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What's your definition of turkey hunting?
#2150045
06/27/17 04:42 AM
06/27/17 04:42 AM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,863 Tuscaloosa
Booger
OP
Picker
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OP
Picker
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,863
Tuscaloosa
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I heard my first wild turkey gobble when I was 15 years old. My dad and I were fishing from a canoe on the Satilla River in southeast Georgia on a clear spring morning. We were easing into the mouth of a small slough when the sound of my paddle hitting the side of the canoe made a gobbler in back of the slough gobble. I can still close my eyes and see and even hear it all over again. That's when the fire was lit. However, it wasn't until I later moved to Alabama in 1992 that I began to hunt the majestic bird. I had never hunted them before and had no idea how to even get started. I watched the hunting videos and hung out at the local mom & pop hunting stores listening to different people share advice. I grew up reading Outdoor Life magazine. There were a few old articles written by Archibald Rutledge about turkey and deer hunting in the South Carolina low country. He had a deep respect and appreciation for the noble bird. This made the fire grow stronger. I started hunting the Talladega Nat'l forest in Tuscaloosa in the spring of '93. I heard several gobble but I did EVERYTHING wrong to kill those birds. As I matured into my role as a TURKEY HUNTER I felt like the sport had more of a gentleman feel to it, just like Mr. Rutledge. Unlike deer hunting where I did everything legally possible to put a deer on the skinning rack. Deer hunting felt kinda felt primeval. Turkey hunting began to feel more refined, respectful and ritualistic(in a good way). Don't get me wrong, I love hunting deer. But, when I get dressed to go hunt turkeys I feel like I'm going to meet someone at a formal event. I feel that when I turkey hunt my rules for taking a bird are far more strict than the game laws. I have literally passed birds that I've eased up on or flushed that were easy kills. Those kills would leave an empty feeling, so I don't take those shots. In my mind there is a civil process that has to play out. I love beginning the day with the owling of the gobblers. Then weaving through the woods to a spot that I feel my targeted gobbler would want to travel to find his "mate". I like that process and the chess match that unfolds. I like how some days the plan in my head plays out in front of my eyes. I also like it when I never see my bird because a silent bird decided to play instead and comes strutting in from an unsuspected direction. I like to hear the gobble of my bird grow louder and louder as he closes in on me. I also kind of like it if he's hidden behind a small rise or large fallen tree and then gobbles as he suddenly pops out 20 yards away strutting, wings dragging and head laid back into his feathers. I will never, ever get tired of experiencing that moment. I will always remember how the majestic, well respected bird of the forest looked moments before the match came to a close. God truly blessed us with gifts on this earth and I believe in a small selfish kind of way the gobbler is one of mine.
Last edited by Booger; 06/27/17 07:24 AM.
Pick'n and a grin'n
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Re: What's your definition of turkey hunting?
[Re: Booger]
#2150121
06/27/17 06:06 AM
06/27/17 06:06 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,502 Montgomery
bamaeyedoc
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,502
Montgomery
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Well written and heartfelt. I agree 98% with you. I only diverge on the point of passing on an "easy kill." If I'm in the right place, at the right time, and an ethical shot presents itself on a gobbler, I will take it. Every time. And without a shred of regret. Since it happens so infrequently, I'm good with it. on your post! Dr. B
AKA: “Dr. B” Aldeer #121 8-3-2000 Proud alum of AUM, UAB, and UA Member of Team 10 Point 2023-2024 ALdeer Deer Contest Winners
Glennis Jerome "Jerry" Harris 1938-2017 UGA Class of 1960 BS/MS Forestry LTJG, USNR
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Re: What's your definition of turkey hunting?
[Re: Booger]
#2150172
06/27/17 06:54 AM
06/27/17 06:54 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,911 huntin the big lease
Turkeymaster
8 point
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8 point
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,911
huntin the big lease
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turkey hunting to me is to kill every freaking turkey that I can kill in my lifetime, call as many of thhem up for other people as I can and watch them die. I have hard feelings towards turkeys once season comes in, but I do everything I can to take care of them in the off season. I don't think turkey hunting is a gentlemen sport either, i'll be your friend before season but If i catch you on my property during season I'm peppering you with my shotgun. and noone trespasses more than a turkey hunter and noone lies more than a turkey hunter.
"All is fair in love, War and Turkey Hunting"
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Re: What's your definition of turkey hunting?
[Re: Booger]
#2150183
06/27/17 07:10 AM
06/27/17 07:10 AM
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 51,936 Over Yonder
Clem
Mildly Quirky
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Mildly Quirky
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 51,936
Over Yonder
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Locating turkeys, getting one within range, killing it.
"Hunting Politics are stupid!" - Farm Hunter
"Bible says you shouldn't put sugar in your cornbread." Dustin, 2013
"Best I can figure 97.365% of the general public is a paint chip eating, mouth breathing, certified dumbass." BCLC, 2020
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Re: What's your definition of turkey hunting?
[Re: Turkeymaster]
#2150201
06/27/17 07:20 AM
06/27/17 07:20 AM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,863 Tuscaloosa
Booger
OP
Picker
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OP
Picker
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,863
Tuscaloosa
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turkey hunting to me is to kill every freaking turkey that I can kill in my lifetime, call as many of thhem up for other people as I can and watch them die. I have hard feelings towards turkeys once season comes in, but I do everything I can to take care of them in the off season. I don't think turkey hunting is a gentlemen sport either, i'll be your friend before season but If i catch you on my property during season I'm peppering you with my shotgun. and no one trespasses more than a turkey hunter and noone lies more than a turkey hunter. True. I mean't gentlemanly by way of how the hunt is carried out. No, on my club I will drive over and step on gobbler tracks. I've been blessed with some fine turkey hunting properties. I don't mind telling where a solitary bird is, but I won't divulge the where abouts of any shonuff honey holes. I don't mind sharing a hunt, but I do have places I only go by myself. I ain't that cultured.
Pick'n and a grin'n
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Re: What's your definition of turkey hunting?
[Re: bamaeyedoc]
#2150214
06/27/17 07:29 AM
06/27/17 07:29 AM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,863 Tuscaloosa
Booger
OP
Picker
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OP
Picker
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,863
Tuscaloosa
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Well written and heartfelt. I agree 98% with you. I only diverge on the point of passing on an "easy kill." If I'm in the right place, at the right time, and an ethical shot presents itself on a gobbler, I will take it. Every time. And without a shred of regret. Since it happens so infrequently, I'm good with it. on your post! Dr. B The state of no regret is a great place to be. Thanks for the compliment.
Last edited by Booger; 06/27/17 07:29 AM.
Pick'n and a grin'n
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Re: What's your definition of turkey hunting?
[Re: Booger]
#2150252
06/27/17 08:08 AM
06/27/17 08:08 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,911 huntin the big lease
Turkeymaster
8 point
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8 point
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,911
huntin the big lease
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turkey hunting to me is to kill every freaking turkey that I can kill in my lifetime, call as many of thhem up for other people as I can and watch them die. I have hard feelings towards turkeys once season comes in, but I do everything I can to take care of them in the off season. I don't think turkey hunting is a gentlemen sport either, i'll be your friend before season but If i catch you on my property during season I'm peppering you with my shotgun. and no one trespasses more than a turkey hunter and noone lies more than a turkey hunter. True. I mean't gentlemanly by way of how the hunt is carried out. No, on my club I will drive over and step on gobbler tracks. I've been blessed with some fine turkey hunting properties. I don't mind telling where a solitary bird is, but I won't divulge the where abouts of any shonuff honey holes. I don't mind sharing a hunt, but I do have places I only go by myself. I ain't that cultured. Ahhhh I see, and I agree
"All is fair in love, War and Turkey Hunting"
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Re: What's your definition of turkey hunting?
[Re: Booger]
#2150389
06/27/17 10:58 AM
06/27/17 10:58 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,231 Central Alabama
Yelp softly
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,231
Central Alabama
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I enjoy filling my freezer with a big whitetail doe. I enjoy the fellowship of a good dove shoot. I even enjoy squirrel hunting. But turkey hunting is the only type of hunting I've ever done where you have 1 on 1 contact with the animal you're after. I imagine a bugling elk would be similar but I've never done that. I relish the whole experience of locating a bird, determining his likely destination, moving into position, and coaxing him in range. A successful hunt to me is one that gets my adrenaline up. I've walked out of the woods many mornings with no turkey but one heck of a good memory. Two of my favorite hunts this year didn't involve a kill, but I located gobbling birds on public land and had them so close I could feel the rattle in their gobble. That's what gets me out of bed every time the alarm goes off.
"When there was no fowl, we ate crawdad, when there was no crawdad, we ate sand."
"YOU ATE SAND!" - Raising Arizona
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Re: What's your definition of turkey hunting?
[Re: Booger]
#2150843
06/27/17 05:32 PM
06/27/17 05:32 PM
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,003 Alabama
oldbowhunter
6 point
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6 point
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,003
Alabama
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I don't kill as many as I used to. I give other people the first chance.
I don't go as much as I used to but when I travel to hunt I can still get down and dirty.
I hold my Alabama gobblers in higher esteem somehow. It's hard to explain.
I feed them by planting and burning and disking and feeding in the winter. I want the young people in my life to have a great hunt.
I love turkey hunting.
Last edited by oldbowhunter; 06/27/17 05:33 PM.
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Re: What's your definition of turkey hunting?
[Re: Booger]
#2150938
06/28/17 01:22 AM
06/28/17 01:22 AM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 7,403 Boaz,AL
CarbonClimber1
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 7,403
Boaz,AL
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Turkey hunting- a form of hunting in which the wild turkey is pursued./see also: hair loss,sleep loss,financial ruin,mental instability, and divorce
"I dont quit.. And ill fight alone if i have to"
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Re: What's your definition of turkey hunting?
[Re: Remington270]
#2151151
06/28/17 06:31 AM
06/28/17 06:31 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,502 Montgomery
bamaeyedoc
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,502
Montgomery
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The people that get all worked up about how they kill a turkey, and pass on easy ones seem to always have the most birds. Easy to pass on one today if you know you can just go get one tomorrow I don't know what it's like to pass on a bird. Never have. Never will. Dr. B
AKA: “Dr. B” Aldeer #121 8-3-2000 Proud alum of AUM, UAB, and UA Member of Team 10 Point 2023-2024 ALdeer Deer Contest Winners
Glennis Jerome "Jerry" Harris 1938-2017 UGA Class of 1960 BS/MS Forestry LTJG, USNR
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Re: What's your definition of turkey hunting?
[Re: bamaeyedoc]
#2151191
06/28/17 07:09 AM
06/28/17 07:09 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,837 Montgomery / Luverne
crenshawco
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,837
Montgomery / Luverne
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The people that get all worked up about how they kill a turkey, and pass on easy ones seem to always have the most birds. Easy to pass on one today if you know you can just go get one tomorrow I don't know what it's like to pass on a bird. Never have. Never will. Dr. B Me neither. Thought that was bad juju
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Re: What's your definition of turkey hunting?
[Re: Booger]
#2151421
06/28/17 12:13 PM
06/28/17 12:13 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 12,916 Old Florida
Geno
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 12,916
Old Florida
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It used to be blasting one that walked by when hunting squirrels but not any more.
I keep saying I am going to get an old lynch box and try to hunt them but I have not so far.
Odd bunch turkey hunters. Every one I ask to take me hunting just laughs. Except Bait57, he said we could go but it would be TNF. Probably not prime turkey hunting although I do see them in the woods when pig hunting.
Whoever is happy will make others happy too. Anne Frank
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Re: What's your definition of turkey hunting?
[Re: Geno]
#2151692
06/28/17 03:30 PM
06/28/17 03:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 12,047 Sylacauga, AL
poorcountrypreacher
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 12,047
Sylacauga, AL
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I passed on a longbeard this past May in OK. I had already killed 2 and had one tag left and still 2 days to hunt. I was sitting in the pink chair and the gobbler walked down the road 18 yds away. I made this pic after he walked by, and I was standing where the gobbler had been standing a few minutes before. He never paid any attention to me or the dead turkey on the table. I don't think he would live long on the Coosa WMA. Years ago I would take any shot I felt confident would kill the turkey. I remember walking up on one in a road back when I was in HS and he angled back towards me when he flew and I dropped him. I don't take shots like that anymore, but can't blame anyone who does. As Hal said, it's all about getting to carry on a conversation with the turkey. But I don't carry that to the extremes that some do. If one flies down in gun range before I have a chance to call to him, I'm a blasting him.
All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
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