Turkey Hunting
The Fake Stump
I finally got the fake stump installed at the Honey Hole this afternoon with the help of Moose and the Mooselette. This is the culmination of several years’ worth of planning and fretting. It all goes back to 2016. I had been turkey hunting with my back against the same dead tree for a decade, when the inevitable happened and the old tree fell over. Requiem for the Honey Hole Here is how it looked back in the day: I tried several other trees in the vicinity, but it just was not the same. I finally decided to erect a … More . . .
The Sons of Moto
I got Turkey Camp opened up Saturday. I have learned that it is not wise to show up on a Friday night. You never know what you’ll find. I always wait for Saturday morning to go down. The place was just as we’d left it. My sons came down a few hours later and went out for a late-season squirrel hunt. I ventured out mid-afternoon to check out The Honey Hole. It was pretty much as I’d left it last Yute Opener. I was out getting audio for a podcast when I got a call warning me that NR license … More . . .
Picking your Turkey Load Back in the Day
I know I’ve told this story before, but it bears repeating. Back when I started turkey hunting– we’re talking Regan’s first term– A good turkey gun was any gun that could put 2 pellets through a Dixie cup at 40 yards. You put a Dixie cup on a stake and backed up given yardage and shot. 2 or more holes through the cup meant you were good to go. Someone had figured out that was enough to kill a turkey. It had probably been a measure for pheasant or geese and they just adapted it. I went the extra mile … More . . .
Spring Turkey Rules are Out!
It’s funny. I looked over on the left at the “On This Day” box and it said that I had reported the Kentucky Spring Hunting Guide had been posted in 2013. Sure enough, I went to look on the KYDFWR site, and look what I found: I could not find all that much new that interested me. The Hunter’s Ed requirements have changed, due to COVID. The training is online and you submit a video in lieu of attending a Range Day. Also, the first time Hunter exemption is now free. If memory serves, it used to be $5. … More . . .
Stalking vs. Ambushing (Mostly about Ambushing)
I want to clean up a bunch of questions that have been asked of me. Some have been recent; others go back a ways. Mostly, this is about ambushing, but there’s more. You keep talking about ambushing being good and stalking being bad. Why is that? Let me explain some things the way I see it, and maybe you will understand. This question is probably in reference to a piece I wrote a while back where I stated that hens go to gobblers and not the other way around, I meant this in a general sort of way. This is … More . . .
If I were the NewGuy at Turkey Camp Part 4
. . . and having said all that,  let me do a complete about-face. Do you want to know what made me a successful turkey hunter? It came down to exactly one principle: Become your own expert. I have been giving you an introduction to turkey hunting as best as I can. It is the culmination of 40 seasons. I never claim to be an expert turkey hunter– not even a particularly good one. I am an expert in being a beginning turkey hunter. I never really was much of a turkey hunter until I purposely took off the big … More . . .
If I were the NewGuy at Turkey Camp Part 3
I’ve talked about the kit. Now, I am going to put it all together and talk you through what to expect. First off, let me tell you what does not work. If you’re a beginner, you read a lot about master turkey hunter tactics like Run & Gun. Forget it. You are not going to be Runnin’ and Gunnin’ at our turkey camp. The reason is simple: It’s about a 15-minute walk from the house to the back of the property. You run out of room in the first half-hour. A lot of turkey hunters are mobile. We are not. … More . . .
If I were the NewGuy at Turkey Camp Part 2
This is a continuation of the thread I started in the last post. Now that I’ve done a dump on the firearm-related stuff, here is what I think about calls, clothes and the rest of the gear  The CallsIf you’re a new guy to the sport, you’re going to think calls and calling are the keys. They’re are not. You need to be able to call somewhat, but I call fairly conservatively and I do not count myself as a master caller. I get by. I also make my own calls. What you need starting out is at least … More . . .
If I Were the New Guy at Turkey Camp Part I
I wrote a piece back in the early fall giving advice to the New Guy at Deer Camp. At least one fellow, Remnar found it to be good stuff, so I figured I’d try and compose one for Turkey Camp.  In this first installment, I’ll deal with the shooting system (gun, load, sight, and choke) The Gun, The Choke, and The Load Let’s get the gun out of the way. I’m going to say upfront that the gun is the least of your worries. I started with Dad’s 12 GA Winchester Model 12 trap gun, and high-brass 2 ¾ #4 … More . . .
Back in Turkey Mode
I don’t know about you guys, but by Mid-May every year, I’ve lost the feeling. In the good years, it’s because I’ve filled all my tags, and I’ve got to start thinking about practical things like mowing the lawn. In the bad years, I reach a point where the season ends, and I have to finally admit that a bird with a pea brain has bested me. Either way, I put the turkeys aside and walk away. Last season was the season that wasn’t. Andy Beshear (may his soul rot in hell) shut down non-resident tag sales the morning I … More . . .
Remnar Gets his Buck
The Buckless Youper, Remnar, got his first deer this morning. I was back at the cabin putting the finishing touches on yesterday’s story when I heard a shot coming from the back of the property. At 0715 ET Remnar radioed in he had a doe down and needed assistance at Midway. I rolled out with the truck and found he’d managed to shoot the largest button buck I’d ever seen come off the property– 92 lbs live weight. The button was 200 yards out when he lit it up with my borrowed Kar 98, the Mauser from Hell. That is … More . . .
Curtain Call
The season is over. I never got a chance to go out. The turkeys, however, were not quite done with me yet. Along about 1700, I heard a gobble. I looked out in the field in front of Faulty Towers and saw a gobbler working over some hens. The show lasted over an hour and a half. One hen had enough and flew off. The gobbler was probably one of the gentlemen I caught on a podcast earlier in April before season. I didn’t have a long enough lens, but I caught things as best as I could. Enjoy. … More . . .
Turkey 2020 Post Mortem
It’s over. Frankly, I was not paying attention last evening as the sun went down. I was home watching NetFlix. KY’s Spring Gobbler Season ended. For me, it ended before it began. It is the first time since 1986 that I have not hunted. I really wish this COVID-19 thing would go away. I have to admit that had a good time for what little time I had. For the month prior to The Opener, I was into turkeys nearly every time I went out. Three times I got gobblers into my setup at the Honey Hole. On two occasions … More . . .
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