Post Your 2018 Success Stories and Pics

[TheStovePipeKid]

So why is it the first year I didn't get skunked since I shot my first turkey back in 09 that nobody started a thread to collect pictures and memories? Anybody got some good stories and pictures to share from 2018? It was a heck of a year for harvesting, and a great year to be in the turkey woods.

[TheStovePipeKid]

I guess I'll kick start the thread with a reminiscence of October 2018. I had driven most of the night and arrived to one of my turkey hunting spots with a few hours to go before daybreak. I conked out in the car until my alarm roused me. I got myself set up just before sunrise near some water and dug in. It was hovering near freezing temps and I figured I'd sit around until I either shot a turkey or froze to the ground. I ended up keeping poor company, as the only thing I saw were three coyote coming through looking for a meal. After sitting for two hours I pulled the plug and ate some breakfast. I headed out from there to my actual destination which was some private farmland I had hunted the previous month. I rolled in about 10 o'clock and met up with the landowner who was butcher some cattle. I chatted with him for a few minutes and he mentioned he hadn't seen much of the turkey after I greased one the previous month. I loaded up my pockets and setup for a bit of scouting (in a bright orange vest, per the law) and headed down into a secluded creek valley at the edge of the property. It wasn't more than a minute and I almost busted myself by be bopping through the area. As I came up to an upturned tree stump I reckoned I should peek around it. Sure enough there were about thirty birds getting a drink and sunning themselves. I climbed back out and followed the upper portion of the property until I was right above them. I hung out for about forty minutes watching them sun and dust themselves just out of range. They ended moving away from me through scrub brush so I waited until it was clear and pushed down to the end of the property to head them off. I managed to cut them off by belly crawling up a grassy hill and got my sight on a bird at about 40 yards and squeezed off a 3" Longbeard shell. I will say that shooting a turkey while it's standing in water does tend to ruin any picture opportunities you might be intending on. I had two tags and managed to reload before the last turkey scooted off, but it was outside my range and I didn't want to chance it. I ended up waiting for a minute or two hoping to maybe swing around again and tag a second. In the end I had one soggy turkey and wasn't able to get back on the rest. Not bad for a one day hunt. So there you have it. And remember, when wearing blaze orange just belly crawl everywhere you go, and practice shooting prone.

[bracer40]

I'm not a turkey Hunter so please forgive my ignorance.
I was under the impression that turkey hunters camo'd up BECAUSE turkeys see color.
Does one have to wear orange during all turkey seasons or justat certain times (or units where other hunts are occurring?
Thanks

[TheStovePipeKid]

When hunting during modern firearm seasons all hunters must wear 400 inches of hunter orange and it must be visable from all sides. They announced in 2018 that a review of the law showed they should have been enforcing hunter orange in 2016 and 2017.

[roderickweise]

Does the hunter orange apply to private property? I thought it only applied to public land.

[TheStovePipeKid]

WDFW regulations apply to all lands except tribal from my understanding.

[konradcountry]

Was up in the NE with another hunt wa member.

Totally underslept and worn out from hunting two 12 hour days. Not at all expecting to see a tom in the last 8 hours and rain was coming.

Caught two toms trying to escort their hens across a road. Gave chase and the two toms ran right at each other. Was hoping to get one but was shocked to see them both drop. DOUBLE BABY

[Dan-o]

Was up in the NE with another hunt wa member.

Totally underslept and worn out from hunting two 12 hour days. Not at all expecting to see a tom in the last 8 hours and rain was coming.

Caught two toms trying to escort their hens across a road. Gave chase and the two toms ran right at each other. Was hoping to get one but was shocked to see them both drop. DOUBLE BABY

NICE!

My boy shot two-for-one last year.

I never have.......

[konradcountry]

Was up in the NE with another hunt wa member.

Totally underslept and worn out from hunting two 12 hour days. Not at all expecting to see a tom in the last 8 hours and rain was coming.

Caught two toms trying to escort their hens across a road. Gave chase and the two toms ran right at each other. Was hoping to get one but was shocked to see them both drop. DOUBLE BABY

NICE!

My boy shot two-for-one last year.

I never have.......

Hey getting one on public is hard enough, especially for us weekend warriors.

I think I'll try a bow this year though.

[TheStovePipeKid]

I got a fever, and the only prescription is more turkey stories!

[Skyvalhunter]

If that's the case pray for rain and warmer temps

[avidnwoutdoorsman]

To early for 2019?


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[Birdgetter]

Good looking Osceola, what state did you get him in? Great picture too!

[Turkeyman]

Nice bird.

[kevinlisa06]

Good looking Osceola, what state did you get him in? Great picture too!

I’m going to take a stab and say Florida


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