The Turkey Hunt 2010

[hunter63]

Arrived at "The Place" on Monday, opening day was on Wednesday.
Had to bring out some "stuff" so brought one of the trailers out.

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Spent the rest of Monday checking on friends and checking permission.
Getting kinda complicated, as a lot of land has changed hands, etc, so, not wanting to screw up my chances, then checked all the top spots.

Opening day, Up at 4:00 A.M., O-M-G getting harder and harder to get up that early. (If I get up that early, I better be carrying a weapon when I leave.)
Went to "Honey hole #1", have only one day to hunt there as a couple of other guys were showing up on Thursday.
Placed hunting partner on spot #1, I went to #2.
He saw 4 jakes w/hens, not coming to call, too far to shoot......no bird.
I saw 2 hens 80 yds away, picking freshly planted corn...and bugs out of the hay.....no bird.

2 day went to Honey hole #2, I took #1 spot, partner to #2 spot.
Sat down next to my tree, and waited for the birds to turn on (that magic moment when everything starts up in the morning)

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There is a decoy out there, kinda hard to see.
Had gobbles from 3 sides, put out one decoy, and fired up my box call.

Got answers for a ways away, but sounded like had a tom coming in.

Kept it up for about 45 min. then sounded like then were passing me by on the back side of the ridge (close, but out of sight).

So, I gave them my "Hey big boy, y'all want some of this.....?", call.

It worked, and they (there were two toms, about the same size), came in in full strut, right up to the decoy all the way. (My mind named them "Dumb" and "Dumber")
(Calling them in is the best part, I don't need the biggest bird, just a Dumb one that thinks I sound sexy.........)
Was waiting for one or the other to come out of strut to shoot, but I figured I better let her go.
Tipped the right one right over. Dead bird!

Gotta figure how to mount a camera on the shotgun, kinda hard to hold and shoot pic's at the same time.

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Any way back to the truck, pour a cup of "joe' and wait, 7:20 A.M.

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Now register and back to "The Place" to clean.

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Good hunt, not my biggest bird...but decent.....looked just like the videos!

[Rick]

Okay, let's do the math gang.

Ford 250 4x4........$45,000
Trailer for gear......$ 6,000
ATV....................$ 8,000
Shotgun..............$ 800
New camo gear.....$ 350
Silhouettes...........$ 250
Assorted calls........$ 200
Neat folding chair...$ 60
License................$ 25
Bird Stamp............$ 25
Total....................$60,710

Bagged one 12lb turkey. Cost of turkey $5059 per pound. I think Kroger has 'em on sale for 1.29 a pound.

Glad you had a safe, great time and you bagged one!!!!!!!

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

It is the price you pay to be there at the right place at the right time....nothin' lucky about it!

[hunter63]

Okay, let's do the math gang.

Ford 250 4x4........$45,000
Trailer for gear......$ 6,000
ATV....................$ 8,000
Shotgun..............$ 800
New camo gear.....$ 350
Silhouettes...........$ 250
Assorted calls........$ 200
Neat folding chair...$ 60
License................$ 25
Bird Stamp............$ 25
Total....................$60,710

Bagged one 12lb turkey. Cost of turkey $5059 per pound. I think Kroger has 'em on sale for 1.29 a pound.

Glad you had a safe, great time and you bagged one!!!!!!!

LOL, close.............
Actually the first turkey, think in 1991 was some thing like this:

10 acres of land, for hunting (or at least camping, staying, easier to ask permission if you already own some land)........
$10K
Ford F-150 4X4,...... $10K
Trailer...... $1000
Remington 870 w'turkey choke...... $300
New camo w/head net........ $200
Vest, a LOT of calls, videos, books,...... $500
Food, beer, saloon time, gas, camping gear....... $1000
First turkey (23 lbs) cooked at Rendezvous..... $1000 bucks a pound +/-


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Feeding 16 people..........Priceless!

[Justin Case]

I enjoyed the Hunt too Thanks for the Pics and story

[Stargazer]

Thats a fine bird. Just look at the hooks on that boy.Sweet.Thanks for the story.Looks like some beautiful land too.

[kyratshooter]

HEY!!!! We use some of that gear twice a year so you have to devide the cost by 2.

And us reenactors got to have the trailer anyway, so it does not count.

And the truck does not count due to it being a necessity for toting and towing all the other stuff. And it will probably last him for the rest of his life, so cost per mile is almost nothing.

You have to be able to justify these things or everything in life would be too expensive and there would be absolutely zero population growth.

[Alaskan Survivalist]

You sure do things in style H63! I would if I could. I still can't get over your fishing hut. I bow before the master. That's the way to survive!

[Rick]

Actually......If everyone wasn't off hunting and fishing we'd have more of a population problem than we do....just sayin'.

Hey Hunter, what kind of calls do you use? I've used Knight and Hale mouth calls mostly but I have a Widow Maker and a Red Wolfe's Gobbler. Are you a box man or a slate man?

[Icemancometh]

Looks like a good time Hunter. I didn't have any luck with the elusive wild turkey this year. I've got a freezer full of overpriced elk and venison, but wouldn't trade the experience with family and friends for anything.

[crashdive123]

Great pics. Thanks.