HORNTAGGER'S HUNTING PHOTO JOURNAL 2005
TURKEY SEASON in MISSOURI, ARKANSAS & KANSAS
Missouri
HUNTING PHOTO JOURNAL - By “horntagger”
So far as the season has progressed.
This is my journal.
March 26, 2005 Pre-Season Scouting
Friday, March 18th -
10:30 a.m. - Bois D Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. Scouting, no sighting's or signs. Controlled burns taking place that day.
Friday, March 25th -
6:00 p.m. - Private land in Scott County, Missouri. Scouting, no sighting's or signs but early for area with nothing but crops and limited woods.
Saturday, March 26th -
7:30 a.m. - Private land in Perry County, Missouri. 3 Gobblers located in small clover field, No gobbling.
So far as the season has progressed.
This is my journal.
March 26, 2005 Pre-Season Scouting
Friday, March 18th -
10:30 a.m. - Bois D Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. Scouting, no sighting's or signs. Controlled burns taking place that day.
Friday, March 25th -
6:00 p.m. - Private land in Scott County, Missouri. Scouting, no sighting's or signs but early for area with nothing but crops and limited woods.
Saturday, March 26th -
7:30 a.m. - Private land in Perry County, Missouri. 3 Gobblers located in small clover field, No gobbling.
PICTURES FROM THE PRE-SEASON SCOUTING.
Saturday - March 26, 2005 @ 7:45 a.m.
First of Three Gobblers |
PICTURES FROM THE PRE-SEASON SCOUTING.
Saturday - March 26, 2005 @ 7:45 a.m.
Second and Third Gobblers |
PICTURES FROM THE PRE-SEASON SCOUTING.
Saturday - March 26, 2005 @ 7:45 a.m.
Second and Third Gobblers |
PICTURES FROM THE PRE-SEASON SCOUTING.
Saturday - March 26, 2005 @ 7:45 a.m.
Third Gobbler |
PICTURES FROM THE PRE-SEASON SCOUTING.
Pre Season Scouting in Perry County
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PICTURES FROM THE PRE-SEASON SCOUTING.
Old Deer Hunter had it right.
|
ARKANSAS - 2005 HORNTAGGER'S YOUTH TURKEY SEASON HUNT
Saturday, April 02 -
6:30 p.m. - Private land in Clay County, Arkansas. Youth Season, walked around the property trying to catch a gobbler going to roost. Nothing.
Sunday, April 03 -
6:00 a.m. - Private land in Clay County, Arkansas. Youth Season, Me and Tyler (Age 10) walked a ATV trail along the top of the ridge to the end of the property and set up. Crows started calling, hit the hoot owl call and nothing. Started calling after daylight about every 10 to 15 minutes and about 8:15 a.m. I finally heard something. After about two more times, I could tell it was a gobbler so far off in the distance that it could barely be heard. We walked back down the ATV trail and called and listen. It was now closer but still extremely far away. Set back up in a little area and he had cut the distance but I am guessing at 3/4 mile and a house was between him and us. He finally gobbled for the last time a 8:45. Still in the same spot.
Sunday - April 3, 2005 @ 8:45 a.m.
One of two tracks on the farm last rain was Friday - April 8th. Positive sign anyway.
6:30 p.m. - Private land in Clay County, Arkansas. Youth Season, walked around the property trying to catch a gobbler going to roost. Nothing.
Sunday, April 03 -
6:00 a.m. - Private land in Clay County, Arkansas. Youth Season, Me and Tyler (Age 10) walked a ATV trail along the top of the ridge to the end of the property and set up. Crows started calling, hit the hoot owl call and nothing. Started calling after daylight about every 10 to 15 minutes and about 8:15 a.m. I finally heard something. After about two more times, I could tell it was a gobbler so far off in the distance that it could barely be heard. We walked back down the ATV trail and called and listen. It was now closer but still extremely far away. Set back up in a little area and he had cut the distance but I am guessing at 3/4 mile and a house was between him and us. He finally gobbled for the last time a 8:45. Still in the same spot.
Sunday - April 3, 2005 @ 8:45 a.m.
One of two tracks on the farm last rain was Friday - April 8th. Positive sign anyway.
Arkansas
Sunday - April 3, 2005 @ 8:45 a.m.
Second of two tracks on the farm last rain was Friday - April 8th. Positive sign anyway.
Tyler called it a day at 11:30. Headed back to Springfield, Mo.
Second of two tracks on the farm last rain was Friday - April 8th. Positive sign anyway.
Tyler called it a day at 11:30. Headed back to Springfield, Mo.
MISSOURI
A STEP INTO THE OUTDOORS – HIS FIRST HARVEST
By: “horntagger”
ROAD TRIP
Friday, April 8th of 2005 my son Tyler and I, left Springfield, Mo. in Southwest Missouri around 8:30 p.m. and made it to Sikeston, Mo. in Southeast Missouri and his Grandma's house as a base of operation for the weekend, and in bed around 1:00 a.m. which would make for a short nap before the opening day of Missouri’s Spring Youth Turkey Season opening day.
OPENING DAY
Saturday, April 9th of 2005 at around 3:30 a.m. we started getting ready and having donuts for breakfast we left Sikeston, Mo. around 4:00 a.m. and made to Private land in Perry County, Missouri, that we had permission to hunt on and I have scouted and hunted for several years. Arriving around t 5:00 a.m. we got our vest on and equipment over our shoulders and walked in.
As we walked in we jump a deer in the tree line and listen to it run off into the field. Then a pack of coyotes close by sounded off and Tyler said, “That’s cool but scary.” Then we jumped another deer in further down in the tree line. We got the Double Bull blind and 3 Delta decoy's Hens and 1 Delta Jake decoy set up along a tree line in a clover field where I had spotted the gobblers during a scouting trip a few weeks before. We settled in about 5:30 a.m. and waited for daybreak.
6:00 we heard about 5 gobblers but nothing close, we filled the morning with a guessing game we call, I AM THINKING OF AN ANIMAL.
About 12:00 p.m. we watch a gobbler make his way out of the rye grass about 300 yards away across a fescue field but then disappeared below the ridge but coming closer. We both called and waited, about 12:45 p.m. we called it a day and pack up, but as we walked to the end of the tree line. The gobbler was getting a drink at a small spot that held water at the start of the tree line. It was almost 80 degrees on this day, I should have figured on that. Tyler said, “Oh well, always tomorrow.”
On the way to back to Sikeston, Mo. we saw about 20 turkeys at a pond, can't believe that many bird together this time of year, but it was only getting hotter.
As we walked in we jump a deer in the tree line and listen to it run off into the field. Then a pack of coyotes close by sounded off and Tyler said, “That’s cool but scary.” Then we jumped another deer in further down in the tree line. We got the Double Bull blind and 3 Delta decoy's Hens and 1 Delta Jake decoy set up along a tree line in a clover field where I had spotted the gobblers during a scouting trip a few weeks before. We settled in about 5:30 a.m. and waited for daybreak.
6:00 we heard about 5 gobblers but nothing close, we filled the morning with a guessing game we call, I AM THINKING OF AN ANIMAL.
About 12:00 p.m. we watch a gobbler make his way out of the rye grass about 300 yards away across a fescue field but then disappeared below the ridge but coming closer. We both called and waited, about 12:45 p.m. we called it a day and pack up, but as we walked to the end of the tree line. The gobbler was getting a drink at a small spot that held water at the start of the tree line. It was almost 80 degrees on this day, I should have figured on that. Tyler said, “Oh well, always tomorrow.”
On the way to back to Sikeston, Mo. we saw about 20 turkeys at a pond, can't believe that many bird together this time of year, but it was only getting hotter.
DAY TWO – LAST CHANCE
Sunday, April 10th of 2005, 4:00 a.m. the alarmed sounded and again we got our selves ready an ate donuts for breakfast, we left Sikeston, Missouri around 4:30 a.m. and made to Private land in Perry County, Missouri about 5:30 a.m..
We walked to the trees near the old barn in the center of the row crop farm. Me and Tyler had talked about changing the strategy and head for the direction of the gobbling.
This time we waited to here some gobbling. Did some owl hooting with no response. But, finally heard two birds gobbling far in the distance and could barely hear them around 6:10 a.m.. One gobbler was sounding off to the South on the other side of the road. The other gobbler was sounding off to the North in the other direction. Too far to even head in either direction.
6:30 a.m. - Tyler, decided we should just go ahead and set up on top of the ridge in last years corn field.
I have watched videos and TV shows on the Outdoor Channel of hunts using blind in wide-open fields, but never hunted like this before, with the closet cover 100 yards away. But it was the highest spot on the property and we could see in every direction. Also, the decoys would be able to seen from a long distance, which might make the difference.
I would call, about every ten minutes with a box call so it would carry for a long distance. About 7:15 a.m. I watched a gobbler walking way through the fescue field about 200 yards to the west and in the direction of the rye grass, I assumed it was the gobbler from yesterday. I unzipped the waterfowl zipper in the top of the Double Bull blind so I could stand up and watch with a monocular and call. I ask Tyler to use his push button call so that I could watch to see it's response.
The gobbler would stop and look but kept walking away. But, would stop and look as Tyler would call. I tried the box call one last time because it was about to disappear into the rye grass. When I hit the call, to my surprise, two gobblers sounded off to the north just 70 yards away. Can’t believe I had not seen them coming from the tree line over 400 yards away.
I dropped down back into the blind and Tyler and me closed up the windows in the blind behind us, so that our movement would not be seen. I told Tyler two gobblers where coming this way. Take the gun and stick the barrel out one of the windows facing the decoys as, I finished closing up the top of the blind and we watched for them to come up over the rise.
I could see a head and pointed to it and ask Tyler if he could see it. He said, “Yes,” I told him to get ready and put the sight on the gobbler’s head. They both came into view. Both adult gobblers with nice 8 to 10 inch beards, strutting the entire way.
Now that Tyler was ready watching them thru the Ring O Fire rear sight, I grabbed the camcorder and turn it on and push record. But, it was on photo. So I had to turn another switch and watched both gobblers coming in.
Tyler ask me if he should take the safety off. I said “Yes, but keep finger off trigger until he was ready to shoot.”
They did the entire show. Spitting and drumming the entire way in on video. I called quietly with by vocal calling and the push button call to bring them in closer
Both gobblers where right next to each other. I told Tyler to wait until they come in closer. They where just 20 yards away now. I ask Tyler if he had them in his sights. He said, “Yes.” I glanced over and watched him as he was following the gobblers as they move from right to left, as the gobblers came in. I told him to take him when he was ready.
BOOOOM, the 20 gauge Mossberg 500® Bantam pump thunder away. I watch the shot on the screen and then looked up. Both bird flew straight up and came straight back down, first I thought Tyler missed.
One gobbler went one direction and the other the other direction. But the first gobbler then dropped to the ground the Winchester’s Supreme® Double-X® Magnum and high velocity turkey loads found it’s mark. The second gobbler stopped ran back and started pecking and flogging the first gobbler. This made first gobbler get back up and start running. I told Tyler to shoot him again; I thought he was going to run away. Tyler shot but I don't know if he missed or hit but this with the second shot, either way the gobbler went about 10 yards and dropped to the ground as the second bird ran toward the tree line this time.
I told Tyler put the gun on safety and put it on the ground. Soon as he did I threw up the blind and ran out with Tyler following and put my boot on the gobbler make sure it was down for good.
I grabbed Tyler with both arms and gave him a big hug and told him congratulations, great shot and a great bird. I re-wound the tape to show Tyler. But, dad's excitement got the better of him; I never pushed record a second time after I switched it over. So I missed the entire hunt on video. Cuz Strickland has nothing to worry about with me video taping.
I did videotape the aftermath of the hunt. I ask Tyler what he thought of turkey hunting as he picked up the gobbler, trying to hold it up. “GOOD”
We walked to the trees near the old barn in the center of the row crop farm. Me and Tyler had talked about changing the strategy and head for the direction of the gobbling.
This time we waited to here some gobbling. Did some owl hooting with no response. But, finally heard two birds gobbling far in the distance and could barely hear them around 6:10 a.m.. One gobbler was sounding off to the South on the other side of the road. The other gobbler was sounding off to the North in the other direction. Too far to even head in either direction.
6:30 a.m. - Tyler, decided we should just go ahead and set up on top of the ridge in last years corn field.
I have watched videos and TV shows on the Outdoor Channel of hunts using blind in wide-open fields, but never hunted like this before, with the closet cover 100 yards away. But it was the highest spot on the property and we could see in every direction. Also, the decoys would be able to seen from a long distance, which might make the difference.
I would call, about every ten minutes with a box call so it would carry for a long distance. About 7:15 a.m. I watched a gobbler walking way through the fescue field about 200 yards to the west and in the direction of the rye grass, I assumed it was the gobbler from yesterday. I unzipped the waterfowl zipper in the top of the Double Bull blind so I could stand up and watch with a monocular and call. I ask Tyler to use his push button call so that I could watch to see it's response.
The gobbler would stop and look but kept walking away. But, would stop and look as Tyler would call. I tried the box call one last time because it was about to disappear into the rye grass. When I hit the call, to my surprise, two gobblers sounded off to the north just 70 yards away. Can’t believe I had not seen them coming from the tree line over 400 yards away.
I dropped down back into the blind and Tyler and me closed up the windows in the blind behind us, so that our movement would not be seen. I told Tyler two gobblers where coming this way. Take the gun and stick the barrel out one of the windows facing the decoys as, I finished closing up the top of the blind and we watched for them to come up over the rise.
I could see a head and pointed to it and ask Tyler if he could see it. He said, “Yes,” I told him to get ready and put the sight on the gobbler’s head. They both came into view. Both adult gobblers with nice 8 to 10 inch beards, strutting the entire way.
Now that Tyler was ready watching them thru the Ring O Fire rear sight, I grabbed the camcorder and turn it on and push record. But, it was on photo. So I had to turn another switch and watched both gobblers coming in.
Tyler ask me if he should take the safety off. I said “Yes, but keep finger off trigger until he was ready to shoot.”
They did the entire show. Spitting and drumming the entire way in on video. I called quietly with by vocal calling and the push button call to bring them in closer
Both gobblers where right next to each other. I told Tyler to wait until they come in closer. They where just 20 yards away now. I ask Tyler if he had them in his sights. He said, “Yes.” I glanced over and watched him as he was following the gobblers as they move from right to left, as the gobblers came in. I told him to take him when he was ready.
BOOOOM, the 20 gauge Mossberg 500® Bantam pump thunder away. I watch the shot on the screen and then looked up. Both bird flew straight up and came straight back down, first I thought Tyler missed.
One gobbler went one direction and the other the other direction. But the first gobbler then dropped to the ground the Winchester’s Supreme® Double-X® Magnum and high velocity turkey loads found it’s mark. The second gobbler stopped ran back and started pecking and flogging the first gobbler. This made first gobbler get back up and start running. I told Tyler to shoot him again; I thought he was going to run away. Tyler shot but I don't know if he missed or hit but this with the second shot, either way the gobbler went about 10 yards and dropped to the ground as the second bird ran toward the tree line this time.
I told Tyler put the gun on safety and put it on the ground. Soon as he did I threw up the blind and ran out with Tyler following and put my boot on the gobbler make sure it was down for good.
I grabbed Tyler with both arms and gave him a big hug and told him congratulations, great shot and a great bird. I re-wound the tape to show Tyler. But, dad's excitement got the better of him; I never pushed record a second time after I switched it over. So I missed the entire hunt on video. Cuz Strickland has nothing to worry about with me video taping.
I did videotape the aftermath of the hunt. I ask Tyler what he thought of turkey hunting as he picked up the gobbler, trying to hold it up. “GOOD”
DAD’S MESSAGE
Not one hunt I have ever been on was as great as this one. Every moment I have spent in the woods and every dime I have spent on hunting was worth this hunt with Tyler. If I never hunted another day in my life, it wouldn't matter after today.
I would like to thank the Missouri Department of Conservation for the fine job they have done with the wild turkeys in Missouri and the establishment of the Youth Season.
Something I never did and wish I had was to have my first Gobbler mounted. So Tyler's first wild turkey will is being mounted in full strut.
I would like to thank the Missouri Department of Conservation for the fine job they have done with the wild turkeys in Missouri and the establishment of the Youth Season.
Something I never did and wish I had was to have my first Gobbler mounted. So Tyler's first wild turkey will is being mounted in full strut.
FINAL RESULTS
After we started looking at the gobbler, I told him this is a great turkey. We put the tag on and even though in Missouri you can use the telecheck system. I still drove him to the official check in station to have his gobbler checked.
As they told me this would be the last time they check in turkey because of the telecheck system, I was glad I chose this method for the day, since it about to become a tradition lost to progress.
The results of this hunt are as follows.
17 lbs - 8 oz, 10 1/2" beard, 3/4" spurs
April 10th, 2005
Missouri Spring Youth Turkey Season
Tyler Morris - Age 10
First Wild Turkey Gobbler
Hope to see you and your kids in the woods or on the water. Horntagger.
As they told me this would be the last time they check in turkey because of the telecheck system, I was glad I chose this method for the day, since it about to become a tradition lost to progress.
The results of this hunt are as follows.
17 lbs - 8 oz, 10 1/2" beard, 3/4" spurs
April 10th, 2005
Missouri Spring Youth Turkey Season
Tyler Morris - Age 10
First Wild Turkey Gobbler
Hope to see you and your kids in the woods or on the water. Horntagger.
Scouting in Near Springfield, Mo.
Friday, April 15th -
7:45 a.m. - Bois D Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. Scouting, Viewed a total of 3 Gobblers and 4 Hens. Heard additional 2 Gobblers sounding off.
7:45 a.m. - Bois D Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. Scouting, Viewed a total of 3 Gobblers and 4 Hens. Heard additional 2 Gobblers sounding off.
Saturday, April 16th -
8:30 a.m. - Bois D Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. Scouting, Viewed a total of 6 Deer, 4 Gobblers and 3 Hens. One of the hens was sitting around 9:30 a.m., But had no eggs.
8:30 a.m. - Bois D Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. Scouting, Viewed a total of 6 Deer, 4 Gobblers and 3 Hens. One of the hens was sitting around 9:30 a.m., But had no eggs.
Sunday, April 17th -
10:30 a.m. - Bois D Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. Scouting, Viewed a total of 6 Deer, 3 Gobblers and 7 Hens. Heard additional 6 gobblers this day. One of the hens again today was sitting around 10:00 a.m., But had no eggs.
10:30 a.m. - Bois D Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. Scouting, Viewed a total of 6 Deer, 3 Gobblers and 7 Hens. Heard additional 6 gobblers this day. One of the hens again today was sitting around 10:00 a.m., But had no eggs.
Monday, April 18th -
7:00 a.m. Hunt Started - Bois D'Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. No Gobbling - Could not hunt scouted area too many hunters. Watched a hen run across road at around 10:00 a.m..
Watched hunter's decoy's in the distance of a highline cut. Watched Jake run across road at around 1:00 p.m.
Hunting Pressure has to be extremely high. Viewed over 20 different vehicles.
Watched hunter's decoy's in the distance of a highline cut. Watched Jake run across road at around 1:00 p.m.
Hunting Pressure has to be extremely high. Viewed over 20 different vehicles.
Tuesday, April 19th -
7:00 a.m. Hunt Started - Bois D'Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. No Gobbling - Spotted a Gobbler strutting with a hen at around
7:30 a.m. Setup in area they where head near a pond. Came within shooting range but turned out to be a Jake. Around
8:00 a.m. a Conservation truck drove thru field and they left shortly after. Watched 3 other hunters move from area to area.
12:00 p.m. Watched one Adult Gobbler with four Jakes in middle of field and watched them run into fence row at around 1:00 p.m.
Viewed thru out the day 4 deer, 5 box turtles and 2 squirrels.
Lost my one of my favorite calls and got 2 ticks.
7:30 a.m. Setup in area they where head near a pond. Came within shooting range but turned out to be a Jake. Around
8:00 a.m. a Conservation truck drove thru field and they left shortly after. Watched 3 other hunters move from area to area.
12:00 p.m. Watched one Adult Gobbler with four Jakes in middle of field and watched them run into fence row at around 1:00 p.m.
Viewed thru out the day 4 deer, 5 box turtles and 2 squirrels.
Lost my one of my favorite calls and got 2 ticks.
Wednesday, April 20th -
7:30 a.m. Hunt Started - Bois D'Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. Watched hen in last year's food plot near shooting range. Listen to turkeys within shooting range which is a no hunting area cut up.
8:00 a.m. Heard Gobbling behind shooting range, Spotted a Gobbler with two hens at in middle of field road. Walk a billion miles to get set up on the opposite fence because of the shooting range. They walked by but, turned out to be a Jake. They took off when someone started a weed eater in the shooting range area.
10:00 a.m. Heard another Gobble on another fence row on the along the opposite side of the shooting range. View a Gobbler and Hen walking toward each other in field road. Walked another billion miles set up in Tall Rye grass as they walked by, but turned out to be another Jake.
11:00 a.m. Watched deer and another Jake run out of a fence row across field.
Viewed thru out the day 10 deer. Found my call.
8:00 a.m. Heard Gobbling behind shooting range, Spotted a Gobbler with two hens at in middle of field road. Walk a billion miles to get set up on the opposite fence because of the shooting range. They walked by but, turned out to be a Jake. They took off when someone started a weed eater in the shooting range area.
10:00 a.m. Heard another Gobble on another fence row on the along the opposite side of the shooting range. View a Gobbler and Hen walking toward each other in field road. Walked another billion miles set up in Tall Rye grass as they walked by, but turned out to be another Jake.
11:00 a.m. Watched deer and another Jake run out of a fence row across field.
Viewed thru out the day 10 deer. Found my call.
Thursday, April 21st -
7:30 a.m. Hunt Started - Bois D' Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. Watched two hunters cut across field I had planned to hunt. Drove around for a few minutes and marked which parking lots where empty.
8:30 a.m. Heard Gobbling along fence row of private land. Set up and listen and call very little but did get response and was moving closer.
9:30 a.m. Started hearing calling down from me and spotted a decoy, and the bird shut up. Put my orange hat on and left the area.
10:00 a.m. Watched a Jake run by the fence row I was standing in.
11:30 a.m. Watched another Jake run along fence row I was sitting in.
Viewed 8 box turtles and 2 squirrels and 1 deer.
8:30 a.m. Heard Gobbling along fence row of private land. Set up and listen and call very little but did get response and was moving closer.
9:30 a.m. Started hearing calling down from me and spotted a decoy, and the bird shut up. Put my orange hat on and left the area.
10:00 a.m. Watched a Jake run by the fence row I was standing in.
11:30 a.m. Watched another Jake run along fence row I was sitting in.
Viewed 8 box turtles and 2 squirrels and 1 deer.
Friday, April 22nd -
7:15 a.m. Hunt Started - Bois D' Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. Drove around for a few minutes to see if the same parking lots where empty from day before to decide which area had no pressure from day before.
7:40 a.m. Heard Gobbling at the end of a fence row I was standing and glassing area.
7:45 a.m. Kept moving down fence row and glassed a hen at the end walking across an opening in the trees at the end. Deer started blowing about 80 yards away in a small patch of trees but then took off across field.
7:50 a.m. Moved within 40 yards of the end of the fence row and he gobbled two more times. He was on the other side and at the end of the fence row. Glassed and could see him strutting on the other side. So I sat down and got ready, watching the gap.
Refused to make any hen sounds with call, because of the other hens and the high pressure birds these are. Took out my Jake Gobble call and hit on it twice. The gobbler gobbled back and then I could see him running my direction as hard as he could go. He stopped at about 10 yards out and look around.
8:00 a.m. BOOOM. First bird down.
Turkey Hunting Hunting on public land for the first time, and not being able to start hunting till 7:00 a.m. at the earliest, has to be one of the most difficult season I have ever experienced. But this bird made it worth it.
One more to go.
7:40 a.m. Heard Gobbling at the end of a fence row I was standing and glassing area.
7:45 a.m. Kept moving down fence row and glassed a hen at the end walking across an opening in the trees at the end. Deer started blowing about 80 yards away in a small patch of trees but then took off across field.
7:50 a.m. Moved within 40 yards of the end of the fence row and he gobbled two more times. He was on the other side and at the end of the fence row. Glassed and could see him strutting on the other side. So I sat down and got ready, watching the gap.
Refused to make any hen sounds with call, because of the other hens and the high pressure birds these are. Took out my Jake Gobble call and hit on it twice. The gobbler gobbled back and then I could see him running my direction as hard as he could go. He stopped at about 10 yards out and look around.
8:00 a.m. BOOOM. First bird down.
Turkey Hunting Hunting on public land for the first time, and not being able to start hunting till 7:00 a.m. at the earliest, has to be one of the most difficult season I have ever experienced. But this bird made it worth it.
One more to go.
Saturday, April 23rd – Waiting for Second Season
Sunday, April 24th – Waiting for Second Season
Monday, April 25th – Headed to Van Buren, Mo. for 3 day NWTF partnership hunt with new friends from New York, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.
Stayed at the The Lodge on the Current Cabins on Current River, which worked out great each Cabin had two bedrooms and a common living, kitchen and bathroom and a great deck with a view of the Ozark hills. So the daily afternoon naps could be taken if needed, or you could go fishing in the private lake or in the Current River.
Tuesday, April 26th –
6:00 a.m. - Hunted the East Gate at Pecks Ranch Conservation Area, watched deer move thru the woods.
6:30 a.m. – Heard one Gobbler on the fenced area of Pecks Ranch, but did not have a daily pass. Also could see other hunter trucks near by. Little later heard a shot in that area.
Found a shed antler of a 6 point buck, which made this morning a success.
8:30 a.m. – Left area and moved on to a different part of Pecks outer area.
10:30 a.m. – Sat down near pond and a hen ran in and walked out into the pond to get a drink and cool off.
12:30 p.m. – Headed back to truck a turkey which I believe to be a Jake flushed from the clear cut area.
Wednesday, April 27th –
6:00 a.m. – Hunted off the main road near main gate of Pecks Ranch. Most of the other group of hunters hunted the area and had several Gobblers sounding off the day before. Watched a group of deer move down the hill down into the bottoms.
Had three Gobblers sounding off the but had a hunter in the direction of the closet gobbler. Headed to a back fence of private property and had a Gobbler sounding off quite a bit, but never committed to the calling.
Found 4 morels as we walked the ridges.
Thursday, April 28th -
6:30 a.m. – Hunted inside of Pecks Ranch. Very rainy night, and attempting to rain this morning. Blew my dog whistle and a Gobbler sounded off. We went in the direction and he was free gobbling great.
We moved in as close as we dare and started calling. I even heard him gobble on the ground. But, just as I thought it would be over in 5 minutes, Mother Nature took care of her own, by dropping a load of rain.
Oh well that’s turkey hunting.
Would like to thank John Burk and friends for setting this hunt up and for making it such a good time.
Sunday, April 24th – Waiting for Second Season
Monday, April 25th – Headed to Van Buren, Mo. for 3 day NWTF partnership hunt with new friends from New York, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.
Stayed at the The Lodge on the Current Cabins on Current River, which worked out great each Cabin had two bedrooms and a common living, kitchen and bathroom and a great deck with a view of the Ozark hills. So the daily afternoon naps could be taken if needed, or you could go fishing in the private lake or in the Current River.
Tuesday, April 26th –
6:00 a.m. - Hunted the East Gate at Pecks Ranch Conservation Area, watched deer move thru the woods.
6:30 a.m. – Heard one Gobbler on the fenced area of Pecks Ranch, but did not have a daily pass. Also could see other hunter trucks near by. Little later heard a shot in that area.
Found a shed antler of a 6 point buck, which made this morning a success.
8:30 a.m. – Left area and moved on to a different part of Pecks outer area.
10:30 a.m. – Sat down near pond and a hen ran in and walked out into the pond to get a drink and cool off.
12:30 p.m. – Headed back to truck a turkey which I believe to be a Jake flushed from the clear cut area.
Wednesday, April 27th –
6:00 a.m. – Hunted off the main road near main gate of Pecks Ranch. Most of the other group of hunters hunted the area and had several Gobblers sounding off the day before. Watched a group of deer move down the hill down into the bottoms.
Had three Gobblers sounding off the but had a hunter in the direction of the closet gobbler. Headed to a back fence of private property and had a Gobbler sounding off quite a bit, but never committed to the calling.
Found 4 morels as we walked the ridges.
Thursday, April 28th -
6:30 a.m. – Hunted inside of Pecks Ranch. Very rainy night, and attempting to rain this morning. Blew my dog whistle and a Gobbler sounded off. We went in the direction and he was free gobbling great.
We moved in as close as we dare and started calling. I even heard him gobble on the ground. But, just as I thought it would be over in 5 minutes, Mother Nature took care of her own, by dropping a load of rain.
Oh well that’s turkey hunting.
Would like to thank John Burk and friends for setting this hunt up and for making it such a good time.
Friday, April 29th - Dropped off items from friends in the hunting community for the Wheelin' Sportsmen Turkey Hunt hosted by the Springfield Chapter Sho-Me Gobblers of the Nationals Wild Turkey Federation taking place in Bois D' Arc Conservation Area and did a little light scouting for the hunt.
Saturday, April 30th – Attended the Wheelin' Sportsmen Turkey Hunt and watched listen to the days turkey hunting tales, had a great meal and Watched the official signing of the Partnership between the Missouri Department of Conservation and the National Wild Turkey Federation for the Wheelin' Sportsmen Turkey Hunt at Bois D' Arc so that this event will always be able to be held.
Sunday, May 1st – Did not hunt.
Saturday, April 30th – Attended the Wheelin' Sportsmen Turkey Hunt and watched listen to the days turkey hunting tales, had a great meal and Watched the official signing of the Partnership between the Missouri Department of Conservation and the National Wild Turkey Federation for the Wheelin' Sportsmen Turkey Hunt at Bois D' Arc so that this event will always be able to be held.
Sunday, May 1st – Did not hunt.
Monday, May 2nd – Started a new job.
Tuesday, May 3rd thru Friday May 6th – Did not hunt due to work.
Saturday, May 7th –
6:00 a.m. Hunt Started - Bois D' Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. No Gobbling – Watched two deer crossing the field and watched a hen crossing from different direction. They did a little square dance and left the field.
7:30 a.m. - Talked with some guys getting ready to run beagle for training.
8:30 a.m. - Heard one gobbler sound off and found a lot of dusting spots. But never found the turkey.
Sunday, May 8th – Did not hunt.
Tuesday, May 3rd thru Friday May 6th – Did not hunt due to work.
Saturday, May 7th –
6:00 a.m. Hunt Started - Bois D' Arc Conservation Area, Greene County, Missouri. No Gobbling – Watched two deer crossing the field and watched a hen crossing from different direction. They did a little square dance and left the field.
7:30 a.m. - Talked with some guys getting ready to run beagle for training.
8:30 a.m. - Heard one gobbler sound off and found a lot of dusting spots. But never found the turkey.
Sunday, May 8th – Did not hunt.
KANSAS
Wednesday, May 11th – Headed to Neodesha, Kansas to meet up with 7 new friends on a 4 day hunt for a Sho-Me Chapter Kansas Spring Turkey Hunt at VERDIGRIS VALLEY OUTFITTERS owned by Doug Arnold on 5000 acres of some of the best turkey hunting in Kansas, I have been told and now have witness.
P.S. – What the next follow days bring will be by far some of the wildest things I have ever experienced as a hunter, I just hope things like this never stop happening.
Thursday, May 12th –
4:30 a.m. - Headed to the ground we are assigned to hunt.
5:00 a.m. – While walking in the dark along the edge of the field I grab my partners arm and told him to start backing up. There is skunk that stopped 10 feet right in front of me with his tail up. As we back up slowly the skunk took off running to the across the field.
5:30 a.m. – Blew dog whistle to see if I could shock gobble a gobbler and a hen sounded off along a tree line at the far creek.
6:00 a.m. – Watched a hen going thru the field we just pass thru and crossing are path and heading toward the back fence.
6:30 a.m. – Could still hear the hen calling in the trees.
7:00 a.m. – Watched 5 bucks with the lead buck already having a fork in his antlers at about 30 yards come out of the ditch and out of the trees and cross our path and head out into the field toward he back ditch.
7:30 a.m. – While walking toward the back fence a nice size possum decided to walk by.
10:00 a.m. – While walking back in the direction of the truck a hen decides she has stayed in the tree long enough this morning.
10:30 a.m. – While driving back down the gravel road along the property we watched 4 huge gobblers, 1 Jake and 2 hens walking across the field. Then we watched another hen cross the gravel road.
We watched the turkeys trying to decide what we should do. One hen eventually came out on the paved road at the front of the property and decided to head down the opposite side road. Then cross onto the adjacent property followed by 2 gobblers and then two other they flew across.
We waited a little while and drove by the spot they cross and glassed them on the hill on the adjacent property. We decided that they would come back along the same path in the afternoon, so we would come back in the afternoon and find a place to set up back on the property we could hunt and lie and wait for them to show back up as they headed to roost. At least odds seemed to be in our favor.
11:30 a.m. - As we headed back the cabin two hens crossed the road. Then we watched a Jake along the side of the road.
Man what a morning to start my first Kansas hunt.
12:30 p.m. – When we got back we drove down the road to see the turkey might still be on that hill. We could view two. So that gives us hope. But the problem was parking so we decide to park on the county road in the ditch and walked back across so to the property we could hunt. That way the truck would not spook the turkeys.
1:00 p.m. – We found a place along the fence about 100 yards off of the road they crossed near a pond and since it was a hot day, I figured that they would get a drink before they headed past us to go to roost and that would give us enough warning time to get ready.
3:00 p.m. – Hen from the opposite direction, more than likely the one that crossed the gravel road early showed up about 20 yard and way then disappeared below a terrace and headed in the direction they are probably going to roost.
4:00 p.m. – A Jake shows up on he other side of the pond and walks up on the levee of the pond and walks thru the field behind us and over the hill and out of site. Then a gobbler shows up and heads in the opposite direction and disappears behind the pond.
That leaves two hens and four gobblers that we have not seen.
4:30 p.m. – A hen and a nice gobbler show up across the field along what looks like an old grown up fence row and heads towards the pond. The hen is in the lead but seems to leave the gobbler behind and disappears over the rise behind the pond. The gobbler follows slowly and is feeding as he grows closer and also disappears over the same rise behind the pond.
5:00 p.m. – Four gobblers show up on the other side of the pond just on the rise. The worked their way down and disappeared behind the levee. We where set up for the turkey’s to pass in front of us, like they traveled this morning. That’s when I said we should stand up because they are going to follow the same path as the Jake and we will not be able to shoot because of the rise in the ground behind us.
My partner moved down the hill from me about 10 yards. Both standing up and using the trees as cover we waited.
5:10 p.m. - They now show up from behind the levee and moving thru the open field. They are staying about 60 yard away from are location and moving parallel to us.
About another 20 yards they are going to disappear over the hill. So I bent down out of site and moved down to my partner’s location and ask him if it would be ok for me to call. He said we had nothing to loose.
5:20 p.m. – I moved back to my location and I could barely see the backs of the 4 gobblers. I started calling with mouth, and all 4 heads popped up. They now change direction and where moving at angle in my direction. I kept calling very softly and sparsely and they kept coming.
5:25 p.m. – The bird are now within killing range of 40 yards but I keep seeing only one bird at a time and I am not sure what my partner sees. But they keep coming but they are looking hard for the hen and the tree I am hiding behind does not give me much cover.
Just then a chicken hawk appears fly right for me with a snake fighting for it’s life in it’s talons. I duck my head because I am afraid it’s going to hit me in the head. I can hear it lite in the tree just above my head and I am hoping a snake is not going to drop on top of me or this hunt will be over.
5:30 p.m. – I can now see two gobblers at 27 yards and they are looking hard for the hen. I hope my partner can see the other gobbler because I have lost them, due the slope of hill.
I both gobblers raise their heads high and are right together in profile I aim at the closet gobbler and decide to take the shot.
BOOM!!!!!! I shoot and both gobblers go down on their back and that’s it for them. Two birds one shot. My partner comes out of the trees and takes two shots at the others but it turned out that they are further back than I hoped.
Come to find out behind the levee was another small pond so they did get a drink after all.
My first Kansas Gobblers
Gobbler No. 1 = Eastern Hybrid - 20 lbs. 9 oz., 9 ¾” Beard, 1 1/8” Spurs
Gobbler No. 2 = Eastern Hybrid - 18 lbs. 4 oz., 9 ¼” Beard, 1” Spurs
Gobbler No. 1 becomes my best spurs on a gobbler I have harvested.
After getting the turkeys tagged and into the truck we, head to the back field to see if we can find any other turkeys for my partner.
6:30 p.m. - We just cross the creek and start up into the field and 7 turkeys are in the middle of the field near the highline tower. We watch them and they head to the same tree line and ditch that we heard the hen that morning. We watch them go to roost near the same spot just across from what looks like an old red building that only the walls are left.
7:30 p.m. – We decide to the leave the birds and head back to the truck and hunt them in the morning.
Not to leave out how the day began, as we are going down the gravel road the skunk decides to cross the road just to make sure we are still around I guess.
Also as we headed home the Jake from the midday decided to wait and fly back across the road as we came back by.
Friday, May 13th – Off course as a typical Friday the 13th it is lighting and raining like crazy. So every one stay in and waits for it to pass. My plan is to hope to get someone’s hunt on video, since both my tags are filled, and to me will be just as much fun.
8:30 a.m. – Heading down the main paved road there are three hens a Gobbler in full strut just off the side of the road.
Then we get to the same field that the Jake was in and a Gobbler basically tries to commit suicide by speeding truck.
Well few more miles down the road I had my head turned looking for other turkeys a hen decides to add a few more years of gray hair by trying to hit my windshield.
Finally we get to the front property and park along the front and start walking toward back checking each field along the way.
We get to the last pasture where we watched the turkey go to roost. Can see one turkey in the distance near a point in front of the red building walls. Finally get sat down and we here a hen. We call very lightly and she responds and shows up and calls, and walks around looking for us.
9:30 a.m. - Hoping she will call in a gobbler but does not, but puts on a great show for video camera.
10:30 a.m. – Second hen shows up again putting on a great show. But, no gobbler follows. Again great show for the camera, along with some cattle that came in and watched a little bull and a big bull who did not like my presents in the area.
Just amazing so many hens in this back field and not one gobbler. Has to be a reason for this.
12:00 p.m. – We head back to the cabin to do a little re-grouping of a game plan.
Just another wild drive back on the main paved road. Started taking picture of an owl sitting on a oil rig, but could only get the camera out soon enough to take pictures of it sitting on electric pole.
Then we round the corner and I have to put my brakes on because in the middle of my lane a Gobbler is breeding a hen and is not worried about the vehicle doing 55 mph. It waited until I came to a stop before running and turned out to be two more gobblers on the side of the road as they ran.
If I did not put on the brakes I would have for sure killed him. Tried to get the camera on but I was too slow.
Little further down the road had four buzzards eating on a armadillo on the side of the road, did get a picture of one taking off from a fence post.
3:00 p.m. – We headed to a different farm to hunt and found some fresh gobbler and hen tracks in the mud from this morning storm.
3:30 p.m. – A as we made are way by a pond, we could hear a hen start calling. A second storm made its way in bringing some thunder and along with a gobbler who answered it about for times. I started calling and it gobbler one time closer but then the storm brought some heavy rain which shut him down.
5:30 p.m. – The clouds broke but a third storm was coming in quick so we tried to cut our distance from the gobbler but could not find him.
6:30 p.m. – Could see a hen coming from a field, and could also hear a hen call from the other tree line as we made our way to the truck.
7:30 p.m. – Back at the Cabin we could here some gobbling behind the cabin after we got back.
Rained late into the night.
Saturday, May 14th – Well because of the rain we could not hunt the last area we were at the day before because of the rain so we decided to go to the area we had hunted the most since the morning was clear and we only had small creeks to cross at anytime.
Since I had filled both my tags I was leaving at 12:00 p.m. so we drove separate this day, that way he could keep hunting.
5:30 a.m. – Again on the main paved road going in it was like watching a moving in slow motion as I followed my partner. I wish I would had the video camera mounted to the dash as I watch a deer come out of a gravel road and disappear in front of his truck and then all I saw was a deer flying thru the air and into a ditch.
Well, that official does it my partner is official snake bit in Kansas. He hit a doe and broke her back and took out his front corner of his truck. Plus after the sheriff got there and filled out paper work, that put us behind a whole hour.
6:30 a.m. – Again we both park along the front property line, as soon as we got park I laughed as I watched another deer cross the road at the top of the hill, we work are way back thru the field hoping to catch gobbler in the open.
6:45 a.m. – I here one gobble, we walked to top of hill and I called and two gobbler answers and we got set up. But never heard them again, then we heard a shot in the distance. We assumed that the gobblers must had gone the opposite direction to another hunter on the adjacent property. Well that’s hunting, so off we went again headed to the back of the property.
7:30 a.m. – We made it to the field with the 7 turkeys, two days before. This time I could see turkeys on the point in the center of the field along with a deer’s back in the grass.
We sat up in the same place the morning before and I could see the turkey on the point heading our way had a read head as I glass and got the video camera set up.
But, he never showed.
8:00 a.m. – I could see in the video camera and with the monocular 7 turkeys in the field I appeared that two had red head but so far off could not be for sure. They did look bigger than he other 5 turkeys.
Try calling but they did not even look. They roamed back and forth until 6 turkeys went one direction and 1 turkey broke off and left he area.
8:15 a.m. – I suggest as they went past the tree line in the distance that we go after them to get a little closer to see if they were any gobbler or not in this group.
8:30 a.m. – As we got within 10 feet of the point we had watched so many times before I could see a hen about 20 yards from the other side tree line. So we both got on our knees. Then I could see a second hen, stretched her wings.
I walked on my knees to the tree closet and then put then sat the camera on the ground and stood up slowly, behind the tree.
I watched glassed both hens and single to my partner to move over to the trees behind me. Then single to him to come up to me using me as cover.
We both watched as now five hens worked within 20 yards of our location just along the opposite tree line. We were on a 90 degree corner of point of trees just near the red building walls.
But, we are in trouble the hen appear to be working our direction. We will get busted if they get much closer.
Then my partner saw two jakes trailing behind. I looked thru the monocular and I could see beards on the jakes. I ask him if he could get this gun up on my shoulder. As he put the gun up I put my finger in my ear on that side and pull my hat over my eyes and lean into the tree face first, to keep the hens from seeing my eyes.
8:45 a.m. – I have to go with what my partner told me since I could not see. He said the hen came out onto our side as the Jake came closer and closer but not quite as close as the hens did. He could see both heads in his scope and as soon as they cross the last tree he was going to try and take both as the same time.
But then the hens started putting which I could hear also, and the Jake stop and he said he had one head in the scope. BOOOM!!!!!
Every muscle in my body jumped as I move out from behind the tree but I looked in the wrong direction, all I could see was turkeys flying.
I said did you get him. He said yes over their. One bird was flopping on the ground at about 40 yards.
9:45 a.m. – We finally made it back to he truck from the back. I took off back to the cabin and had to stop for two hens on the main road again. This time I got a nice picture, just before going into the trees.
11:30 a.m. – Packed up and left my first Kansas hunt. What an adventure, hope all my hunts are this exciting.
Others still had 1 ½ days left.
But when I left this was the total.
1 Jake taken on Thursday, May 12th
2 Gobbler taken on Thursday, May 12th
1 Gobbler taken on Saturday, May 13th
1 Jake taken on Saturday, May 13th
1 Road hit doe.
I would like the thank Doug Arnold - VERDIGRIS VALLEY OUTFITTERS for the Great Stories about Africa and the great hunting in Kansas.
P.S. – What the next follow days bring will be by far some of the wildest things I have ever experienced as a hunter, I just hope things like this never stop happening.
Thursday, May 12th –
4:30 a.m. - Headed to the ground we are assigned to hunt.
5:00 a.m. – While walking in the dark along the edge of the field I grab my partners arm and told him to start backing up. There is skunk that stopped 10 feet right in front of me with his tail up. As we back up slowly the skunk took off running to the across the field.
5:30 a.m. – Blew dog whistle to see if I could shock gobble a gobbler and a hen sounded off along a tree line at the far creek.
6:00 a.m. – Watched a hen going thru the field we just pass thru and crossing are path and heading toward the back fence.
6:30 a.m. – Could still hear the hen calling in the trees.
7:00 a.m. – Watched 5 bucks with the lead buck already having a fork in his antlers at about 30 yards come out of the ditch and out of the trees and cross our path and head out into the field toward he back ditch.
7:30 a.m. – While walking toward the back fence a nice size possum decided to walk by.
10:00 a.m. – While walking back in the direction of the truck a hen decides she has stayed in the tree long enough this morning.
10:30 a.m. – While driving back down the gravel road along the property we watched 4 huge gobblers, 1 Jake and 2 hens walking across the field. Then we watched another hen cross the gravel road.
We watched the turkeys trying to decide what we should do. One hen eventually came out on the paved road at the front of the property and decided to head down the opposite side road. Then cross onto the adjacent property followed by 2 gobblers and then two other they flew across.
We waited a little while and drove by the spot they cross and glassed them on the hill on the adjacent property. We decided that they would come back along the same path in the afternoon, so we would come back in the afternoon and find a place to set up back on the property we could hunt and lie and wait for them to show back up as they headed to roost. At least odds seemed to be in our favor.
11:30 a.m. - As we headed back the cabin two hens crossed the road. Then we watched a Jake along the side of the road.
Man what a morning to start my first Kansas hunt.
12:30 p.m. – When we got back we drove down the road to see the turkey might still be on that hill. We could view two. So that gives us hope. But the problem was parking so we decide to park on the county road in the ditch and walked back across so to the property we could hunt. That way the truck would not spook the turkeys.
1:00 p.m. – We found a place along the fence about 100 yards off of the road they crossed near a pond and since it was a hot day, I figured that they would get a drink before they headed past us to go to roost and that would give us enough warning time to get ready.
3:00 p.m. – Hen from the opposite direction, more than likely the one that crossed the gravel road early showed up about 20 yard and way then disappeared below a terrace and headed in the direction they are probably going to roost.
4:00 p.m. – A Jake shows up on he other side of the pond and walks up on the levee of the pond and walks thru the field behind us and over the hill and out of site. Then a gobbler shows up and heads in the opposite direction and disappears behind the pond.
That leaves two hens and four gobblers that we have not seen.
4:30 p.m. – A hen and a nice gobbler show up across the field along what looks like an old grown up fence row and heads towards the pond. The hen is in the lead but seems to leave the gobbler behind and disappears over the rise behind the pond. The gobbler follows slowly and is feeding as he grows closer and also disappears over the same rise behind the pond.
5:00 p.m. – Four gobblers show up on the other side of the pond just on the rise. The worked their way down and disappeared behind the levee. We where set up for the turkey’s to pass in front of us, like they traveled this morning. That’s when I said we should stand up because they are going to follow the same path as the Jake and we will not be able to shoot because of the rise in the ground behind us.
My partner moved down the hill from me about 10 yards. Both standing up and using the trees as cover we waited.
5:10 p.m. - They now show up from behind the levee and moving thru the open field. They are staying about 60 yard away from are location and moving parallel to us.
About another 20 yards they are going to disappear over the hill. So I bent down out of site and moved down to my partner’s location and ask him if it would be ok for me to call. He said we had nothing to loose.
5:20 p.m. – I moved back to my location and I could barely see the backs of the 4 gobblers. I started calling with mouth, and all 4 heads popped up. They now change direction and where moving at angle in my direction. I kept calling very softly and sparsely and they kept coming.
5:25 p.m. – The bird are now within killing range of 40 yards but I keep seeing only one bird at a time and I am not sure what my partner sees. But they keep coming but they are looking hard for the hen and the tree I am hiding behind does not give me much cover.
Just then a chicken hawk appears fly right for me with a snake fighting for it’s life in it’s talons. I duck my head because I am afraid it’s going to hit me in the head. I can hear it lite in the tree just above my head and I am hoping a snake is not going to drop on top of me or this hunt will be over.
5:30 p.m. – I can now see two gobblers at 27 yards and they are looking hard for the hen. I hope my partner can see the other gobbler because I have lost them, due the slope of hill.
I both gobblers raise their heads high and are right together in profile I aim at the closet gobbler and decide to take the shot.
BOOM!!!!!! I shoot and both gobblers go down on their back and that’s it for them. Two birds one shot. My partner comes out of the trees and takes two shots at the others but it turned out that they are further back than I hoped.
Come to find out behind the levee was another small pond so they did get a drink after all.
My first Kansas Gobblers
Gobbler No. 1 = Eastern Hybrid - 20 lbs. 9 oz., 9 ¾” Beard, 1 1/8” Spurs
Gobbler No. 2 = Eastern Hybrid - 18 lbs. 4 oz., 9 ¼” Beard, 1” Spurs
Gobbler No. 1 becomes my best spurs on a gobbler I have harvested.
After getting the turkeys tagged and into the truck we, head to the back field to see if we can find any other turkeys for my partner.
6:30 p.m. - We just cross the creek and start up into the field and 7 turkeys are in the middle of the field near the highline tower. We watch them and they head to the same tree line and ditch that we heard the hen that morning. We watch them go to roost near the same spot just across from what looks like an old red building that only the walls are left.
7:30 p.m. – We decide to the leave the birds and head back to the truck and hunt them in the morning.
Not to leave out how the day began, as we are going down the gravel road the skunk decides to cross the road just to make sure we are still around I guess.
Also as we headed home the Jake from the midday decided to wait and fly back across the road as we came back by.
Friday, May 13th – Off course as a typical Friday the 13th it is lighting and raining like crazy. So every one stay in and waits for it to pass. My plan is to hope to get someone’s hunt on video, since both my tags are filled, and to me will be just as much fun.
8:30 a.m. – Heading down the main paved road there are three hens a Gobbler in full strut just off the side of the road.
Then we get to the same field that the Jake was in and a Gobbler basically tries to commit suicide by speeding truck.
Well few more miles down the road I had my head turned looking for other turkeys a hen decides to add a few more years of gray hair by trying to hit my windshield.
Finally we get to the front property and park along the front and start walking toward back checking each field along the way.
We get to the last pasture where we watched the turkey go to roost. Can see one turkey in the distance near a point in front of the red building walls. Finally get sat down and we here a hen. We call very lightly and she responds and shows up and calls, and walks around looking for us.
9:30 a.m. - Hoping she will call in a gobbler but does not, but puts on a great show for video camera.
10:30 a.m. – Second hen shows up again putting on a great show. But, no gobbler follows. Again great show for the camera, along with some cattle that came in and watched a little bull and a big bull who did not like my presents in the area.
Just amazing so many hens in this back field and not one gobbler. Has to be a reason for this.
12:00 p.m. – We head back to the cabin to do a little re-grouping of a game plan.
Just another wild drive back on the main paved road. Started taking picture of an owl sitting on a oil rig, but could only get the camera out soon enough to take pictures of it sitting on electric pole.
Then we round the corner and I have to put my brakes on because in the middle of my lane a Gobbler is breeding a hen and is not worried about the vehicle doing 55 mph. It waited until I came to a stop before running and turned out to be two more gobblers on the side of the road as they ran.
If I did not put on the brakes I would have for sure killed him. Tried to get the camera on but I was too slow.
Little further down the road had four buzzards eating on a armadillo on the side of the road, did get a picture of one taking off from a fence post.
3:00 p.m. – We headed to a different farm to hunt and found some fresh gobbler and hen tracks in the mud from this morning storm.
3:30 p.m. – A as we made are way by a pond, we could hear a hen start calling. A second storm made its way in bringing some thunder and along with a gobbler who answered it about for times. I started calling and it gobbler one time closer but then the storm brought some heavy rain which shut him down.
5:30 p.m. – The clouds broke but a third storm was coming in quick so we tried to cut our distance from the gobbler but could not find him.
6:30 p.m. – Could see a hen coming from a field, and could also hear a hen call from the other tree line as we made our way to the truck.
7:30 p.m. – Back at the Cabin we could here some gobbling behind the cabin after we got back.
Rained late into the night.
Saturday, May 14th – Well because of the rain we could not hunt the last area we were at the day before because of the rain so we decided to go to the area we had hunted the most since the morning was clear and we only had small creeks to cross at anytime.
Since I had filled both my tags I was leaving at 12:00 p.m. so we drove separate this day, that way he could keep hunting.
5:30 a.m. – Again on the main paved road going in it was like watching a moving in slow motion as I followed my partner. I wish I would had the video camera mounted to the dash as I watch a deer come out of a gravel road and disappear in front of his truck and then all I saw was a deer flying thru the air and into a ditch.
Well, that official does it my partner is official snake bit in Kansas. He hit a doe and broke her back and took out his front corner of his truck. Plus after the sheriff got there and filled out paper work, that put us behind a whole hour.
6:30 a.m. – Again we both park along the front property line, as soon as we got park I laughed as I watched another deer cross the road at the top of the hill, we work are way back thru the field hoping to catch gobbler in the open.
6:45 a.m. – I here one gobble, we walked to top of hill and I called and two gobbler answers and we got set up. But never heard them again, then we heard a shot in the distance. We assumed that the gobblers must had gone the opposite direction to another hunter on the adjacent property. Well that’s hunting, so off we went again headed to the back of the property.
7:30 a.m. – We made it to the field with the 7 turkeys, two days before. This time I could see turkeys on the point in the center of the field along with a deer’s back in the grass.
We sat up in the same place the morning before and I could see the turkey on the point heading our way had a read head as I glass and got the video camera set up.
But, he never showed.
8:00 a.m. – I could see in the video camera and with the monocular 7 turkeys in the field I appeared that two had red head but so far off could not be for sure. They did look bigger than he other 5 turkeys.
Try calling but they did not even look. They roamed back and forth until 6 turkeys went one direction and 1 turkey broke off and left he area.
8:15 a.m. – I suggest as they went past the tree line in the distance that we go after them to get a little closer to see if they were any gobbler or not in this group.
8:30 a.m. – As we got within 10 feet of the point we had watched so many times before I could see a hen about 20 yards from the other side tree line. So we both got on our knees. Then I could see a second hen, stretched her wings.
I walked on my knees to the tree closet and then put then sat the camera on the ground and stood up slowly, behind the tree.
I watched glassed both hens and single to my partner to move over to the trees behind me. Then single to him to come up to me using me as cover.
We both watched as now five hens worked within 20 yards of our location just along the opposite tree line. We were on a 90 degree corner of point of trees just near the red building walls.
But, we are in trouble the hen appear to be working our direction. We will get busted if they get much closer.
Then my partner saw two jakes trailing behind. I looked thru the monocular and I could see beards on the jakes. I ask him if he could get this gun up on my shoulder. As he put the gun up I put my finger in my ear on that side and pull my hat over my eyes and lean into the tree face first, to keep the hens from seeing my eyes.
8:45 a.m. – I have to go with what my partner told me since I could not see. He said the hen came out onto our side as the Jake came closer and closer but not quite as close as the hens did. He could see both heads in his scope and as soon as they cross the last tree he was going to try and take both as the same time.
But then the hens started putting which I could hear also, and the Jake stop and he said he had one head in the scope. BOOOM!!!!!
Every muscle in my body jumped as I move out from behind the tree but I looked in the wrong direction, all I could see was turkeys flying.
I said did you get him. He said yes over their. One bird was flopping on the ground at about 40 yards.
9:45 a.m. – We finally made it back to he truck from the back. I took off back to the cabin and had to stop for two hens on the main road again. This time I got a nice picture, just before going into the trees.
11:30 a.m. – Packed up and left my first Kansas hunt. What an adventure, hope all my hunts are this exciting.
Others still had 1 ½ days left.
But when I left this was the total.
1 Jake taken on Thursday, May 12th
2 Gobbler taken on Thursday, May 12th
1 Gobbler taken on Saturday, May 13th
1 Jake taken on Saturday, May 13th
1 Road hit doe.
I would like the thank Doug Arnold - VERDIGRIS VALLEY OUTFITTERS for the Great Stories about Africa and the great hunting in Kansas.
If you are looking for more information you can contact him.
Doug Arnold - 214-827-4143 Licensed Kansas Guides Verdigris Valley is located in S.E. Kansas. The turkey population which consists of both Eastern & Rio Grande species, are at record highs. The potential for bagging both trophy bucks & gobblers is outstanding. They also do whitetail hunts.
Doug Arnold - 214-827-4143 Licensed Kansas Guides Verdigris Valley is located in S.E. Kansas. The turkey population which consists of both Eastern & Rio Grande species, are at record highs. The potential for bagging both trophy bucks & gobblers is outstanding. They also do whitetail hunts.