Post by: fishunt247 on April 19, 2010, 11:16:20 AM
Opening day we set up on a bird that we knew was all alone, so we thought he'd be a good one to start with. All went according to plan: set up, he answered, flew down and strutted right in. But at 60 yards he cut into the brush, came within range of Justin and I but was in the thick, and then came into the next opening at 60 yards. I had a shot as he stood on a stump at 40+ yards, but it was a marginal shot through the trees. I waited because I thought he'd come right out in the next opening. Wrong. After getting on a few others to no avail, I called another bird into range, but we couldn't see him through the buck brush. Dad passed on 3 jakes, and that was opening day.
The second day was more henned up birds and some guy taking a long shot and missing some birds we were calling to. About 11am we went down to a knob where a buddy and I'd found a couple gobblers scouting. They had it tore up with scratching, so I knew it'd be a good midday spot. One sounded off to logging trucks driving down the road. After 20 mins of calling, he finally broke and came our way. I shot him at about 30 yards.
Saturday, Dad and I walked around and yelped at dead space, finally getting on a bird about 8am. He was HOT, but wouldn't break his strut zone. After about 45 mins and two setups, he finally broke and came sneaking in. He gobbled at least every minute the whole time, double, triple, and quadruple gobbling. It was quite a thing to listen to. Dad killed him at like 32 yards.
Can't wait for more hens to start leaving.
Post by: fishunt247 on April 19, 2010, 11:20:46 AM
Post by: fishunt247 on April 19, 2010, 11:26:30 AM
Post by: SpokaneSlayer on April 19, 2010, 11:27:04 AM
Post by: fishunt247 on April 19, 2010, 11:28:36 AM
Post by: Machias on April 19, 2010, 11:30:04 AM
Post by: Wacenturion on April 19, 2010, 12:44:10 PM
"To all who predicted an early spring and hens leaving the gobblers sooner...I hope you are eating crow."
You got that right. It all related to photo period...the amount of daylight in a given day. Early warm springs might stimulate activity somewhat different than the norm depending on area, but it's still going to occur when birds sense the length of day and it's total amount of light.
Fun to speculate though...gets a bunch of turkey hunters anxious..lol. :chuckle:
Post by: dobby on April 19, 2010, 02:23:48 PM
Post by: wastickslinger on April 19, 2010, 02:29:54 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on April 19, 2010, 03:14:57 PM
Post by: h2ofowlr on April 19, 2010, 03:27:28 PM
Post by: buckmaster_wa on April 20, 2010, 08:58:26 AM
Post by: fishunt247 on April 20, 2010, 10:59:09 AM
Post by: turkeydancer on April 23, 2010, 08:09:24 PM
Post by: Phantom Gobbler on April 23, 2010, 08:14:48 PM