Turkey S.C. opening day 2012

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Hello friends and neighbors // Anyone else go out for Turkey today?

April 1st opening day for S.C.

I've been keeping track of 5 gobblers since deer season.
Today it paid off.

I set up a Sneaky Pete and a Mating pair 35 yards out and twenty yards apart around 9:30am. At 11:00 in the morning my calls were answered.
The Gobblers circled me starting at 10:00 position, talking till they got to my 6 or 7:00. This took till 11:40 at 12:10 they appeared 45yards out at the 2:00 position.

One came half way out into the open area ( 85yards long X 35 yards wide) about ten yards up hill fron my decoys.
The other four Gobblers held back. As soon as the lead Gobblers head was outlined against a tree I shot him twice them took the one in the middle of the opening, also with two shots.
(I'd rather spit out a few pellets then have a wounded bird.)

Remington 870 Super Mag, using 3 1/2" -2oz.-5 shot ,almost tore the head off the first bird.


I kept one and gave the other to a fellow hunter unable to hunt due to a recent surgery. He was glad to clean his.

After the rest of our group gets at least one (we have a few groups of jakes around 12 in each) I plan on trying a bow for the first time. Always enjoy a day in the woods, especially a day like this.

 

[jbkebert]

Nice birds.

I went out this morning the opening of Kansas archery only/youth and disabled season.

After getting set up at around 5:40 or so this morning a gentle fog rolled in. At 6:30 a few soft purrs from me were answered by two gobblers. The turkeys flew down shortly there after in sight at around 100 yards. Two toms, one jake and 11 hens. I could not for the life of me get the toms to commit to me and leave the hens. After a couple hours the second less dominate gobler disappeared and I hoped he was making his way to me. At 8:40 or so I heard some noise to my right but could not see. Got my release clipped on and saw a coyote zip out and hit my decoy.

So my decoy is knocked over and in full veiw of the other 13 turkeys. They all scattered. I gave up and did a little shed hunting. While doing this the dominate gobler stepped out at 15 yards and saw me. My bow slung over my back so no way in the world to get a shot. I did however find a quart baggie of morels. Headed home and threw a deer roast in the crock pot and picked some asparagus. When the kids got home from Sunday school myself and three of our four kids went mushroom hunting. In total we found a little over a gallon bag worth. Finished up the day with fried mushrooms, venison and fresh asparagus. So a heck of a good day even without getting my bird.

 

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Sounds great, you were certainly patient enough.
I know the feeling well, to see them and not get them, I was very lucky today.
More and more yotes spoil things around here too, at least no hogs yet.

The mushroom dinner sounds good.
Deer burgers and slaw here, only 6 months till deer season, got to eat up.

Only two youths went out to hunt here yesterday. Neither had any luck but both enjoyed the day with family all the same.

Our best mouth caller will be out tomorrow. I hope to get some tips on how to use them ( I stink) in order to get one close enough to use a bow.
He is 15, I'm 50 but still able to learn from my betters.

Have you ever gotten a Turkey with a bow?
I'm told right under the shoulder with a tri- point broad head.

 

[jbkebert]

I have taken 12 turkeys with a bow so far. I quit bow hunting them for a long time. Got tired of losing high priced arrows.

Since I started back up I am using a Mathews Switchback at 45-46#. You don't need alot of draw weight with a sharp broadhead. Also the light draw weight allows me to draw my bow very slowly without muscle fatigue. If hunting from a blind I use a G5 Striker magnum. If hunting from a simple setup on the ground. I favor a 100 grain 2 blade blood runner.

Shoot them broadside if possible 1/3 up the body straight up from the legs. This shot will more than likely break a wing and if they don't fall over within a few feet they can't fly. I also started using nocturnal light up nocks. makes finding the arrow easier. Still typlically get a pass through.

I am with you on being less than great with a mouth call. This time of year I find myself practicing while driving. You should see some of the looks from folks at a stop sign.

 

[tri70]

I went out and saw 5 or 6 birds on the family farm, a couple of toms for sure. I had my electronic call with me and I was able to get a gobble back at me. I usually practice mouth calls while driving also, coyote and turkey.

 

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Haven't seen any Toms yet.
Yesterday one of our group saw the three Gobblers that ran when I got mine.

I'll be trying my PSE Nova, although the Barnette Cross Bow might be easier from a blind.
Night glow nocks sound like a great investment.

I don't think the Matthews Gen. I teach the kids with would be enough at twenty pounds but the draw would be perfect.