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2024 OLD GOBBLER TURKEY HUNTING TEAM CONTEST => Category: 2024 OLD GOBBLER TURKEY HUNTING TEAM CONTEST => 2024 Scattered Flock => Topic started by: JeffC on March 06, 2024, 07:54:46 AM

Title: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on March 06, 2024, 07:54:46 AM
Here we go!! Believe Muzzy and snoman are loading guns as we speak, anyone else starting soon? I start April 22nd.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Muzzy61 on March 06, 2024, 08:44:26 AM
Will be taking my grandson this weekend ( Youth) and the season in North Florida starts 3/16 for us older kids.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on March 06, 2024, 11:15:46 AM
Good luck, are you planning on borrowing (stealing) that 410 again?
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Muzzy61 on March 06, 2024, 03:04:33 PM
Quote from: JeffC on March 06, 2024, 11:15:46 AM
Good luck, are you planning on borrowing (stealing) that 410 again?

After him taking his first bird with it last year, don't think he is letting it out of his sight. ;D
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: notsure on March 06, 2024, 10:09:27 PM
I'm hunting MN Season B, which runs from April 24th through the 30th.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: lacire on March 06, 2024, 10:18:04 PM
Ours goes from Mar 30 to May 5 but I don't have any dates set when I'll be hunting, as soon as I know I'll post.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on March 07, 2024, 06:15:18 PM
Hope all went well Benny, Do you have restrictions? When and where do you hunt??
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: BennieGobbler on March 07, 2024, 06:25:27 PM
Here in VA I get an April 13 start.  Starting to hear a few!,
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on March 07, 2024, 06:30:35 PM
are you on any restrictions? do what the physical therapist tells you to do!! Turkeys will be there next year if you can't move around with out doing more damage.
The banner didnt show, go back into your profile and try again?
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on March 07, 2024, 06:32:47 PM
you GOT IT!!
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: backforty on March 08, 2024, 12:10:12 AM
Season here in Missouri opens April 15th. Me and a buddy will be hitting Oklahoma also
lol


Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: HillclimberWV on March 08, 2024, 01:14:47 PM
Youth hunt is wv april 13th and 15th is season opener. I usually go to VA for their opener but my best friends son really wants to try this spring so im calling for somebody else on the 13th. Grass has greened up and been seeing birds out in fields.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Dr Juice on March 08, 2024, 02:09:25 PM
NY opens on May 1st and the youth weekend is 4/20 & 4/21.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Zach.Hannigan on March 08, 2024, 03:48:14 PM
Upstate SC we open up April 1st. Im real tempted to take a week off of work and go down to Florida the 15th and hunt for about 5 or 6 days and see how bad I can get beat up by them birds down there lol.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: austinc on March 08, 2024, 07:53:48 PM
Season opens april 15th here, I'll be hitting atleast 1 other state, maybe 2-3, we'll see.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: HillclimberWV on March 20, 2024, 07:26:32 AM
Turkeys were gobnlin all around work this morning. We had a cold snap 2 days prior and it seems like this first clear warm morming got them goin.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on March 20, 2024, 11:29:05 AM
My back yard flock (30 some hens & jakes) has broken into 2 groups, a group of 2yr old Toms came thru last weekend. As usual, probably won't get over to Jersey until opening day. Have been listening trying to hear a gobble at house, nothing, know they are around but haven't heard a thing.   
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on March 21, 2024, 11:44:35 AM
Had a Tom, actually 3 Toms and 1 hen in backyard yesterday, couldn't get a good picture of the 1 Tom who kept stepping in an out of strut. Will pull cameras on Sunday to see if he's in frame. Just saw that there are still permits available for the weekend hunt in zones I will be fighting for when they go on sale next week. Relly surprised they are not sold out. But they will sell out in minutes when they go live. 
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: austinc on March 23, 2024, 12:04:07 AM
As of now I'm planning to make a trip and start my season on the 4th, we'll see if I'm able to for sure or not. I've also started selling calls and currently have 15 to build, plan to get them done before the 4th and then I'm gonna take a break on building calls til after season.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on March 23, 2024, 08:03:45 AM
backyard flock seams to gotten back together again, 30 plus birds came thru yesterday. Was able to get some good pictures of the strutter. 3 Toms, 4 or 5 jakes and the rest hens. Missing toms and jakes that were all part of winter groups.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Twowithone on March 23, 2024, 08:44:44 AM
Awesome pics there JeffC. :firefighter:
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: crow on March 23, 2024, 09:06:06 AM
Nice pics
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on March 25, 2024, 10:19:33 AM
Happy Permit Day!!  :happy0064: :z-winnersmiley: was able to get all the permits I wanted before they sold out!! Another step closer to season start!!!  :you_rock: :you_rock:
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Muzzy61 on March 25, 2024, 03:24:16 PM
Quote from: JeffC on March 25, 2024, 10:19:33 AM
Happy Permit Day!!  :happy0064: :z-winnersmiley: was able to get all the permits I wanted before they sold out!! Another step closer to season start!!!  :you_rock: :you_rock:

Congrats !
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on March 25, 2024, 03:31:10 PM
All good for now, 7 tags, like last year, hopefully I don't eat all 7 again... Have tags in 2 different zones, hopefully better odds.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Spellnj3 on March 26, 2024, 01:38:39 PM
youth season for us is April 6-11

Regular season starts April 12
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: lacire on March 29, 2024, 02:27:45 AM
Well I'm heading out tomorrow for Saturdays opening. With a Major storm front moving in I'm bringing some heavy duty rain gear for Saturday plus my son will probably set a blind up for us, I don't normally like hunting from a blind but I might not have a choice. I'm not planning on hunting Easter Sunday but I'll be back out on Monday when the weather's supposed to clear. There's very poor cell phone reception where I hunt so you probably won't hear from me until I get back home.  :icon_thumright: Good hunting you' all.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on March 29, 2024, 06:25:51 AM
Wish you a safe and successful hunt, good luck to you and your son. Look forward to seeing pictures!!
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: notsure on March 29, 2024, 07:59:05 PM
Good luck Lacire!
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on March 30, 2024, 07:31:48 AM
Backyard flock been thru every couple of days, they are roosted about 500yds North of me, been awesome to get to hear them wake up, try to get out on deck every morning to listen for gobbles. This morning I even heard gobble once they flew down. Set 2 more cameras out in yard to try and catch some good pictures. These pictures are from last weekend, they showed up as rain was ending, spent 6 hours here drying out preening and strutting.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: austinc on April 06, 2024, 06:31:27 PM
I killed one thus morning,  pics to come when I get better service.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: lacire on April 06, 2024, 07:41:50 PM
Congratulations looking forward to the pictures.  :icon_thumright:
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 06, 2024, 09:18:09 PM
Congrats lacire . love the picture with your Son!! Wheres the story???
Got the Tom loaded into the team score, Congrats again.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 06, 2024, 09:21:04 PM
Quote from: austinc on April 06, 2024, 06:31:27 PM
I killed one thus morning,  pics to come when I get better service.

Congrats! will be waiting on pictures and story!
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: lacire on April 07, 2024, 11:51:07 AM
Quote from: JeffC on April 06, 2024, 09:18:09 PM
Congrats lacire . love the picture with your Son!! Wheres the story???
Got the Tom loaded into the team score, Congrats again.

Ok... I'll see if I can put together a few lies and come up with a story for you.  :TooFunny:
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Zobo on April 07, 2024, 12:05:55 PM
Quote from: lacire on April 07, 2024, 11:51:07 AM
Quote from: JeffC on April 06, 2024, 09:18:09 PM
Congrats lacire . love the picture with your Son!! Wheres the story???
Got the Tom loaded into the team score, Congrats again.

Ok... I'll see if I can put together a few lies and come up with a story for you.  :TooFunny:



I'm sure it'll come easy for you! :wave:

Seriously though, Congrats!

Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Muzzy61 on April 08, 2024, 08:44:14 AM
Quote from: lacire on April 07, 2024, 11:51:07 AM
Quote from: JeffC on April 06, 2024, 09:18:09 PM
Congrats lacire . love the picture with your Son!! Wheres the story???
Got the Tom loaded into the team score, Congrats again.

Ok... I'll see if I can put together a few lies and come up with a story for you.  :TooFunny:

Congrats, that's a good bird !
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: lacire on April 08, 2024, 10:40:13 AM
Quote from: Zobo on April 07, 2024, 12:05:55 PM
Quote from: lacire on April 07, 2024, 11:51:07 AM
Quote from: JeffC on April 06, 2024, 09:18:09 PM
Congrats lacire . love the picture with your Son!! Wheres the story???
Got the Tom loaded into the team score, Congrats again.

Ok... I'll see if I can put together a few lies and come up with a story for you.  :TooFunny:




I'm sure it'll come easy for you! :wave:

Seriously though, Congrats!

Very easy  :TooFunny:
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: lacire on April 08, 2024, 10:45:28 AM
Quote from: Muzzy61 on April 08, 2024, 08:44:14 AM
Quote from: lacire on April 07, 2024, 11:51:07 AM
Quote from: JeffC on April 06, 2024, 09:18:09 PM
Congrats lacire . love the picture with your Son!! Wheres the story???
Got the Tom loaded into the team score, Congrats again.

Ok... I'll see if I can put together a few lies and come up with a story for you.  :TooFunny:

Congrats, that's a good bird !

Thank you.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: lacire on April 08, 2024, 12:42:50 PM
 Well, Jeff wants a story  :blob10: and as we all know sometimes stories are not all true  :TooFunny:. But to the best of my recollection this was mine.
:popcorn:

In the beginning I drove the 300 miles down to my son's house during probably the last major storm front of the year; it rained most of the way there and all that night. It was a cold stay. The first three days we hunted in rain, sleet, hail and snow with a few hours of broken clouds and pale sunshine here and there. Then on the fourth day the weather finally cleared and we had a beautiful bright 70 degree afternoon. The birds were singing, the children were playing and there was a ray of hope that there might be a turkey or two puffed up and looking for some company. So we loaded up the car and drove high up into the oak covered mountains. After parking the car, we loaded our guns, grabbed a hen decoy and started walking up an old skid road. We'd stop occasionally and my son would make a couple calls, after walking for about an hour on a couple different roads we finally had a gobbler return our call, he was quite a ways down from us and to our right. A few minutes of backtracking and glassing and we finally caught sight of him about 600 yards away. He was down and across a small valley from us, puffed up like a little king on top of a round green grass covered knob that was set in the middle of a large meadow that fell off on the far side, he had placed himself strategically within his kingdom, with only a couple trees for shade and a moat of poison oak all around him, he could survey every approach within 200 yards. My son and I talked about it for a minute and decided there just wasn't a direct approach to him, but possibly with some luck, we could make it undetected to the edge of the oaks and brush, set up and call him down to us. Moving quickly but as quietly as we could, down into the valley we went, losing sight of the little king through the head high bush. After about 20 minutes we came to the edge of the brush and trees and could again see the meadow and the green knob... only now it was deserted. Not losing my faith and knowing we were as good as any member of the goats or longbeards, we set up and called out but no response... we waited, called again and still only greeted by silence. By now we were figuring he must have given us the slip and pealed down the backside of the knob. So crouching down as low as we could get, we went directly to where we last saw him strutting. Slowly and cautiously we peered over the side. Down below we could see two hens a couple hundred yards away and the little king moving towards them. We pushed our hen decoy out over the crest and set down in the grass about 20 yards from her. My son started calling and we heard an immediate response from below as the little king let out a long gobble. We called again and another gobble. Quietly we waited in ambush looking out over the tall grass for his approach. Then up he came, head held high, draped in gold, green and black as the sun gleamed and glistened off his feathers, stretching his red crowned head as high as he could, looking for the maiden that had beckoned him. Then forward, towards her he came never knowing the bead at the end of my barrel was following his every move. The gun was steady, the aim true and at 25 yards it bellowed sending the proclamation throughout his kingdom that the king lay dead and his standard was never to rise again. The End.


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240408/e51145152ba6769d1f16c973835e8ac0.jpg)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 08, 2024, 04:14:19 PM
Congrats again, great story and picture!! Now what about your sons Tom? I know, I'm needy, but you posted that great picture of the 2 of you with 2 Toms!!
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Happy on April 08, 2024, 05:48:59 PM
Nice job. Congrats Lacire!

Good-looking and Platinum level member of the Elitist club

Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: HillclimberWV on April 08, 2024, 07:40:12 PM
Congrats on the beautiful bird
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: lacire on April 08, 2024, 07:45:24 PM
Quote from: Happy on April 08, 2024, 05:48:59 PM
Nice job. Congrats Lacire!

Good-looking and Platinum level member of the Elitist club

Thank you Hap.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: lacire on April 08, 2024, 07:46:04 PM
Quote from: HillclimberWV on April 08, 2024, 07:40:12 PM
Congrats on the beautiful bird

Thank you
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: lacire on April 08, 2024, 08:22:00 PM
Quote from: JeffC on April 08, 2024, 04:14:19 PM
Congrats again, great story and picture!! Now what about your sons Tom? I know, I'm needy, but you posted that great picture of the 2 of you with 2 Toms!!

Well I wasn't going to say anything about his because his was bigger  :TooFunny:. But he shot it about an hour after I shot mine. We were slowly driving back down the mountain when we heard a turkey gobble high up on our left, we stopped and my son stuck a call outside the window and called and the tom responded. We pulled up another two hundred feet and here he was coming down out of a tree line to meet us. My son got out, loaded his gun, walked behind the car and disappeared through the brush. I put my range finder on him and he was 106 yards away and the tree line was about 20 yards above him. I sat in the car and watched the tom, he didn't like the looks of the car sitting there and turned around and started making his way back up. Every time he took a step I'd make a few clucks on a push pin call and he'd stop, turnaround and stair at the car, I must have did this five or six times and it was long enough for my son to close the gap and put him down. He measured out at 66.16, 22.16 lbs, 1.25 R and L spurs and a 9.5 inch beard. Here's a picture of the spurs on his bird.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240409/cf150ebf820e1c3d5d5529dde9730e1f.jpg)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 08, 2024, 08:49:45 PM
Sometimes you just get lucky and bump into them. Tell your son awesome job on your turkey and his! Sounds like it was a week of great memories, thanks for the stories.  :z-winnersmiley:
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: austinc on April 09, 2024, 09:49:16 AM
I tried last night to post pics and even with 1 pic it says they're to large... and I for the life of me cam not figure out how to make them smaller on my phone lol. Will one of you fellas mind posting them for me if I send them to ya?
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 09, 2024, 11:47:10 AM
Quote from: austinc on April 09, 2024, 09:49:16 AM
I tried last night to post pics and even with 1 pic it says they're to large... and I for the life of me cam not figure out how to make them smaller on my phone lol. Will one of you fellas mind posting them for me if I send them to ya?

sent you my email, let me know if you cant email will send phone#
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 10, 2024, 12:17:10 PM
Great job Austin, will up date score page tonight. So now we need some story to go along with the pictures!!
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 10, 2024, 06:23:28 PM
We are into 2nd week of April, we have 3 birds on the board, who is hunting? who is going to be hunting soon?? I will be heading out April 22nd. Need everyone to check in and let us know you are still on the team!!  It would also be great if you all would congratulate the guys who put the birds on the board!!! 

:turkey2:       :funnyturkey:
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: HillclimberWV on April 10, 2024, 09:30:05 PM
Youth day is saturday and opener is monday for me. Ive been marking off my calendar at work like a kid at christmas.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Muzzy61 on April 11, 2024, 12:27:16 PM
Quote from: austinc on April 09, 2024, 09:49:16 AM
I tried last night to post pics and even with 1 pic it says they're to large... and I for the life of me cam not figure out how to make them smaller on my phone lol. Will one of you fellas mind posting them for me if I send them to ya?

Congrats on a good bird.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: HillclimberWV on April 15, 2024, 12:23:38 PM
Got my butt kicked today. Was within 100 yards of 3 toms from fly down till a thunderstorm rolled in around 11 and they cleared out. Woods are still really open and could never close the distance. Even after looping around them. It was fun though glad to be back in the woods.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 15, 2024, 12:35:19 PM
At least you heard and are into where Toms are, keep after them, thanks for the update. Good luck with them.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: notsure on April 16, 2024, 12:01:52 AM
My season starts on the 24th. Long range weather looks good. Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: austinc on April 16, 2024, 09:46:26 PM
I've had my butt kicked the last 2 days, I been camping out, but came home tonight for a hot shower and a hot meal. Heading back in the morning for a couple days.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 17, 2024, 07:31:44 AM
Keep after them, can change in a minute! Good luck and thanks for the update.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Spellnj3 on April 17, 2024, 11:35:48 AM
So I'm a week in and absolutely striking out.   All 4 of my properties have less to no turkeys this year.   I might be shut out this year boys.   I'm out of town for one week and a half for my sons two baseball tournaments, one in state and one in Orlando.  Hopefully when I get back luck will change.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: austinc on April 17, 2024, 06:03:32 PM
I killed one this morning,  think it'll score a smidgen higher, I'll check and if so I'll get the pics up.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 17, 2024, 07:55:20 PM
Awesome job austin! Glad your still getting after them.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Muzzy61 on April 18, 2024, 08:28:41 AM
Quote from: austinc on April 17, 2024, 06:03:32 PM
I killed one this morning,  think it'll score a smidgen higher, I'll check and if so I'll get the pics up.

Good job!  I've got one last weekend to try and upgrade.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Spellnj3 on April 18, 2024, 08:42:34 AM
Figures the day after I say this I shoot one.

Quote from: Spellnj3 on April 17, 2024, 11:35:48 AM
So I'm a week in and absolutely striking out.   All 4 of my properties have less to no turkeys this year.   I might be shut out this year boys.   I'm out of town for one week and a half for my sons two baseball tournaments, one in state and one in Orlando.  Hopefully when I get back luck will change.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Spellnj3 on April 18, 2024, 09:34:21 AM
Having trouble getting pictures up
Let's see if this works
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 18, 2024, 11:25:57 AM
Congrats, picture worked!! Guess you found a new Tom!
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: notsure on April 18, 2024, 12:26:28 PM
Congratulations Spellnj3!
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: HillclimberWV on April 18, 2024, 06:09:52 PM
Good bird congrats.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 18, 2024, 08:11:42 PM
Great job Spellnj3, hope tanna will post up tonight.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: austinc on April 18, 2024, 08:39:56 PM
Let's see if this works
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 19, 2024, 07:35:38 AM
Great job austin! was it an up grade? is that the call you made?? Give us some story or details.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: austinc on April 19, 2024, 09:40:23 AM
Quote from: JeffC on April 19, 2024, 07:35:38 AM
Great job austin! was it an up grade? is that the call you made?? Give us some story or details.
Yes he was a few points more, working on resizing the pics now to post them. Also yes, that's one of my pot calls, and also my late poppa's box call and my late papaw's old browning. I struck that bird at 10 am with the box call, approximately 500 yards down ridge from me, on other side of a drain. I made a move towards him,  but he never would answer me again, but gobbled at every crow and he was steadily moving up the drain, headed towards a saddle about 700 yards frome me, so I moved up the ridge and took off trying to get a head of him. Right ad I started down ridge into the saddle he gobbled, on the saddle,  I was about 100 yards and called to him but no response. For the next 20 minutes he gobbled 15-20 times at crows, but wouldn't answer me,  but I could hear him drumming so I knew he was interested,  so I went silent on him.  After 8-10 minutes he'd gobbled on his own twice looking for me, but I didn't respond. Next time he gobbled was at a crow, going down drain on the other side of the saddle... so I called and no response, but he gobbled at a crow in a few minutes and was still going down that other side of the drain. So I got up and looped down the opposite drain and made a big loop to get in front of him. Thankfully there was plenty of crows keeping him gobbling while I made the move, finally got around in front of him and was roughly 100 yards, I hit him with a few soft yelps from my crystal call and nothing... 30-40 seconds later a crow sounded off and he gobbled, definitely closer! Then i could hear him drumming, and he gobbled on his own,  I clicked and purred at him with the crystal 3-4 times and he gobbled, MUCH closer, so I sat the call down and got ready. In about 3 minutes and 4-5 gobbles and drumming later, I got sight of him at about 50 yards. He gobbled looking for me, and was searching hard, then he broke and kept coming My way, I knew this gun was deadly at 40 yards, but I was going to let him get as close as he would.  He got to about 35 and started moving parallel to my left, so i was following him with the bead as he was moving in and out of trees, well he popped out in an opening  and stopped and periscoped his head up and I decided that that was enough and pulled the trigger! He folded up and barely even flopped,  that ol gun rocked him really good lol. Just a cool deal to kill one with something from each of my grandfather's with me and finished him with a call I built. 
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 19, 2024, 10:57:04 AM
Awesome job!! Great DAY!! Making memories with memories, doesn't matter what he scores that's a special Tom. Great write up, thanks for taking us along. 
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: cannonball on April 19, 2024, 10:57:00 PM
I should have done this sooner, but I wanted to wish you guys good luck. Jeff is a fine captain and I've enjoyed getting to know him and reading his famous "GOAT Quotes"
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: HillclimberWV on April 20, 2024, 07:34:43 AM
I'm on the board. Will get pictures and a score up tonight.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240420/c84c5644632a35c0637ed2e3e7889adb.jpg)

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 21, 2024, 07:21:08 AM
Congrats Hillclimber! Post up some details about the hunt!
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: HillclimberWV on April 21, 2024, 11:52:05 AM
I went to a farm i had scouted prior to season and knew had some birds. They liked to work a large field that has trees on 3 sides and a large knoll in the middle so you cant see the oposing tree lines.

I didnt get a chance to roost the night before so i was going in somewhat blind. I recently picked a new jake decoy to help with taking kids so i thought id try it out. I've never really used decoys so it was a new experience for me. I made my setup at the base of a big red oak And put my decoy 20 yards into the field.

As daylight approached i could hear
at least 2 gobblers on the same side of the field i was on but they were on a neighbors property i didnt have access to. There was also another gobbler on the opposite side of the field to me. I was effectively between the gobblers but both had a lot of ground to cover to get to me.

After flydown the gobbler on the opposite side of the field went quiet. The gobblers on the neighbors property stayed vocal but started drifting farther away from me. I made the decision to stand up and start working back around to the other side of the field. I left the decoy where i had sat it up figured id come back for it later.

I didnt make it 20 yards before the gobbler fired off on his own and he was now on my side. He had already looped around the edge of the field and was now maybe 80 yards from me. I didnt think i could make it back to my original setup so i sat down under another large tree that unfortunately had a rose bush at the bottom of it.

I called again the gobbler and he had closed the distance in half. He quickly came in to view but while i was trying to range him he caught sight of the decoy that was now about 35 yards behind me. He immediately popped strut and started marching towards the decoy. I only had a short window before that rose bush was going to be between me and him and i coukdnt get him to stop.

As he strutted by me only 5 yards away spitting and drumming as he went. I had to wait until he was past me and had his fan between me and him to rise to my knees and turn. I then wait a few seconds for him to   circle the decoy i called to him once to break strut before i pulled the trigger.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 21, 2024, 03:47:11 PM
Thats awesome, I bet that if I had a Tom at 5yds, he would hear be breathing heavy, heart pounding out of my chest. Great write up, Congrats again! Are you still hunting or tagged out?
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: HillclimberWV on April 21, 2024, 06:57:35 PM
Ive still got one tag in WV then PA starts in a couple weeks.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: Muzzy61 on April 22, 2024, 03:26:58 PM
Quote from: HillclimberWV on April 20, 2024, 07:34:43 AMI'm on the board. Will get pictures and a score up tonight.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240420/c84c5644632a35c0637ed2e3e7889adb.jpg)

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Congrats !
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: lacire on April 23, 2024, 02:59:50 PM
Quote from: austinc on April 19, 2024, 09:40:23 AM
Quote from: JeffC on April 19, 2024, 07:35:38 AMGreat job austin! was it an up grade? is that the call you made?? Give us some story or details.
Yes he was a few points more, working on resizing the pics now to post them. Also yes, that's one of my pot calls, and also my late poppa's box call and my late papaw's old browning. I struck that bird at 10 am with the box call, approximately 500 yards down ridge from me, on other side of a drain. I made a move towards him,  but he never would answer me again, but gobbled at every crow and he was steadily moving up the drain, headed towards a saddle about 700 yards frome me, so I moved up the ridge and took off trying to get a head of him. Right ad I started down ridge into the saddle he gobbled, on the saddle,  I was about 100 yards and called to him but no response. For the next 20 minutes he gobbled 15-20 times at crows, but wouldn't answer me,  but I could hear him drumming so I knew he was interested,  so I went silent on him.  After 8-10 minutes he'd gobbled on his own twice looking for me, but I didn't respond. Next time he gobbled was at a crow, going down drain on the other side of the saddle... so I called and no response, but he gobbled at a crow in a few minutes and was still going down that other side of the drain. So I got up and looped down the opposite drain and made a big loop to get in front of him. Thankfully there was plenty of crows keeping him gobbling while I made the move, finally got around in front of him and was roughly 100 yards, I hit him with a few soft yelps from my crystal call and nothing... 30-40 seconds later a crow sounded off and he gobbled, definitely closer! Then i could hear him drumming, and he gobbled on his own,  I clicked and purred at him with the crystal 3-4 times and he gobbled, MUCH closer, so I sat the call down and got ready. In about 3 minutes and 4-5 gobbles and drumming later, I got sight of him at about 50 yards. He gobbled looking for me, and was searching hard, then he broke and kept coming My way, I knew this gun was deadly at 40 yards, but I was going to let him get as close as he would.  He got to about 35 and started moving parallel to my left, so i was following him with the bead as he was moving in and out of trees, well he popped out in an opening  and stopped and periscoped his head up and I decided that that was enough and pulled the trigger! He folded up and barely even flopped,  that ol gun rocked him really good lol. Just a cool deal to kill one with something from each of my grandfather's with me and finished him with a call I built. 

Nice bird and you shot him with one of my favorite guns, congratulations  :icon_thumright:
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: lacire on April 23, 2024, 03:03:58 PM
Quote from: Muzzy61 on April 22, 2024, 03:26:58 PM
Quote from: HillclimberWV on April 20, 2024, 07:34:43 AMI'm on the board. Will get pictures and a score up tonight.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240420/c84c5644632a35c0637ed2e3e7889adb.jpg)

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Quote from: HillclimberWV on April 20, 2024, 07:34:43 AMI'm on the board. Will get pictures and a score up tonight.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240420/c84c5644632a35c0637ed2e3e7889adb.jpg)

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Congrats !

Quote from: HillclimberWV on April 20, 2024, 07:34:43 AMI'm on the board. Will get pictures and a score up tonight.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240420/c84c5644632a35c0637ed2e3e7889adb.jpg)

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I've only shot one that could hang from a limb like that, congratulations on a good bird  :icon_thumright:
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: austinc on April 30, 2024, 12:00:28 AM
I drew a tag for another state and got to make that trip this weekend. Had an area in mind I hunted 2 years ago but hadn't been back to since. Anyways Sunday afternoon I left about 4 pm and made the 10 hour drive, got to the spot I wanted at 2 am. I slept in the truck til 5:20ish and then started getting dressed and ready. 5:58 walking in I hear 2 birds lighting it up, game on! I knew exactly where they were and made a move and was setup by 6:10. I sat quietly just listening to these 2 birds light it up about 80 yards in front of me. At 6:28 I heard some hens yelping, it was right at flydown and I decided I should probably call and see what they do. Right as I yelped a bird hammered to my left not 60 yards away, on the ground! I called a couple more times and him and the other 2 would gobble, and he was close, but I couldn't see him, he was just over the lip of a hill. At 6:35 I saw his red head poke over and here he came. Took the first shot I got, and filled my tag in under 30 minutes of hunting for 20 hours round trip... but damn it was fun!
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 30, 2024, 07:37:56 AM
Great job austin, guess you will be making more of those calls!?! I dont think I could drive that far on no sleep, the 2am wake up and hour plus drive I do now is really taking a toll, getting old sucks. Enjoy it while you can.
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on April 30, 2024, 08:02:38 PM
Great job on the upgrade austin! Great pictures with an outstanding story and effort!!
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: austinc on April 30, 2024, 10:31:11 PM
Quote from: JeffC on April 30, 2024, 07:37:56 AMGreat job austin, guess you will be making more of those calls!?! I dont think I could drive that far on no sleep, the 2am wake up and hour plus drive I do now is really taking a toll, getting old sucks. Enjoy it while you can.
Oh I was dragging at work all day today lol. 20 hours of driving on 3 hours of sleep was tough, but I'd do it tomorrow if I could! I still got 1 tag left for AR and our season goes out this weekend, so I'll be trying again. On the calls, I've made and sold about 25 this spring, and I've got 6 other people wanting calls, but they're gonna have to wait til after season. I know of 17 turkeys that have died to them this spring, so it's been a great year for me!
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: austinc on May 04, 2024, 09:57:01 PM
I went this morning with a buddy, we had 2 gobblers and a jake get to 50 yards and see something they didn't like.  One Gobbler was a GIANT, but I couldn't make a move to try and shoot him. We let them ease off and circled around them and ended up bumping them for good that time  :'(
Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: JeffC on May 05, 2024, 06:45:30 AM
At least you are finding Toms you can hunt austin, stay after him, good luck with him. Thanks for the up-date.

I went back to same area yesterday where I got lucky Monday, went to area a little South of roost. Nothing there, heard gobbling North of me on private. Both roost sites were quiet. I jumped into truck to head to areas deeper into the WMA, didnt see many trucks drive thru in dark. Was able to get a picture of one big Tom who was gobbling and strutting for a hen. Not a full smokey phase but had a lot of gray/ white feathers. Of coarse he was on private. Did a little scouting, rain started, nothing. Headed to truck for rain gear, decided to look at area I was on opening day, no one there, went into back where there is a field, sat, scouted till 11ish, nothing. Going to try another new area Monday. 

Title: Re: Season start?
Post by: GobbleNut on May 05, 2024, 08:36:22 AM
You guys are killin' it this year! (pun intended)  Congrats to all...   :icon_thumright:  :icon_thumright: