Sneakyjake 2014

[sneakyjake]

Short and sweet this year.  Took off too much time in the fall killing elk and deer so something  had to give.  Camped on a farm again, really enjoyable.  Quicker to the birds, less gas driving back to town, better socializing.  We didn't see anyone else hunting the first day so be it to our surprise that the one bird we roosted the night before was taken in the morning.  They put the truck there the night before which I found to be polite so we didn't waste time going in and busting up their hunt.  Plenty of birds for us, so all is good. Short on time we decided that we would shoot one for the freezer and one for the wall.  First birds to come in were a couple of puffed up jakes.  One down.  Called a couple of toms in pretty close but couldn't get the shots off.  Birds have finally returned to one of my honey holes after the two bad winters we had.  It has taken years to repopulate the area sufficiently enough to feel good about hunting it.  We roosted a nice flock that night followed by an incredible morning with tons of action ending with someone else "uhhummsteve" shooting over a gobblers head at ten feet.  We regained permission to some properties that we hadn't hunted in a while and called a huge flock off of an adjacent farm and wacked the head tom coming in spitting and drumming for all to enjoy.  Tags were filled, bread was broken, and we returned with smiles on our faces as usual.

[bowhunterforever]

Nice job,Congrats

[Birdguy]

Sounds like a great time for all. I may have to challenge the better socializing comment.....have camped a couple years at the fairgrounds with you socializing was certainly not an overlooked part of your turkey hunting  . Glad to hear the birds are repopulating a bit over there, we did not go over this year.....yet as the areas we used to hunt seemed really low on birds the last several years. Great pictures and write up.

[Devinshoe]

You hunting up in the basin this year? Great job on the birds!

[sneakyjake]

You are right, a different kind of socializing.  We were able to hang out with some of the land owners that we don't usually get to.  I still have a good time either way if you  know what I mean.   Birds have definitely moved back into some areas we haven't hunted in a while.  Hey Devin, same areas though less birds where I met you.  We hunted more down the road because the birds were pretty thick there.  Did see a cougar close to your place and found a couple nice sheds.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Good job ...that's what it is all about ...getting out and enjoying nature with your friends and family 

[turkeydancer]

Good job Sneaky ...
When I saw you guys, I was heading out to do some more patterning.   I was the only one hunting on 4 (of 6) private properties I had permission on ... 6 flocks with 20 to 30 birds in each flock ... one had 4 gobblers in it.  Had a great time and was almost always on birds. Had to work a little harder than usual and was the 4th day before any luck.  Had a tom that liked to circle and come out about 60 to 80 yards away many times ... finally used the full strutter and gave him a gobbler on the tube call next time he "peeked" to get him coming in ... first of two in the freezer.   Sorry no pics ...

[sneakyjake]

We were in and out so fast or I would have came back to town looking for you. Sounds like it would have been a good year to hook up. You must have had a good time playing with all those birds you turkey hoarder you.  Miss the old days with everyone together. 

[turkeydancer]

Yep, hasn't been the same ... sorry I missed you guys, but looked like you were on a mission !