Free: Contests & Raffles.
It's a great time even if your tag isn't wrapped around a bird's leg!
Well I finished out my first Turkey season with a big zero, but I learned a ton. I found their roosting spots finally, found their feeding zones. Got them calling and could get them within 100 yards but they stayed in the tree line so I couldn't see them. Looking back we may have called too much, we were calling every 15-20 minutes.Even though we didn't get one, man it's exciting hearing them come in. Inexperience got us this time, but each time you go out you learn something new. Looking forward to fall, I refuse to give up on these cautious birds. Did see a ton of wildlife out in colville area, saw skunks, elk, deer, and heard lots of turkey saw a few.
Quote from: Bogie85 on May 20, 2019, 05:09:34 PMWell I finished out my first Turkey season with a big zero, but I learned a ton. I found their roosting spots finally, found their feeding zones. Got them calling and could get them within 100 yards but they stayed in the tree line so I couldn't see them. Looking back we may have called too much, we were calling every 15-20 minutes.Even though we didn't get one, man it's exciting hearing them come in. Inexperience got us this time, but each time you go out you learn something new. Looking forward to fall, I refuse to give up on these cautious birds. Did see a ton of wildlife out in colville area, saw skunks, elk, deer, and heard lots of turkey saw a few.If the birds are 100 yards away and gobbling you should get aggressive on them. Sneak in closer or do a circle around them and get to another area. I'm not passive when I hunt turkeys and prefer taking it them when it is called for. Glad you had a great time and Colville is a pretty area.
Quote from: EWUeagles on May 21, 2019, 07:20:36 AMQuote from: Bogie85 on May 20, 2019, 05:09:34 PMWell I finished out my first Turkey season with a big zero, but I learned a ton. I found their roosting spots finally, found their feeding zones. Got them calling and could get them within 100 yards but they stayed in the tree line so I couldn't see them. Looking back we may have called too much, we were calling every 15-20 minutes.Even though we didn't get one, man it's exciting hearing them come in. Inexperience got us this time, but each time you go out you learn something new. Looking forward to fall, I refuse to give up on these cautious birds. Did see a ton of wildlife out in colville area, saw skunks, elk, deer, and heard lots of turkey saw a few.If the birds are 100 yards away and gobbling you should get aggressive on them. Sneak in closer or do a circle around them and get to another area. I'm not passive when I hunt turkeys and prefer taking it them when it is called for. Glad you had a great time and Colville is a pretty area.That makes a lot of sense, would you change your calling? Do you still use a decoy? Are you doing yelps only?
It's great to hear you had a good time. By the sound of it you had better luck calling the birds than I did at the beginning of the season. It does get frustrating when you can't get them in range but it's nice to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. When you go out in the fall find out where they roost and where they drink and place yourself in between the two. The birds are all flocked up then and it's a great oppurtunity to watch them and learn about them. Just don't forget to kill one when you're done observing
Quote from: Bogie85 on May 21, 2019, 08:00:56 AMQuote from: EWUeagles on May 21, 2019, 07:20:36 AMQuote from: Bogie85 on May 20, 2019, 05:09:34 PMWell I finished out my first Turkey season with a big zero, but I learned a ton. I found their roosting spots finally, found their feeding zones. Got them calling and could get them within 100 yards but they stayed in the tree line so I couldn't see them. Looking back we may have called too much, we were calling every 15-20 minutes.Even though we didn't get one, man it's exciting hearing them come in. Inexperience got us this time, but each time you go out you learn something new. Looking forward to fall, I refuse to give up on these cautious birds. Did see a ton of wildlife out in colville area, saw skunks, elk, deer, and heard lots of turkey saw a few.If the birds are 100 yards away and gobbling you should get aggressive on them. Sneak in closer or do a circle around them and get to another area. I'm not passive when I hunt turkeys and prefer taking it them when it is called for. Glad you had a great time and Colville is a pretty area.That makes a lot of sense, would you change your calling? Do you still use a decoy? Are you doing yelps only?I use a decoy when I can but if you get closer than you realize don't waste your time with a decoy. My last turkey I called into 15 yards with out a decoy. I'm sure he would have came to my feet if I didn't shoot haha. I'm not a great caller but I always figured if I'm doing something and get a response I'm doing something right. If you move in close and he's still stuck there I'll try anything to get him to move and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
Tagging in. Sounds like a good time
EWUeagles' comment inspired me to mention that in some cases, like you having hung up birds, moving away from the turkey and calling can help. The tom thinks the hen has lost interest and may close the final distance. This works really well if you have a partner calling which allows you to remain still and not get busted. I have used decoys exactly twice in a decade of hunting. The first time produce a cougar, which was counter productive, and the second a tom. I prefer to be light and mobile so I can circle around or cover alot of ground if needed.
