650 Miles and no chance at a bird

[TauntoHawk]

But I couldn't be more excited! Today after work I'll be making a 4.5hr drive north to Greenville, NY in anticipation of tomorrows NY youth season. My buddy Jamie participates in a wounded warrior hunt every year and last year thought it would be neat to do a youth hunt for kids in the area who would like to get out hunting that might not have any family members that hunt or will take them.

I know that hunting was an important part of life for me when I was in school and want to make sure kids out there get the same chance that I had. James has been bouncing around before and after work each day doing a lot of the final leg work making sure we've got birds scouted as well as possible and properties lined up. I've got the blinds ready to handle the rain that's forecasted.

I promise to upload pictures from the field as soon as the kids lay the hammer. Last year the kid I took the hunt was over by 6:10 when two Jakes pitched about 250yds and landed 3ft from the decoys at first light. The kid I am taking this year, Kevin has his heart set on a Tom for his first bird. The property were going to has no shortage with about 5 mature birds and ones a real stud with a bad attitude.

Good luck to anyone going out tomorrow in PA and NY for youth season, be safe, have fun, and stay dry!!!

[Timmer]

Kudos to you for giving your time and trying to keep hunting alive with our youth.

I'm participating in our MN DNR/NWTF youth hunt for the first time this weekend .  My youth contact has never hunted anything, and I'm not sure who is more excited, me or him! 

[Spring_Woods]

Hey that's great! Good luck

[guesswho]

No matter of the outcome, good job!  My hats off to you and everyone involved.

[TauntoHawk]

I know I have to be more excited!

Next week is PA opener and I'll have another first timer that I got into archery this past fall and now wants to try turkey hunting. The follow weekend 5th and 6th is the NWTF wounded Warrior hunt in NY and I'll be back again for that then staying into the week to try and get my birds on the ground.

Kudos to you for giving your time and trying to keep hunting alive with our youth.

I'm participating in our MN DNR/NWTF youth hunt for the first time this weekend .  My youth contact has never hunted anything, and I'm not sure who is more excited, me or him! 

[davisd9]

I take my hat off to you sir!  You are doing a great thing!

[TauntoHawk]

Update: left late cuz of work got in at 12:30 last night and up at 3:30 because I was too excited.. Haha I'm not even shooting

Taught some really good lessens about hunting today kid soaked in like a sponge.  I'll give the whole story when I get to a computer but the gist is worked birds to 45yds off the roost hammering but couldn't close. Kid wanted to use grandfathers 20 gauge with a 35yd max. Worked one of the original birds again at 9 but was rudely dejected by a thieving hen. Came back and got him fired up at 11:18 (NY has a 12:00 deadline on spring gobbler) ended up killing the bird at 11:59am!!!! He was coming slow and I was watching my phone in my lap and said let him get as close as noon will allow and then take that shot. Ended up being 28yds and he stuffed him.

[TauntoHawk]

This I him with his cousin who was out with another host hunter this morning.

Bird came in at
22 lbs 12 oz
9.5in beard
1.25 sharp curved hooks

Beast of a first turkey and a bird I would gladly shoot any day myself! He was the biggest bird in the group and got take over a slate call my buddy built me and gave to me this morning at 4am.

Oh and NO rain! Could have asked for a better day and we all enjoyed a great day at the BBQ sharing stories and laughing off a few misses by some of the juniors

[TauntoHawk]

Here's the future of our sport and some happy kids!

[TauntoHawk]

Second update: fog, rain, and 38 degrees put us in a blind this morning. My youth hunter for today missed a bird at 11yds but his nerves were a wreck after I called the bird across a creek, road, and two stone walls from 400yds in 10 minutes flat. He gobbled at 5 steps as he ran past the blind at the decoys.

Just like yesterday though redemption is the sweetest, we got out, suited up in rain gear and ended up stalking up and laying the hammer on a 2yr old with 22 minutes to spare in the rain.

I'll upload pics a little later they aren't working right now.

[BowBendr]

Thanks for helping to pass on the heritage. Great job. 

[TauntoHawk]

[Lightnrod]

Pass it on! WTG

[pullit]

very cool

[magedon44]

nice