’09 Turkey Report Season 1- Zone 4

Sorry this is late guys.

I awoke at 3:30 am, opening morning, with a dilema. Should I wake my 6 year old son, or leave him sleep. I am hunting a big roadless area, that is all woods. My last 6 tags have been wrapped around a Tom’s foot within 1/2 hour of opening shooting hours. I also only have two hours to hunt.
The area I will hunt today, is some low ground, but mainly mature hardwoods. This makes for little cover, and roaming turkeys. Better suited for runnin’ and gunnin’, then patience and calling. Just about everything, in my predatory mind says leave Hunter sleep.

I knew we would have a fun hunt, regardless if we wrapped a tag around Tommy’s foot or not. The order at hand was tall, but we were up for it. I woke Hunter, and we headed to the living room. I had put out all of our clothes the evening before, unknowing what morning would bring. Or maybe in the back of my mind, I did know? We dressed together, with him asking questions a mile a minute. This was going to be fun.

After a 40 minute drive, we parked the truck. I uncased the Benelli SBE, and donned the turkey vest. I told Hunter the rules. Only whispers after we left the truck. No fast movements, and no movements if the turkey were in sight. With the SBE empty, and slung towards the ground, I set Hunter on my shoulders and we headed out. We had an easy walking trail only about 1/4 of a mile to the location we were headed. This area had good cover and would allow us to get close to the roosting trees, that held a very vocal Tom Easter morning.

We were seated down against a big pine at 5:18. Now it was a waiting game. As the woods woke up, two birds started to gobble. They were across the lake about 1 mile away, at plan C. Shortly thereafter 2 more fired up, across the road, a long ways away, at plan B. We waited patiently for “our” bird to light up. As these birds do, this bird had moved, and wasn’t anywhere near us. Although it wasn’t shooting time, I knew we had to move. We had a lot of leg work between us and the nearest birds. Atop my shoulders he went, and we were off.

We got back to the truck, and then crossed the road, and headed towards plan B. We covered about 1/2 mile, then stopped and pinpointed them, and continued. Once within about 500 yards, we set-up, in a good feeding area, and called a little. Within 30 seconds, Hunter was snoring. The birds, a Tom and a Jake, continued to gobble, getting farther away. I was hoping that some other birds would have been on the ground, and would start talking. No luck. It was decision time. Do we go after them with one hour left, or check a couple of other spots for tomorrow’s hunt. These birds were at least 10 minutes away, and we had one hour to go, it would have to be perfect if it were to happen.

Knowing this was Hunter’s only chance to go until the week-end, we were going after them.

The gun got unloaded, slung, and Hunter was back up on my shoulders. We covered about .4 mile, and were within 350 yards of them. They were about 250 yards apart. The plan was to get in the middle, and then read them.

We got in position, and Hunter wanted to do the call. So he did, kinda. This is a Primos Crystal Freak, and is kinda touchy. So it was more like a turkey being strangled, than not. Both did however, answer. We have 35 minutes. The problem, along with the lack of time, was my lack of knowledge for the way this land layed. I had never been in this part of the woods. I decided to sit tight, and see which was hotter, or if one would commit. I have not shot a Jake for years, but with Hunter along, this turkey younster was gonna get a beak full of Win HV #6’s if he got within 50 yards.

I could tell the Tom to my right, was strutting. He was gobbling, and going back and forth over some high ground for about 100 yard distance. As open as it was, I didn’t think I could get within the needed distance, without him spotting us. We had 15 minutes left. The Jake was along an edge of some lower ground and a little thicker area. I decided to push it, and see if we could get inside 150 yards. If so, we would have a shot. We closed the distance, and let out some yelps, no answer. Immediately we sit down, and get the gun up, knowing that he was either coming in quiet, or I had bumped him. 5 minutes goes by, and I hammer the diaphragm, with some hard cutts and yelping, the Tom double gobbles from about 500 yards, but nothing from the Jake. The gig was up, I had bumped the Jake, trying to get in on him, and he boogied out silently. I asked Hunter if he was ready to go, and he said why, that turkey over there just gobbled . Man I felt bad, but at that time work was calling…literally. It was time to head for the truck. After pulling out the GPS, and locking in the truck, we were 1.27 straight line. I had 65 minutes to get to work, and it was a 35 minute drive. Time to move. We had a great time, and I got in a great workout. I figure I had about 67 pounds on back, for a good portion of the morning. Breaking me in for the upcoming elk hunt! Thanks for a great time this morning , Hunter.

Today’s hunt recap, to come tonight, or in the morning.

A tip to those hunting. In central WI the birds are doing a ton of breeding right now.The ones not with hens are really callable, get in close, and you will have a good chance. WTA

Great recap WTA! Great job getting your son involved at a very young age! He learned a lot about turkey hunting on this morning, but better yet he learned more about how much his dad loves him!

My best season was the first one I got to take my son. He was six. We didn’t get a bird, but all 4 times we got to go out, we had birds in front of the blind. Hens 3 time and a jake on the last. My son thought it was great when I told him to call on his push pin caller. Everytime the jake would strut and gobble. Too bad it never got close enough for a shot.

With the alarm waking me early on day two, I was a little down that Hunter couldn’t make the trip. I had a feeling what the outcome would be, as I had gotten a good feel for what the birds were doing, once on the ground.

After dressing I threw the Drenalin in the truck, and was off. The Dodge Diesel was whistling, as I was in a hurry. I parked in the same spot as yesterday and was off, a good 20 minutes faster than the day before.

I headed in towards where the birds sounded to be the previous morning. I only went in about 1/2 mile, as I didn’t want to walk too far past anything that may have roosted in a different spot. About 25 minutes after sitting down, the birds were waking, and there was a slight tinge in the Eastern sky.

Shortly thereafter I could here the typical “who cooks for you, who cooks for you all” notes out of a hunters owl call. It was funny listening to them. 3 sequences, then in the truck drive a 1/2 mile and do it again. Best part is not a single turkey answered that I could hear. I started moving, and it wasn’t long until the gobbles were quiter. They had hit the ground.

I was still about 600 yards away, and same as yesterday, they were going away down the big ridge again.

Today, I was able to really cover ground. Makes a big difference when one knows what the land is like, and understands the birds a little. Instead of looping to the right through the hardwoods and ahead of them. I swung down and to the left to get behind them. They were working an edge. Now to my right and up was, the ridge, and I was in the bottom, in a tag alder swamp. The Tom and Jake were seperated about 150 yards, and both ahead of me about 400 yards. If I continued straight at the Tom, I had good cover, in the form of a tall point, about 200 yards ahead. Ahead I went, not knowing the swamp was going to get wetter, a lot wetter. About 1/2 way through I was at the top of the Danner Pronghorns, nothing to do now but go for it. I knew from here out it would take about 20 minutes, at a hard walk. I had to be in the truck by 7:10, to complete the 40 minute drive, and have time to change. it was now 6:20.

I covered the last 100 yards, in about 45 seconds, getting to the base of the big hill, at the same time Tommy gobbled. He was still about 200 yards out. I crawled to the top, of the hill and peaked over. Although fairly open, I couldn’t see him anywhere. I had to go about 10 feet to get to a big Oak to kneel behind. I got there and then yelped 3 times. He gobbled again. Now I could tell where he was, but couldn’t see him. I didn’t like the way the land layed, once I was on top. With me facing dead ahead, he was gobbling to my 11:00 position, with that in mind, I figured he would probably come to my left down that edge, that would present some difficulties possibly. It was 6:25, I had time, although only about 20 minutes. I instantly decided to move. I went back down the hill part ways, using it as a shield and circled back to the right. Now I had the hill as a shield ahead of me, with the turkey straight behind it about 220 yards. The swamp was down below me about 30 yards to my left. To my right would be wide open hardwoods.

I was close, I had to still pick the tree that would work. It has been about 45 seconds since I left my last position. I knew I needed to be here, just wasn’t sure which tree. Then I heard it, leaves rustling on the other side of the hill and a little left, 35 yards out tops. Pffvittt Pfffvvittt, then rustling more spit and drumming. The decision was made, the tree I was at would have to work, even though it was a birch, and only about 7 inches across. I dropped to my knees, dropped everything on the ground, nocked an arrow, and drew. All in about 10 seconds.

Now that dumb bird was coming around the short end of the point, along the swamp edge. Which might work out really good, because it was so steep. He was less than 10 yards away, and down over the edge of the lip. I could hear him walking but couldn’t see him. I took a chance and let down. Picked up my seat cushion, and frizbeed it about 10 yards to my left, while immediately redrawing. It worked perfect, when he heard it land, he ran right up over the top, and went into full strut, looking for the “hen” that should be right there. Even I can’t mess up a 12 yard quartering shot on a strutting Tom. He never even seen me, even though I must have looked like a porcupine climbing a toothpick over there. Arrow entered beard high between the beard, and the wing butt, breaking far wing on the way out. He took about 3 steps, buried his head under a log, and started flapping.

It took me less than a minute to go between the two setups and he covered the ground in that time. He must have literally run the whole way. It was amazing. If Hunter would have been along it would have been the perfect day!

Official stats on the bird. Beard 11.75″, weight 23# 2 oz, Left Spur 1 7/16, Right spur 1 3/8.

His breast is extremely worn, he has been doing a lot of breeding.

I will post pictures in the near future. I don’t have the camera here at work. I am turkey hunting with my dad Saturday morning, so not sure if they will get up by then or not.

Good Luck to all who will be out, and thanks for enjoying my hunt with me.

Way to go WTA! What an awesome hunt and recap! Love the seat cushion toss! Be very proud that you were able to take a mature tom, without a blind and with a bow!

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Way to go WTA! What an awesome hunt and recap! Love the seat cushion toss! Be very proud that you were able to take a mature tom, without a blind and with a bow!

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So let me get this straight. You just killed the #4 WI bow bird of all time, by running it down, without a blind, with roughly 1 hour of actual hunting time available to you, on public land?

I’m not calling you a liar, but you should know that succeeding at all under these odds is minuscule at best. Then to connect with such a monster, lets say, is just north of impossible. You’re a far better hunter than I, and you should have your own show!

Congratulations!

Joel

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So let me get this straight. You just killed the #4 WI bow bird of all time, by running it down, without a blind, with roughly 1 hour of actual hunting time available to you, on public land?

I’m not calling you a liar, but you should know that succeeding at all under these odds is minuscule at best. Then to connect with such a monster, lets say, is just north of impossible. You’re a far better hunter than I, and you should have your own show!

Congratulations!

Joel

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Joel, to be honest with you. I know how to score, deer, elk, bears, antelope, and even turkeys. I entered my first P&Y buck in the books. I have not entered an animal since. Nothing against those who do, but I feel to many people out there need to be “somebody”, or prove something. The game for me, is between me and the animal. That is why 100% of what I do is unguided, and 95%+ is public land. My basement is filled with deer, antelope, bear, mule deer and turkey mounts. To me the animal gets the recognition, I don’t need any. That is why they get mounted. I don’t care if people believe what I shoot or don’t. The people that know me, know. And, yes I do run them down. Some people like to sit and call, and hope the bird comes to them. NOT me, I take the game to them. Just like Elk, get in their face and the game is much easier for me to win. A longbeard is much more willing to play, if you are inside of 150 yards, than he is if you are a 1/4 mile away, but I know you already know that. If you don’t plan on killing something, EVERY time you are in the woods, you are already failing. Knowing the overall state average is around 20% sucess, I knew with my bow, and my schedule, I had my work cut out for me. I’m stubborn, don’t quit, and learn every time I go. I’ll post pics in the am, then I gotta finish my ’07 goat hunt, then I can start on my ’08 muley hunt! Shoot straight.

Les

a couple of pics

That’s an OLLDDDD Tom! Those spurs are something special.

As for my comments, it’s rare in turkey hunting circles to discuss run and gun hunting with a bow, and to take a bird of that caliber by those means makes it even more challenging. However, I obviously stand to learn alot, in that it appears for someone as dedicated as yourself to your shape, your quarry, and your overall proficiency level….such goals are attainable. I sincerely commend you on your hunt this spring, and I look forward to reading more of your articles on previous and upcoming hunts.

Good work!

Joel

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That’s an OLLDDDD Tom! Those spurs are something special.

As for my comments, it’s rare in turkey hunting circles to discuss run and gun hunting with a bow, and to take a bird of that caliber by those means makes it even more challenging. However, I obviously stand to learn alot, in that it appears for someone as dedicated as yourself to your shape, your quarry, and your overall proficiency level….such goals are attainable. I sincerely commend you on your hunt this spring, and I look forward to reading more of your articles on previous and upcoming hunts.

Good work!

Joel

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Joel, the only reason it is rare, is because most people are normal. Not so much the case with me. I live and breathe the outdoors 24/7-365, ask my wife and kids

Stand to learn a lot, I doubt it. I have the feeling you are a very proficent turkey hunter.

You can’t succeed at what you don’t try. So hairbrained or not, I try some out of the box things. I don’t consider not tagging out a failure, more of a learning experience. A step towards success of my next venture. Good Luck!