Turkey Season 2012/ May 6th

Sunday/May 6^th

Well, 3:30 a.m. sure comes early on a Sunday morning, especially when you’re getting up at 4:30 a.m. every day, working 6 days a week! Sometimes I question my own sanity and wonder what keeps me motivated? Anyhow, I loaded up on some Red Bull and headed south for the 60 mile trek to some meager public land turkey hunting.  This trip was not necessarily quick, as much as it was void of action. At least I was there in plenty of time to take care of the usual pre-hunt rituals!

I decided to start at a location that has had birds in the past and where I saw a nice bird off the road last weekend. This area is called the “dump”, because of the fact that there used to be a mound of old tires and other junk the fine people of Perry County would rid themselves of. As the morning songbirds started their chatter, a couple of owls began to call back and forth across the ridge tops. At first I thought it was other hunters, but quickly realized that it was indeed the real thing. Well, that kept me from attempting a locate call, as there was no response. After hanging at the truck for a few minutes, I started to head back into the timber. Not wanting to get too far from my vehicle, in case I head to beeline to another location, I reluctantly meandered through the darkness of a trail I knew all too well.

I stopped about 200-300 yds. inside the woods. I tried an owl hoot, with no success. I then tried some soft yelps from my double glass slate (H.S. Strut Glass Witch), this is my go to call, so far, this season. After no responses to the soft calls, I tried to reach out a little further. Bingo! There he was, an off the wall, estimate of 300-400 yds. The early spring leaves has made judging the birds difficult this year (as if it wasn’t already hard enough). He gobbled just one time, but already being real familiar with this area, I knew right where to go. Making a pre-dawn jet trek through a trail I had cut last summer, put me in place within 2-3 minutes. I stopped, let out a few yelps, and he was even close than I thought! I began to close the distance. This is where the morning took a turn for the worse!

I was trying to slip, silently off the ridge top. Well, that did not go as plan. While I was, delicately, sliding down the side of the ridge, I got to my feet and (you guessed it) I busted a bird off the roost! Instantly, I thought this hunt was over. So, not hearing the bird gobble for a few minutes, I sat down and hoped that there was another bird in the area. I started to call after a minute of resting and, low and behold, he was probably 100-150 yds. away (I thought). He gobbled on the roost for the next 15-20 minutes. It sounded like he was already on the ground, but the calls were isolated to one area, telling me he was not yet mobile.  

Now, for people that have never turkey hunted, this is a pretty exhilarating moment. And, going back to the beginning of my post, this is why and what keeps me motivated! A lot of thoughts race through your head at this moment and (at least for me) is a pure adrenaline rush.

I was able to reach into my vest pocket and pull out a small push pin call. This would allow me to, one-handed, softly call to him. I wanted to make sure he knew I was there, being that I probably already bumped his hen form the roost. After some back and forth, a bird (not sure it was him) pitched from the roost and landed, where the first bird fly to. One more gobble and the morning came to an end! I spent another 20-25 min. calling from that location to no avail.

The rest of the morning was spent vising a few, historically, known locations. But, the action for the morning was over. I then turned my attention to deer scouting and setting up a few of my mineral licks. I am kind of excited, as I am going to try a few different spots this year. This summer I will try and update my spots and any good trial camera pictures I get.