2023 Turkey Hunting Thread

[BigCountry14]

My son and I got a pair of 20 pounders yesterday in Frederick County. His at 7:10 and mine at about 9:30.

That's awesome!

 

[Hibs]

Patuxent I think it’s called , off 97 . Talked to guy lives around there says he sees birds but hasn’t heard them . I would not chase a gobble there . Would assume a lot of people would be going after same bird . Literally didn’t want to get shot . Was a new experience for me . Nice land . Apparently they run dogs there for fox hunts also. Place is not for me.

I was there yesterday and today. I'm one of those guys who has no access to private land, so public is my only option. I can confirm what you said, it was extremely crowded. I showed up at 0430 and there was already 5 vehicles in the parking lot (all already afield, technically against the park rules which say you can enter 1.5hrs before sunrise). I heard some gobbles but was unable to have any toms present themselves.

At about 1030 I started to walk out. Bumped into a guy and we chatted for a few minutes. He said he arrived to the parking lot around 0515 and it was nearly full. As he finished gearing up, the parking lot filled up. Then some vehicles arrived, and presumably mad there was no more space, they sped out of the lot spinning tires. Then a cop showed up. Apparently residents who live along the (backwoods) access road called in all the vehicular traffic. The residents and cop had no idea it was turkey season opener.

Oddly enough, with all those people, I think I only heard 3 shots all morning long.

 

[Hibs]

I was there yesterday and today. I'm one of those guys who has no access to private land, so public is my only option. I can confirm what you said, it was extremely crowded. I showed up at 0430 and there was already 5 vehicles in the parking lot (all already afield, technically against the park rules which say you can enter 1.5hrs before sunrise). I heard some gobbles but was unable to have any toms present themselves.

At about 1030 I started to walk out. Bumped into a guy and we chatted for a few minutes. He said he arrived to the parking lot around 0515 and it was nearly full. As he finished gearing up, the parking lot filled up. Then some vehicles arrived, and presumably mad there was no more space, they sped out of the lot spinning tires. Then a cop showed up. Apparently residents who live along the (backwoods) access road called in all the vehicular traffic. The residents and cop had no idea it was turkey season opener.

Oddly enough, with all those people, I think I only heard 3 shots all morning long.

I went back this morning. Less busy, but still busy. I went to the same spot I heard gobbles at yesterday.

Yesterday I heard the gobbles from 0550-0620. Then full stop, and no sightings.

Today gobbles started from same distance area at 0550. I decided to abandon my edge of field position and try to close the distance. I slowly made my way a couple hundred yards into the woods. I got fairly close to the gobbles, then a full stop at 0615. I sat and tried some calls but no responses and no sighting of Toms.

Fairly certain the gobbler roosted in the same spot yesterday and today. I’ve got it narrowed down pretty well. Learned the areas and the horse trails in the woods during the day today. I’m going to try again tomorrow morning, this time setting up near the roost at 0500 so I’ll be ready for his fly-down (if he roosts in the same area).

 

[Doco Overboard]

Youngins went out and bagged one. Public land, shoot and scoot, one calling one shooting. Dropped a decoy in the woods took about 15 minutes till show time.
Said they got him around 10. bout 1"spurs 2 Yo they figured.
Guess the hens had enough by then. Pays to stay, let em lay if they're not that hungry with hens at sunup.
Maybe they'll leave some for me this year, Sh*theads.

 

[outrider58]

Congrats to yer yoots B!

 

[Doco Overboard]

Congrats to yer yoots B!

Taxpayer funded must be nice huh? Getting paid to go turkey hunting.
One on the left is expert caller, ducks geese turkeys hollers he's hungry gets fed by ma right off.
Other boy will be running around all nuts trying to catch up funny as hell.
Ill probably walk out with him Saturday if he wants to take me.
I probably dont have any gear/ammo left in the building.
I may not even have a SG left anymore for all I know.

 

[BigCountry14]

Youngins went out and bagged one. Public land, shoot and scoot, one calling one shooting. Dropped a decoy in the woods took about 15 minutes till show time.
Said they got him around 10. bout 1"spurs 2 Yo they figured.
Guess the hens had enough by then. Pays to stay, let em lay if they're not that hungry with hens at sunup.
Maybe they'll leave some for me this year, Sh*theads.

Very nice!

 

[outrider58]

Taxpayer funded must be nice huh? Getting paid to go turkey hunting.
One on the left is expert caller, ducks geese turkeys hollers he's hungry gets fed by ma right off.
Other boy will be running around all nuts trying to catch up funny as hell.
Ill probably walk out with him Saturday if he wants to take me.
I probably dont have any gear/ammo left in the building.
I may not even have a SG left anymore for all I know.

Haha! They owe you the day. Remind them where they came from.

 

[44man]

I agree with this. That said, my hens will fan out their tails at perceived arial threats. It kind of looks like strutting. I also have one hen with a beard. I haven't asked her what she identifies as.

I just talked to my neighbor

He says that bird was also wing beating his decoys

I have seen roosters wing beating other animals, but mostly other roosters, so I know what it is but why would she/he be doing that?

I need to spend more time watching wild turkeys I guess

 

[gtodave]

I just talked to my neighbor

He says that bird was also wing beating his decoys

I have seen roosters wing beating other animals, but mostly other roosters, so I know what it is but why would she/he be doing that?

I need to spend more time watching wild turkeys I guess

Just fighting. Males can be very violent with each other. The tom I have now all but killed the last tom we had, and that wasn't even breeding season. Hens will be violent if they suspect illness/weakness in another bird...downright mean. They'll peck at the head of the ill bird until it leaves or it's dead.

 

[44man]

Just fighting. Males can be very violent with each other. The tom I have now all but killed the last tom we had, and that wasn't even breeding season. Hens will be violent if they suspect illness/weakness in another bird...downright mean. They'll peck at the head of the ill bird until it leaves or it's dead.

Like chickens.

Ever since I was a tiny boy I was amazed at how violent chickens actually are

So it makes sense that other fowl are like that now that you mention it

Keets must be the worst, they actually think they are dinosaurs lol

 

[Fredcohunter]

Opening day birds for my son and I.

 

[AlBeight]

Opening day birds for my son and I. View attachment 410462

Congrats to both of you!

 

[PEEJAY]

That looks like a jake.

Looks exactly like a bearded hen to me...

 

[outrider58]

I just talked to my neighbor

He says that bird was also wing beating his decoys

I have seen roosters wing beating other animals, but mostly other roosters, so I know what it is but why would she/he be doing that?

I need to spend more time watching wild turkeys I guess

Trans turkey. Ask her if she can lay an egg...

 

[44man]

Trans turkey. Ask her if she can lay an egg...

Lol I will sit down by the irrigation pipe and wait for her to talk to me Saturday

Can I use a full size white truck as a turkey blind lol

 

[Vic]

Called one in for my son on Tuesday morning. Called one in for me this morning. Turkey is back on the menu boys...
V

 

[outrider58]

Lol I will sit down by the irrigation pipe and wait for her to talk to me Saturday

Can I use a full size white truck as a turkey blind lol

Sure,as long as you have your .22 mag along with you.

 

[BigCountry14]

Called one in for my son on Tuesday morning. Called one in for me this morning. Turkey is back on the menu boys...
V

Nice!

 

[Virgil Co.C]

Hunted Monocacy today .It was nice .Youngest son and i. Was able to work a bird , I seen it , tell ya it was thick brush . As I moved toward it they have safe zones which I was not about to push my luck . Hen came to Tom he was done . No more responses. Was cool because I watched the whole thing . Great hunt though . Thanks outrider good call . A lot of under growth but I’ve nailed birds in the past in the thick stuff.