Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Ok what would "Old Gobbler" do?    I'm at a very bad dilemma, my granddaughters (4) Spring Break is 20-29, we will leave on the 20th and not return until the 27th late.  My wife and I, we are the grandparents, are taking her to our beach condo and have invited her best little friend and his parents for the week.  The best friend lives several hours away, so we don't see each other much.    Turkey season starts the 25th. 

Here is a poll:

A)  Stay all week at the beach and miss the opening few days?  This is our condo, so the three of us can go to the beach whenever.
B)  Drive back the night of the 24th, hunt the morning, and drive back? (5-6 hours round trip driving)
C)  Stay home and let them all go and spend time in the woods with the birds, then hunt like usual? 

Now, I'm a man that has foregone many chances to attend the Masters just so I could turkey hunt.  I've been invited on private jets to fly in and fly out, I've declined, just to turkey hunt.  I know some of you care nothing for golf, but some others would give their "third" born to attend this event.  I've missed friends's weddings to turkey hunt, only gone to viewing the night before and missed funerals, etc.

Here is the dilemma, there are very few birds on the property, I mean very few after all the cutting that has been done over the past three years.  One guy does hunt a bit, but there are two "new" members that are going to turkey hunt.  I better get my (5) birds early in the season, because these two new ones I'm not sure won't keep them run out.      "Old Gobbler" don't just throw something out there, really think on this before answering.  I've hunted turkeys for right at 54 years, I've killed a "few" turkeys over those years, called in some for others, let some walk that I thought were "iffie" shots, so I'm a blood relative of turkeys.  I've been married to my current wife for 15 years, she still doesn't understand the love I have for turkeys, period.   

I would go back and hunt the first couple days then head back to the beach

Well hell I'll make you a trade you can hunt my place for tickets to the Masters


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God only gives you so many opening days. Maybe slip off for that one day at least.  I think the family would forgive you that.  Yes, it means more driving but that is done for family.
Good luck!

Personally, I would run those options by my wife and look to see what her reaction was to each. That would tell me what I should be doing.  ;D

Having said that, I am a bit confused as to the dilemma at hand.  Eliminating the whole "golf thing" from the equation, you state that there are very few birds on the property...but also seem to infer that you can shoot FIVE gobblers there?  That seems a bit "incongruent" to me...but perhaps I am misunderstanding. If not, maybe you should be having a serious talk with those other guys about having a bit of restraint in the number of gobblers to be taken off of the property.

Getting back to the poll and the options, however, if my spouses attitude indicated that there would possibly be a "sh*t storm" on the horizon if I chose to go hunting, I would start looking at alternatives.  Turkey season is pretty long and spreads across the entire country. There are LOTS of places to go turkey hunting. Perhaps looking at other options might be added to your poll.  :icon_thumright:

I would play sick ... LOL

Good luck with whatever you decide... Safe travels

Since you are leaving on the 20th that gives you four full days with your guests. Head back on the night of the 24th hunt the 25th and 26th, leave late on the 26th and then return home on the 27th. Since your granddaughter has until the 29th you could extend your stay one extra day since you left and return home on the 28th. Good luck with your decision.

Probably option A, family trumps hunting, unless it's gonna make you miserable to be with. I've had similar dilemmas but have found a lot of fun, satisfaction and substantial success in late season hunting

Grandkids grow up so fast. And our next years are running out. Spend as much time as you can with the family and then hunt your butt off.

Not so many years ago I would have said go hunting make the long drives.

Now I would say spend time with the family.  When it's your turn it's your turn.  A bird will show if it's your time.

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I would come home early and hunt opening day,

Hunt, no doubt about it