Turkey Hunting
Youth hunts
3/22/13 @ 6:01 PM
Going to take a few new hunters turkey hunting this weekend for a learn to hunt program out of JJJ
Birds look very thin out by us but have some good feeds to hunt can't wait to get these kids outdoors going to be a different type of hunt with all the snow but should be fun.
Anyone else got a first timer they are looking forward to taking out this year?
Displaying 1 to 15 of 41 posts
My son, Sam, got a dandy yesterday. He was sick on Saturday, so we did not get out. We slept in and went out mid morning. Just a few distant gobbles, and a bit chilly, so we went home for lunch. Back out at 12:15, and two Toms come in 10 minutes later, without a gobble. He didn't have time to get nervous, and made a good shot from 27 yards. Nice size bird at 27 lbs, 10.5 inch beard, and 1 1/8 inch spurs.
well the "not so little" little bro got it done at 130 on saturday! we heard maybe 3 gobbles all morning and no birds so we decided to run and gun. set up at a promising spot at around 11:30. at about 1pm we got a bird to gobble a ways off in the distance. 20 minutes later he was doing the crappie flop. 25lbs, 10in beard, and about 7/8 spurs! way to go bro! 
Took my son out Saturday on the youth hunt. We had seven toms and at least 20 hens in the food plot. Son did a great job waiting for the birds to separate before he shot. I think he can out shoot the old man! Was able to get the hunt on video. Memories for a lifetime! Tom had a 10 inch beard and weighed 23 lbs.
congrats to those that got a bird! had a good hunt for our first time and were almost able to add to the pics. around 7:30 Sat morning had 2 toms come flat out running down the snowmobile trail right at us. caught them a little late and things were hectic as there wasn't much time at all. by the time Alyssa got the gun up they either saw some of the movement in the blind or just turned off into the woods on their own. a couple more seconds and 10 more yards she may have had a chance. it was exciting though and I could hear her heart beating! after that it was really quiet for quite awhile. we'd hear one here or there way in the distance. took a short break a little before noon to grab a bite to eat and visit w/ my nephew. back in the blind for about an hour or so and I leaned forward, looked out the right window and there's a tom barely 10 yards from us! I had to do a double take to make sure I wasn't seeing anything. Alyssa was sleeping at the time, I had to hit her on the leg 3 times to wake her up. I pointed and said there's one RIGHT there. she leaned forward real slow and took a look, the look on her face was awesome. of course to her right and behind her a bit was just about the worst place the bird could have been. her trying to get in position, get the gun up without being seen or heard was quite tricky. finally she did. at this point I couldn't see as I was now behind her and the bird. the I heard her say SH!!...it was the first time I've ever heard her swear (she claims it was the first time she ever did too! hahahha) ...I didn't say anything but she turned around immediately and apologized. I whispered I didn't care, and pointed to let her know there's still a bird right there! not sure why she hesitated, turkey fever, uncertainty, a little afraid??? he was walking away just a bit but still was only 20 yards. finally she shot but unfortunately it flew away. she did get one feather for her effort. she was kicking herself for hesitating and I felt bad for her but it was still exciting. it was her first time ever shooting at a bird/animal. now she's experienced it and can build from that experience.
that was it for Sat other than 4 deer that walked in front of us. Sunday was insanely quiet, we stayed out till a little after noon and didn't hear or see anything. overall for having no experience at all and pretty much just guessing and hoping to get lucky I guess we did. she's got her feathr and shell for a keepsake. she was a super trooper, an hour or so Fri sitting/listening, 12+ Sat and 6+ Sun and not a peep. even when part of Sun morn was spent with her leaning over a bag not sure if she was going to puke. she didn't want to leave, I asked several times as I didn't want her to stay out there miserable. luckily it passed after awhile. she's not sure if she wants to go back out for period 3, we'll see. I'm going to see if I can find someone that actually knows what they're doin so we can learn and gaim more experience.
sorry so long!
Congratulations young hunters! We weren't as fortunate. If I displayed the same patience as my 10 year old we would have been successful. Saturday, very little activity, lost confidence in my blind location and moved for Sunday. Spent 10 hours in the blind Sunday with an hour break in the middle. Lot of activity, except it was where our blind was Saturday! Had one within 60 yards, and the uncontrollable shaking had us both laughing.
Took my 12yr old son out for youth hunt Saturday. Very little gobbling. Saw 41 birds in one flock with 10 toms from 7-11AM in large field, 3 were fanning as they all fed on corn stubble and manure. Relocated at 11AM and had 1 tom within range by 2PM. 30yrd shot, 1 inch spurs, 10 inch beard, 26.5#. Great day. Bigger bird than any of mine over the years. Couldn't be prouder of him.
Congrats to all. Some pretty sweet smiles!
Weather and conditions got the best of us. No gobbling, and nothing seen. That said, this was probably the best father/daughter time we've had to date. Stories, laughs. I think even she is starting to realize that is the best part.
I guess it ain't that bad, when the only complaint is the 1 thing you have no control over. Weather's going to do what it does.
Back at it on Wednesday.
Took stepson out this weekend. He kept falling asleep both morning and mid day setups. Not much action as we only heard a couple gobbles on the roost. Made 3 setups for a total of about 9 hours and only managed to see one hen several hundred yards off. Had several deer close to the blind at daybreak that he though was really cool.
I kept telling him today would be better with less wind, sunshine and the snow being gone. Glad I was right. We had at least 7 separate gobblers on the roost and they kept going for the next couple hours. Spotted a couple of gobblers a couple hundred yards across the field. Then had some deer run through them and they spooked into the woods. Came back out a few minutes later and slowly worked their way along the woods edge. Kept going into the woods so we were losing sight of them over an over. Finally thought they were gone as we didn't see or hear them anymore. What a surprise when I look out the window and see them at a 20 yards. Made some soft yelps and purrs. Man, what a cool feeling when they started gobbling again. Problem was they walked into the woods behind the blind and out of sight again. Then noticed 2 hens in front of blind. Think they helped draw 'em back out of the woods. This time at a mere 10 yards. You could feel the gobbles. Had him get the shotgun ready and watch out the front window as I lost sight of the birds. Few seconds later KABOOM. Bird down. Get up to it and realize it's a Jake. He said it was bigger than the other birds so they must have both been Jakes. We watched these birds for over an hour and never a clue that they were Jakes. Granted I didn't have my bino's but they even sounded like adults. Coolest part was that it sported 3 beards. He was happy regardless.
Displaying 1 to 15 of 41 posts
