i think i am gonna try to go out and take a wild turkey.

[gsxrken]

When I was a kid we had some pheasants and what were called ruffed grouse in the woods. Behind the house I grew up in was hundreds of acres of woods and of course we spent a ton of time back there. The grouse would sit still until you nearly stepped on them and then several of them on queue would explode up in the air, startling the crap out of me all the time. They’re all gone now, as most of their habitat is little pink houses for you and me. Getting one with a shotgun would have been an impressive feat in the thick woods. Even shouldering the 870 and getting a shot off in the general quadrant before they disappeared would be respectable.
Conversely back then I never ever saw a turkey or bald eagle. Today they’re fairly common sights.

[911boost]

I have hunted them a lot along the Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado borders. We have done both archery and shotgun. Smelliest things to clean, ugh.

One of the reasons I stopped was the ticks, damn they were so bad. We would get permission from some farmers to hunt their land and put my camper on one of the spots. I have hunted from blinds, walking around, stalking them, you name it. It is pretty fun.

Shotgun is a little more difficult now with the change from lead shot. You really need a head shot to drop them. I have hit a turkey and watched it roll then get up and take off.....

I know what you mean about the grouse Ken. I shot one with my bow a few years ago during elk archery season. We were camping way back in the boonies and I grilled the grouse and added it to my Mountain House or whichever brand meal I was eating. Was really good and added a lot to it.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

We re-introduced them five, six years ago...maybe more.

We still don't hunt them by mutual agreement. Tons of other stuff to legally shoot if so inclined.

It interesting to watch how they have gained purchase and move about the area....excellent growth.

Quail are next. That will be harder.

You introduce them yourselves? I hope they are native to your area? - I guess you said "re-" - doing anything like that is a big no-no here in CA. Even Fish and Game has had second thoughts introducing turkeys here, they are non-native and were brought in by F&G. They are to the level of a pest now! Haha!

You can take toms all day long, it will not hurt the reproduction, another tom will gladly cover for the pal in the freezer.

G

[Crowbob]

Anyone ever see a turkey defend itself against an attacking dog?

Vicious. A dog will only try it once (unless it’s an Irish Setter). While the bird is shredding whatever with its toenails it’s beating the hell out of it with its wings, attacking with its beak and some how explodes into a six foot monster from hell!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

Did you re-populate with Rio's or Easterns? We only had Rio's where we hunted, 60-100 at one time would come in, daily. We had severe problems with anthrax, wiped out damned near all the deer twice in 6 years, so we hunted turkey quite a bit.

I am not sure. I can ask.

The local Fish and Game Guy said we should do it, so I wrote a check to help, as did other farmers in the area. It was a private deal. I don't ask a lot of questions in case they ask me for specifics

Deer have had a great Winter here:

[Evans, Marv]

Originally Posted by aigel

Please reconsider next time when you have a parent with their kid come ask. Some of the best memories and bonds formed with my children were turkey hunting. It teaches a lot about patience and perseverance. Note that after the first turkey goes in the bag, they will not just be sitting there like sheep, they are challenging to hunt.

Cheers, G

Actually I did once when a guy I know wanted to bring his son to hunt with a bow. He got a really nice turkey and was really happy, but I felt bad for the turkey. I used to not be like that.

[Seahawk]

The picture below is an iPhone shot from my front door.

The Tom had his sights on a female hidden by the Barley. He put on a show.

Sorry for the bad pics:

[vash]

Kraap my wife got out of weekend work. So much for sneaking out.

She is a public health nurse so she is a strong advocate of sheltering in place for the greater good.

Turkey hunts don’t seem to qualify as a greater good.

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

...The Tom had his sights on a female hidden by the Barley. He put on a show.

They're so much fun to watch. I spent summers (1980s) in NW Michigan and they were scarce. I went back ten years ago ant they were everywhere, especially around the golf courses carved into the nort' woods and the orchards. You'd see a big tom with his girls hear another off in the distance and he'd go into full snot-kicking alert.

I wouldn't want to cross one of them barehanded, that's for sure!

...and now I'm wondering if I'll like Wild Turkey again - too carmeley and sweet the last time I tried it. Off to the essential gas station to find out!

[vonsmog]

Had 18 in the backyard yesterday, with one big "Long beard" tom strutting away trying to impress the ladies! Season opens up on May 1st, so will have to see if he is still around then.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by vash

Kraap my wife got out of weekend work. So much for sneaking out.

She is a public health nurse so she is a strong advocate of sheltering in place for the greater good.

Turkey hunts don’t seem to qualify as a greater good.

Oh, cmon! Aren't you tired of each other yet!? You don't have to see anyone to go turkey hunting. She can fix you a nice lunch to take along. And in return, there will be fried turkey breast strips when you come home!

G

[aigel]

Here you go! Bingo!

[LWJ]

Thought of this Sunday morning. Just outside the window of the family "farm." Gobble gobble.