So last night, I read & finished Col. Tom Kelly's Tenth Legion book; very entertaining! I certainly have some opinions that are contrary to what he offers up in the book -- but I also understand this was written some time ago, prior to "modern" techniques & regs/rules changes (ie use of decoys). But, it got me to wondering to myself:
What ONE THING, in your opinion, has dramatically improved the chances of a MODERN HUNTER (ie 2015 turkey hunter) to harvest a gobbler?
Could be anything - better/long shells, improved camo, better calls, Google Maps for improved woodsmanship, more birds to hunt, whatever -- but pick ONE THING ONLY that, if you were to take it away, would put you WAY BACK in your turkey hunting success.
Curious to hear folks' thoughts about this. GO!
BGD
Sticking with a setup for longer than 20 or 30 minutes. That came with age. I call it "patience", but it's probably just laziness.
Acquiring multiple properties to hunt. i.e. Don't wear out the same piece of property day in and day out. If you only have one spot to hunt then let the birds rest a few days in between hunts.
IMO. Our Game and Fish divisions doing trapping and relocating birds and managing those flocks to spread the population over a way broader range. 20-30 years ago there were only birds in isolated regions and the competition for those was crowded.
To me, the most important factor for success is "time". All other things being equal, the guys that are most successful spend more time at it than those that aren't. Those that are weekenders only, or those that can only spend a few days during a season, are at a serious disadvantage to those guys that can hunt a lot of days. The hunters I know that are consistently successful spend much more time at it than those that are not.
Time spent hunting also correlates to a lot of other things, however. Time in the field means you have more opportunity to learn the areas you hunt and the habits of the birds you are hunting. It also gives you more time to learn how and when to call, and gives you much more experience in learning what strategies,...calling, set-up, and tactics,...are likely to be successful, and which ones are not.
Slowing down and hunting "blue bird" type of days. I will hunt bad weather if necessary but my job allows me a lot of leniency on my off time. I have killed in the rain but have a better success rate on beautiful days.
Biggest thing is just slowing down and hunting at a good pace where the birds do not know I was ever there.
I think the OP was after something different guys. You are talking about good hunting practices that would have been just as effective and realizable 50 years ago. I would say the one MODERN thing that has really contributed to my success is the ready access to information and advice from more experienced hunters through forums like this one.
Quote from: Rapscallion Vermilion on January 07, 2015, 10:49:19 AM
I think the OP was after something different guys. You are talking about good hunting practices that would have been just as effective and realizable 50 years ago. I would say the one MODERN thing that has really contributed to my success is the ready access to information and advice from more experienced hunters through forums like this one.
In that case, it's Thermacells and permethrin.
For new modern technology I'd say gun/shells/choke combos
For just something I utilize more than anything when moving/hunting is Binos. I'd go to the woods without a call before I would without Binos. But they've been around forever so their nothing new.
Age, with it come patience. Sure modern guns, chokes, loads, camo, and even calls, but patience is key.
As far as the e technology goes there is not one piece that I could not do without. That being said I use it all, Gps, Google earth, Even have a special sd card in my Garmin that shows blm land as I'm driving by it. You would be amazed at how handy that is for finding a place to hunt. But the one thing that has improved my success rate the most, just plain old experience. Learning when, where, why, why not, how to and so on, all confidence builders. And just like any other endeavor, learning from experience is invaluable for success. :gobble:
Keep it coming guys, and hey, interpret the OP any way you wish; it's just an "opinion poll" after all...
The more experienced turkey hunters on here (ie north of 10-15 years hunting) have seen a bit more than less experienced hunters, but I'm just curious what ONE THING that *IF* it were taken away from you, in this upcoming 2015 season, would result in far less success to you in the turkey woods.
Keep it comin'...
time and unpressured properties the best turkey hunters have the best properties to hunt and dont miss a day in the woods.
Experience and higher populations.
I agree with The Col on decoys for what it's worth. There simply is not another feeling for me like hearing a gobbler walking and or drumming on his way to my calls looking for me because there is nothing else there! Simply an opinion.
Better shells, I don't have to stick to under 30 yards. (But it's fun when they get closer!)
Gobbler Lounger. Being able to sit still longer sure helps, especially as I get older and the comfort is even more helpful.
to the OP question: Evolvement of Decoys: I see a lot of guys that aren't good woodsman and have poor calling skills but they can kill birds every year by siting in a blind and waiting for the right birds to come along and walk right over.
To my own improvement: Understanding of wild turkeys and knowing how to take a birds temp as it were.
A toss up between trail camera and a ground blind. The trail cam helps immensely in the preseason with scouting birds, especially in fields.
Once season is in the blind is hard to replace for me in hunting field birds, especially in the rain. When you rephrase it in the way as to what would make me less successful as a hunter it would be a ground blind. Make for some difficult and wet sits without it.
As I read all the replies, I agreed that many things makes my turkey hunting more consistently successful. I can honestly say that there's not many things that could be taken from me that would hamper my turkey killing, I'd adapt.
That being said, the internet has helped me find places to hunt that I may not have found so....as much as I hate to admit it, I'd miss the computer in my hands.
Quote from: drenalinld on January 07, 2015, 12:01:24 PM
Experience and higher populations.
I agree with The Col on decoys for what it's worth. There simply is not another feeling for me like hearing a gobbler walking and or drumming on his way to my calls looking for me because there is nothing else there! Simply an opinion.
What is the Col's opinion(s) on decoys; doesn't use 'em?
Quote from: Rapscallion Vermilion on January 07, 2015, 10:49:19 AM
I think the OP was after something different guys. You are talking about good hunting practices that would have been just as effective and realizable 50 years ago. I would say the one MODERN thing that has really contributed to my success is the ready access to information and advice from more experienced hunters through forums like this one.
Quote from: TN Beard Buster on January 07, 2015, 10:28:19 AM
IMO. Our Game and Fish divisions doing trapping and relocating birds and managing those flocks to spread the population over a way broader range. 20-30 years ago there were only birds in isolated regions and the competition for those was crowded.
Information and 7-8 million turkeys
If I understand him right he doesn't believe in decoys although I have seen a video with him using fans to hunt.
Quote from: bamagtrdude on January 07, 2015, 12:53:13 PM
Quote from: drenalinld on January 07, 2015, 12:01:24 PM
Experience and higher populations.
I agree with The Col on decoys for what it's worth. There simply is not another feeling for me like hearing a gobbler walking and or drumming on his way to my calls looking for me because there is nothing else there! Simply an opinion.
What is the Col's opinion(s) on decoys; doesn't use 'em?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDL2J7XkCdc
Watch this excerpt from "a fork in the road".
For tools it would be between my Squealing Hen Call and my flock of DSD decoys.
As far as experience it would be my ability to refrain from calling until I found the killing spot. Take that away and my success would be cut in half.
Quote from: drenalinld on January 07, 2015, 02:10:36 PM
Quote from: bamagtrdude on January 07, 2015, 12:53:13 PM
What is the Col's opinion(s) on decoys; doesn't use 'em?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDL2J7XkCdc
Watch this excerpt from "a fork in the road".
Uh huh... Well, I have to admit, when the video was playing & he was talking behind all those dekes on the porch (see exhibit photo A), I got a little confused... But, yes, Mr. Colonel clarified his position related to dekes quite succinctly towards the end (see exhibit photo B)... Maybe the title of the video should be, "The Forker On The Porch"... ;)
My Trijicon TriPower, a sight for sore eyes.
Putting as much if not more time scouting as I do hunting. Not only in the preseason but all during the sesson.
Quote from: Gooserbat on January 07, 2015, 11:24:25 AM
Age, with it come patience. Sure modern guns, chokes, loads, camo, and even calls, but patience is key.
Gotta agree with this one.....it truly is the key to success!
Without a doubt, it has to be the turkey hunters chair. No more sore or numb cheeks. legs. No more sore back from leaning up against a tree. I can actually get out of the chair and walk instead of crawl to my downed bird.
Gman
Quote from: TauntoHawk on January 07, 2015, 12:13:19 PM
to the OP question: Evolvement of Decoys: I see a lot of guys that aren't good woodsman and have poor calling skills but they can kill birds every year by siting in a blind and waiting for the right birds to come along and walk right over.
This^^
QuoteWhat ONE THING, in your opinion, has dramatically improved the chances of a MODERN HUNTER (ie 2015 turkey hunter) to harvest a gobbler?
More turkeys.
Thanks,
Clark
Patience for me...I've struggled for years with not having patience!
But for technology it would
Have to be the use of my computer for scouting and gathering information....I've used the Internet a lot to find out the owners of properties to try and gain access to hunt.
God bless
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Optics
Quote from: Snoodsniper on January 08, 2015, 04:01:15 AM
Optics
I was wondering how long it was going to take. :) I'm surprised some other things (that are in my mind) haven't come up yet, but ...
Keep 'em coming... what ONE THING, in your estimation, has greatly improved the chances of a turkey hunter in 2015 to INCREASE his/her chances of harvesting a gobbler...
Take the decoys away from most of today's hunters and they'd have one hell of a time killing birds.
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on January 08, 2015, 06:44:12 AM
Take the decoys away from most of today's hunters and they'd have one hell of a time killing birds.
:) I think so, too. ALSO, take CAMO away from that SAME hunter that's using decoys, and what do you think his/her odds are??
:)
Quote from: Gamblinman on January 07, 2015, 03:49:26 PM
Without a doubt, it has to be the turkey hunters chair. No more sore or numb cheeks. legs. No more sore back from leaning up against a tree. I can actually get out of the chair and walk instead of crawl to my downed bird.
Gman
For me it's this. Being able to sit comfortably trumps anything else that's come along. In the late season or in the southern states, the Thermocell goes hand in hand with the comfort factor.
Quote from: Spring Creek Calls on January 08, 2015, 07:47:54 AM
Quote from: Gamblinman on January 07, 2015, 03:49:26 PM
Without a doubt, it has to be the turkey hunters chair. No more sore or numb cheeks. legs. No more sore back from leaning up against a tree. I can actually get out of the chair and walk instead of crawl to my downed bird.
Gman
For me it's this. Being able to sit comfortably trumps anything else that's come along. In the late season or in the southern states, the Thermocell goes hand in hand with the comfort factor.
Wow, Mike - I expected you to say, better calls/custom call-making has made a dramatic difference/improvement... But, hey, I hear ya; I *still* have the very first "cushion" (that's being VERY LIBERAL with the term!) off the 1st turkey vest I had; it's shoved inside the backpack I carry my dekes in, and most hunts, I'm sitting on top of the backpack, with both the cushion & dekes inside!! hahaha...
In my opinion there are a ton of turkeys killed each year these days by guys that hunt from blinds and use decoys that would really struggle killing a mature gobbler if they had to hunt them without those tools. I have nothing against them where they are legal but its not for me.
To me the number one thing that would improve my odds is patience, patience and patience. Especially when hunting pressured birds. You gotta be on "turkey time"!!! So many times over the years I have lost patience and spooked the bird when moving that was on his way in to me.
Adding realism to the calling makes all the difference. I often hear other hunters calling that never change their call volume or vary their cadence it sounds so unrealistic...
But patience is #1
Time. The past few years I've had a lot more time in the woods to learn from the birds and the lay of the land. I really like some of the new goodies. I have bought some of them before and probably will in the future. I give credit to being more successful in morning hunts because I don't ever carry much. Most of the time just a pouch of mouth calls and a gun. Evening hunts I give credit to a gobbler lounger and time. That gives me the ability to sit for long periods of time.
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More gobblers, hands down, without a doubt.
Other than that, my own personal success has been improved by the internet, and no, not cyberscouting. The internet allows me to research different states to hunt, look over maps of public land, and even use google earth to pick likely spots to start looking. Heck, I even get my licenses and tags by the internet.
I've even done a few "scout as I hunt" trips where I was hunting a piece of property the first time I ever set foot on it and had outstanding success this way. I'd love to be able to scout for weeks before, but if I haven't, I'm not too concerned.
Without the internet, I'd probably hunt 1 or 2 states at most where I usually hunt double that.
I would say shared knowledge. From what I've read, back in the days there weren't that many turkey hunters, or turkeys. So getting knowledge about the sport was very difficult. Nowadays, there are a lot more turkeys, a lot more hunting opportunities, people are a lot more forthcoming with information, there are magazines, TV shows and forums like this one where novices can learn. That's my thoughts on the question. :z-twocents:
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on January 08, 2015, 06:44:12 AM
Take the decoys away from most of today's hunters and they'd have one hell of a time killing birds.
Very TRUE! My first 20 yrs of turkey hunting I never used a decoy and bagged many of a long beard without it! The last 4 yrs I have used them here and there and only hen decoys. I don't ever see myself using a strutting gobbler or sitting it out in a filed to have them run or fly into it....to me there is no skill involved in that. However this is my opinion only......but for me I want to go head to head with a long beard on a ridge top or in a deep holler and bring him in close...that's what hunting to me and I love it!!
God bless
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Quality of property I have hunted places were complete idiots could have killed a bird. Called up and killed 7 mature birds in 3 mornings
Quote from: Gooserbat on January 07, 2015, 11:24:25 AM
Age, with it come patience. Sure modern guns, chokes, loads, camo, and even calls, but patience is key.
This hands down. With many years in the woods, I have learned that patience (resulting in: not rushing shots, over calling, sitting still, being quiet, etc.) has not only helped me become just successful but also more knowledgeable of the wild turkey in general. This is why no matter what, I always feel confident in my ability and lets me just have fun doing this sport that I love......
Quote from: tomstopper on January 08, 2015, 09:24:07 PM
Quote from: Gooserbat on January 07, 2015, 11:24:25 AM
Age, with it come patience. Sure modern guns, chokes, loads, camo, and even calls, but patience is key.
This hands down. With many years in the woods, I have learned that patience (resulting in: not rushing shots, over calling, sitting still, being quiet, etc.) has not only helped me become just successful but also more knowledgeable of the wild turkey in general. This is why no matter what, I always feel confident in my ability and lets me just have fun doing this sport that I love......
Well said buddy!!!
God bless
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I haven't done a running sub-total but it seems that a) patience and b) time (both time spent in the woods hunting & time/age) appear to be the leading answers right now. Decoys are a close 2nd.
I have to say turkey population. When.most of these good ol books where written the turkey population was very low. These guys had to become great hunters in order to find a bird. I will say thwy probably had access to better and more land so they where able to find birds. However they did have to.be Better hunters.
Quote from: bamagtrdude on January 08, 2015, 11:10:02 PM
I haven't done a running sub-total but it seems that a) patience and b) time (both time spent in the woods hunting & time/age) appear to be the leading answers right now. Decoys are a close 2nd.
True, but those are not really modern innovations. If I was to pick one innovation or tactic that to me has really changed the face of turkey hunting over the last decade or so, it is the use of gobbler decoys or imitations. That one thing has totally changed spring gobbler hunting. As others have stated, there is no need to learn the old ways of turkey hunting,...the use of calling, tactics, and woodsmanship,...just use a gobbler imitation and wait 'til one sees it.
Having said that, though,...it is probably just a matter of time before gobblers wise up to that. A few more years of their use and gobblers will start shying away from them rather than coming on the run. In the meantime, they have really changed the game in spring gobbler hunting.
Quote from: GobbleNut on January 09, 2015, 09:34:28 AM
If I was to pick one innovation or tactic that to me has really changed the face of turkey hunting over the last decade or so, it is the use of gobbler decoys or imitations. That one thing has totally changed spring gobbler hunting. As others have stated, there is no need to learn the old ways of turkey hunting,...the use of calling, tactics, and woodsmanship,...just use a gobbler imitation and wait 'til one sees it.
I agree with this; I also think, coupled with advancements/improvements to camo (ie leafy suits & camo blinds) have DRAMATICALLY improved the success of the modern turkey hunter, esp one that can't sit still & is very impatient. AND TO BE CLEAR - I'm not criticizing anyone for the use of these things; as they say, "IJS".
Patience @ woodsmanship
Knowledge, patience and hunting where Turkeys exist; I live in N.E.Arkansas and the Turkey hunting here in my area is pathetic to say the least; I go to states that has very healthy populations in Turkeys and I enjoy great success;
I also believe that woodsmanship should be top priority in every Hunters life; with the advanced technology of GPS, better topo maps, the aid of computers, it has become easier to navigate and find more places to hunt;
A lot more gobblers around now!
Blinds and decoys. I don't use either, never have and never will. I want to match wits with the old gobbler the old-fashioned way.
Gotten smarter as I have gotten older. I slow down the game, and just enjoy every moment I have to hunt.