Fall -- The Best Time For Turkeys?
 

A big Tom gobbling as he comes to my call in the Spring is to me one of hunting's supreme moments, but I have a deep affection for chasing turkeys in the Fall. To steal and adapt a line from Gordon MacQuarrie: Spring hunting I love, but chasing birds in the Fall, I worship. There's nothing quite like rambling through the Fall wood and fields hoping to be able to flush a flock and then sit -- struggling with your patience to wait before you call -- and then yelp or kee-kee a young bird into shotgun range. I'll take my turkey hunting both ways, but may give the nod to Fall.

Any other Fall turkey hunters out there?

The gun is one of my 1904 Parkers, this one a GH with both barrels at .040. Built on a #1 frame, this guns matches its research letter in all aspects, including its 7 lb. weight. Just right for long walks in the hills of North Missouri.

Unfortunately, fall turkey season happens during the upland season, so when given a choice, I walk behind some bird dogs. For the same reason, I'm not much of a bow hunter. When you heading north Garry, I'm leaving on the 15th?

The old time turkey hunters in Virginia left a bad taste in my mouth. Their hard headed pointers running a hundred miles an hour and flushing the birds I could deal with. But they would try to kill the whole flock taking multiple birds a day, and going back after them day after day. Even going so far as to spread cracked corn throughout the woods in front of their well constructed blinds. In my old age I save all three tags for the spring. I prefer to take gobblers only but I understand the fall hunting.

I want to go on a good fall hunt at least once.

We leave at the same time Harold. Dean Weber will join us, and we’ll meet Bruce Day and Joe Weidle, too. We could have a PGCA meeting!:)

I get your disdain for those game hogs, but tramping the mountains in winter in Virginia is one of my fondest memories. Much more walking than shooting, much more. Oh, for those days again.

Does Georgia have a Fall season? I assumed the Southern states did after growing up in Virginia and chasing birds in the Fall.

There is no fall season in Georgia or SC. The New England states around Harry's school have fall seasons, so hope to go while he is there. It is not happening this year, unfortunately.

Sounds like a good group, I have met Bruce, talked with Dean several times, and of course yourself, don't know Joe. I hear bird numbers are good. I'm going to slip in a Fox SW 20 into my armament this year, a long with my VHE 20, a Ugartechea 28, and a hammer 20.

You will be well armed my friend, especially with those bird finding Setters of yours and your obvious energy. Please report to us on your hunt… and be safe.

They are sweet little bird guns. Some years ago I acquired a nice, tight Fox Sterlingworth Ejector 20 with 28" barrels. I determined to make it into my go to quail and woodcock gun. I sent it to Dean Harris and had him lengthen the chambers to 2 3/4" and open the chokes to .006" R and .016" L. I needed more LOP so I added a Silvers type pad and faced it with leather from my Grandad's old leather duck hunting coat, that had deteriorated from age. First time I walked into a covey rise it took two birds with the right barrel (accidentally) and one with the left. We bonded that day.

I hope you find one you enjoy as much as I do mine.

Stan, I also have a bird-gettin’ Sterlingworth. Mine is a 16 and is a real feather weight. It took a bluff-side Iowa grouse in deep winter on its first shot. It does not get out enough anymore.

We have a fall season here in NH but I have never been interested to shoot hens or half grown poults. I suppose some toms are taken but I think the hen flocks are more susceptible to the hunting tactic. That does not mean that I care if others fall hunt, I think if that is what you like and it is legal enjoy it and bring home some fine eating.

I’ve taken my share of Tom’s in the Fall, mostly by stalking (they don’t respond well to calls in the Fall), but busting a flock with young birds and calling them up in the beautiful Fall woods is grand sport… and the eating is much better.

No fall season in NC.

I’ve killed a few turkey in the past but haven’t pursued them in recent years . However I’d like to kill one with my grandfathers W&C Scott crystal indicator 10 gauge and possibly another with my Parker DH-8 .

Way to go Garry.

Ahh, New England fall foliage, a fine turkey dog, abundant flocks on ground to hunt and an old Parker lifter.....life is grand!

OMG! Fall hunting with a bona fide turkey dog is incredible, and with a lifter!?!

That might be, as the true collectors like to say, a one of a kind. Congratulations.