ROC Turkey Hunters?

Do we have any ROC turkey hunters out there?
Spring is in the air and the gobblers and hens are already talking up a storm. It sure has been exciting watching the turkey population skyrocket over the past 5 years here in Texas.
This amorous fellow was looking for a girlfriend last weekend.

nice pic outfitter,

it looks like my backyard, I have approx 20 females, and 5 huge toms that are always eating my grass seed. I dont hunt, I just enjoy seeing the turkeys, deer, and coyotes that are lurking in my back yard...

good luck on your hunt..

I have been listening the last coulple of nights as the it is getting noisy around here. the population here on the northeast coast has been growing in leaps and bounds the last few years.

Hey Fit,

Is that a Rio Grande? Nice shot, err picture.

Our lease is just east of San Anton but the coyotes pretty much keep the turkey population down. Had 7 here in Louisiana in my back yard I was able to get a pic of. Would post the pic if I knew how.

In eastern Alabama where we hunted in Dec groups of 20+ birds were everywhere it seemed. Not too many coyotes there.

Hey Fit,

Is that a Rio Grande? Nice shot, err picture.

Our lease is just east of San Anton but the coyotes pretty much keep the turkey population down. Had 7 here in Louisiana in my back yard I was able to get a pic of. Would post the pic if I knew how.

In eastern Alabama were we hunted in Dec groups of 20+ birds were everywhere it seemed. Not too many coyotes there.

Yep, it's a Rio Grande. Our lease is 100 mile west of Ft Worth. We are covered up with birds, almost getting to be a problem. We see flocks of 30-40 at a time and during deer season they time the feeders and vacuum all the corn up as soon as they go off. We had an "either sex" season (1st time)on turkeys this past fall in our county but we are not big on taking turkeys while deer hunting.
We do have lots of Yotes, Bobcats and Grey Fox but the turkeys are thriving and my group are all looking forward to the opener with plenty of birds, great food and cold beverages. We just love getting away and enjoying the great outdoors!:)
In LA, you have Eastern birds don't you? Good luck to you for the opener.

nice pic outfitter,

it looks like my backyard, I have approx 20 females, and 5 huge toms that are always eating my grass seed. I dont hunt, I just enjoy seeing the turkeys, deer, and coyotes that are lurking in my back yard...

good luck on your hunt..

Thanks chi, growing up in the burbs of Chicago back in the early 70's I never saw a turkey or a yote and seeing a deer was a huge event. Yotes are sure getting to be a problem in fringe areas all over the country and lots of peoples pets are ending up as easy meals for them. They are one smart critter.
Thanks for the well wishes, we are looking forward to some fresh cajun fried and smoked turkey next month. Now that's some good eat'n!:D

outfitter,

i grew up in Naperville, and moved in Nov. to marseilles down by the Illinois river. I rarely saw wildlife in the burbs, but being out in a rural area by the river I see alot. I only saw the female turkeys for the last couple of months, and am now seeing the Toms.

the coyotes, I dont dare let my cats out of the house, I know they would be a meal for some critter in the woods that back to my house...

On my commute I see more deers hit by cars than I see RL's on the road.

Oh dear. Hubby had 400 acre ranch out in Rock Springs, TX and he and his dad owned a gun and knife and hunting type store in San Antonio. He has always loved turkey hunting (especially the calling part). He sold all of that when he moved up here to the Smoky Mountains with me. He saw the pic and the post and I think he got a little choked up...... I see a trip up toward the Kentucky/TN line to turkey call in a week or two.....

Oh dear. Hubby had 400 acre ranch out in Rock Springs, TX and he and his dad owned a gun and knife and hunting type store in San Antonio. He has always loved turkey hunting (especially the calling part). He sold all of that when he moved up here to the Smoky Mountains with me. He saw the pic and the post and I think he got a little choked up...... I see a trip up toward the Kentucky/TN line to turkey call in a week or two.....
WOW SMR, you made a man give up all that?:eek: It must of been your Rangerette uniform or something.
The Rock Springs area is wonderful, I used to do a little hunting close to there myself and the YO Ranch has done so much for animal conservation with so many different species running around on it.
Hope you get Hubby out in the woods soon so he can talk some turkey.:D

I am going on my first turkey hunt this spring in SD. I got tags for both sexes. I figure hunt turkey in the am shoot some prairie dogs in the afternoon. I also live the burbs of Chicago we have a problem with coyotes jumping fences and eating the neighbors pets.

I am going on my first turkey hunt this spring in SD. I got tags for both sexes. I figure hunt turkey in the am shoot some prairie dogs in the afternoon. I also live the burbs of Chicago we have a problem with coyotes jumping fences and eating the neighbors pets.
Good luck DM, I guess that would be the Merriam's sub species of turkey in SD? Beautiful birds. Never been on a prairie dog shoot, but sure do love to hunt the hunters (Yotes, Bobcats, Fox and Mtn Lions)
I am going to be in Chicago for business in a couple months and am going to try to get out to Downers Grove, where I grew up.

WOW SMR, you made a man give up all that?:eek: It must of been your Rangerette uniform or something.
The Rock Springs area is wonderful, I used to do a little hunting close to there myself and the YO Ranch has done so much for animal conservation with so many different species running around on it.
Hope you get Hubby out in the woods soon so he can talk some turkey.:D

Hi, just now saw this. The YO Ranch is awesome isn't it?? I loved it there. YO also is a very generous group of folks, they routinely donate events and such at their ranch to disadvantaged and for auctions, etc. LOL on the Rangerette uniform! I actually went to Kilgore College for one year. I found myself graduating from high school a year early (had enough credits, Dad was on temporary, year long assignment in Longview TX with Eastman Kodak) so I went to Kilgore for a year on a whim. No, I wasn't a Rangerette but ran around with several of them. What a fun year! Small world!!

We sold the ranch to hubby's sister and her husband, so it stayed in the family, so to speak.

Hi, just now saw this. The YO Ranch is awesome isn't it?? I loved it there. YO also is a very generous group of folks, they routinely donate events and such at their ranch to disadvantaged and for auctions, etc. LOL on the Rangerette uniform! I actually went to Kilgore College for one year. I found myself graduating from high school a year early (had enough credits, Dad was on temporary, year long assignment in Longview TX with Eastman Kodak) so I went to Kilgore for a year on a whim. No, I wasn't a Rangerette but ran around with several of them. What a fun year! Small world!!

We sold the ranch to hubby's sister and her husband, so it stayed in the family, so to speak.

I saw one of your other posts on you attending Kilgore so I knew you would know what I was talking about with the uniforms. My bride is from east Texas and I always teased her about getting a Rangerette uniform or at least learn to high kick like them limber little fillies.:D

This was taken from my back porch the other day. Turkey season just opened here in Colorado.

Here is the pic.

I do not hunt, I am more of a gatherer(at the super market). I do see an ocassional wild turkey on my bike rides in the Santa Cruz mountains.

For you Turkey hunters, you may want to check out the Body Wrinkles post, it is looks to be flush with Turkeys.

nice pic outfitter,

it looks like my backyard, I have approx 20 females, and 5 huge toms that are always eating my grass seed. I dont hunt, I just enjoy seeing the turkeys, deer, and coyotes that are lurking in my back yard...

good luck on your hunt..

Same here, seen as many as 35 in my yard. Never saw a turkey until I was over 30 years old. Saw tracks and a few feathers in the Walls of Jericho in the mikd '60's, quite a thrill. Now they are everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I used to see Wild Turkey in the evenings.

Made me wake up with a ripping head ache.

I used to see Wild Turkey in the evenings.

Made me wake up with a ripping head ache.
Yeah, and it's better to be "clucking" in the morning instead of "chucking":rolleyes:

Yep another turkey hunter to add to the list.:eek: These eastern birds are nice but them Rio's are really impressive:) I like to use a shotgun on occasion but I really like chasing em with the bow. Thanks to all you NWTF members that these birds are really coming back strong.

I went to SD for my first turkey hunt. I learned alot about the birds. I actually stalked a big tom but missed my shot. Next year we are going to MO to give it a try. The SD trip was not not a total loss I did have the opportunity to shoot Prairie Dogs. This fall I am off to CO to hunt Mule Deer.

I didn't get to hunt this spring due to having a shoulder surgery but here is one of our guys with a nice mature Tom that I had scouted for him a couple days before he was able to get out for a hunt. The Tom and 3 Jakes made the tactical error of roosting in the same place and flying down and traveling the same path everyday. I did my outfitter thing and put the hunter in the right spot to intercept them.
I love it when a good plan comes together.:D

Check out the gun storage option!!!

http://du-ha.com/legal.htm

Nice feature-hope they make on for the RL!


DUHA--- Under seat storage
http://du-ha.com/

Anyone seen this product? I think it would be great as an alternative to the Honda OEM underseat storage. Lots more storage.

I spoke to Gary(?) the owner today and he is six months out for production-he has a Ridgeline in for measurements. He said if enough people contacted him-he would move it up. He has it listed as coming soon section. I gather from speaking with him they are a small shop.

If interested please send them an email at http://du-ha.com/contact.asp to show your interest and speed him into production.We might even could set up a group buy?


Happy Trails!!!

everytime i go turkey hunting, i see or hear nothing! Then when i'm not hunting, i see them everywhere :(

I thought it might be time to bump this one and see who has plans for the spring season.
We open on March 31st in Texas this year and the boys are already gobbling up a storm and we have plenty of mature birds.
I am going to use the bow opening weekend, love the extra challenge.:)

Good luck with the spring season Randy and let us know how you make out (send pics!).

Good luck with the spring season Randy and let us know how you make out (send pics!).

Thanks Marty, and , keep your dance card open for late April/early May so we can get after them hogs again.

Time to bump this thread for the 3rd year in a row.
Who has plans for this springs "Dance with the Turkeys"?
Texas (north zone) opens this coming weekend. I scouted and freshened up my brush blinds last weekend and never saw a bird. Heard some gobbling early Saturday morning close to camp but that was it.
All the rain we had last week had the roads pretty muddy, but as expected, the RL walked through it like a champ.
I'm thinking about doing a crawfish boil Friday night when everybody gets to camp to kick things off. Mudbugs and cold beer sure sounds about right to me.:D

Still near 2 feet of snow in the woods up north where I go. I can hear the gobbles in my sleep though. I want to check out my new knee high insulated Lacross rubber boots!:D

One of my first experiences with turkey happened about 19 years ago. I was stationed in south Texas (see avatar) when I had to respond to a sensor hit. I was driving south on 281, just a tad over the limit, when a turkey started across the road. As I approached it took off but didn't clear the light bar on the roof. That bird knocked the entire bar clean off the truck. It was hanging by the cable. I had a little explaining to do but the dead turkey in the road was all the proof I needed. Never did make it to the sensor though.

Hey, Outfitter, ya need ta come to Oklahoma! I've got a flock of close to 100 turkey-birds that visit my bedroom window most every morning!! It's a shame ya don't get to see 'em!:D

Hey, Outfitter, ya need ta come to Oklahoma! I've got a flock of close to 100 turkey-birds that visit my bedroom window most every morning!! It's a shame ya don't get to see 'em!:D

I have been seeing them every night for about a month now. It does disturb the wife though when I wake her up yelling bang.....bang......bang with a big smile on my face while still sleeping soundly.:eek:
Just last night, I saved the planet from a 100 ft tall rogue Gobbler that had gone on a unprovoked pecking spree.
I really need to cut back on the spicy foods during March Madness.:eek:
Buffalo Wings and Turkeys? naw probably just coincidence.:rolleyes:

Still near 2 feet of snow in the woods up north where I go. I can hear the gobbles in my sleep though. I want to check out my new knee high insulated Lacross rubber boots!:D

New boots, nice!
I went to Cabelas yesterday. Those SOB's had a "Triple Points" promotion which is like cheating in my book. A man can't pass up such a thing, it's like kryptonite to superman.
They have the nicest folks at our Cabelas, if you fill up your buggy, they will provide you a bearer to push another one around with ya.
PS- Rumor has it that they even have a fishing department somewhere in our store, I got to keep a lookout for that.:D
Oh, and one other thing. As I was leaving with my 3 bearers in tow, I saw this gal going into the store with this hiking/climbing outfit thingy on. I just so happened to notice that she was a really big gal, you know, on top. Got me to wondering how/if she was going to try to climb up that mountain thing they got in the back of the store. I almost went back in to see that. Now that would have been entertaining.:D

What's the address to that store. I wanna see that.:eek:

Huge Turkey hunter here....if I had to choose between whitetail, ducks, or anything else, I'd choose turkey every time. I can't get enough of it.

some turkeys for ya...this is my buddy's shop...

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll96/thekillerv/rodshop2.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll96/thekillerv/rodshop.jpg

Boy that's one of the most orderly and well kept studios I've ever seen. Nice!!

Boy that's one of the most orderly and well kept studios I've ever seen. Nice!!

You aren't the first to say that, he cleans up after everything he does, everything is perfectly organized and stored, all the walls are poplar, he has a showroom attached that is unreal. He also has his own full bath and kitchenette. Landscaped entrance, blacktop driveway...and don't park on the grass. It's a first class shop and it has taken a lot of hardwork and money to get it that way. He probably does 200 deer shoulder mounts a year, a lot of european and antler mounts, about 40 full turkey mounts not counting fan mounts, and this year he has already done over 400 ducks. And he does this all by himself. It's unreal. He keeps going up on prices thinking it will reduce his workload, it doesn't, people pay it anyway because he is so good.

You aren't the first to say that, he cleans up after everything he does, everything is perfectly organized and stored, all the walls are poplar, he has a showroom attached that is unreal. He also has his own full bath and kitchenette. Landscaped entrance, blacktop driveway...and don't park on the grass. It's a first class shop and it has taken a lot of hardwork and money to get it that way. He probably does 200 deer shoulder mounts a year, a lot of european and antler mounts, about 40 full turkey mounts not counting fan mounts, and this year he has already done over 400 ducks. And he does this all by himself. It's unreal. He keeps going up on prices thinking it will reduce his workload, it doesn't, people pay it anyway because he is so good.

"You might be a Redneck if you owe your Taxidermist more than a years salary".:D
I still have not broken down and had a full turkey mount done. This might be the year though.
Looks like your friend does some great work. Good ones are truly artists.

Thanks, his birds are awesome and can't be touched around these parts, his deer are great but he claims they still aren't where they need to be. I've got several fan mounts and only 1 full mount, I got my first good bird mounted simply standing, I am getting the one I shot this year in full strut, he should be able to get to it shortly if people would stop bringing him ducks. After that, I want one gobbling on a limb or possibly hanging dead and that will be it for the turkey mounts, they are just so expensive. Now...If I go out a kill a bird with just some outragous spurs, that me may be another story; or if I ever get the itch to chase the grand slam.

I can talk turkey all day long...what kind of turkey guns and chokes do y'all shoot? Anyone chase'em with bows?

Thanks, his birds are awesome and can't be touched around these parts, his deer are great but he claims they still aren't where they need to be. I've got several fan mounts and only 1 full mount, I got my first good bird mounted simply standing, I am getting the one I shot this year in full strut, he should be able to get to it shortly if people would stop bringing him ducks. After that, I want one gobbling on a limb or possibly hanging dead and that will be it for the turkey mounts, they are just so expensive. Now...If I go out a kill a bird with just some outragous spurs, that me may be another story; or if I ever get the itch to chase the grand slam.

I can talk turkey all day long...what kind of turkey guns and chokes do y'all shoot? Anyone chase'em with bows?

I have taken most of mine with a bow (Hoyt) in recent years out of a Double Bull blind. I can't seem to master the mouth calls and after swallowing a couple and almost choking to death I now use a slate, box call or if in dire need, a FoxPro caller.
When using a gun it's a Benelli Super Black Eagle in camo with a Widow Maker choke and Hevi Shot. Great all around gun.

That's cool and definitely an accomplishment. For turkeys, I shoot a Beretta Extrema2 camoed, comp-n-choke, and I tried out the Winchester Supreme Elite Xtended Range this year.

Y'all are allowed to bait turkeys in Tx aren't you? That taxidermist buddy of mine went out there two years ago for Rios, and I believe that was all they did was setup on feeders. He still said it wasn't a sure thing though, in fact, one guy came home empty handed.

I busted a guy two years ago on the property line with over 100 lbs of wheat out. That's hard to compete against. Called up DNR, showed where it was, and they busted him about two weeks later hunting over it. I also have the luxury of dealing with a lot of trespassers. It's almost like property lines disappear come turkey season.

That's cool and definitely an accomplishment. For turkeys, I shoot a Beretta Extrema2 camoed, comp-n-choke, and I tried out the Winchester Supreme Elite Xtended Range this year.

Y'all are allowed to bait turkeys in Tx aren't you? That taxidermist buddy of mine went out there two years ago for Rios, and I believe that was all they did was setup on feeders. He still said it wasn't a sure thing though, in fact, one guy came home empty handed.

I busted a guy two years ago on the property line with over 100 lbs of wheat out. That's hard to compete against. Called up DNR, showed where it was, and they busted him about two weeks later hunting over it. I also have the luxury of dealing with a lot of trespassers. It's almost like property lines disappear come turkey season.

Poachers and trespassers are the worst type of vermin.:mad:
Yes, we are allowed to bait turkeys, deer, hogs etc. but based on whats available fresh for them to eat determines the success around a feeder. I like to move around based on the time of day and whether or not the gobblers are henned up. I'll start in the creek bottom to try to entice one close to their roost and then move to strutting and feeding areas as the day progresses.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll96/thekillerv/IMG_0288.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll96/thekillerv/IMG_0290.jpg

'scuse the jake bust mount, my first bird
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll96/thekillerv/IMG_0293.jpg

That is an awesome taxidermy job! I would love to hunt turkeys one of these days! I got drawn for turkey when I lived in Arizona but broke my leg on a quad a few weeks before the season so that ruined that. Never drew a tag again.

Follow the link below to practice for your turkey hunt!! Also something that will keep the kids occupied!!

http://www.southbank-design.co.uk/turkeyshoot/index.htm

Follow the link below to practice for your turkey hunt!! Also something that will keep the kids occupied!!

http://www.southbank-design.co.uk/turkeyshoot/index.htm

Now you've done it! That's all I need, another game and I'm addicted already. I shot over 9000 on my first try but I was low on the "Sherry" meter!!

Now you've done it! That's all I need, another game and I'm addicted already. I shot over 9000 on my first try but I was low on the "Sherry" meter!!

I will have to admit it can be addictive!!!

12885, must have been those #6s

12885, must have been those #6s

I got over 20K a few times! I was shooting 00 buckshot!!;)

19k Wow they really start moving

Thought I'd revive the thread in time for this years spring season.
Anyone have big plans for this year?
Mrs O and I will be meeting up with the majority of our group this Friday and have a big fish fry planned for that night, Steak & trimmings Saturday night and of course we will have a nice selection of Koolaid to choose from.
We have started a new game. We now bet on the number of rattlesnakes we "encounter" (PETA appropriate ;)) over the weekend as it seems we usually hit it just as they are coming out of their dens.

Spring gobbler start 4/25 here in PA. Plans are to head to the Mtns that weekend!

its ironic that you bumped this thread today and I saw a turkey on the way to work this morning! (havent seen one in months)

ps. I dont hunt yet, but I sure can call them in (my friend makes turkey calls and he gave me a box call, slate call and also and owl hooter)

its ironic that you bumped this thread today and I saw a turkey on the way to work this morning! (havent seen one in months)

ps. I dont hunt yet, but I sure can call them in (my friend makes turkey calls and he gave me a box call, slate call and also and owl hooter)

Just proof that we all have a bit of 'Hunter" inside us waiting to get out. The force is strong in you spun! :D

Opening weekend was a non event as far as turkeys go. Heard a few and worked one gobbler Saturday morning for a while but he never committed. The hogs seem to have taken over the ranch. 14 less hogs are now roaming about but they have also extracted some revenge and took out one of my feeders. They dug the T-posts completely out of the ground so they could get to the legs. Looks like someone had a plow in there. They smashed the barrel and trashed the timer and solar panel.:mad:
The good news is we only ran across 1 rattlesnake, a good sized (4-1/2 ft)one though with 11 rattles.
Heading back out in the morning, reloaded with food and drinks and hoping that none of the wild fires currently in the area get too close.