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 . . .
How Still is Still for a Turkey Hunter?
I started to put this into my missive on what the NewGuy needed to know, and it became something bigger than I expected, so I am going to put it in its own post. If you are starting out turkey hunting, learn to be still. How still is still? For a turkey, it is as still as you can get. Turkeys’ eyesight is phenomenal. It has limitations, but they are really great at seeing movement. I’ve had turkeys pick me up at over 400 yards walking. I have had them pick me up turning my head at 50 yards or … 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 . . .
Sneaking Back to the Farm
The Thunderstorms are due back after Noon. I’ll be beating it back to town shortly, having concluded a very productive trip to the farm, and one of the best days I’ve ever had. I’ll give you some highlights. As soon as we heard they were relaxing the quarantine, The Shamanic Dream Team started planning a return to Turkey Camp. We couldn’t hunt them– nonresident tags were quashed– however, we did have plenty of other things to do. For starters, I had to mow grass. In places, it was getting waist-high. I stopped in Falmouth on the way to buy a … More . . .
Missing the Opener
As I write this, I can hear Angus in the shower. He was called into work this morning. He would have missed the Opener anyway. Last night was his birthday. He also celebrated 5 years working in a sheet metal shop. I suppose it was good news that he is having to work overtime in times like these. There could be worse things. I talked to Moose the other day. He’s still waiting on his relief check. Little Mooselette has been reading the Rush Revere book I gave her. This will be the first Turkey Opener I’ve missed since ’86. … More . . .
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