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Post by dougl on May 13, 2022 7:59:39 GMT -5
Now that we're on the "My Motto" thingie....my Motto is I love turkey hunting even after over 50 years in the sport. I grew-up with & was mentored by an avid Turkey Hunter....my Dad. He loved the excitement of the sport up until the day he died as I will too. Bagging a Longbeard never got old for Dad nor will it be for me irregardless of the legal weapon used. Won't hear any of those "woulda, coulda, ifies, " from me. I love the hunt from the time I hit those magnificent mountains, the calling challenges and if lucky bagging a gobbler which is merely icing on the cake. I still love the fishing sport with equal enthusiasm....filling the freezer or not. Whenever such enthusiasm leaves me.....I will likely be on a soft food diet or be 6 ft under. The reason for being out there changes over time for many people.There was a time when I liked squeezing the trigger.That feeling lasted up until my son started to hunt.He begged to go when he was 6-7 years old.I appreciated his enthusiasm but really expected it to be a train wreck.As it turned out,he changed my entire outlook on hunting and why I'm out there.I'm in the woods every single weekend of the year but no longer feel the need to have to kill anything.
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Post by davet on May 13, 2022 9:16:30 GMT -5
Thanks for that info Loggy. I've been having some issues with my back. It's crazy but I've been battling this for over 2 years now, but what occurs is when I lay down (horizontal) I get pain that builds in my left hip. I'm gonna get a shot for that the middle of next month....but the issue is sometimes I can't get the pain to subside until 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. Then it's really tough to wake up at 4:00.
So, I've been getting to a trout lake or (preferably....when the water levels drop to below 1,000ft) stream to fly fish.
Pond fishing has been better tossing a lure across it, and it's just fun to catch 'em.
But now that it's an all day affair with turkey hunting, I'll likely take a few late afternoon's and give that a go.
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Post by ridgecommander on May 13, 2022 11:47:56 GMT -5
Epic hunt this morning. I finally closed the deal on a stud longbeard. I struck him a little before 7 and worked him for 3.5 hours before he came into bow range. His was by himself but refused to work my way. I caught a few glimpses of him at about 100 yards a few times. I resisted the temptation to move and gave him the silent treatment. At a bit after 10 he made his appearance and I sent an arrow through him with the Mission Sub1 XR crossbow. No blinds and no decoys on this hunt. 11 inch beard and an honest 1.5 inch and 1 3/8 spurs.
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Post by acorn20 on May 13, 2022 16:18:08 GMT -5
Congrats, Ridge.
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Post by timberdoodle on May 13, 2022 16:27:45 GMT -5
congratulations on a beautiful bird.
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Post by Loggy on May 14, 2022 6:19:23 GMT -5
Way to go Ridge!!
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Post by Loggy on May 14, 2022 6:24:02 GMT -5
It's the thrill, not the kill anyways. Wild Turkey taste like sh!t compared to a plumped up Butterball. Don't sweat the kill. LOL Never ate sh!t.......but a wild turkey breast in my book is a step-up from pheasant which is pretty darn tasty. I also slow cooked several whole birds & haven't had anyone walk away from the table.
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Post by Loggy on May 14, 2022 6:40:35 GMT -5
Thanks for that info Loggy. I've been having some issues with my back. It's crazy but I've been battling this for over 2 years now, but what occurs is when I lay down (horizontal) I get pain that builds in my left hip. I'm gonna get a shot for that the middle of next month....but the issue is sometimes I can't get the pain to subside until 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. Then it's really tough to wake up at 4:00. So, I've been getting to a trout lake or (preferably....when the water levels drop to below 1,000ft) stream to fly fish. Pond fishing has been better tossing a lure across it, and it's just fun to catch 'em. But now that it's an all day affair with turkey hunting, I'll likely take a few late afternoon's and give that a go. Hope you get some relief from your back pain Dave. My Mrs had severe lower back pain for a long time & had several typical steroid type shots which seems to only last a month or so. 2 years ago she had a lumbar facet joint block injection treatment & hasen't had pain since....."knock on wood"! Best of luck if you can get out in the woods with season opening-up all day next week.
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Post by ridgecommander on May 17, 2022 8:40:15 GMT -5
Should have went this morning for number 2. There were three longbeards courting two hens at one of my pre work spots this morning. I guess if it is not raining tomorrow I will be there bright and early before work.
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Post by davet on May 17, 2022 14:42:44 GMT -5
Decided to go up to Buffalo creek & try for some trout. Got there late. Trout in the stream, but not active. No risers and I tossed a bunch of different flys. Took a break about noon & darn if a gobbler didn’t walk across the road about 50 yds away.
Next time I’m fishing with my 12ga.!!
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Post by fleroo on May 17, 2022 15:07:11 GMT -5
Wondering which tastes "better" ? A Wild Turkey or a Trout ?
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Post by timberdoodle on May 17, 2022 17:20:07 GMT -5
Definitely the turkey not to mention you get much more and it's cheaper too!
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Post by ridgecommander on May 18, 2022 6:33:04 GMT -5
The two hens were right on cue this morning. The three longbeards were a no show. :-(
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Post by ridgecommander on May 20, 2022 6:27:50 GMT -5
So does nobody turkey hunt or what?
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Post by Loggy on May 20, 2022 6:31:52 GMT -5
I spent Mon-Weds this week hunting several areas of Loyalsock SF(Brunnerdale & Camels Rd areas). Put quite a few miles boots on the ground. Monday was pretty much a washout with heavy thunderstorms. Tuesday & Weds were beautiful. Heard some far off gobbling Tues & Weds but no cooperation no matter what tricks I pulled out of the bag. Caught a few native brookies up in headwaters of Mill Creek. Saw zero hunters plus no camps were in around Hillsgrove. Doubt if I'll get back to camp before end of season. Overall...a great trip plus caught up in a lil camp maintenance plus the R&R was much welcomed!!
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Post by Loggy on May 20, 2022 6:35:23 GMT -5
So does nobody turkey hunt or what? Not just here but exactly what I thought after spending 3 days in Sullivan County. Saw zero hunters, no camps occupied plus heard no shots. Starting to wonder if season is really in?? LOL
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Post by ridgecommander on May 20, 2022 9:01:48 GMT -5
Not just here but exactly what I thought after spending 3 days in Sullivan County. Saw zero hunters, no camps occupied plus heard no shots. Starting to wonder if season is really in?? LOL One group of gobblers I am hunting is very visible. Every time I hunt them, I am surprised I have yet to see another hunter in there. I haven't seen or heard another hunter yet this year.
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Post by dougl on May 20, 2022 9:50:12 GMT -5
I generally don't care to hunt unless my son is with me or until he al least get's one,He works late almost every friday night and his Junior year baseball season season has been taking up most of his time.He has games most saturdays and I'm not getting him up at 3:00am when he has a game in a few hours.Two weeks ago he took an 85mph fastball to the top of his shoulder blade that made him miss three games.Last week he twisted his left nut and had to have emergency surgery to get it fixed lol.I've been out twice,called in three birds but have zero desire to kill one.In fact,with the state of the flock.I'm not sure I'd feel right killing one.Depending on how the weather is the next few weeks,next year may be better.
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Post by CoureurDeBois on May 20, 2022 14:20:20 GMT -5
Haven't heard a gobbler sound off, since I don't know when, and the only turkeys Ive seen this year have been on posted ground next to camps. The numbers just aren't there anymore at camp or here at home, have no desire, and can no longer walk any distance.
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Post by Dutch on May 22, 2022 14:28:37 GMT -5
Had a buddy contact me to see if my area had birds to hunt for his son's. Wish I could help, but populations are down.
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Post by Dutch on May 22, 2022 14:30:01 GMT -5
My brother went to visit a friend in northeast Bradford County, they heard and saw lots of birds, on posted farms. They hunted local state game lands, nothing.
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Post by Loggy on May 23, 2022 5:50:32 GMT -5
Here in York County a few miles from my home there's loads of turkeys on local farms plus parks such as Nixon & in/around Lakes Redman/Williams. Yesterday, Mrs & I went for a drive to Lake Redman & saw 3 gobblers standing in a lil clearing drying off after the rain. Most times I'm in these areas not uncommon to see turkeys. Many areas are only a mile outside of York's city limits. The Mrs always says....why in the world do you drive 140 miles up to Sullivan County and stay at a "convenience lacking" hunting camp to hunt turkey when there's way more here at some!! I just smile........as after 48 years I think she knows the reason....or at least she should!!
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Post by Loggy on May 25, 2022 8:20:44 GMT -5
Just dropped Grandson off at his elementary school & on return home 2 longbeards were standing in a lil clearing along road back...half mile from my house. I stopped and they just stood there montionless almost like they were smiling at me.
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Post by ridgecommander on May 25, 2022 18:12:38 GMT -5
I am gonna make another play tomorrow morning before work. On the way in today, two strutters were courting a hen about 150 yards from where I park at that spot.
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Post by ridgecommander on May 26, 2022 6:22:16 GMT -5
These guys have my number. Yesterday I saw two strutters at one of my pre work spots. I snuck in there early this morning and was greeted with silence. At 5:50 I heard a faint gobble then again and it was getting closer and he picked up some buddies. On a string they came gobbling their heads off. I was tucked up into a small pine and decided to put a hen and a jake out. A steady march brought them to 38 yards and that was where they stopped. Three longbeards by themselves and not a hen in sight. I thought when they saw the jake they would have charged right in. Nope, they gobbled, strutted, gobbled some more then slowly walked away. I thought about taking a shot with the crossbow but that is just too far for me with an arrow. I snuck out of there and they were still gobbling occasionally. I am sure if I had time to stay they would have been back.
Oh well. Such is turkey hunting when trying to sling arrows at them. I got a few more days if the weather cooperates.
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