Headed up to Pend Oreille for my first opener. I had been looking forward to this for almost a year, reading, buying gear, etc. and I was PUMPED when the time finally arrived!
These are just some of the lessons that I learned:
1. Knowing where and when the birds head from public to private land (and back) is critical. I seemed to be at the right place, only at the wrong time.
2. Turkeys have a knack of sounding like they’re taunting me when they are on private land you don’t have permission to hunt on.
3. Fences are my enemy.
4. Don’t call to another hunters turkey decoys. They won’t move.
5. I am a turkey hunting addict.
6. Even a tiny mink (at least I think it was a mink) can scare the living crap out of a 200 lb. grown man carrying a gun.
7. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Don’t leave your trigger lock keys at home, and certainly don’t discover this at 4 a.m. on opening day.
8. I had an absolutely amazing time, even without getting a bird.
I would like to personally thank WAcoyotehunter, who took me under his “wing” (get it??). He provided me invaluable advice, fed me dinner (along with his wife and buddies), and regaled me with hilarious and amazing hunting stories. It was an adventure I’ll never forget, and hope to experience again soon!
And oh yes, he lent me a shotgun – at 4 a.m. on opening day. Without laughing. (At least in front of me!
)
Bart – YOU ROCK!
