jode hillman
Well-known member
With the state wide lockdown I planned on doing a good bit of turkey hunting this spring. I am fortunate to have a few hundred acres to access outside my back door. So no travel necessary.
However it ls mostly mature hardwood, great for deer but lacking much of the open edge habitat many spring birds prefer.
That being said its been a great week so far with 2 Long beards bagged and a few close encounters, without shots for the kids.
The Kids lack of shots are mainly because of having them in a blind, which I hate for turkey hunting, but helps with concealment for young hunters. However Blinds limit shot angles, repositioning, and movement options on wary birds, so from here on out, the kids will be on the ground, a little forward of my calling position.
Anywho, heres a little reading and pics from the two successful hunts.
****************************
Mr. tight lips
This is an old Big Woods gobbler. Despite his name he very rarely if ever gobbled. Not even on the limb. I?ve been hunting him for two years that I know of for certain, maybe longer.
I would occasionally get a trail camera picture of him every couple weeks, or get a glimpse of him during deer season.
His favorite haunt was a hard wood knoll in the middle of a swamp. Giant poplars, oaks, and Beechnut trees filled this area. They were never logged off because it was too hard to access them being surrounded by the Swamp.
As most mornings when I have chased him there was nothing but deafening silence. I tried not to let it discourage me, As I heard other birds hammering away in the distance.
Every half hour or so I would give a couple purrs and light clucks. I only gave a series of yelps once, mid morning. As the sun got higher my emotions and expectations sunk lower.
It seemed once again he refused my pleading.
I contemplated leaving, but I knew Rain was coming, and the rest of the week would not be good for chasing birds.
I decided to sit it out and wait. Five minutes later I heard the light crunching of leaves coming up from the swamp.
I saw a red head poking above the blueberry bushes. But I was not sure if it was my gobbler, or just a sneaky Jake.
I allowed him to walk 10 yards closer until I saw his full bushy beard.
I slowly raised the gun and settled it on his neck.
As I squeezed the trigger I almost felt a little remorse for having finally won this chess game, But I know there will be another Mr. tight lips.
View attachment 7A32348C-C9D6-465F-88C4-41940CA35B1C.jpeg
View attachment C303A980-3D28-4A58-B26D-98AD94A09476.jpeg
View attachment 7E5301D9-821B-4983-985E-4181E0659F50.jpeg
***************************
A text book hunt! Almost.
Opening day found me set up in a Green field early dark thirty.
I had Decoy set, a nice brush hole, comfortable backstop.
A lone Tom cut loose behind me in a different area, roosted in a swamp.
I did what all turkey hunters know they must do, left my cozy setup and Cut and run to cover distance.
I Got as close to the roost as I dared, without getting wet, or alerting the Gobbler. He hammered away for all he was worth.
As soon as his two hens flew down in front of me, I knew it was game over for him.
View attachment EA8083C6-51A9-42C7-8A8A-16FC5E8503D1.jpeg
However it ls mostly mature hardwood, great for deer but lacking much of the open edge habitat many spring birds prefer.
That being said its been a great week so far with 2 Long beards bagged and a few close encounters, without shots for the kids.
The Kids lack of shots are mainly because of having them in a blind, which I hate for turkey hunting, but helps with concealment for young hunters. However Blinds limit shot angles, repositioning, and movement options on wary birds, so from here on out, the kids will be on the ground, a little forward of my calling position.
Anywho, heres a little reading and pics from the two successful hunts.
****************************
Mr. tight lips
This is an old Big Woods gobbler. Despite his name he very rarely if ever gobbled. Not even on the limb. I?ve been hunting him for two years that I know of for certain, maybe longer.
I would occasionally get a trail camera picture of him every couple weeks, or get a glimpse of him during deer season.
His favorite haunt was a hard wood knoll in the middle of a swamp. Giant poplars, oaks, and Beechnut trees filled this area. They were never logged off because it was too hard to access them being surrounded by the Swamp.
As most mornings when I have chased him there was nothing but deafening silence. I tried not to let it discourage me, As I heard other birds hammering away in the distance.
Every half hour or so I would give a couple purrs and light clucks. I only gave a series of yelps once, mid morning. As the sun got higher my emotions and expectations sunk lower.
It seemed once again he refused my pleading.
I contemplated leaving, but I knew Rain was coming, and the rest of the week would not be good for chasing birds.
I decided to sit it out and wait. Five minutes later I heard the light crunching of leaves coming up from the swamp.
I saw a red head poking above the blueberry bushes. But I was not sure if it was my gobbler, or just a sneaky Jake.
I allowed him to walk 10 yards closer until I saw his full bushy beard.
I slowly raised the gun and settled it on his neck.
As I squeezed the trigger I almost felt a little remorse for having finally won this chess game, But I know there will be another Mr. tight lips.
View attachment 7A32348C-C9D6-465F-88C4-41940CA35B1C.jpeg
View attachment C303A980-3D28-4A58-B26D-98AD94A09476.jpeg
View attachment 7E5301D9-821B-4983-985E-4181E0659F50.jpeg
***************************
A text book hunt! Almost.
Opening day found me set up in a Green field early dark thirty.
I had Decoy set, a nice brush hole, comfortable backstop.
A lone Tom cut loose behind me in a different area, roosted in a swamp.
I did what all turkey hunters know they must do, left my cozy setup and Cut and run to cover distance.
I Got as close to the roost as I dared, without getting wet, or alerting the Gobbler. He hammered away for all he was worth.
As soon as his two hens flew down in front of me, I knew it was game over for him.
View attachment EA8083C6-51A9-42C7-8A8A-16FC5E8503D1.jpeg
Last edited:
