|
Post by ridgecommander on May 6, 2024 8:05:42 GMT -5
Took today off to chase one of the local gobblers I have been keeping tabs over on over the past month in a couple of different spots. 2 weeks ago they began changing their patterns which they usually do when the hens starts sitting on their eggs. They became sporadic in their patterns and I wasn't seeing them as often. It was really foggy when I snuck in to my spot and never heard a gobble as dawn cracked. When I was confident that the birds should be on the ground, I let off some soft yelps and was greeted with silence. My next series was answered several hundred yards away and it was game on. I again chose to stand. This time on the backside of an oak tree due to the thick undergrowth. The gobbler closed the distance in a hurry and he gobbled at probably 60 yards from me but I still couldn't see him. Unfortunately, he began moving away before I even called again. I let off a few more soft yelps and clucks and he boomed back and started coming my way again. I kept the oak between me and him and rested my gun at the ready alongside the trunk. I caught his full fan coming and he never broke strut marching right into the decoy. I shot him at 15 yards. 9 1/2 inch beard and 3/4-in spurs. Almost a twin of my opening day bird. This one was taken in Beaver County. Truly a blessed spring turkey season. Nothing beats the rush of calling in a gobbling bird in the spring woods.
|
|
|
Post by Dutch on May 6, 2024 8:22:28 GMT -5
Maybe sitting in front of a tree is the wrong tactic???
Congratulations!!
|
|
|
Post by ridgecommander on May 6, 2024 8:36:35 GMT -5
Maybe sitting in front of a tree is the wrong tactic??? Congratulations!! Thanks. I have learned to stand out of necessity over the past 10-15 years as our spring comes earlier. The underbrush is really thick down here and this year ii is horrible. Sitting really limits your visibility. I prefer to sit if I can as it is more comfortable. Standing has it advantages but also its disadvantages,.You can't hold the gun up forever like you can when you sit and rest it on your knee. Both gobblers this year were shot standing. Last year one of them was. I like to find a big tree with saplings around it. I then stand behind it and rest the gun against the trunk.
|
|
|
Post by jwk on May 6, 2024 12:21:48 GMT -5
Congrats on #2 that is awesome!
|
|
|
Post by davet on May 6, 2024 13:04:19 GMT -5
Vey well done!!
|
|
|
Post by rusty on May 6, 2024 13:09:10 GMT -5
Good for you, Ridge!
|
|
|
Post by acorn20 on May 6, 2024 16:47:29 GMT -5
Congrats Gene!
|
|
|
Post by Loggy on May 8, 2024 12:58:15 GMT -5
CONGRATS on No 2 Gene!!!! You sure had a hell of a season!! Maybe seasons are timed purdy good after all!! Not sure how you could do much better filling BOTH tags so quick!!
|
|
|
Post by Dutch on May 9, 2024 11:36:42 GMT -5
CONGRATS on No 2 Gene!!!! You sure had a hell of a season!! Maybe seasons are timed purdy good after all!! Not sure how you could do much better filling BOTH tags so quick!! Probably all that foliage hid him until it was too late for the poor Tom. 🙃
|
|
|
Post by ridgecommander on May 9, 2024 11:52:12 GMT -5
CONGRATS on No 2 Gene!!!! You sure had a hell of a season!! Maybe seasons are timed purdy good after all!! Not sure how you could do much better filling BOTH tags so quick!! Thanks man. As far as the timing of the season. It is two weeks too late. The good thing is more hunters from all areas of the state are now saying the same thing as our weather patterns change. We were the last state in the country to open up this year. There is no doubt that spring is springing earlier. I got some good areas with good turkey numbers and I do a lot of pre season scouting which certainly has increased my success rates.
|
|
|
Post by ridgecommander on May 9, 2024 11:55:30 GMT -5
Probably all that foliage hid him until it was too late for the poor Tom. 🙃 It can be good and bad. Good cause you can sneak around better when making moves on a bird. Bad because this year I had no choice to stand because sitting I couldn't see a thing. Also a challenge that with it being so think, I often can't see the birds until they are right on top of ya. If you are not lined up right, trying to pivot around for a shot when they are within 30 yards is often futile.
|
|
|
Post by Loggy on May 9, 2024 12:54:02 GMT -5
CONGRATS on No 2 Gene!!!! You sure had a hell of a season!! Maybe seasons are timed purdy good after all!! Not sure how you could do much better filling BOTH tags so quick!! Thanks man. As far as the timing of the season. It is two weeks too late. The good thing is more hunters from all areas of the state are now saying the same thing as our weather patterns change. We were the last state in the country to open up this year. There is no doubt that spring is springing earlier. I got some good areas with good turkey numbers and I do a lot of pre season scouting which certainly has increased my success rates. I know up in Sullivan County the buds are just starting to push on the higher ridges. In the valley near my camp the leaves are more visible & thickening up. I got a 2nd tag and may get to camp in about 2 weeks to do some chainsaw work and may get a day in the woods. Just got home & those Big Mountains are already calling me!
|
|
|
Post by ridgecommander on May 9, 2024 14:16:40 GMT -5
I know up in Sullivan County the buds are just starting to push on the higher ridges. In the valley near my camp the leaves are more visible & thickening up. I got a 2nd tag and may get to camp in about 2 weeks to do some chainsaw work and may get a day in the woods. Just got home & those Big Mountains are already calling me! Yes sir. Areas of the Keystone state vary greatly when it comes to climate. I was up in NW PA two weeks ago and it was barely breaking. Down here we were entering full leaf out. Oaks are now full leafed out here. Late season up north or middle of the state should be fantastic weeks to be hunting. Good luck on that second bird.
|
|