Youth Opener, Eagle takes Turkey

[Gobble Doc]

Got back late last night from a great time with my youngest son Nathaniel.  We got packed up late Wednesday night for an early departure Thursday morning.  I set my alarm for 3:30 am but had alarm clock failure.  We got out of the house by 5:30 on our way from Snohomish to the NE part of the state.  Just out of Monroe a trooper goes by with his lights on.  As we approach the summit of Stevens we understand why, the slide.  So, we turn around, drive back to Monroe, get to 405 to be greeted with morning rush hour, and then make our way to I-90.  Hours later we reach our destination and begin scouting.  We see birds on Thursday and then also on Friday at the same place and about the same time.   Lots of turkey sign, poo, feathers, perfect.  We set up our blind as he is trying with his bow.  We have our plan.  Saturday morning we get up and it is pouring rain.  After 3 hours in the blind with no birds we decide to go mobile.  Late in the day we go to a farmer’s field where I had previously hunted and low and behold there are birds.  Unfortunately they are spooked from a tractor so we call it good for the day.  Sunday morning I suggest we go back to the field.  Sure enough we turn the corner and see at least 30 birds, several Tom’s with their fans.  My son is convinced this is going to be it.  I almost have to restrain him from just jumping out of the car and taking a shot from the road.  I drive up the road and turn around, park, so he can get set up.  Perfect.  All of a sudden the birds scatter and take to the air.  What?  My son asks, “Dad, did we spook them”?  I say, “no way, not this time”.  All of a sudden 2 birds run across the road when a big eagle drops out of the sky and onto the back of turkey.  Lots of commotion, feathers flying, my son is speechless.  He can’t believe what is going on in front of his eyes as the eagle “takes my bird”.  We drive up and get close before the eagle goes up to a tree and leaves the turkey moaning in the grass.  I explain to Nathaniel that no one is going to have any sympathy for a bird taking his turkey shot away.  He wanted to declare open season on the Eagle! It was a good trip.  2 seasons now without a bird for him so angst is building. 

If anyone has any tips on how to possibly get a bird with a bow when they aren’t responding to calls we would really appreciate some ideas. 

[JKEEN33]

Curious where you were hunting? I saw the same thing over the weekend. Had an eagle dive a farmers hillside and run about 250 turkey up the hill, then hit the top of the hill and rand them back down.

[turkeydancer]

Had ravens dive bomb turkeys several times ... turkeys were doing somersaults trying to spur them and drive them off ... so cool to watch.   
 
Feel sorry for Nathaniel not getting his bird, but he has to realize that was etremely cool to watch and there will be more chances at popping turkeys than watching that eagle do his thing.  It isn't always about the harvest as the journey and experiences !
 

[sneakyjake]

Had a set up last year and watched the hens hit the ground at light and scatter into the tree line.   Tom came down and strutted, then looked up towards us, strut some more, then took off running at the hens.  Years past they would stay all morning in the field.  When we got up to leave I noticed the trees we were set against had a big eagles nest in it.  Wasn't there in years past.  Guess they found the nesting area and decided it was a good place to set up shop.  The flock was much smaller then in the past.  Gotta love the food chain.  Still is fun to watch.  We set up on the other side later and let the eagle push them to us.  The Tom tasted nice.

[oldleclercrd]

One quick tip for a bowhunter using a blind is to use a hen and a full strut decoy. When other toms in the area see that full strut courting a hen in their area they will run over to the full strut decoy to beat it up. Dont think only the mature birds will come over either, alot of times it will bring in all the toms/jakes in the area looking for a fight! Ok now heres the key part, always face your full strut decoy towards you because when that tom does come in he will always look this "new guy" face to face and when hes looking and your decoy his back is turned to you giving you an opportunity to draw your bow. Goodluck!

[PA BEN]

Years ago I was sitting in my recliner having my morning coffee looking at about 50 turkeys down in the valley w/my bino's. All of a sudden the turkeys took off flying. I saw a big bird flying in on them, at first I thought it was an eagle, but it was a goose coming in for a landing thinking the turkeys were geese.

[Gobble Doc]

JKEENE33,

We were around the Colville area.  We did hear gobbles but didn't expect the eagle.

 oldleclericrd,

The idea of using the decoy is a good one.  I'm sure my son will be jazzed at the opportunity to get some more gear.  I'm hoping that I get a chance to take him out again this spring.  I've got another boy who also is itchin to go.

 Is it safe to say that most people bow hunting turkeys use some kind of blind? 

[Turkeyman]

A blind is a must for turkey hunting with a bow.

[oldleclercrd]

I use a blind with my young son even without a bow alot of times just to hide all of his impatent movements. Once you get in one and try to shoot a bow you will find that there are some blinds that are just too small for more than one person. You may want to stop in at Cabelas and both get inside a few to find the model that best fits you before you spend a ton of money on one. You will find in some of the blinds that comfort is a challenge and you get what you pay for. Goodluck!

[Gobble Doc]

Interesting that you brought up Cabelas and blinds.  I drove to Lacy last night to return my blind to Cabelas after I used it one time, the youth hunt.  I had purchased one called the Tom Taker.  We went to set it up last Friday after settting it up once at home and the zipper had completely come apart.  When I called the 1-800 number the customer service said no problem to return since it had not been 90 days.  When I got to the store the girl started giving me problems about the return and told me that their corporate policy wasn't always the same as their store policy.  Wha?   Then they put the broken one in the bin for the bargain cave.  I explained that there is no way the blind could work and that it was broken but she wasn't phased. 

I like the idea of a blind and I'll definitely be looking for another one.  I'd like to take my son again when the turkeys may be more responsive to calls rather than trying to predict where they are going to walk by and then position a blind. 

[JKEEN33]

You don't need a full blind. I have a piece of camo netting that I sewed a peice of camo rope into a seam across the top. When I need a blind, I can grab this out of my pack and have up in about 2 min. The rope is not necessary, but gives me other options to get this up quick.

[oldleclercrd]

Sorry about all the trouble they gave you, in my experience Cabelas has been second to none. One thing I did forget to mention was the fact that some blinds blend in at one place but not the next, and it may be a good idea to "brush" it in if you have the time. That goes for deer also. It adds some more of the colors that are in the area to help hide better.

[quadrafire]

There will always be more turkeys to hunt, but to see one taken by an Eagle. That is priceless. That would have made my season right there.