I already posted this on general discussion but didn't have any luck and thought maybe it be better on this thread.
Anyone else use mules or horses to cover ground to hunt gobblers? We're located in Va. it isn't just a way to hunt in the west. on average depending on how many birds we hunt or if we get to hunt or set up on any we can travel 5-15 miles before lunch of national forest land. Keep riding cutting ridges and riding mountain and ridge tops until you find a hot bird ready to be worked. When you find one ride within several hundred yards of the bird then get off tie them up and then close the remaining couple hundred yards on foot. If you kill him great but if you don't guess what you don't have to walk back to the truck with your tail tucked between your legs. just get on and ride back.
We also use them for deer hunting to get way back in on national forest land where no one else walks to. That's where the old big'ens live.
Here is a bird I called into my dad pictured with the bird roughly a 2 hour walk on foot. We made it there in under 30 minutes on the mules.
(http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/gg383/duncan7489/Miscellaneous/10277047_10203623692855227_324264903865543002_n.jpg) (http://s541.photobucket.com/user/duncan7489/media/Miscellaneous/10277047_10203623692855227_324264903865543002_n.jpg.html)
Jasper one of our Mules. We prefer Mules over horses in the mountains because they are more sure footed, strong, confident, and can go all day.
(http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/gg383/duncan7489/Miscellaneous/27054_1437360496357_929737_n.jpg) (http://s541.photobucket.com/user/duncan7489/media/Miscellaneous/27054_1437360496357_929737_n.jpg.html)
That is a really neat way to hunt! I wonder if my wife will let me buy a Mule??? I Bet the homeowners assoc. would have a problem with it though. Hate I ever moved to the city!
I love the ingenuity of turkey hunters: bikes, canoes, dogs...and now I see horses and mules. I'd say that I would see you around the national forest but I'll only be a mile or two in!
That's awesome! I've thought on several occasions how nice it would be to have a mule to ride and/or just use to pack in gear for an extended stay in the woods. Never done it but Im sure it would be a great way. Strutter.
Great idea!!!! :icon_thumright:
Hmm, sheep hunts - yes. Elk and Ibex hunts - you bet. Turkeys? Not so much.
I have thought if this myself--would love to be able to do it! Great pics!!
thats cool, Im with SC gobbler my wife would sh/t if I came home with a mule plus my 3/4 acre lot wouldnt work
Now that is the way to hunt. Double your pleasure. I wish I could hunt that way. I have used a bicycle in the past. Love it.
That's a really cool way to hunt!
That would be cool way get into places ,,,,That's great pic with the bird and mules in back round
Man me and my buddy have been talking about doing this for years! I just copied the link and sent it to him! Let me ask you this, has it ever spooked the birds? Like you struck one up that was within 100yrds and didn't have enough room to tie up the mules and move forward and you had to leave them close by? Just wondering.