I had a great season last year both in AR and KS! BUT there is one bird that has put the slip on me 2 seasons in a row!! I have hunted him hard but not too hard to push him out of the area. I know the bird well!! He operates only about 4-500 yards from the house but the terrain is very steep. I have had him within 40 yrds more than 3 times but it has been either below me or above me... Drumming so loud you can feel it in your chest!! Just havent had the opportunity to kill him!! I have limited out on my farm for the last 5 years in a row in Sharp County and plan on making it a 6th!!!
Where you gonna be?
April 14th is the opening day of Arkansas Turkey season and I can't wait.I know many had a great season last year,but many had a terrible season. I being the latter of the population can't wait to match wits with Meleagris gallopavo. One particular Meleagris I can't wait to encounter,which is probably the smartest bird in the state,resides in Hot Springs county. I caught my first glimpse of him on a very windy day when I was walking back to the truck. I rounded a corner and there he was drinking from pool of water. We met eyes and he took flight,obvisously he recognized I'm a trained killer and realized his chances were slim. Two days later I go to the same area and he's gobbling in a pine plantation. He hits the ground and goes the other way. I run around to cut him off. Aside from being the smartest turkey in the state he's also a marathon runner cause he beat me to his strutting ridge.
So now I figure I've got him cornered and it's just a matter of time.I slip down the low side of the ridge fnd a saddle and ease my way up. Set up on a beautiful grassy ridge with wildflowers blooming,nice size trees and a slight breeze. I'm thinking this is a perfect day for Meleagris gallopavo hunting. I've got this bird just a hammering a great setup and no other hunters in sight,it's a good day for dying.
Well THREE HOURS LATER. He comes in silent. The only thing that gave him away was a crow cawing overhead that he had to gobble at,but I can't see him. I mean he gobbled so loud my hat blew off. I give some soft purrs. He's drumming so close that my glasses are vibrating off my nose,he's obviuosly the Boss Tom. I'm thinking be patient sit wait let him come to you...................30 minutes later nothing. Gather my stuff up stretch,make a phone call,think about what went wrong.........hit my call and there he is........200 yards down the ridge!!!!!!!! I go after him again but after an hour of playing I reckon he either got scared or bored and left. Probably scared since he had gotten a glimpse of me.
So April 14th at day break I'll be setting on a grassy,wild flower covered ridge in Hot Springs county near the town of New DeRoche. Patiently waiting on my nemisis Meleagris gallopavo. This time it will end badly for you my friend.
So now I figure I've got him cornered and it's just a matter of time.I slip down the low side of the ridge fnd a saddle and ease my way up. Set up on a beautiful grassy ridge with wildflowers blooming,nice size trees and a slight breeze. I'm thinking this is a perfect day for Meleagris gallopavo hunting. I've got this bird just a hammering a great setup and no other hunters in sight,it's a good day for dying.
Well THREE HOURS LATER. He comes in silent. The only thing that gave him away was a crow cawing overhead that he had to gobble at,but I can't see him. I mean he gobbled so loud my hat blew off. I give some soft purrs. He's drumming so close that my glasses are vibrating off my nose,he's obviuosly the Boss Tom. I'm thinking be patient sit wait let him come to you...................30 minutes later nothing. Gather my stuff up stretch,make a phone call,think about what went wrong.........hit my call and there he is........200 yards down the ridge!!!!!!!! I go after him again but after an hour of playing I reckon he either got scared or bored and left. Probably scared since he had gotten a glimpse of me.
So April 14th at day break I'll be setting on a grassy,wild flower covered ridge in Hot Springs county near the town of New DeRoche. Patiently waiting on my nemisis Meleagris gallopavo. This time it will end badly for you my friend.
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Ill be high in the mountains of Calico Rock on my Granddad's farm. There are a few birds up there that have been giving me the slip the last couple years. This is the year one of them catches some number 5's in the face!!!!!!!!!!!
At an undisclosed location with my back to a large red oak, hopefully within 75 - 100 yards of a gobbler(s) with a death wish. Actually, I think I might just crappie fish this year.
7 Point,
Remember I was one of your lead technicians for your flourishing Turkey Protection Services. SO, with that in mind if you need me to keep a watchful eye on your above-mentioned spot while you are hunting out west just let me know.:thumb:
7 Point,
Remember I was one of your lead technicians for your flourishing Turkey Protection Services. SO, with that in mind if you need me to keep a watchful eye on your above-mentioned spot while you are hunting out west just let me know.:thumb:
Arkansas 14-15, Nebraska 16-22, Arkansas again and then hopefully TN for a few days. Hope to have 9 tags and all 9 of them attached to a longbeard by the end of the season.
I will start out here and then grid 1000 acres
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Sleepy,
That place keeps looking better and better. Y'all have done lots of work it seems.
I probably wont make that decision until the night before.
I had a HORRIBLE season last year, well it was my first time to try and I came up empty handed. BUT I did get CLOSE a couple times. But of course the turkey are a lot smarter than this country boy. I to am after one particular tom. He and I had several run ins last year but he just never read the script and came within bow range. But this year, I can feel it. This year will be different. So I will be on some private property we call "the mountain pastor" not sure why because its all wooded but thats been its name ever since I knew of it. I will be waiting right at the creek crossing waiting to hear his raspy little voice again.
Hopefully I can make up for a crappy deer season with a great turkey season. I'll be at Winona. Hopefully I can talk Oscarh into going.
Y'all keep in touch. We'll probably be up there too.jsilver919:1435519 said:Hopefully I can make up for a crappy deer season with a great turkey season. I'll be at Winona. Hopefully I can talk Oscarh into going.
At an undisclosed location with my back to a large red oak, hopefully within 75 - 100 yards of a gobbler(s) with a death wish. Actually, I think I might just crappie fish this year.
7 Point,
Remember I was one of your lead technicians for your flourishing Turkey Protection Services. SO, with that in mind if you need me to keep a watchful eye on your above-mentioned spot while you are hunting out west just let me know.:thumb:
I'll make sure I send the GPS coordinates on said spot. I sure don't want anyone with lesser skills going in there and getting schooled.:wink:
Sleepy make sure if you're gonna be out of town you hit up me or HS for out Turkey Protection Services. Sure wouldn't want any poachers getting in there.I will start out here and then grid 1000 acres
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Winona here too, some where between the beginning and end of road 2
The morning of the 14th I will be on my new lease in Perry County, hunting it for the first time. There is lots of sign there, but it is a 6000 acre pine thicket. It will be hard hunting. But I love a challenge!
I'm gonna be on my tractor working in the pasture. I quit it when my best turkey hunting pardner[my paw-in-law] past away. I may one day take it back up as my grandsons come of age....but right now it's still too painful.
Bruin, no turkeys in Perry County. Don't even try. ;^)The morning of the 14th I will be on my new lease in Perry County, hunting it for the first time. There is lots of sign there, but it is a 6000 acre pine thicket. It will be hard hunting. But I love a challenge!
Got several spots in Winona to visit before I make my mind up. I have done my part however at ensuring a breeding population ...I still haven't killed one in there. LOL
Headed to Texas the last Thursday in March to hunt a few days.
Headed to Texas the last Thursday in March to hunt a few days.
Tony, you'll have to chase a few of those Winona turkeys with me in my neck of the woods this year.Got several spots in Winona to visit before I make my mind up. I have done my part however at ensuring a breeding population ...I still haven't killed one in there. LOL
Headed to Texas the last Thursday in March to hunt a few days.
Somewhere in Ouachita's....around Winona. I have several spots to look at but every year for the past 8 years i have hunted the same area. Always have birds, but some years they just won't play. Last year was a good year though and i managed to pull out a big ol' tom that went 20.5lbs. with a 9" beard. I still have a big tom i chase every year but dang he is smart.....maybe this year if GotPork don't get him first.
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