Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

I'll start a new thread for season starting info anybody wants to share or anything else interesting from the field. I know some of you already posted your starting dates in the original Longbeards thread.

Drove up to PA this morning to scout a few farms that i have permission to turkey hunt on. I've been seeing some nice winter flocks. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250316/54d3b50d3077674f18a8b4c6c5dec636.jpg)


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I was able to get ahold of one today! After looking back at the photos I had my dad take for the scoring measurements, it will be iffy to whether I can use them. Good start either way!


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Quote from: Tomtom97 on March 15, 2025, 09:32:19 PMI was able to get ahold of one today! After looking back at the photos I had my dad take for the scoring measurements, it will be iffy to whether I can use them. Good start either way!


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Congratulations!!! You can post the pictures and we can see, maybe they're passable.

Quote from: wvhoyt19 on March 15, 2025, 08:48:27 PMDrove up to PA this morning to scout a few farms that i have permission to turkey hunt on. I've been seeing some nice winter flocks. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250316/54d3b50d3077674f18a8b4c6c5dec636.jpg)


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That's some beautiful terrain to hunt! Enjoy and good luck!!!

Nice work and thanks for breaking the ice Tomtom97!!!

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250317/2ebce7cb54e726dd7a3b6984d342cb6b.jpg)
Sorry fellas a lot of travel and no service over the last day! I'll get the score and measurements posted here soon


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Spectacular picture Tom!!!
Nice going 👍👍👍

Thank you! Just posted the score. Promise the next one will be better


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Congrats!!


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Way to get us started off right! Congrats


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Congrats, Tomtom! Unlike these other heathens, I won't muddy up your scoring page. Glad to see at least some of y'all know what a turkey looks like. Keep piling em' up and having fun!

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Nice Job TomTom!

Also, Zobo, scoring page is hilarious.

My field report so far is I was too lazy to go listen for birds this morning. I know they've got be firing off with this weather we're having. Won't be too much longer.


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Headed to north Florida this weekend! Just saw 3 strutters on a property I have to hunt here in Georgia too. Fingers crossed they stay.


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I'll be in north Florida this weekend as well. It'll be started soon!


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Quote from: Kygobblergetter on March 18, 2025, 03:12:41 PMI'll be in north Florida this weekend as well. It'll be started soon!


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Alright, good luck 👍

Missed one this afternoon with compound bow . No blind . Joker had 4 hens. Strutted continuously for 2-3 hours . I ranged him one time at 23 yards but he was in head high weeds . He swung around following the hens and what I assumed was still 20ish yards turned into 30.... Bird is fine , clean miss.... But man I worked my butt off for that ....... And whiffed . lol

Quote from: dzsmith on March 18, 2025, 10:48:13 PMMissed one this afternoon with compound bow . No blind . Joker had 4 hens. Strutted continuously for 2-3 hours . I ranged him one time at 23 yards but he was in head high weeds . He swung around following the hens and what I assumed was still 20ish yards turned into 30.... Bird is fine , clean miss.... But man I worked my butt off for that ....... And whiffed . lol

Sounds like a fun hunt and a long time to be that close to a group of turkeys.  Do you need to borrow a shotgun lol?


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Had to be exciting for sure!!!

I saw more hunters than Turkey this morning.

Quote from: aclawrence on March 19, 2025, 09:17:52 AM

Quote from: dzsmith on March 18, 2025, 10:48:13 PMMissed one this afternoon with compound bow . No blind . Joker had 4 hens. Strutted continuously for 2-3 hours . I ranged him one time at 23 yards but he was in head high weeds . He swung around following the hens and what I assumed was still 20ish yards turned into 30.... Bird is fine , clean miss.... But man I worked my butt off for that ....... And whiffed . lol

Sounds like a fun hunt and a long time to be that close to a group of turkeys.  Do you need to borrow a shotgun lol?


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bow only property unfortunately.... Could have killed him 100 times with a gun....rarely turkeys on the place it was a rare opportunity in itself , and it's down river now lol

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250321/f1d546b7b97fe5ace6ce1e6c2126040f.jpg)


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Great looking bird!!

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[/quote]

Quote from: Tomtom97 on March 21, 2025, 05:36:32 PM(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250321/f1d546b7b97fe5ace6ce1e6c2126040f.jpg)


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Alright Tom nice going!!!
Youre on your game, there is not doubt about it!  💪

Thanks fellas!


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I got a little excited and blew part of his beard off, so he didn't score any better than the last!


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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250322/a2e103e9849c640370a1fa433877525c.jpg)
Called this one in for my brother this morning... both spurs were 1.5 inches. He would have scored 68 all together!


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Quote from: Tomtom97 on March 22, 2025, 10:14:03 AM(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250322/a2e103e9849c640370a1fa433877525c.jpg)
Called this one in for my brother this morning... both spurs were 1.5 inches. He would have scored 68 all together!


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You sure it wasn't your bird? 🥸 Maybe 🤔

 :TooFunny:

Quote from: Zobo on March 22, 2025, 09:38:04 PM

Quote from: Tomtom97 on March 22, 2025, 10:14:03 AM(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250322/a2e103e9849c640370a1fa433877525c.jpg)
Called this one in for my brother this morning... both spurs were 1.5 inches. He would have scored 68 all together!


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You sure it wasn't your bird? 🥸 Maybe

 :TooFunny:

My brother?.. I meant mine!


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Got one Friday. I will post it soon.
(https://i.imgur.com/utEeeFM.jpg)

Quote from: birdman67 on March 23, 2025, 04:39:07 PMGot one Friday. I will post it soon.
(https://i.imgur.com/utEeeFM.jpg)

Heck yeah! Congrats!


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Nicely done Birdman!!

Congrats to both of you.  You Longbeards are off to a great start!  :icon_thumright:

Good job bird man. I had another opportunity, also Friday eveing... could not see a beard , and  he was with a jake... once out of range ... I was able to see the beard ... stayed with him the rest of evening...... couldn't get him back. Next morning .... Somebody came in there with me and walked under him right at daylight.... He did gobble but he sailed way off and stayed quiet. Dang the luck but I'm glad some of Yal are having good luck

Alright, alright, alright, nice going!!!
The birdman shoots and scores. Post him up and I'll add you to the running score board. Congrats!

730 this morning in the fog. Scored 49.6

Quote from: dzsmith on March 25, 2025, 02:12:44 PM730 this morning in the fog. Scored 49.6

Nice!!! We're on a roll! Post the pics and I'll add you to the running scores

Quote from: Zobo on March 25, 2025, 04:02:18 PM

Quote from: dzsmith on March 25, 2025, 02:12:44 PM730 this morning in the fog. Scored 49.6

there posted , got to open the attachment

Nice!!! We're on a roll! Post the pics and I'll add you to the running scores

Quote from: dzsmith on March 25, 2025, 02:12:44 PM730 this morning in the fog. Scored 49.6

Great job DZ!

Congrats guys!!


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Happy to report we are in first place!
Way do go Longbeards, a great start!!! :blob10:  :you_rock:  :happy0064:

Sweet - finally heard my first gobbler tonight - should be a good GA opener even if I only hear a faint gobble!  :turkey2:

No luck in Florida. Found a bird the first morning and then couldn't manage to find him the rest of the trip. Don't know if he moved areas or just wasn't gobbling. Now we wait for the Kentucky opener.


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No luck in GA - had 5-6 gobbling on the limb and was sitting right in the middle of them - chose to sight tight and they they all went separate ways with hens.  Lesson learned to go make a play on one of them vice thinking one would fly my way.

Nothing seen or heard on second day and had to cut the hunt short to come home early - being semi retired hasn't made hunting any easier😳

Had another chance at the bow bird . And called him from a long long way off . He came on a string ... but .... He came through my window of choice at 38 yards and sat in the same spot behind a brush pile for over 2 hours continuously gobbling at the decoy.... Cannot move on him as it's flat bottomland ,and I could see him the whole time .... A fox bumped him at 9 o'clock... yes he stayed there from 7-9 in the same 5 yard area. I took his exit as an opportunity to put the decoy away... being the decoy is what kept him there with no shot for so long ... and I moved for a better setup... walked about 1/4 mile , probably have him a 1/2 hour , and found me a spot with a dead fall tree . Plenty of drawing cover . I called and he answered , not too far. But I had a long shallow body of water between me and him... decider I better setup on the other side , might hang him up . I step across , called once more , he gobbled . I gained some ground on him for a better setup . It wasn't long I hear walking ... and look over my shoulder and the son of gun is back across the water , by the fallen tree where I made the first call.... He had walked around the water ...had I just stayed there ... he was still very close . 40ish yards ... this is the third time the bird has been in shotgun range of me ... yet here i am with a bow.

Quote from: dzsmith on April 01, 2025, 02:09:07 PMHad another chance at the bow bird . And called him from a long long way off . He came on a string ... but .... He came through my window of choice at 38 yards and sat in the same spot behind a brush pile for over 2 hours continuously gobbling at the decoy.... Cannot move on him as it's flat bottomland ,and I could see him the whole time .... A fox bumped him at 9 o'clock... yes he stayed there from 7-9 in the same 5 yard area. I took his exit as an opportunity to put the decoy away... being the decoy is what kept him there with no shot for so long ... and I moved for a better setup... walked about 1/4 mile , probably have him a 1/2 hour , and found me a spot with a dead fall tree . Plenty of drawing cover . I called and he answered , not too far. But I had a long shallow body of water between me and him... decider I better setup on the other side , might hang him up . I step across , called once more , he gobbled . I gained some ground on him for a better setup . It wasn't long I hear walking ... and look over my shoulder and the son of gun is back across the water , by the fallen tree where I made the first call.... He had walked around the water ...had I just stayed there ... he was still very close . 40ish yards ... this is the third time the bird has been in shotgun range of me ... yet here i am with a bow.

No matter what, doesn't sound like a bad way to spend a
morning 👍
BYW, male or female decoy?

I only brought a hen... don't currently have a strutter . However do have a jake. Interestingly enough. This gobbler had a Jake with him.... So maybe a male decoy would have sealed the deal . I don't know how many more chances I have of calling this bird up like that... especially twice now with the decoy ..... gonna have to get creative I suppose. I'm so close ... been waiting my whole life for a free lance big timber archery turkey .

That might just work.
That gob was probably waiting for the hen (your decoy) to come to him. If you add competition he may get pissed and storm in.

Quote from: Zobo on March 26, 2025, 09:37:50 AMHappy to report we are in first place!
Way do go Longbeards, a great start!!! :blob10:  :you_rock:  :happy0064:

Congrats everyone! I'm still 2-1/2 weeks out for WV opener and the start of my 3 week vacation. Hoping to contribute then. Good luck everybody, enjoy every sunrise and be safe!


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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250402/52d8a035b36cf1e21dae93d12d60b4db.jpg)
Got it done in Ga this morning! Will see if it's an upgrade


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Congrats tomtom! You're on a roll!


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Great job TomTom! Keep giving out those dirt naps!

Looks like an upgrade for sure!!

Good job Tom. Ga is definitely on the bucket list for me . Got skunked there a couple years ago.

Way to go Tom!!!
:blob10:
That's a nice one👍 Post him up and I'll add you score next to your other score and use the higher score in the team total.

I thought he was going to be an upgrade, but his spurs were pitiful! Broke off one side and other was only 3/4 inch. A great hunt though!


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Drove 230 miles round trip to a central FL romp-n-stomp only to have the biologist drive their ATV between myself and decoys while spraying for invasive.

Other than that joy, only saw a few old tracks.

Quote from: squidd on April 04, 2025, 09:53:40 PMDrove 230 miles round trip to a central FL romp-n-stomp only to have the biologist drive their ATV between myself and decoys while spraying for invasive.

Other than that joy, only saw a few old tracks.

Bummer :begging:

Great picture Tomtom. Congrats. My son and I went out for the youth hunt on the 5th but the weather was terrible. I'll be out for my first hunt in the morning.


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Quote from: aclawrence on April 07, 2025, 01:23:00 PMGreat picture Tomtom. Congrats. My son and I went out for the youth hunt on the 5th but the weather was terrible. I'll be out for my first hunt in the morning.


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Alright, good luck AC! :anim_25:

Got number 2 this morning. He was a loudmouth. Probably gobbled over 150 times. Super exciting and fun hunt. It all ended about 8:30. He was not an upgrade. I can take one more bird here in MS.
8.5 beard
7/8 spurs
16.5 lbs

Congrats bird man. Haven't been hardly due to work... dang shame to. Perfect weather this week.

Nicely done!!!

 Congratulations birdman!!!  :you_rock:

Way to go birdman!

I'm out for my second hunt of the season. Didn't hear squat the first morning. I came in blind this morning and ended up being close to a gobbler. Unfortunately he's not quite in the mood for loving. I'm going to hang in this bottom a little longer and see if he perks up with some sunshine.


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Quote from: aclawrence on April 10, 2025, 08:56:47 AMWay to go birdman!

I'm out for my second hunt of the season. Didn't hear squat the first morning. I came in blind this morning and ended up being close to a gobbler. Unfortunately he's not quite in the mood for loving. I'm going to hang in this bottom a little longer and see if he perks up with some sunshine.


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Hang in there and good luck AC 👍

Finally and will get it scored - first double beard.

Got another this morning. Don't think it's an upgrade , will have to see . I'll post some pics later .

Got an upgrade this morning. I'm tagged out in MS.

(https://i.imgur.com/oMjZTAl.jpeg)

Nice upgrade!!!

Unfortunately not an upgrade. But happy to get out and get a chance at another one. Found a nice arrowhead on the creek he was roosted near. Bird was still henned up. Only bird I heard ... and he was a tough one to mess with . Surprised he was a 2 year old when I rolled him over ,not that it matters . 15lbs 9" beard 3/4" spurs .

Congrats Squid! Great bird!

Congrats DZ! Sometimes those 2 year olds show us how wise even the youngsters can be. 

Wow 🤩 Congratulations guys!!! We're kicking it up a notch, awesome 👏 🦃💪💪💪

Quote from: squidd on April 12, 2025, 09:57:08 AMFinally and will get it scored - first double beard.

Awesome squidd!!! Nice one! Post up the pics and we'll put up your score on the board. Congratulations on a double bearded gobbler man, that's just spectacular!  :blob10:

Quote from: dzsmith on April 12, 2025, 02:27:06 PMGot another this morning. Don't think it's an upgrade , will have to see . I'll post some pics later .

Nice going DZ, upgrade or not your kicking some 🫏, Congratulations !!!  :you_rock:

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250413/ced16bc1311ec1241683b75e40620890.jpeg)
Got one down in NC yesterday afternoon! I haven't had a lick of service, but he's an upgrade by a few I believe


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Quote from: Tomtom97 on April 13, 2025, 12:27:57 PM(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250413/ced16bc1311ec1241683b75e40620890.jpeg)
Got one down in NC yesterday afternoon! I haven't had a lick of service, but he's an upgrade by a few I believe


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Nice going, I'll add to the board!

I've had a hectic weekend here in Kentucky. I did knock a bird down yesterday, killed a double with my dad. I had no sleep and cleaned my bird over at his house so I didn't get any measurements. 2 year old with a weak beard anyway. Took my wife to our new farm this morning and she killed a bird nice and early. Headed to Iowa this evening. Congrats to everyone on their birds. Sorry for not adding my score on this one. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250413/6e15bb506ae61710592d9c97addd0d81.jpg)


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250413/3897768ebff52e159c00ed6f8d117875.jpg)


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I've been out a few times now. My brother and I have found quite a few gobblers but they all seem to be in the same phase right now. All in creek bottoms, will gobble a handful of times on the roost, fly down and go quiet. I think they all have hens with them. I slipped in close to one I had previously found the other morning, actually to close and bumped him off the roost. I thought he would be in the main drainage but he was roosted in the smaller ditch that I was using to sneak down to the bottom in the dark. I went on down to the bottom and set up and napped until daylight. A bird finally gobbled in the direction he had flown but it sounded pretty far. After waiting it was the only bird I heard so I started to work that way. After walking a little ways I heard some soft yelping back where I just left from. I was skirting the hillside above the bottom but it got steep so I dropped down to the bottom to walk. I started thinking I was hearing drumming. Yes I definitely was and it was getting closer. The gobbler walked right past me and of course stayed up on the side of the hill. He was probably in gun range but I couldn't see over the crest. He went right to that hen and they disappeared. If I had stayed at my original tree he would have walked right to me. That's about the way it usually goes lol.


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Quote from: Kygobblergetter on April 13, 2025, 02:49:06 PMI've had a hectic weekend here in Kentucky. I did knock a bird down yesterday, killed a double with my dad. I had no sleep and cleaned my bird over at his house so I didn't get any measurements. 2 year old with a weak beard anyway. Took my wife to our new farm this morning and she killed a bird nice and early. Headed to Iowa this evening. Congrats to everyone on their birds. Sorry for not adding my score on this one. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250413/6e15bb506ae61710592d9c97addd0d81.jpg)


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250413/3897768ebff52e159c00ed6f8d117875.jpg)


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Great pictures! Congrats

Quote from: aclawrence on April 13, 2025, 08:10:42 PMI've been out a few times now. My brother and I have found quite a few gobblers but they all seem to be in the same phase right now. All in creek bottoms, will gobble a handful of times on the roost, fly down and go quiet. I think they all have hens with them. I slipped in close to one I had previously found the other morning, actually to close and bumped him off the roost. I thought he would be in the main drainage but he was roosted in the smaller ditch that I was using to sneak down to the bottom in the dark. I went on down to the bottom and set up and napped until daylight. A bird finally gobbled in the direction he had flown but it sounded pretty far. After waiting it was the only bird I heard so I started to work that way. After walking a little ways I heard some soft yelping back where I just left from. I was skirting the hillside above the bottom but it got steep so I dropped down to the bottom to walk. I started thinking I was hearing drumming. Yes I definitely was and it was getting closer. The gobbler walked right past me and of course stayed up on the side of the hill. He was probably in gun range but I couldn't see over the crest. He went right to that hen and they disappeared. If I had stayed at my original tree he would have walked right to me. That's about the way it usually goes lol.


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People say be patient and then when you think you should leave always stay 15 mins longer. But what about after that 15 and you think you should leave then, are you supposed to wait another 15? And then another and so on. You'll end up never leaving  :z-dizzy:  :TooFunny:

I should have been more patient that morning. I didn't realize the hen was there. She never yelped until I left. If I would have known I would have waited. I've actually been using my pipe as a patience tool. I just sit there and puff on my pipe to force myself to wait and listen for a while.


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Getting ready, (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250416/5838bba275bca6ab284e9d134310f201.jpg)
It won't be long now


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I haven't been on here much because I've been hitting it pretty hard. I'm tagged out in Kentucky now as well as Iowa and Minnesota. My bird this evening is worth scoring so I will get that posted up tomorrow. It's dark out now and there's nobody here to help with the pics. Here are some pics from my birds.

Opening day in Kentucky
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250418/31a1f47723db3d17fa7a788edc94e08e.jpg)


Iowa bird as well as my brothers
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250418/fd509f1cd116b7490b4d51393d2e4e7a.jpg)

Minnesota opening day double with my brother
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250418/396a031056445ac497e7b921d567f1c6.jpg)

Second Kentucky bird
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250418/0ba2f8b5dd9684ec45bf83f8ded4c3c9.jpg)


I didn't want to kill out in Kentucky this early so I took my double barrel and a dove load in order to keep actually hunting but limit myself and this bird was just ready to die. I'm currently out of tags but Indiana comes in Wednesday. My bird from this evening should score pretty well. The rest were all 2 year olds


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Heck yeah! You're crushing it man!!!


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Holy Buckets - nicely done in so many states!!

Wow, great job guys.

Had my opening day today.  That extra 20 minutes of sleep cost me all the gates I knew and wanted...well actually I drove by a few empty gates I wanted but when I got back to them they were filled.

Hunted something I've never seen before.  Despite the conditions of zero wind, they were quite quiet this morning.  Doesn't help in unfamiliar territory.  Sun came up and I wasn't seeing any sign so moved to a different empty gate.  More sign.  Still crazy quiet.  Maybe the cold with a falling barometer (but still high) had em a bit tight lipped.

I should stop hunting opening day.  Even if I win the gate race someone's come in on me the last 2 years.

Think I'ma take tomorrow off for the family and hunt NJ next week.

Mid season report: this has been one of my toughest seasons in a long time. I've had no problem finding gobblers but in my region all the birds seem to be in the same situation. They gobble a handful of times on the roost and then go quiet. The ones I have gotten a glimpse of all have hens. The best I've gotten after fly down is a courtesy gobble/invitation but nothing even close to working a bird. I did have a bird gobble at a soft yelp from the roost the other day.  I waited a few minutes and gave him two soft clucks which he immediately answered. I really thought he was going to come my way but he flew down never to be heard or seen again. I still hope to hunt some private land out of state. It looks like that will be my best chance this season.


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Missed yesterday, thought I misjudged the distance a missed with the rangefinder.

Missed again today at 30 yards.


Shot a pizza box, center of pattern 10 inches right, not a BB on the bullseye.

I'm not a good enough turkey hunter to burn these opportunities.

1 more day left on the vacay trip, but I'm seriously thinking of going home.  Gonna shoot $40 in shells this week with no turkey to show for it 😂

Man that's tough ruination. I missed two birds during a hard season of hunting a couple years ago. I hit one of them but it got up and flew off. It takes a lot of work for me to get those trigger pull opportunities to.


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Getting some good opportunities and now you're dialed in for some flopping!!

Got it done in Indiana yesterday morning. Awesome hunt but unfortunately one broken spur kept him from being an upgrade.


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250424/fa60eb5122630daf2f8c82f00acbb4a2.jpg)


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Finally punched a WV tag this morning. Helped call in a bird for a good buddy on mine on opening day. Tuesday and Wednesday was dead quiet. This morning was s different story as we struck several birds. This gobbler is a memorable one as i started turning my strikers. This is Bubinga and i was running it on slate. Off to Montana soon to chase those Merriams. Congrats to everyone on a fine season!!


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Nicely done Gents!!

A few more hunts left for me in GA and WY.

Quote from: wvhoyt19 on April 24, 2025, 07:22:09 PMFinally punched a WV tag this morning. Helped call in a bird for a good buddy on mine on opening day. Tuesday and Wednesday was dead quiet. This morning was s different story as we struck several birds. This gobbler is a memorable one as i started turning my strikers. This is Bubinga and i was running it on slate. Off to Montana soon to chase those Merriams. Congrats to everyone on a fine season!!


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Way to go, i'll put you up on the boards!  :happy0064:

Awesome morning in WV! This bird hammered since flydown. We weren't able to get him to break to our side and noticed he was on the backside of the ridge. My son and I made a move and when he got onto the point, we were waiting in him. Couldn't be more happier for my son!!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250425/b9b2d3c2440369eac01bd493ff8d9373.jpg)


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Quote from: wvhoyt19 on April 24, 2025, 07:22:09 PMFinally punched a WV tag this morning. Helped call in a bird for a good buddy on mine on opening day. Tuesday and Wednesday was dead quiet. This morning was s different story as we struck several birds. This gobbler is a memorable one as i started turning my strikers. This is Bubinga and i was running it on slate. Off to Montana soon to chase those Merriams. Congrats to everyone on a fine season!!


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Congrats!  Was a really nice morning to have to go to work and then have wind all weekend.

Has to be cool listening to them in the hills!!  Nicely done!!

Quote from: wvhoyt19 on April 25, 2025, 11:54:08 AMAwesome morning in WV! This bird hammered since flydown. We weren't able to get him to break to our side and noticed he was on the backside of the ridge. My son and I made a move and when he got onto the point, we were waiting in him. Couldn't be more happier for my son!!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250425/b9b2d3c2440369eac01bd493ff8d9373.jpg)


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Awesome picture! What a great way to spend time with your son,  as good as it gets right there, congratulations!!!

Probably it for me this year . I mentioned earlier no intentions on traveling due to a school I'm in at work. I'm very content to have taken 2 birds at home on public, in the limited amount of time I had to hunt. I haven't been hardly at all the last 2-3 weeks even when I could have because I failed a test at work and really needed to be locked in. But the the times I have gone evenings or just to listen ... it's pretty evident they are done here . It's really slowed down.... Not many folks at the gates which is unusual because pressure has gone up exponentially.... Unfortunately not seeing people is as big of a con as seeing them ... it means there ain't nothing gobbling .... They've moved there gravel popping elsewhere ...I have a little time off the last week of the season so I plan to make a hunt or 2 with some friends at their places .... We've been getting a good bit of rain here and up until this point it's been a dry spring in the hills .... There are hens nesting now , have been for a few weeks actually so I hope they keep can keep em incubated ... no burning going on this spring for the most part ... many of the areas burned in the previous 5 years . So hopefully a good hatch ensues. Good luck to Yal... I know some of Yal are just now getting hot and heavy into it

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Finished my slam with a double!


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You are definitely on birds this year!!

Looks like snow in the background as well!!

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Kentucky bonus bird yesterday. Not an upgrade but this is very heavily hunted public and fairly late in to the season. Found him mid morning and got very aggressive closing the distance. Finally called him around a fallen log at 25 yards.


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Had a wild day.

The weather was garbage last weekend, blowing 15+ and raining one day and 25+ the next.  Not yet desperate enough to try and hunt that so spent time with the family after coming home from NJ.

But the weather report on Monday was just perfect.  0 wind.  climbing barometer.  50F.  Had to hunt, so decided to give it a shot before work.

Being a Monday and 1.5 weeks of season had already passed I did not think I would have much competition at gates so slept in and arrived at 4:30.  This piece has been one of my favorites to hunt over the years but over the last few it has been bad experience after bad experience, which really bums me out.  I waited to 5 to see if someone was going to try and share, which I would just leave.  No one showed so I went to the spot to listen.

5:20, a few minutes before gobbletime, here comes an illegal UTV down the public land forest road.  Parks right next to me.  I ask him what the F he thinks he is doing and he is breaking the law.  He ignores me, and runs into the woods.  I am guessing he planned to be out by the time DNR started working to take a call...I am pretty confident the UTV was still there when/if DNR showed up.  The year prior I had a guy drive about over my hen decoy when he wanted to park in the meadow I was working a gobbler into.  Countless people having to hunt there despite multiple people already being there.  The list is endless and sadly I may not go back anytime soon. 

Anyways, I know where he's headed so I go the opposite direction.

6am - within 100 of a couple birds on the roost, they seem interested.  6:15 here comes a guy trying to sound like an elephant walking through the woods.  Birds shut up.  I leave.  Sure enough someone has parked next to me at the gate.

Hop in the truck, 10 miles to E, closest gas station is 5 miles away.  Go get a quick couple of gallons of gas.  Drive around looking for an open gate, crazy packed for a Monday...Crazy packed for opening day 4 years ago.

Decide to go to one of my favorites, sure someone would be there, but it's way out of the way and a PIA to hunt, so sometimes it gets overlooked.  Well, its open.  Feeling a little better I hop out of the truck and suit up.  Walk about 50 yards and a gobbler hammers on private across the street.  Gobblers sound off 200 yards to my right.  Gobblers sound off 400 yards in front of me to them.

I carefully ease my way to the gobblers on the right, pretty easy to do with the thick undergrowth coming up and find a spot to set up in.  Give some light yelping.  Gobble- Gobble.  Two turkeys About 75 yards apart from one another about 150 out.  Then a hen starts yelping.  I work the birds for a bit, they were responsive, but not moving far.  The birds 400 yards away are now 300 and I am wondering if I am going to do a tree shuffle.

I decide since there's at least one hen, I would try and rile her up.  Long, sharp cutting sequence...and one of the gobblers just hammers the whole time.  I end it with a few soft yelps away from them.  Gobbler hammers 2 more times directly at me, goes quiet, and I just know he is coming.  Couple minutes, SPIT...Gobble!.  On top of me to my left.  Shift my gun to a tiny opening I think I will be able to see him through.  Up ops a red head, boom goes the dynamite.

Just a large sense of relief to watch him flip over backwards stone dead.

Amazing how quick an outlook on a day can change.  Also amazing how many people were out turkey hunting on a Monday in that area.

Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.

Pics(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250429/d7cb1ff4fe7ff8de2f1d87be8bded9b5.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250429/b7747fbdbb45c0cda2c2e1a16b18b7e7.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250429/b5dacae33fab6705ed383867d774d4ac.jpg)

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Great story and good looking bird, keep it up fellas!


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Nice work on the moves to get your bird and dealing with others! 

Quote from: ruination on April 29, 2025, 11:23:24 AMPics(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250429/d7cb1ff4fe7ff8de2f1d87be8bded9b5.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250429/b7747fbdbb45c0cda2c2e1a16b18b7e7.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250429/b5dacae33fab6705ed383867d774d4ac.jpg)

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that was an awesome story ... it's a shame what it's come to these days ... but killers always find a way. Congratulations .

Trip out West was amazing! Tagged out in Montana. Beautiful birds and the scenery is breathtaking! Seen elk, mule deer, whitetail, antelope, coyotes, ringneck pheasant and more. God truly blessed me on this trip! Although these birds aren't an upgrade, as i figured a Merriam wouldn't be, they score high in my book!!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250501/7cc13248255babb60fe589b04d668214.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250501/213fcc2a2e97a8134ea9e0fbba7bc829.jpg)


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Quote from: wvhoyt19 on May 01, 2025, 01:16:05 PMTrip out West was amazing! Tagged out in Montana. Beautiful birds and the scenery is breathtaking! Seen elk, mule deer, whitetail, antelope, coyotes, ringneck pheasant and more. God truly blessed me on this trip! Although these birds aren't an upgrade, as i figured a Merriam wouldn't be, they score high in my book!!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250501/7cc13248255babb60fe589b04d668214.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250501/213fcc2a2e97a8134ea9e0fbba7bc829.jpg)


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Absolutely stunning pictures! Congratulations on another successful hunt!!!

Quote from: ruination on April 29, 2025, 11:23:24 AMPics(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250429/d7cb1ff4fe7ff8de2f1d87be8bded9b5.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250429/b7747fbdbb45c0cda2c2e1a16b18b7e7.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250429/b5dacae33fab6705ed383867d774d4ac.jpg)

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Big Congrats on a hard earned bird! Not easy navigating the public! It's funny that you call arriving at 430am sleeping in!😆 That's a dedicated turkey killer right there!

Just a quick field report:

Strike two for Zobo  :help:

Monday morning hunted Miss Charlie's horse farm. Birds gobbling left and right up in the pines. Daybreak nothing. Called my heart out, no takers.

Today, hunted a small public track. Set up in a good looking spot. No gobbling at all, but as soon as I started calling a big boy sneaked up to my right, maybe ten yards. Looking straight at me.
I couldn't move and it was a dead silent morning. I think he could hear me breathing heavily.
He starts to edge away and slowly but deliberately I point the 12 gauge at his head, bang, miss! Too close, pattern too tight, zero expansion of the shot column, but I thought I had the sights right on him.

So I might go out tomorrow after I check my sights and patterns.
Definitely will go out Monday. 

Quote from: Zobo on May 01, 2025, 02:13:36 PMSo I might go out tomorrow after I check my sights and patterns.

You could always just miss another one first  :OGturkeyhead:

I think I will really miss those NE woods this year, already looking forward to next when I can get back in them.

Also looking forward to your turkey picture...no pressure...but the people have expectations.

Quote from: wvhoyt19 on May 01, 2025, 01:16:05 PMTrip out West was amazing! Tagged out in Montana. Beautiful birds and the scenery is breathtaking! Seen elk, mule deer, whitetail, antelope, coyotes, ringneck pheasant and more. God truly blessed me on this trip! Although these birds aren't an upgrade, as i figured a Merriam wouldn't be, they score high in my book!!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250501/7cc13248255babb60fe589b04d668214.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250501/213fcc2a2e97a8134ea9e0fbba7bc829.jpg)


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Crazy pretty birds.

Guys, I'm sorry. I was unable to help the team this spring. Just had some bad luck. First, I found a spot that held a few birds but was never able to get to the parking spot early enough to beat the crowd. I would have assumed I might have a chance if I got there at 4 but not this spring. Also, I had a guy come in on me last week that I just left and let him have it. It was a low class move..he knew exactly where I was parked and went just around the curve from my truck and took off through the woods toward the bird. This was a good recipe for a hunting accident.
Anyway..I'm already looking forward to next year. I did see a few jakes on the road so if they make it; I should have some new spots that hold birds

Quote from: ruination on May 01, 2025, 03:34:33 PM

Quote from: Zobo on May 01, 2025, 02:13:36 PMSo I might go out tomorrow after I check my sights and patterns.

You could always just miss another one first  :OGturkeyhead:

I think I will really miss those NE woods this year, already looking forward to next when I can get back in them.

Also looking forward to your turkey picture...no pressure...but the people have expectations.

When pressure is applied, Zobo rises to meet the challenge:


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Checked out the 870, gun's shooting straight, I was just off target yesterday. Called this gobbler in late morning with the Hornstra yelper and a Snair trough call. Very white primaries with little barring on this guy, he's heavy and should score well. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250502/94d559be2d1e0effe1d4ddf7eee11b6d.jpg)


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Congrats!!


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We're over 500 boys
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Way to go Zobo!  Cool Bird!

Cliff, don't sweat it, that's why we call it hunting.

Nicely done on a cool looking bird Zobo.

Clif we've all had years like yours and glad you're already thinking about next year!!

Congrats Z, that's why you missed yesterday, great looking Tom. 

Quote from: JeffC on May 02, 2025, 07:55:05 PMCongrats Z, that's why you missed yesterday, great looking Tom. 

Im so glad I shot straight today. I've only missed a few times through the years and the feeling is not good. 😌

Quote from: Zobo on May 02, 2025, 02:09:20 PMWe're over 500 boys
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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250502/85eea6539994247ccbb9eb7ead7721ff.jpg)


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Congrats!! Very cool bird


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That is a unique one zobo. These days I'd say I've about seen it all when it comes to weird birds as so many are killed from year to year. Can't say I've seen a white winged one though. Definitely one of the cooler ones

Skunked day 1 in western PA. Had rain most of the morning and storms the last few days. Heard nothing with a mile of me. When I scouted Tuesday morning, had 3 birds located.

Quote from: Zobo on May 02, 2025, 12:40:13 PMChecked out the 870, gun's shooting straight, I was just off target yesterday. Called this gobbler in late morning with the Hornstra yelper and a Snair trough call. Very white primaries with little barring on this guy, he's heavy and should score well. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250502/94d559be2d1e0effe1d4ddf7eee11b6d.jpg)


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Congrats!! Very cool bird as well.


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First time losing a turkey this morning - point/aim at base of neck and see a boil of feathers and turkey flop off the path - track feathers for ~ 20-30 yds and then nothing - it ran into a big swampy blowdown area - took my dog through the area and he could only find the feathers🤢🤢

Thought shot was 30ish yds and it was more like 50 - explains the boil of feathers - what I get for running and gunning

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Got one this morning, not an upgrade 7/8"spurs and about 18lbs.  I heard him drumming, dead still woods, silent, no gobbling.


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Quote from: Zobo on May 05, 2025, 01:49:59 PM(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250505/281da97d411ba7435bf0742c9d667fa1.jpg)
Got one this morning, not an upgrade 7/8"spurs and about 18lbs.  I heard him drumming, dead still woods, silent, no gobbling.


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Congrats!!!


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Nicely done Zobo and a great sound to hear in silence!!

Great job to all you guys that have taken a bird recently. Zobo that is very cool bird you took. We are over 500 and still it done! Keep at it all of you guys still chasing them.

Quote from: birdman67 on May 11, 2025, 07:20:29 PMGreat job to all you guys that have taken a bird recently. Zobo that is very cool bird you took. We are over 500 and still it done! Keep at it all of you guys still chasing them.

Thanks, was ready to go out this morning but unfortunately my back is acting up too much. So I'll try again for tomorrow morning. I've located a small bachelor group of sizable Toms, hopefully I can get one fired up or at least curious.  :blob10:

GL!!

Heading to WY Friday and just changed the location where I'm hunting.

Will see how busy the place is and if VRBO indicates anything, it'll be busy.

Shot a good one at 830(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250516/a5900986994f74946ce312399ae58c45.jpg)
 this morning. Should be an upgrade


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Awesome job Zobo, really nice hooks!!

AWesome bird Zobo, Z :turkey2:

Congrats guys. I've been traveling and killing birds but no upgrades. I'm on my way back to eastern country now so maybe I'll be able to get ahold of a big bird. I took my brother out to Wyoming for his first real western hunt and we both filled both tags. I killed a bird in Kansas as well yesterday morning. Time to hunt is starting to run thin. I'll have a quick pit stop by the house tonight and then heading up to Michigan with my cousin for a few days (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250516/9ed37b53aa2cdaeea06df4395b03d6a0.jpg)
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Nice birds for everyone! 

Beautiful birds, Kygobblergetter 

Quote from: Kygobblergetter on May 16, 2025, 02:23:21 PMCongrats guys. I've been traveling and killing birds but no upgrades. I'm on my way back to eastern country now so maybe I'll be able to get ahold of a big bird. I took my brother out to Wyoming for his first real western hunt and we both filled both tags. I killed a bird in Kansas as well yesterday morning. Time to hunt is starting to run thin. I'll have a quick pit stop by the house tonight and then heading up to Michigan with my cousin for a few days (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250516/9ed37b53aa2cdaeea06df4395b03d6a0.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250516/bcf076645070640ab7f2500159ec2ee4.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250516/b828ae90300c2dcb3064c1376ba2bece.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250516/d624b5515e49a647b7a943d273b52933.jpg)


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Awesome birds!! Congrats and good luck! Keep us posted


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Congrats to all y'all killers this season. It was a really tough season for me this year. I've been doing the team contest for a while now and this is the first time I didn't enter a couple birds.

Also my hunting privileges got suspended for 6 months right towards the end of the season. I'll probably make a post about it in the general talk section but long story short I went out and hunted non resident in TN one day last year. I thought the 28th was the last day but I was looking at the dates from the previous year. I killed a gobbler and game checked it on the app. The next day I realized my mistake and called a number a couple times and left a message. I never heard back anything until right before my Alabama season kicked off this spring. A new lady officer moved into the county I reported in and wrote me up for a couple citations. I was wrong and killed out of season. Obviously it was an accident. I game checked and self reported. She didn't care and it cost me a fine, court cost and lost six months of hunting.  I can't even hunt in my home state because of some interstate group thing. I'm super bummed about it. Sorry guys I wasn't able to add to the team this year!


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It's unbelievable how stupid some of these government agencies can be. Who would report a bird out of season if it wasn't an honest mistake? And then the need to punish petty mistakes always annoys me. Sorry to hear about your lousy season, I was wondering what happened with you bc we hadn't heard from you and I know youre a serious hunter. But absolutely no need to apologize, you'll get em next season.

Quote from: Zobo on May 18, 2025, 05:33:48 PMIt's unbelievable how stupid some of these government agencies can be. Who would report a bird out of season if it wasn't an honest mistake? And then the need to punish petty mistakes always annoys me. Sorry to hear about your lousy season, I was wondering what happened with you bc we hadn't heard from you and I know youre a serious hunter. But absolutely no need to apologize, you'll get em next season.

Thanks Zobo, I'm sorry I kind of checked out. Yes I talked to a few wardens in my home state and they basically all said the same thing. They never ticket people in that situation. Will give you a warning and encourage you to look at the dates more closely

I heard a lot of gobblers early on but everyone hunting my area was experiencing the same thing. Gobble a few times on the limb, fly down and go silent. It was that way every hunt for me. Never really even had a conversation with a bird this year.


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Quote from: aclawrence on May 18, 2025, 04:54:47 PMCongrats to all y'all killers this season. It was a really tough season for me this year. I've been doing the team contest for a while now and this is the first time I didn't enter a couple birds.

Also my hunting privileges got suspended for 6 months right towards the end of the season. I'll probably make a post about it in the general talk section but long story short I went out and hunted non resident in TN one day last year. I thought the 28th was the last day but I was looking at the dates from the previous year. I killed a gobbler and game checked it on the app. The next day I realized my mistake and called a number a couple times and left a message. I never heard back anything until right before my Alabama season kicked off this spring. A new lady officer moved into the county I reported in and wrote me up for a couple citations. I was wrong and killed out of season. Obviously it was an accident. I game checked and self reported. She didn't care and it cost me a fine, court cost and lost six months of hunting.  I can't even hunt in my home state because of some interstate group thing. I'm super bummed about it. Sorry guys I wasn't able to add to the team this year!


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Man, that is completely ridiculous.

Kygobblergetter, Beautiful birds, awesome spring.

Heck of a bird Zobo.

I think one last hunt tomorrow and I may call it a season if I can't find an alive bird.

Season of missed opportunities when my time was limited to begin with, but grateful to get to experience it a few more times, at least.

Good luck tomorrow. I hope you find a gobbler in the mood for love.


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Quote from: aclawrence on May 18, 2025, 04:54:47 PMCongrats to all y'all killers this season. It was a really tough season for me this year. I've been doing the team contest for a while now and this is the first time I didn't enter a couple birds.

Also my hunting privileges got suspended for 6 months right towards the end of the season. I'll probably make a post about it in the general talk section but long story short I went out and hunted non resident in TN one day last year. I thought the 28th was the last day but I was looking at the dates from the previous year. I killed a gobbler and game checked it on the app. The next day I realized my mistake and called a number a couple times and left a message. I never heard back anything until right before my Alabama season kicked off this spring. A new lady officer moved into the county I reported in and wrote me up for a couple citations. I was wrong and killed out of season. Obviously it was an accident. I game checked and self reported. She didn't care and it cost me a fine, court cost and lost six months of hunting.  I can't even hunt in my home state because of some interstate group thing. I'm super bummed about it. Sorry guys I wasn't able to add to the team this year!


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its sad....they wont even permanently remove hunting privileges from an individual in my state who in a ring group killed 100 in a season. thats only local...a lacy act violation is what got him caught...long story short....most charges even with evidence did not stick ...he got a 5 year ban. he still paid the largest turkey related fine of all time, but it was drastically reduced...not to mention he was good for it...it didnt hurt him that bad. and the wardens tried....but here we are , we take a season away from people for an accident

No joy for me in WY. Only thing close was a Jake at 15-yds and only worked one other Tom that half gobbled as he went away.

Lost some hunt time to lightning/thunder/fog/snow/rain and lots of wind didn't help. When people say it gets slick and a muddy mess, they are not joking!!

Did scout for Antelope and will see if we get tags in a few weeks. Will need to check Fall hunting dates to see if I can align the Merriam stars!!

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Eastern country was good to me. My bird was very close to being an upgrade but not quite. I'm home for a couple days to keep the wife happy and then I'll be making one more scramble around for a little bit. This season has been a lot of repeating states and hunting with friends, so it'll be nice to get out solo for a little bit and try to knock off some new states.


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