Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    
    Wess,
    
    Dreaming of it all the time. Was out sick last week and devoured every
    turkey mag that the local stores had. Also watched the 2 turkey tapes I
    have twice each. The permits are in for here in New Jersey and the
    Knight and Hale turkey tape is in the car tape player all the time. The
    calling has been getting better but it is still not as good as my buddy
    with his calls. I'll just have to bring him along to bring in that big
    old tom. I just hope the strange weather we have been having doesn't
    messs up the birds too much. We had 70+ heat than a snow storm 2 days
    later. The trees are should we bloom now or not. I'm sure the birds are
    trying to make up their minds on should we stay all grouped up or split
    and find our own areas.
    
    Turkey seminars are comming into some of the local sporting goods
    stores soon. Might go and pick up some new calls. Those MAD call are
    that good? Slate type calls are my next adventure.
    
    Last stocking of pheasents this saturday than the long wait to see if
    my turkey permit week gets picked. 
    
    Another hunter hooked on Turkey.
    
    /Irv

    Guys,
    
    I ended up going scouting on Saturday at my brother's place in Ky.  I
    loaded the ol' flintlock and set off about 7am.  I scouted for 3 1/2
    hours, never finding a feather, scratching etc.  I made a hook in the
    woods at the very end of his property and jumped 1 hen.  I don't think
    there are many at all on his place, but I guess all I need is one.
    
    On a positive side note, I called the guys who bought my dad's farm in
    soutern Ky and asked them if myself and my deer hunting partner could
    come down, since we missed the farm.  The guy swallowed hard and said,
    "I don't think that will be a problem."  I couldn't believe it!  I
    guess it does pay to "just ask" sometimes!  He said to just call back
    before we come down, just to make sure.  I hope my luck holds...
    
    Yaaaa!!!!!   Whahooo'!!!!!!!!
    
    
    Wess

    
    Glad you got good news on the farm access, sometimes it just takes a
    few minutes of talking to get the ok. Don't forget to share the take of
    the season if your lucky Wess or if not a batch of cookies around the
    holidays goes a long way also.
    
    Well we had a great day out saturday. Actually did good on the semi
    wild for Mr. And Mrs Ringneck. I took 4 birds but the highlight of the
    day was the trip back to the car. The 2 dogs ran ahead of us and got in
    a gully so we could see them and picked up on this big black thing that
    was waddling ahead of them by 10 or 15 yards. Yes the first turkey
    sighting for the NJ season. BIG bird, it had a hard time getting up and
    flying away at the top of the gully  when the dogs closes the gap. Then
    the next hedgrow yielded a deer that was trying to let us walk by. 
    
    A great day to end the small game season and to begin the comming
    turkey season. Now we have to hope to get picked for our turkey
    permit weeks.
    
    /Irv
    

    Irv,
    
    I agree with the "Sharing" stuff.  I am picking up one of those
    Leatherman tools to give to the farmer.  I thought he would really like
    that, since he works a ton of cattle each year.
    
    I just hope he doesn't cancel us at the last minute.  I do have 2 other
    farms as backup, but there aren't near the number of birds.  Not to
    mention Barren River Lake within 5 miles.  Ahh the crappie, white bass,
    hybrids, ......
    
    I hope Aril 14 hurries up!!!!  I also hope the weather is nice.
    
    Glad to hear you had a great day afield.
    
    Wess

    Ok guys,
    
    Is anybody else out there thinking about turkeys, or did you take up
    badminton?
    
    
    Ha
    Wess
    

    
    Let's see, wind chill at -14, snow on the ground, an expected major
    ice storm tomorrow morning. Nope I aint thinking about turkyes, I'm
    thinking about keeping warm! beside's there's nothing wrong with
    badmitton 8') 
    
    Walt

    
    Wess,
    
      Our turkey season starts here may 1 and it starts in Pa on may 3 
    we also are expecting a large ice/wind storm tomorrow, I hope its not 
    as bad as the ice storm of march '91 when we didnt have power for 4
    days! we grilled deer steaks on a coleman gas grill in the living room.
    
      We have had a vast mix of weather, 3 weeks ago it was 73 degrees the 
    next day at 10 am it was 60 and 4 hours later it was 20 and the wind
    was being clocked at 60-70 mph. 5 days later we had another wind storm
    with winds in excess of 70 mph. so I spent many hours out on service
    calls with the fire department and more hours on paperwork (I knew
    there was a good reason not to take a chiefs position) 
    
       We have had a great winter so far, very little snow, and when we
    have gotten snow cover it has diminished to partial cover within a week 
    or so. The wildlife should have had a good winter, with very low
    mortality. the one thing the turkeys really need this spring is a drier
    spring than they had last year. the nesting last year was poor, and the 
    fall flock sizes reflected that, there werent many huge flocks of young
    jakes and hens like in years past. 
    
      As far as the turkey season goes I will definatly be out, not sure
    where yet, but I will be out there, there are well were some really
    nice gobblers down where I deer hunt, I may drive down the day before
    and sleep in the truck and hunt there the first day or 2 then drop down 
    to camp for the opener of pa season.
    
      So right now I am not too geared up for the season, now by the middle
    of april I will probably be out a couple days a week listening for the 
    most beautiful sound of spring the old boss gobbler sounding off from
    his nightime roost. heck I havent even been working with the diaphram
    call, I have been scratching the slate tho, mostly to play head games 
    with my lab.:-)
    
    
        well good luck with the farm and hope sucess struts your way.
    
    
      Lee
    

    Hi Wes,
    
    	I'm thinking about turkeys!
    
    	Thinking about them is about all I managed to do for the last two
    years.  Maybe this year I'll actually get out and hunt them.
    
    	In all the times I've been in the NH woods I've never seen a
    turkey.  My brother on the other hand has been clearing a lot on 37 acres
    of land that he plans to build a house on this summer and he's seen as
    many as 50 at one time.  There are many beech trees on his property and
    after a very heavy wind storm he went up to check things out and there
    they were, scouring the ground for beechnuts without a care in the
    world!  I think I should be able to find them if I can get up early
    enough to make the drive.  Then there is the problem of getting to work
    after and getting back out to find where they are roosting, and
    studying for my MCSE, fixing my motorcycle(s) and all those things that
    need to be done with the car(s), the house, the family...
    
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -X

    Ok Walt, Badminton is not that bad.  I used to play it all the time
    when I was a kid.  Those guys on the Olympics could probably take a
    deer with the way they hit it!  I hope the ice storm isn't too bad. 
    You better check with your family in Hickman, I bet it washed away!
    
    Lee,
    I figured you would answer, you are in the "Ate-up with Turkeys" club
    too.  Let us know when you get out to scout, etc ... When does Penn's
    season start?
    
    Biondi,
    I understand on the MCSE prep stuff.  I ended up taking 5 tests last
    year in March, right before Turkey season...and somehow passed! My prayers
    are with you. How far of a drive is it to your brother's place? When
    does your season start?
    
     
    Wess

    
    
       Wess,
    
         We start her in NY on 5/1 and pennsy starts on 5/3, it would be
    nice to tag a gobbler the first day, then the second bird the next day,
    drive to camp then tag one the first day in pennsy. any other year it
    would be a dream, but after the week I had last year ANYTHING is
    possible.
    
        A buddy of mine just called he leaves 4/10 for missouri,kentucky,
    then here to NY for a week before returning to pa for a week then off
    to manitoba, this guy eats sleeps and breaths hunting! last year he was
    gone for 2 months turkey hunting and bear hunting. now HE has a wife
    thats the best. how many of us could do that?? well we all could how
    many would come home to a wife? not many probably.
    
       Ya know you keep this up wess and and your gonna have someone
    setting on your front step before the first day:-)
    
      Lee
    

    If I remember correctly, NH Turkey Season opens May 3, 1/2 hr. before
    sunrise until noon.
    
    The drive to my brothers place is about 45 minutes.  I'm going to have
    to try a little harder this year if I'm going to make it out.
    
    This year I'll be using a new shotgun - Rem 870 Express, 2 3/4" with
    Xtra Full turkey choke.  Haven't patterned it yet, but did OK in trap
    with it last fall.  I'm sure it will be better than my Ithaca M900. 
    For some reason I never got the Ithaca to pattern well on Xtra Full. 
    The longest range it would hold a dense enough pattern with was 20 yds.
    
    Is now a good time to begin scouting?  Will the turkey hold to the
    habits that they have now into May?  This is a new game to me.
    
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -X

    Hey Lee,
    
    I'll be up in your neck of the woods (Mexico, NY. Little Salmon River)
    for opening day........Hmmm? To hunt for Turkeys or chase after
    Giant Browns??? I've seen a lot of Turkeys around there! Both on and
    off the water!!!
    
    I'm sure you know I'll be pestering you in the Fishing Notes file in a
    couple weeks. You always hit the nail on the head with your lure recom-
    mendations!!!!
    
    ;^)
    Good Luck You Guys......
    Bob M..

    Biondi,
    
    I use an 870 express with the Remington extended turkey choke.  I had a
    hard time shelling out premo bucks for the choke, but after the season
    was over, I was happy I did!  If you don't get a good pattern out of
    your 2 3/4, try shooting the Activ Penetrators #4 3", nickel plated
    load.  It delivers the best pattern out of my 870 express, and has an
    extra payload, due to the nickel plated shot not needing buffering.
    
    Lee,
    
    Your buddy is one lucky guy.  I don't think I could afford doing it,
    but would love to try!
    
    I agree with "After last year, anything can happen".  You never know. 
    Unless, of course, you don't get an opportunity to get out after them.
    
    
    Ahhh...The sun starting to crack over the horizon.  The birds and other
    wildlife starting to stir...GOOBBBBLE, GOOOOBBBBLE!!!  
    
    My knees are starting to shake...
    
    Wess

    RE .11
    
       This time of the year in the northern states the turkeys are still 
    in flocks, the next 3 weeks there should be a progressive change from
    gobbler flocks to gobbler fights to establish pecking order, at this
    time of the year the birds will move some, establish a "strutting" area
    but still have a #1 priority of survival.
    
       Starting the last week of april and into may the survival waines to 
    the urge to breed, and by the end of the first week of may birds should
    be very vocal depending on how hard they have been pushed. 
    
      So I guess to answer your question it depends on the size of the
    flocks and the pressure before the season, if there is a large ratio of
    gobblers then you will find birds that move to new areas to find
    "unaccounted" for hens. so the birds may or not be where you want them 
    to be or expect them to be.so where the birds are now I wouldnt expect
    them to be there in early may, some may be there but most wont.
    
                  Lee
    
    bob- hey man I only live ~50 miles from mexico bay, maybe I can take a
    day earlier in that week and meet up with ya all.
    
     

    Lee,
    
    Anytime you want! I'ld love to finally meet up with you. We've been
    gabbing on the phone and in these notes files for four years now......
    We'll do the Bubble for the Big'uns and Dinners on me.
    
    I'ld love to give Turkey hunting a shot but I've never been nor do
    I know of anyone around here to show me the tricks.....All I remember
    is last fall being surrounded by them while deer hunting..
    
    Just thinking about fishing and hunting makes me feel alive again!!!!
    This cubicle gets "Real Small" around March....
    
    Bob M....

    Guys,
    
    Anybody check out that new box call by M.A.D. that is supposed to
    deliver a higher frequency yelp that we humans are unable to hear? 
    From what I read, turkeys can hear a MUCH higher frequency that we can.  
    Maybe those mornings when the turkeys are silent, they really arent,
    hmmmm...
    
    Of course it might be just another marketing ploy.  I am going to stick
    with my slate, glass, box call, and diaphrams.  From what I saw on the
    price tag, it wasn't cheap!
    
    Interesting on their hearing ranges though...
    
    Wess

    
    
         Wess,
    
          Not to bust on ya but if a human cant hear it how would we know
    if the yelp sounded good or not? I have seen the MAD calls and see that 
    their marketing ploy is a higher pitched call to enhance shock gobbling
    and for a farther range of hearing.
    
       I havent used a MAD call, for one thing when mine are fine why
    should I go buy a way overpriced call, just to add range to the call
    if I wanna hear a gobbler a long ways off I would get one of those
    survailance microphones, and if I hear a bird at a distance I will move
    closer and then try and discipher whether another hunter is already
    working him.
    
         I know that MAD calls are mostly synthetic which would help on wet
    days, but for that kinda money I would stick with the diaphram calls
    and if I used a slate or box call it just means being more carefull
    with the placement of the call.
    
         just what I need is more calls, heck I already carry more calls
    than shells:-) I saw a whole flock of turkeys this morning on the way
    to work, there were probably 30 birds in that corn field, I didnt see 
    any mature gobblers, if the weather ever straightens out maybe the
    birds will start to break up and we can get some spring rituals
    happening.
    
    
                       Lee
    
        

    Lee,
    
    Not to bust on me?  No problem.  I didn't ask if you heard it or not, I
    asked it anyone had checked it out, seen them in stores, etc...
    
    I am not going to buy one either.  I am probably in the same boat as
    most turkey hunters.  Two of every call, except diaphrams, then 10 of
    those. I don't own a gobble tube either, makes me nervous.
    
    Glad to hear you are seeing some birds.  A buddy of mine in Ky has been
    seeing a pretty good flock with a couple being nice gobblers.  The farm
    where he has been seeing them doesn't allow hunting, as they hunt 
    themselves.
    
    Wess

    
      Wess,
    
    
        See this time of the year when I get into the routine of turkey
    season, I have a very bad habit of setting down on the couch, and I
    have my checkbook in my left hand and the cabelas,gander mntn, and BPS 
    books in my right hand, and the longer I look thru the mags, the
    lighter the checkbook becomes:-)
    
        I have seen the MAD calls in mags, and have heard the MAD alum.
    friction call, I have seen the MAD alum in stores but I havent seen
    the box type MAD calls in stores yet.
    
        I hear ya on the calls, I generally carry 3 box calls, 1 lynch & 2 
    black walnut box calls ( 1 full size & 1 mini) also 2 slate calls with
    3 different strikers, and 2 plastic diaphram caller cases with 5 or 6 
    diaphrams each, everything from 1 -4 reed, some split reeds there is
    such a variety and tone difference in diaphrams you gotta have more
    than 1. 
    
        As far as the shaker gobbler call goes, I dont carry one, if I have
    to make a gobbler call I use the box call for that, and this is done
    very sparingly ( I have used the gobble call 1 in the last 4 years) its
    not a call people should use (for those that are new to the sport).
    
       If the weather would straighten out I would love to get out there in
    the morning to listen ond scout for birds, but its probably gonna have
    to wait till after the first week of april since the charter boat get
    dumped in on 4/1 (weather permitting) 
    
                                   Lee
     

    Well, the guy that I hunt with most of the time in Ky called the other
    night.  He said he was out on his property driving around and spotted
    movement amoung a row of cedars.  He said he drove around the cedar
    line and saw 7 hens trotting over the hill.  He got out of his truck
    and looked on the other hill and saw 3 other turkeys, their heads as
    red as could be, Yes!  I was waiting for some kind of April Fools at
    the end, but evidently he was not joking.  Those were the fist turkeys
    we have seen on his property since I arrowed one two years ago during
    the fall season.
    
    I am calling the guy next week to make sure we can go to southern Ky
    and hunt, although now I feel much better about another place to hunt.
    
    10 days till blastoff
    Wess

    Guys,
    
    I finally got back in touch with the guys that bought dad's old farm. 
    Bad news for me, they are leasing it to 8 guys.  Oh well, stuff
    happens.  That kind of takes the wind out of my sail, but thankfully I
    do have a place to go.
    
    And you know what, I am going to have a great time!
    
    Season is open on Monday for Ky.
    
    Good luck to everyone that is hitting the woods.
    Wess

    
    
        Wess,
    
    
      Man that stinks about the farm, but at least you have another place
    to go, I know what your going through, the same thing happened to me
    about 5 years ago when one of my most reliable spots became posted, I 
    went out and found another spot that is just as reliable.  in a way
    finding a new place puts some interest back into the hunt. 
    
      I hope your season starts off with a bang, we still have to wait for 
    another coupla weeks. the birds arent hollaring much, I went out last
    saturday morning (it was a nice warm sunny morning) I heard some birds
    but as soon as they flew down off roost they clammed up. maybe if the
    weather would straighten out the birds will get more consistant.
    
     the last week of april I will start going each morning to listen 
    and then the first 4 days of the season I am gonna be hunting both
    NY and Pa. 
    
    
         good luck to all and have a safe hunt
    
                  Lee
    

    Guys,
    
    Well, my 3 days in Ky turned out pretty good, here is the story:
    
    Monday
    Setup before light in a point of woods that jutted out into an old corn
    field, where I deer hunted.  About 1/2 hr after light a hen glided to
    the ground about 55-60 yards from me.  I called several times and even
    moved around calling, no gobbles or toms seen.
    
    Tuesday
    I was on the way to the point again and a gobbler sounded off in the
    twinkle light, I grinned.  I immediately took off to where I heard the
    bird (just happened to be within 15 yards of where I arrowed the turkey
    year before last).  A coyote howled and two gobblers sounded off, I
    really smiled then.  I eased to within 75 yards of them and put my
    decoy in an old loggin road.  I moved very slowly under the cedars so I
    could view the bottom they would cross to get to me.  About 5 minutes 
    later, GOBBBLE, GOBBBLE!!!  I looked up and 35 yards from me was a BIG
    tom with a long beard hanging in the breeze!  I sat very still as he
    was facing my way and looking at me.  After a few minutes he turned on
    the limb and I clucked with a diaphram twice to let him know I was
    there, GOBBBBLE!   10 minutes later I see a gobbler pitch out of the
    tree and glide across the creek, then another gobbler and the one by me
    follows!  Sh!t!  I can see them about 60 yards away and I start cutting
    and carrying on.  They fly back across the creek to me and start toward
    me.  My shotgun is on my lap and I can't move cause there are 3
    gobblers coming at me!  25 yards, 20 yards, 15 yards!!!  They stop and
    the big one in the middle starts strutting, spitting, etc.  They turn
    for an instant, I jerk the shotgun up and let him have it.  He was the
    king.  He checked in at 26lbs!!!!  He had a 10 1/2" beard and 1 1/8"
    spurs.  
    
    My buddies story to follow.
    Wess

    Wes,
    Way to go!
    .
    William
    

    Thanks William.
    
    Wednesday's hunt:
    My buddy who owns the farm where I do most of my hunting was really
    desperate to harvest a bird.  He hadn't seen any birds and with it
    being Wednesday (our last chance, he can't hunt on the weekends), he
    asked me if we could hunt together.  We setup where he wanted to first
    and I started calling about 15 minutes after light, nothing.  We waited
    about 15 minutes and I called a little more, nothing.  We sat there
    about 30 minutes and I called again, nothing.  I got up and told him we
    were headed to where I had seen that hen on opening day, up the point. 
    I stopped to call about every 100 yards, nothing.  We arrived at the
    saddle where I saw a nice buck on opening day of archery last year and
    we put our decoys out.  I called with my slate call, nothing.  I called
    with my glass call, nothing.  I called with my box call, nothing.  I
    clucked with my diaphram, GOBBBLLE!  Yes!  The bird sounded about
    75-100 yards up the woods.  I hit the glass call, GOBBLE.  I got him to
    gobble about 7 or 8 times.  It was then that we saw a turkey glide from
    the trees about 65 yards out.  I couldn't believe it.  He gobbled
    again, but this time he was crossing the corn field going the other
    way!  I jumped up and told my buddy to come on.  We ran to the edge of
    the field and I had him lie down and point his shotgun into the field. 
    The corn field was full of johnson grass, so we could see but about 40
    yards.  I put the diapram in and really got aggressive, GOBBLE!  I
    started cutting on it, GOBBBLE!  He was CLOSE.  I saw his beatiful red,
    blue and white head searching for us over the tall grass.  My buddy
    fired his 12ga 3 1/2 mag and he went down.  He was 19 1/2lb with a 9
    1/2 beard and had 1" spurs.  He was so happy, we jumped up and down and
    hooted in the corn field, what a day!
    
    He is mounting his bird as it was the first that he had taken from his
    farm.  
    
    Good luck to anyone else getting out!
    Wess

    
    
       Wess,
    
       Congrats on the birds, I wish our season started earlier. I am
    starting to get the itch now, course it doesnt help any that monday
    evening I was working with a new lab pup in the yard and having 4 hens
    walk thru, then to really rub it in they roosted right in the cherry
    tree in the back yard. of course this drove my labs absolutly bonkers!
    
      
      14 more days, maybe by then ole ma nature will have her act together
    and I wont have to take a little torch with me to unfreeze my @ss from 
    the ground. 
    
                      
                                         Lee
    

    Wess, congrats to you and your friend on the turkey hunt! Way to go. 

    Gus

    Congrats on the turkey hunt. It sure sounds like a great
    time to me. I wish I could hunt Turkey in my area (outside
    of Ottawa, Canada) They were just introduced into this area
    recently, and we probably won't be able to hunt them for 
    atleast 5 years I was told. So 14 more days will go real quick:)
    
    
    Chris

    Thanks guys, we did have a really good time, as well as, get lucky.
    
    We went back down to Louisville for some of the Derby activities this
    weekend and I had to really fight not to slip out and go hunting on
    Saturday morning.  Since I am going the 28-29 here in Ohio, my wife
    would have strangled me if I would have seriously tried!
    
    Good luck to everyone if you get a chance to go.
    
    Chris,
    They stocked them next door to the farm where we harvested out birds
    about 7 or 8 years ago.  The 5 year estimate is probably right.
    
    Take care
    Wess

    Turkey update:
    
    A buddy of mine and his father went out last wednesday and hunted in
    the county next to where I was hunting.  They called until around 9:30
    without getting any response and moved to the back of the property. 
    They saw a turkey in the field and called to see what type of response
    they could get.  When Jason called, a gobbler sounded off across the
    valley about 200 yards away.  He said the bird was hot and they decided
    to cross the valley and try to get him.  He said they crossed the
    valley up the ridge from the bird and called, GOOBBBLEE!  The only
    problem was that the gobble came from where they just were!  The called
    again, GOBBLLEE, back across the valley.  They left their decoys and
    crossed back.  They eased into position and called, getting a double
    gobble!  They got ready as 2 mature gobblers came into view.  The
    problem was that Jason's dad had the video camera rolling with his
    shotgun in his lap.  Since the turkeys were 25 yards and closing, he
    got nervous.  When the turkeys ducked under the fence, he dropped the
    camera and grabbed his shotgun.  At 12 yards they birds kept crossing
    behind trees, so they couldn't get them both in the open for a double
    harvest.  The lead bird putted and Jason's dad fired, putting his 18lb,
    9 1/2" gobbler down.  At the shot the 22lb 10" gobbler took to the air
    like a rocket with Jason shooting him flying at about 20-22 yards. 
    They were very happy to say the least.
    
    Foam at the mouth....!!!!!
    
    Good luck
    Wess

    
    Wess,
    
            Congrats on your hunting adventure and helping out your hunting
    companion harvest his first bird. He'll have that memory to share
    forever.
    
    
                                                  Guy

    
     The itch has started, last monday I was out in the yard working with
    my labs, grouse wing on the fishing pole routine, everthing was going
    good when all of a sudden mo stopped dead in his tracks looked towards
    the back of the yard.
       He was off like a shot, when I got to a position that i could see
    the back yard, there were 4 turkeys standing there looking at the dogs,
    they werent to concerned, they just flew up in the big cherry tree to
    roost for the night. 
       Monday afternoon while i was here at work I looked out the window
    and across the interstate up on the "game hill" there was a big ole
    gobbler just walking along.
       Yesterday morning I saw a nice gobbler strutting in a corn field,
    along with 6 deer watching him display, this morning in the same field
    was probably the same gobbler was on display again, but this time his 
    observer was a nice big hen turkey. 
       
       starting saturday my days of sleeping in till 5-5:30 are over for
    about a month, I should have some birds lined up by next thursday for
    the first day. There is nothing better than being in the woods on a
    spring morning when the woods come to life and just after daylight you
    hear a reverberating GGGGOOOOOOOBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLEEEE, about makes
    shiver go up my spine.
    
    
              Lee
    

    Thanks Guy.  It was a really exciting day, for both of us.  Friends
    really do add so much more to our experiences.
    
    Lee,
    You had better strap on the slobber bucket, it appears that you are
    starting....  
    
    I unthawed 3 deer roasts last night that I will be making jerky out of
    for Monday and Tuesday's turkey hunt.  Hopefully I will get it hot
    enough this time.
    
    Anybody else get to go hunting out there?
    
    Wess

    
    It is the first week here in New Jersey. One of my friends was out
    yesterday with his a week permit and missed one. He thought the bird
    was lots closer than it actually was. The guy that was calling for him
    asked him how close he thought the bird was, he said 35 yards. Well
    after they paced off 75 yards he knew it was too far for his shotgun to
    shoot. The lesson learned from a first season turkey hunt.
    
    I have to wait for the d week which is the last week here but gives us
    2 weeks vrs the one week a,b,c, weeks. They are still not hot to troot
    here in NJ since we had snow last week and are expecting cold wet
    weather still. Lots of mature birds out there this year. Hope one waits
    for my week afield.
    
    Great stuff being written here lately keep it commimg.
    
    Four more weeks to go.
    
    /Irv

    Guys,
    
    Well, we had really good weather for the opening of Ohio Turkey Season. 
    I arrived at camp on Sunday eve and talked with the other hunters and
    found where I could hunt. Opening morning I was all setup and ready to
    go about 20 minutes before legal shooting time.  I heard 2 birds gobble
    down the hollow from me about 300 yards away.  Another guy had that
    area reserved, so I just listened to them.  I heard 3 or 4 shots on the
    neighboring farm where 5 guys were hunting throughout the morning.  
    
    About 9:15, a guys starting calling right over the hill from me (Needed
    a bunch of practice), so I decided to slip on down to the bottom. 
    About 1/2 way down a turkey blasts out of the treetops and glides to
    the bottom.  I moved in above where the turkey went and waited about 15
    minutes.  I yelped with the diaphram about 4-5 times, GOBBBBBLE.  He
    was down in the bottom, probably about 150 yards from me.  It was then
    that I heard someone talking between me and the bird!  Oh well.  BOOOM!
    BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM!  BOOOOM!  I sure hope they got him with that
    much shooting!  Turns out 2 tresspassers slid in from the road and did
    the shooting, missing him.  I ended up hearing 2 other gobbles far and
    away.
    
    That eve I went to the Ohio river bluff to listen for them roosting. 
    As I approached the overlook, I heard something moving around on a flat
    about 30 yards over the hill.  I peeked over to see 4 turkeys slipping
    into the cover.  I backed off, as it was about 30 minutes before dark,
    so I wouldn't scare them off.
    
    Tuesday morning I was setup with a decoy right at the edge of the bluff
    where a big deer trail came over the top.  About 10 minutes after
    daylight I gave a few light yelps.  About 10 minutes later I heard them
    fly down about 75 yards over the hill.  I gave a few more louder yelps
    and got them yelping.  The yelps were hoarse sounding, Gobbler?  About
    5 minutes later I hear a turkey right behind me, prob less than 20
    feet!  He finally moved around me and to my decoy, a Jake.  He was
    standing there 12 yards in front of me as 2 other turkeys came out,
    both Jakes.  Since this was my last day I picked the last one and
    filled my tag. At the shot the other two ran over the hill, I yelped 4
    more times and one came back.  I stood up and watched him run over the
    hill about 300 mph.
    
    About 1/2 hr after legal shooting hours, we were all sitting back at
    the camp and I heard a hen yelping about 100-150 yards into the brush. 
    I yelped, just with my throat and GOBBBBLLLE!  I yelped again, without
    a call and GOBBBBBLE!  I gobbled with my mouth and GOBBBBBBLE!  It was
    really funny.  Every time I yelped or gobbled, he would answer.  It was
    a great way to end the day.
    
    The other guys all saw birds, one even had a shot, but so far hadn't
    connected.  They are still out there today, and will probably have
    taken a gobbler or two.
    
    Good Luck to those that are getting ready!!!
    
    Wess

    
    
        
        Well since it sounds as tho Wess was having all the fun and our
    season didnt start till this morning I have been waiting for this day 
    to finally arrive.
    
       Yesterday I spent a few hours on the lady O with mr. Mercier who is
    out here fishing for the week, it was nice to finally put a face to a 
    node and name. btw the fishing stunk, but the day was beautiful none
    the less.
    
       Last night I went out and roosted a bird at dark, but the weather 
    wasnt looking promising but unless it was a monsoon I WILL be in the
    woods at daylight in may!
    
      The alarm was set for 4am, I woke up at 3:45 freezing cold, mo (my
    lab) decided he needed the blankets more than me, after a short
    discussion with him I hit the shower and headed for wolcott once there
    I gathered my gear and walked in to where I figured about 150 yrds from 
    the gobbler I heard last night.
    
      I set out the decoys and then settled in amongst 3 large beech trees
    it was shortly after 4:30, being overcast and extremly windy I had my
    doubts about the morning, but its the first day after all. slowly the 
    woods lightened up and as the wind died down some I tree  yelped a few
    times, nothing, more wind, another lull about 5 minutes later I tree
    yelped again, an answer, but a hen yelp. 
    
      Now this is just great, she wasnt here last night, a crow flew
    between my location and where I had roosted the gobbler, the crow
    cawed a few times and the gobbler hollared back at him. ok now lets
    see what transpires, I started yelping, the gobbler is answering but 
    he is still on roost.
    
      all of a sudden I see a hen about 100yrds off to my left fly down 
    and glide towards where the gobbler is, before I had a chance to get 
    upset seeing this, 2 more birds flew from the same tree as the hen did
    and both of those were gobblers. now things are looking more promising!
    
      We all talked back and forth for about 15 minutes, the crows didnt
    like the turkey talk so they start screaming back and forth, all of a
    sudden 5 gobblers sounded off and it sounded as tho they were in a line
    across the top of the hill. What an awesome sound, I started yelping
    again, now I get a responce from a gobbler out in the corn field.
    
       This is unreal, I go from figuring the hen is gonna take the gobbler
    with her to now I have 6 gobblers within hearing distance of me. so the 
    cornfield bird is moving in with each response, finally he is in the 
    woods and about where the hen was last seen. I call, nothing, I call
    again, nothing.
    
       now one of teh birds on the hill is gobbling good, so I decide to
    slide around the tree, I set the gun down, lean over and pull the foam
    seat from under me, set it against the tree so I would be facing the
    birds on the hill, i get up to a hunkered position take 1 step forward
    and get this strange feeling I am being watched I look to my left and
    there about 80 yards away is a gobbler looking at me! 
    
      I figured thats it the hunt is over!, whats he do drops into strut
    and turns his back to me! I couldnt believe it, I grabbed the seat and
    plopped down on my right hip, and yelped a couple times. now 4 gobblers
    are walking the hill off to my right about 60yrds out, angling towards
    my back, I let loose with a good raspy cut, all4 gobblers stopped in
    their tracks and looked towards me.
      
      now they turn and start walking towards me, they are 40 yrds out, I
    hear something close to my right, and I mean close, I look to the right
    and theres a gobbler about 10 feet from me (damn wind) now I figure its
    really over, there is no way to shoot him, whats he do walks behind me
    and drops into strut for my decoy! this is unreal!
    
      I look back towards the other birds and a nice gobbler is leading the
    pack he walks behind a big cherry tree, I lean to the right so that I
    could shoot along side a small beech tree, the bird is now at 10 yards
    he steps out and stretchs to see the jake displaying for the decoy, in
    all the years of turkey hunting here is the perfect broadside head/neck 
    extended shot. at the shot he rolled about 10 feet, the other gobblers
    just walked away.
       
       As far as what I did was set there holding my right arm, I thot my
    shouder was by the tree, but infact it wasnt, and let me tell ya 3" mag 
    12 ga.-vs-shoulder-vs-tree guess what looses? it sure aint the 2 at the 
    end of that equasion. it took about an hour and a half to get feeling
    back in my arm. I was just about ready to go the hospital, I thot my
    shoulder was broken. its swollen and bruised but I dont think its
    broke.
    
       Now it time to wait for a boss gobbler., this bird came in at 16lb 4
    oz. with 3/4" spurs and a 6 inch beard. a good way to start the season,
    but I know one thing I aint touching off another 12 mag for a few days!
    
                        Lee
    

    Lee,
    
    Great day out!  I have never had that many birds going nuts at once,
    that must have really been exciting!  
    
    Sounds like you will get the Boss the next time you get out, good luck.
    
    
    I called the guy that was hunting with and he said that he got a big
    jake at 8pm yester eve?  Since hunting hours end at 12pm, I asked how? 
    He said he was just down from where I shot my bird, trying to roost
    one, when he heard a shot right over the hill.  He ran over the hill
    and busted some guy with a shotgun in his right hand and a jake in the
    other.  He asked the guy what he thought he was doing, to which he
    replied, "Hunting on my property".  Bill said he lost it!  He told the
    guy hunting hours ended at 12pm and that he was a poacher, and a
    tresspasser, since he was standing on Bill's land.  He told the guy to
    put his shotgun down, which he did.  Bill confiscated the bird and took
    the guys hunting license from his back.  He told the guy he was calling
    the game protector and he was in big trouble.  Ought to be interesting
    to see how it turns out...  Probably the same guy that slid in on me on
    opening day and shot all of those times.  The punk!
    
    Good luck to everyone else getting out.  Put the details in here,
    whether you harvest a tom or not.
    
    Wess

    
    Lee,
    
    All I can say to your note is:
    
    					OUCH!
    
    That doo smart, who ever says that these charged up turkey loads don't
    smart is full of El Toro- PU-PU. Glad to see that you had soo much
    action it is exciting and as adictive as heck. Good luck on get a shot
    at the Boss Gobbler and remember where the tree is before you shoot.
    
    /Irv
    
    p.s. It's week B here in NJ, one of my friends got a 20lb gobble on
    monday. Headed to VA, got skunked there, and is heading to PA on
    monday. Can you tell what he saves his vacation time to do? Hooked on
    turkey hunting.
    
    p.s.s.                                                       
    
    Two more weeks to wait for my week, keep the stories flowing.

    Could'nt get out until Wed. morning. ( work really cramps my style )
    Ken, Pete and I were into birds right off the bat. Pulled 2 hens right
    into the decoys and got plenty of gobbles. I was working one bird for
    well over an hour but could'nt get him close, he hung on the oppisite
    side of the field we were on and just would'nt cross for a shot.
    
    Went back to the same spot and set the decoys about 15 yds. into the
    field this time. Started calling with soft tree yelps and a bit of
    cutting and purring. Got a strong gobble from up the ridge behind me.
    Started some lost hen calls and waited. He gobbled again and I started
    to purr abit and then went quiet. Looking off to my right I saw him
    running full bore down to the decoys. I got the gun on him and dropped
    him at 35 paces with a load of 4's and 6's in a 3 in. mag.. He went
    over like he was hit with a 2x4 and did'nt move.
    
    19.5 lbs. gutted
    9.5 in. beard
    1.5 in. spurs
    
    
                        Bob 

    
    
      First of all congrats on the nice bird Bob, aint it a blast when you
    get an ole gobbler so horny they run right to ya:-)
    
    
       My weekend of turkey hunting stunk, saturday I ended up running a
    charter for a buddy of mine, I wasnt going to fish but the weather was 
    horrible for turkey hunting, of course the fishing wasnt much better.
    
       Sunday morning I had Mike (my hunting student) with me, he had never 
    been turkey hunting before so I told him I would take him and do the
    calling while he did the shooting. only 1 stipulation that he forgets 
    where I take him:-)
      
       we get into the secret spot by 4:30am I get the decoys set and
    settle in and await the first signs of light, shortly after light I 
    tree yel, nothing, 10 minutes later I tree yelp and cluck, we get a 
    response from a hen.
    
        ok, this might just be a repeat of thursday, I look at mike and he 
    has a smile a mile wide, I wisper to him to calm down that this may
    take an hour or more for things to develope. back to the calling, a
    good gobble from above us, ok this is looking really good now.
    
       Finally at 5:45 the hen flys down and starts cutting, I answer her 
    back with cutts and purrs, the gobbler cuts loose, mike wispers t me
    that he flew over the hill, I wispered to him that a gobbler sounds
    farther away when they are on the ground than they did in the tree.
       Now things are looking good the hen is slowly working her way
    towards us along the east edge of the field, the gobbler is working
    his way towards a meeting point that should put him within easy range
    of mike. everything was going great, both birds seemed to like what
    they were hearing.
      
        All of a sudden the hen made a loud alarm putt and continued
    putting as she ran off to my left about 100 yards away from me, I
    started cutting and clucking and yelping she ran close to 200 yards
    before I got her stopped and all she did was hollared back and forth 
    with me. the gobbler dissappeared. 
    
        I couldnt believe what happened,I figured it was a fox or coyote
    since this farm is posted solid with only 1 person with access. I
    gathered up my decoys and told mike we would go around the other side 
    and set up and see if we can get them going again. we walked out where
    we could see the east border road and there are 2 vehicles parked along
    the road. 
    
        Mike and I went to a different farm, couldnt raise a gobble, so we
    tried another spot and nada again. he didnt feel like hunting after
    that, course I cant blame him, I was not happy, we had the perfect set
    up again that morning only to have someone screw it up.
    
        I went back to the same spot this morning, and all I did was a few 
    yelps, then I didnt call any more, I heard 5 different gobblers this
    morning. they seemed to be back to normal this morning, hopefully those
    guys arent there this sunday, but then hopefully they do show up
    because the landowner is gonna be waiting for them.
    
                                                  Lee
    
    

    Bob,
    
    Nice bird.  Turkey hunting is in a class by itself, isn't it?  I think
    once you do it, and have something like what happened to you, you will
    be hooked for life.
    
    Congrats
    Wess

    Thanks guys! There's nothing like it that's for sure. I enjoy Pheasant,
    and Deer hunting alot but talking to these guys adds so much to the
    experience. Fall season should be interesting seeing as the boundry has
    been moved furter East.
    
    
                             Bob
    

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Congrats guys....great storys... I called a friend and read them over
    the phone to him... 
                          
    Oh I wanna do it so bad.
    
    Kids are 5 and 6 now, more freedom in another 5 or 6 years...
    
    Right now I'll have to be content with getting out now and then
    for duck (didn't get out at all last year and I think my lab is 
    still peaved at me) and getting out for the upland birds, I can
    take days off from work or take the kids with me for the upland
    birds atleast. 
    
    Never had the patience to sit still deer hunting, I can sit in
    a duck blind all day though..I think I'll be able to handle sitting
    for turkeys, since at least I can be playing with the calls...
    
    I have turkeys running around my neigborhood, it's getting me more 
    and more excited about it. One day I was walking fifty feet from them
    while they were be-bopping around a cemetery, I know when I get out
    in the camo and not pointing at them and doing my randition of the
    gobble by my mouth, they won't be as easy to find....you know like
    when you are on a golf course here in Mass. you have to make your way
    through a flock of geese to get to your ball, then they never fly in
    gun range when you are sitting in a wet/cold swamp or field...
    
    As Micheal Jordan says in his new ad on TV.. I've been skunked out in 
    the field hundreds of time, that is why I have been so successful.. 
    or something like that.
    
    You boys down Kentucky way are happy about your turkey world, but we
    up here in Boston bagged Pitino, bet that makes a bunch of SEC people
    happy...  :*)
    
    Duff
    
    

    Duff,
    
    You will love the turkey hunting, I would be willing to bet.  One of my
    buddies in Ky is a big waterfowler, he is eaten up with it.  Sounds
    kind of like you...
    
    Basketball, I guess since we are talking turkeys, you can mention
    him....
    
    I might be getting out tomorrow for a morning of turkey calling. The
    guy who owns the farm where I shot the Jake in Ohio, might be heading
    out.  If so, I will be tagging along.  Can't harvest anything, but I
    will be calling them in, if I can...
    
    Good luck 
    Wess

    Bagged my third bird in 7 years. This one was a gift from the turkey
    gods.
    
    No gobblers located so I sat in an area that had some sctraches and
    droppings. High on a long sloping area with good views through the
    woods for 100 yds. (except the direction they came from :^). Hadn't 
    been there set up for 20 min. when a hen came walking through.  20yds 
    in front of me, doing her thing. After 5 min. of watching her scratch 
    and eat, and a little bit of talking. Then it hit me that a lone hen at 
    this time of year didnt fit. Looked back the way she had come, from my 
    far left, and sure enough there he is in full strut 40yds behind her. 
    I watched him for a good 5 min. (seemed like hours) as he came in closer 
    and closer. At 30 yds, I bagged him.  15lbs, 7.5" beard, 3/4" spurs. 
    
    That ended a two year drought!
    
    Don

    Don,
    
    How did you feel carrying that gobbler over you shoulder on the way
    out?
    
    Congrats!
    
    Wess

    The local paper reported a possible new MA record set in the recent
    first half of the spring gobbler hunt. A 27 3/4 # (ungut) in N. Brookfield 
    and another 24 1/2 in Barre. In my next life I'll have to try this.
    
    Wes, sorry to see you're leaving but I wish you and your family the
    best. I'm sure that someday, someone will be entering success notes
    on your behalf regarding the continued prowness of your (and your sons!)
    hunts. I've enjoyed an occasional reading of your adventures.
    
    Happy Trails,
    Bob

    Bob,
    
    Thanks for the kind words.  
    
    I think you are probably right, you haven't heard the last from me. 
    
    As that old saying goes, "As for me and my house, we will worship the
    Lord,....and Hunt and Fish!!"  
    
    Good Luck
    Wess

    Thanks Wess,  Good luck to you and do keep in touch with us.
    
    It was great to carry that guy out of the woods. I tell you though, I
    thought he was a 30lb after the 1 hour+ walk out of the woods. :^)
    
    Don

    
      What a day yesterday, I was going to take mike out again, our
    destination was the same spot as the first sunday (where the guy tried
    to cut us off) I had a plan mastered on how we were gonna set up an
    ambush and either get a gobbler or catch those guys if they tried to
    cut us off again.
    
       I picked up mike at 4am, we were settled into the ambush spot by
    4:45. at 5:15 a gobbler sounded off about 500 yards to the east of us
    then a jake gobbled about 200 yrds up over the hill from us. ok I will
    not pass up a jake for mikes first shot at a gobbler. 
    
      since I couldnt roost a bird sat night I didnt want to call that
    early, I was hoping that the birds would reveal themselves. finally at
    5:45 it was time to start calling and get things going if they were
    going to cooperate.
    
      First call was 2 clucks with a runn into a purr ending with 2 yelps
    this was answered with a booming gobble from the east, at about 200
    yrds, things were looking good now, I got mike into position and I
    moved around the back side of the tree, this gobbler was going
    absolutly bonkers! he would gobble 5-6 times to each of my 1 call.
     
      I got him within 100 yards, I could tell by his gobbleing locations 
    that he was pacing back and forth, I tried to get mike calmed down and 
    told him to get ready that this bird is coming in. just dont move when 
    he is in sight.
     
      we listened to him gobbling for another 15 minutes, I knew he was
    waiting for that hen to come to him, that wasnt happening tho, so I
    slid the slate call out, and made a nice puuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr this was
    imediatly answered with a double gobble, then a series of 4 gobbles
    with about a 3 second break between them. then I see the big ole red
    neck and head come into view about 80yrds away, then the body.
    
      I almost swallowed the mouth call when I gasped at his size, this ole
    boss gobbler is definatly over 20lbs easy, mike finally saw him when he
    reached 60yrds. all I could see of mike was his left side his resps
    were about 45/minute.
    
       slowly he worked our way, he closed the distance to 45 yards and
    just as I was thinking man this is gonna be one heck of a first gobbler
    for mike the bird turned and ran, he was outa sight in a flash, I
    couldnt believe it, everything was perfect. I dont have any idea what 
    could of happened the only 2 things I can come up with is that the bird
    either caught a glint of light off mikes glass's or mike moved just a
    little bit. but what ever it was it was darn sure enough to make him
    run.
    
       The one saving grace is that he never alarm putted, he just turned
    and ran, and I also got to see him thru the binocs this morning about
    50 yrds from where he spooked yesterday, setting on roost. it was
    something seeing his beard hanging below the branch he was perched on.
    I watched him till he flew down and glided out into the middle of the
    field. 
      about the same time he landed I hear a purr purrrrr cluck cluck 
    above me a hen, I was about 10 yards from the base of the tree she 
    was roosted in. it was 7:10 before she finally glided out to the field
    to meet up with ole mr. gobbler. its amazing how close you can sneak to 
    a bird at 4:30 am.
    
     I will be trying for him later this week. gonna give them a few days
    to calm down and then try him again.
    
                       Lee
     

	As always the job seems to get in the way of the pleasure, so my story
starts out saying that it got in the way of the first week of the New Jersey D
two week turkey season. Not a day out in the field that week except for 2
scouting trips to find roosting birds in the evening. 

The whole last 3 weeks of the turkey season were strange to say the least.
Weather wise we had day that were 70-80 degrees than back to the freezer with
frost warnings the next. Not the type of stuff you want to heat up the birds
with. Days of rain and wind also added into the mix. I swore to myself that no
matter what I was going to hunt that 2nd  week mornings no matter what wind or
rain I had to sit in or meetings that I had to be late for.

I got together with one of my fellow club members who had the D week like me ad
talked about what he had seen the first week. To say it bluntly it stunk. he
has an area that has held birds for the last bunch of seasons and only had seen 
one hen. No gobblers heard in his area so he was in the area that I normaly
hunt in looking for birds. Well we knew that the landowner has had some of the 
trees logged off but we figured that the activity would have been long done by 
turkey season. NOT they had just cut 3 weeks before so most of the normal roost 
spots where birds had been held no birds or maybe a single at times. I roosted
a bird sunday evening in one of these areas and set up on him on monday
morning. He had an early wake up call of 5:30 am he started to gobble.
Naturally it was one of those windy mornings which made it a little harder to
call to the bird. I set up across from his roost about 75-100 yards away.
figured he would come to a sexy purring hen, but this gobbler seemed to pay no
mind to my calls and went the other direction and stopped gobbling all together
after awhile. He may have flew down on the other side if a creek and just went
off on the side he was on, who knows . Tuesday, no birds no gobbles no shock
gobbles anywhere. Getting ticked at this point, darn birds should be here and
talking but no. Well wed I meet up with Bruce from the club and he had been
having the same experience as I had the other day. Find bird set up call for a
bit, bird seems to ignore and goes the other way and stops talking. Only at the
the other side of the area. He brought in a friend who knows how to call real
well and they went up in the same area to call on wed morning, same results.
The caller threw the kitchen sink at the 2 birds that located but same result.
Gobble, ignore the caller go the other way than shutup.
I crashed thursday morning alarm went off but I slept threw it. Not happy with
myself all day. Had meeting's all week in the evening tuesday wed and thursday
and getting up at 3:30am had taken it's toll. I resigned myself that friday the
last day of the season I would be there and ready for however the season's
final day would unfold. 

Up early but ready, already knew Bruce would end his season where he had
started it hoping that the birds may have settled down and gone back into the
area after hunting in the other section the rest of the week. So I know I was
going to cover some area if I had to. I started out where they had logged
hooted no responce. Went to the area I had rooster the bird hooted no responce.
Figured I would go to the other end of the section where Bruce had been hooted,
no responce, tried the other side of that area, no responce. Figured I'd go
back on the other side of the beginning area and try there but waited mid field
in a hedge row for a bit before the long walk over to that area. Than I heard
Tom, you know Tom turkey the gobbler. He must have slept later that morning 
and was behind me on the edge of where Bruce had been hunting. I located where
the gobbling was comming from.
 He was on one side of a power line road in somehard woods. There is a power
line road under the lines which has grown up lots over the years and has a
band of cedar trees than the road a small brushy section than the hard woods.
I set up on the edge of the road on a sloped area. It was not real wide at
all but did give me an up and down the road view. I put my decoy to the left
of me and watched ahead to see in either direction. The bird was gobbling
anouncing he was awake and calling to his buddy further down in the wooded
area further off who had just woken up also. Sounded as if they were yelling at
each other to get out of my area and leave my hens alone. Back and forthe to
each other till me being the sweet hen looking for a lover started to purr to 
the first gobbler. I knew he heard my calls but he seemed more intent on
shouting at the other gobbler and for a while I wasn't shure what was going to
happen. But I keep it up on the New Thunder dome Slate call I had just gotten 
2 weeks ago. Sweet purring and sexy soft calling. Still back and forth they
gobbled to each other so I got a little more insistent, If you want you had
better come and get it and soon. Next thing I know is the first gobbler is
closer and comming to my right. Decoy to the left and me facing foward time to 
face thr right. Try and get turned that way and had forgotten one thing in
picking my spot. Which becomes apparent soon. I soft purr he gobbles the other 
side of the brushy area he's a comming, put call down face and aim gun to the
right. He gobbles again closer, real close. Than I see it the white/ blue head
and neck sticking up further over to the right than where I had aimed. He's
in golden grass enought to cover his body but head and neck above to to be
seen but for sure the gobbler. I had to move right. Now what I had forgotten to
do was very important at this place where I was set up and that was flatten the
golden grass down out to end of barrel lenght. So I move over, grass moves and
so does the bird back into the brush area. Putting all the way.

Tough break you say, yes and no. I had set a goal for myself for this year to 
do it for myself this year. Call in a bird all by myself. Well in my eyes I was
succesful where others had failed on some birds. I called it in to where I was
one trigger pull away from having a bird on the table and to me that would have
been icing on the cake I already had baked. I finished this years turkey season 
with a new found respect for the birds and a new sport that I know I have lots
more to master.
 What state still has a turkey season going on? Now a new thing to go away on
vacation for, Turkey hunting. I even went out out last night and bought a turkey
video last night lots to learn, yes lots to learn.    

/Irv Luizza

    It's like the old saying, it's not whether you win or loose it's how you
    play the game that counts. Great story and a success for sure.
                                     
    Gus