till 7.30 ...so we decided to move at the next set up we heard 1 gobble but never saw the tom...so we pulled up stakes and went to the store and got gas and a sausage biscuit...we decided to go look at some large fields to see if any turkeys was feeding in them as we drove there a hen crossed the road in front of us..as we got to the big fields we did a little calling and a large came out into the field but returned back to the woods well we left there and went back to my house for a sandwich..it was about 12.00 at this timeby the time we got to our new place to huntas we drove up to a small food plot we seen 6 turkeys feeding i guess they had either seen us or heard us drive up anyway they left the field shortly...boy the turkeys had really been useing this little food plot..we set up our decoys 2 hen and that ig new big gobbler boy was he a good lookin bird in full strut....we got into the blind and got every thing ready.. i gave several purrs and a coupla yelps and we got a gobble out about 2 hundred yards..my cousin terry had turned on his cam corder and in about 15 minutes that old gobbler came down a old road in full strut boy he was a beauty...i gave apurr and that old gobbler spotted the decoys boy did he ever stretch that old neck out..he gave them decoys a good 5 minutes of looking over he then turned and got behind a brush pile but we could still see his head moving..he gobbled 1 time he stayed in the brush pile about 5 minutes a strutting and carrying on..finally he started walking away from us and was out of our sight for a moment but then there he was he came out into the edge of the field in full strut he was at about 90 yards..he was really struttin but never gobbled he came about 3 feet and stood and really was lookin that old gobbler decoy over...the gobbler stood there for a few moments and turned around as to leave i gave a coupla soft yelps and he gobbled all the whiule the camera is really getting some good action of him...that old bird just could not mustard up enough courage to face that old tom decoy..the turkey went in behind a fallen tree with dirt on the roots and he stayed there for what seemed 30 minutes finally we lost sight of him and he gobbled once more and then we heard him in the distance once and he was gone...we sat in our blind for another our but terry had to be back in alabama before dark so we cut the hunt short...well the old gobbler lives for another day...it was a really good huntand best of all terry s got the old tom on film....who knows maybe tommorrow.... ps thought about you boys while i was watching that old bird... charlie

[Mills Morrison]

Another great story. Best way to look at it, if you got one more you would have your limit and your season would be over.

[Paul Plager]

Charlie, I realy enjoy your hunting stories. Keep up the good work. I still can't drive, so you are a great pleasure to me. Thanks:bowdown:

[hugh rather]

Good luck tomorrow.I was looking at some of those new decoys in the catalog; they look like the real thing.

[charlie cleveland]

up early as usual got in the woods about 5.30 ..i set and listened to a whooper will that was really giving it his best but he or she never got any responces...as daylight came on it started raining and i had to get back in the truck only lasted a few minutes and i was back out listening at 6.15 i heard a gobble it must have been 3/4 of a mile in about 15 minutes he gobbled again so i got in the truck and drove about 1/2 mile and stopped and got out and walked to where i thought he was i stayed there till 7.30 and he never gobbled again...pulled up stakes and went to the house..had to haul off my wifes dr pepper cans to the can man...believe it or not i aint got a dr pepper can oin the place to shoot at.. well got that job done and hit the woodsat 1.30 stayed till 7.00 but never heard a thing but did see fresh tracks of a hen and a long toed gobbler...gona go after the gobbler that gobbled this morning in the morning.... charlie

[Paul Plager]

Go get 'em Charlie.:corn:

[charlie cleveland]

was up at 4.00 this morning boy i could have slept a while longer... got to the woods and listened for a gobbler for about 30 minutes none was heard so i set up on the edge of a field hopeing to be able to lure one in...boy the decoys were showing out in the light breeze that old tom decoy sure was a shineing in the sunlight...even with my best calls i could not entice anything... i stayed till 8.30 had to do some work did not get to go back this evening but gona go again in the morning if i dont oversleep.boy this getting up early and chaseing turkeys is wearing me out... charlie

[Tom Carter]

Hang in there Charlie. Tomorrow might be the day for the big one. Tom

[Dean Romig]

Do you ever get out at night and "roost them" with an owl call to find out where to set up in the morning before they fly down?

[charlie cleveland]

dean ive never tried this thanks for the info..i have stayed till dark listening for them to fly up and then come back in the morning hoping one of them is a gobbler... yep sooner or later me and mr tom are gonna get to gether hopefully.. charlie

[charlie cleveland]

did not go hunting today...its raining and winds been blowing pretty good...we had storm warnings out so i just stayed in the house and looked at guns and ammo on the sale sites..good luck to you other hunters... charlie

[Dean Romig]

From what I see on the weather reports you had better get thee and thine into the storm cellar.

[charlie cleveland]

rose up early and was in the woods before daylight..lordy it was foggy this morning as daylight broke what i thought was 2 crows fighting turned out to be a coupla crows ganging up on a owl..that owl was trying to get away but them crows was giving him a bad time..he flew and landed rite aboive my truck them crows were rite behind him one of the crows seen me and turned back but that other crow didnot pay me or the truck any mind..that owl was really flustered up that crow was really walking that limb back and forth he went..the owl finally could not stand the racket and grief that crow was giveing him so he flew with the crow allover him pecking his head body slaming him in flight this was one mean crow.... well nothing else was heard or seen so i moved locations as i got my gear out of the truck i noticed a turkey track in the sand it was fresh no more than a hour old it had rained hard all night so i know it was fresh...went in the direction of track across a field and set up done a little calling..bird never showed...went to house about 9.00 had breakfast then went back this evening at 2.30 set up the decoys in a field.was not long here came a coupla dogs running a deer i seen it but could not tell what it was.any way i stayed hoping for the best but the dogs musta run the turkeys off i never seen any...gonna go to a car show tommorrow so will take the day off.... charlie

[Paul Plager]

Charlie, enjoy the car show.
It makes you wonder why the owl doesn't just take thw crow out, he has the means to if he so choses, doesn't he. Hawks feed on doves and the like. It's funny the way nature works.

[charlie cleveland]

was setting in my little chair i take with me to the woods before it turned daylight...i listened till 6.30 and not a gobble did i hear...i d went to where i had heard a gobbler last week but he musta took the lockjaw...i got my call out and made a series of yelps was not a secound till a hen was answering...she was very vocal she came in pretty fast till she got to a little creek she had to cross to get to me...but she hung up at the creek would not cross...seen a deer and 3 rabbits things are picking up i did not hunt this evening had to bushhog the yard.... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

went this morning...was in the woodsjust about break of day... i sat and listened by the truck for half an hour only heard one fly down...decided i would make a stand and do a little calling it was a perfect place overlooking a little wet bottom i just knew there would be a turkey come up any secound but it did not happen..decided to change locations went to truck and drove to a large field as i drove by there were 3 large birds feeding in the field..i thought i would try a sneaking approch on them but changed my mind..decided to wait till tommorrow morning to go after them.... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

got up at 4.30 this morning swallowed a peanut butter sandwich and was off the woods...i parked my truck about aquarter of a mile from wgere i had seen the 3 big turkeys at yesterday morning...boy i was feelin good about the hunt..well i sat in the blind till way up in the morning and did not see or hear a thing...thats the way it goes...went again this afternoon behind my daughters house she had heard a gobbler a gobbling yesterday morning..i thought i mite lure him in i made my setup on a old logging road and put the decoys out...as i was chooseing me a blind i found were a turkey had really destroyed a fire ant mound then it had dusted its self off....i stayed till 7.00 but no turkey seen...but am going back there in the morning. hope he gobbles... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

got up at 4.30 again eat me a sandwich and took off to the woods.. did not have far to go was hunting on my place close to were my daughter has been hearing this gobbler...was setting on my little chair up in the woods for about 30 minutes before daylight broke. every thing in the woods was busy with spring except for the turkeys..i hunted till 7.30 and a big storm front was acoming in so i cut out for the house with no turkey...and the rain came down.... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

got up bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning was rareing to go..got to the woods and had the decoys set out before daybreak...man was it cold had put on the long handles but even they did not seem to help this morning...i watched that field i was set up on like a hawk but narry a turkey or sound was heard this fine cold morning... when i finally went back to the truck i put my gear up and as i walked around the rear of the truck i looked down and there was a large turkey feather justing laying there like a sign for me telling me that he had been there... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

i did not hunt this weekend went to a tractor show but ive been getting every thing ready in the truck for some serious hunting these next 3 days...told the wife dont expect nothing out of me these few days because im gonna be gone from daylite till dark..gonna try every tacket i know of to try and get that last turkey...ive got the truck filled with gas all theother things checked and topped off now all i got to do is get a good nights sleep..yow i know how this usally goes but i can always catch up sleeping you know where...thats rite... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

was up early this morning at 3.45 ..got every thing together lunch water bottles mosquito spray man at the things you have to take to go hunting...i was in the blind with decoys set before daybreak...i was conifident i would at least see or hear something this morning...but no turkey was heard or seen at this locationso i pulled up stakes and left to go to a friends of mines farm...i shoulda been hunting early in the season here...my dad use to work this cattle farm for a doctor so i knew the area well i thought...after i began to hunt i relized i had forgot about as much as i remembered about this 1200 acre farm...i finally chose my hunting site it was after 12.00 and it had really got hot...the moskitos were rough but my bug spray worked ok...i had a beautiful set up a large field with knee high grassit was situated on the side of a large creek...surely this was my place to get that 3 rd turkey...i had been there about an hour when i gave a few yelps a bunch of crows started cawing about the same time a gobbler gave a half gobble like as if the crows were annoying him...i never seen or heard this turkey again...i stayed in this spot till 3.30 it just got so hot i had to find a cooler spot...i hunted till dark in other area s but never seen any thing...i will be up early again in the morning i m going after a gobbler thats been gobbling in front of my house.... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

was up again at 4.00 a m...i did not get to hear the gobbler that was at my daughters house i guess somebody told him i was gonna be looking for him...i went bach to my truck at 7.30 and went to a large field that a friend owns...i seen 2 big gobblers and had one gobble at me all the other one done was fuzz up and look my way...i should have been here at daylight instead of being at the daughters place...i pulled up stakes here and went to another field...i saw a big jake at about a hundred yards but did not call to him he only had a short beard i wanted a long beard.ha... i also saw a hen later in this field...well tommorrow is the last day im going back to the big field hope to be there set up before daylight..i will hunt here till i get tired of hunting or else limit out...hopefully limit out early... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

was up at 3.00 am this morning..i eat a sandwich and got my gear together and was off to the big field we seen the 2 gobblers in yesterday...i went to the north end of the field and set up the decoys it was still dark i used the flash light to set them up...at 6.00 i was looking through the binonoculars at the south end of the field there was 9 turkeys on that end of the field...i stayed were i was till 10.30there was 3 hens came by visiting my decoys..one old hen really fuzzed up at one of the decoys she really tried to have a conversation with the decoy but the decoy never said a word... i left this blind and went to were the other turkeys had left the field..i set up on the edge of the field it was not long before a big gobbler and a hencame out..that hen would lead that gobbler away from the decoys ever time he made a step in there derections...i watched this gobbler till 1.30 abig helicopter came by low what a racket..them turkeys took off a running out of the field i stayed till 3.00 but never saw them again...i looked at the watch again said im done im gonna call it the end to a good season..never got my 3 rd bird but i had a lot of fun trying...now that you boys season has started i ll leave the turkeys to you boys good luck....charlie

[Paul Plager]

Thanks Charlie. Your exploits have helped me with my hunting withdrawls this season. This d@#m shoulder is getting better but there ain't no way I could be in the woods. One of these days I'm gonna throw the 10 and the wife in the truck and head for your neck of the woods. It's been a long time sence I've been on the wrong side of the Mississippi river.:whistle:

[Jack Cronkhite]

Well Charlie, it is clear to me that you need some help. Not sure just how much help a guy from just a little ways north can be but, I'd do almost anything to get out of the snow. Next year I'll pack up some Parkers and see if you can teach me how to be helpful. Cheers, Jack

PS: I have enjoyed reading this thread a few times. Thanks

[allen newell]

Yesterday I got up around 4:45 am and headed up to my son in law's place in Manomet. He abuts over a thousand acres of bogs and woodland and has many turkeys and deer for that matter. I got out of the car, pulled my Matthews bow and gear together and as I was headed around the back of the house, first light was breaking and there, standing less than 20 yards in front of me was a lonely jake! One arrow spent later and he was in the bag and on the way home for a dinner of marinated turkey breast on the grill. It's not always that easy.

[Paul Plager]

Allen, that's the way they do it on TV. I'm jellous. I can't even look at my bow, or guns until my shoulder heals.:crying:

[charlie cleveland]

jack pack up and come see me this spring..leave the snow behind i hope...dont know nothing i can teach you but you mit teach me something... paul get that old truck ready bring the wife and gun and will see whats on this side of the ole miss... alan i aint never heard of nobody getting a turkey so quick and with a bow to boot...nice going... fellows its been fun now its time for ya ll to get up early and chase them gobblers..... boy am i behind cutting grass.... charlie

[allen newell]

Let's hope your shoulder heals up quickly Paul. Here in New England the turkeys have exploded to a point where in some communities they are a bit of a problem as in pest. And in some communities, they show no fear of people.

I'm done until the Fall Turkey season opens. But the marinated grilled turkey breasts last night on the grill were really good. MY wife made a quick marinade of olive oil, pressed garlic, a little soy sauce and pepper. We grilled them in an aluminum 'boat' for about 6 minutes on high heat and then removed the foil and placed them directly on the barbi'. The meat was moist and exceptional. Get well Paul so you can get out there and 'get em'

[Dennis V. Nix]

Sorry you did not get the third bird Charlie but I guess that is why it is called hunting and not shooting. Your tales were sure exciting and I guarantee we were all pulling for you to get that last turkey. You did great for the first two birds and maybe God was just playing with you for the last one. At least you know where they might be for next year.

Dennis