Team Gobbling Thunder (#7)

[borch]

Here you go.

[iabow]

Thanks Borch!

<u>Realtree #7</u>
joebobhunter4 Y
jcwa R
BowHunterDerek
Iabow
Tail_Feathers
Huntn4bucks O


Hello everyone, since I'm first to post, figure I share alittle bit about myself. My name is Billy, I'm 25 live in Waterloo,Ia. I drive a 93 inline 6 black f-150 stick and like long walks on the beach, to my treestand JK lol. I've been turkey hunting since I was 18 and like calling with my natural voice.
I hunt with my bow(hoyt vtec) and will be taking my 10 yr old nephew on first first hunt to get a turkey this year. Hopefully we'll git-r-done.
Any ideas of names?

[huntn4bucks]

Hey Billy, nice to meet you. My name is Tracy and I've been killin' turkeys for many years now. BowHunterDerek and I were teamed up on a pretty good team two years ago...hopefully we'll be just as successful this year. I'll be chasing Easterns in my home state of Alabama, Osceolas in South Florida, Merriams in Nebraska, and Rios in Oklahoma. In case you didn't notice, I'm going for the Slam in one season. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As far as team names go, I'm pretty open to almost anything.

[iabow]

Hi Tracy, that's awesome that you’re going after the slam. That's something I want to try some day. That will be quite an accomplishment, good hunting.

[Bow Hunter Derek]

Tracy, glad to be a team member with you again! Wish I was chasing Osceolas this year too. I've started my own business and it is really cutting into my hunting trips right now. I had to cancel a Texas trip, then was going to go guided in South Dakota. That is now cancelled. If work allows I'm going to throw a do it yourself hunt in the Black Hills. If nothing else I'll be chasing Easterns here in Indiana and maybe Ohio.

Looking forward to getting to know the rest of you guys.

[jcwa]

I'm glad to be a part of the team guys. I'll be chasing Rio's in ceneral Texas the first part of April, and Easterns in East Texas the last 3 weeks of the season. I didn't have any luck last year but this year is looking good so far.

What are we going to call this team?

[jcwa]

Here are a few names to think about.

Team Strut
Team Kee-Kee
Team Strut Stoppers
Team Beards-N-Spurs
Team Turkey Titans
Team Gobbling Thunder ( I like this one myself )
The Box Call Boys

[iabow]

That's funny I was thinking of the strut stoppers myself lol. #3 or #6 got my vote.

[Bow Hunter Derek]

Doesn't matter to me. Whatever you guys want in a name is OK.

I kind of like Team #7 as a name though.http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[huntn4bucks]

Seeing how I make box calls...I'm kind of partial to #7 also...but Team Gobblin Thunder works for me to.

[Bow Hunter Derek]

We have to have official "Team #7" box calls made.

How about it Tracy? http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[huntn4bucks]

[ QUOTE ]
We have to have official "Team #7" box calls made.

How about it Tracy? http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Now that you mention it, I think I like "Team Gobbling Thunder" better. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I was actually thinking about contributing a call as a prize in the competition. I sent borch a PM to see if he could come up with some criteria for winning it. What do you think about that idea?

[iabow]

I'll take that deal http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif, whom do I send my address to http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. I'll go with #7 for real though, I like using my primos box (has a few notches) second only to my voice.
Hunting4bucks I think that's an awesome idea for the contest! Do you sell your calls or are they for personal use only?

[huntn4bucks]

I've been making calls for several years now and have just now gotten to the point where I think they're worthy to be sold. Mr Albert Paul of Pauls Calls has been mentoring me for the past several years. Him and Neil Cost were close friends and that's who taught him how to make box calls. Up until this point most of my calls have been given away to friends and family to "field" test for me. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[iabow]

That's pretty cool. I've heard of Mr Paul(quite a mentor) but not Neil Cost or maybe it's just not registering upstairs. Would you post some pictures? I always enjoyed looking at hand crafted box calls.

[jcwa]

Lets take a vote on the teams name.

ONLY TEAM MEMBER'S PLEASE.

[huntn4bucks]

[ QUOTE ]
That's pretty cool. I've heard of Mr Paul(quite a mentor) but not Neil Cost or maybe it's just not registering upstairs. Would you post some pictures? I always enjoyed looking at hand crafted box calls.

[/ QUOTE ]
Here's a couple of threads with pics of my calls:
A few more calls (pics) (http://www.realtree.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&amp;Number=894507&amp;an=0&amp;page=0#89450 7)
My latest call (pics) (http://www.realtree.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&amp;Board=UBB12&amp;Number=892307&amp;Searc hpage=1&amp;Main=892307&amp;Words=latest+huntn4bucks&amp;topic =&amp;Search=true#Post892307)

[Bow Hunter Derek]

I honestly don't care about a team name.

Tracy, nice looking calls.

[iabow]

Team name really doesn't matter to me either, I'm easy, we'll be named winners at the end anyway http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

Tracy those are beautiful, thank you for sharing. Like some of those custom duck calls or long bows, I think handcrafting box calls is an art form.

Was planning on getting out today or tomorrow to do a little scouting but the weather is nasty. Guess I'll keep looking at aerial photos or maybe drive some back roads.

[huntn4bucks]

Has anyone heard from joebobhunter or Tail-Feathers?

[iabow]

No, I tried to PM them but it said can't find user name or something like that.

[jcwa]

[ QUOTE ]
No, I tried to PM them but it said can't find user name or something like that.

[/ QUOTE ]

The names at the top are wrong. You may want to try again.

joebobhunter4 and Tail_Feathers

[iabow]

Thanks jcwa, they went through that time.

[joebobhunter4]

hey guys i havent been on in a while but i just got a pm sayin im on this team so hey... lol im pretty sure ill be gettin a turkey or 2 this year since i got 2 tags for 2 different states so i hope i bag a biggun for us...

[iabow]

Welcome!

[Tail_Feathers]

Tail Feathers checking in!
Sorry guys, been busy and haven't checked in a regularly as usual. Rest assured, I have a real hoss located and plan to do by best to help the team average next month!
P.S. I voted Team Gobbling Thunder.

[huntn4bucks]

I went out this weekend and did some scouting...first time in over a month it hasn't rained on the weekend. Anyway, 2 different properties I hunt were tore slap up with turkey sign. I didn't make it to my 3rd spot but I'm pretty sure it's the same. Our season opens here on March 15th but I'll be in south Florida Osceola hunting. I won't be back in Alabama to hunt Easterns until March 20th.

[huntn4bucks]

Well guys, in a couple of hours I'll be South Florida bound to hunt the elusive Osceola turkey. I probably won't be on the forums for at least 10 days so best of luck to everyone and good hunting. Hold the fort down while I'm gone.

[iabow]

Good hunting, nail a good one! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I still have a month to wait, working on getting some new timber lined up that don't get touched for turkeys.

[iabow]

Well I got out to do some scouting on some land I have close to home to hunt. Things didn't look the best, I did find tracks and gobbler droppings before the rain hit but someone has been tearing the woods up with an atv http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif. I'm glad I have more then one place to hunt. Good hunting.

[huntn4bucks]

TTT

[iabow]

Tracy how did you do down in Florida?

[huntn4bucks]

It was very tough hunting down there but Dave and I managed to bring one Osceola home with us. Unfortunately for our team, Dave was the shooter. My season here in Alabama has been open since March 15th and I've yet to take a bird. The weather has been crazy around here lately. The temps yesterday morning were in the upper 20s! It's suppose to start warming up this week though. I'm going again in the morning so we'll see what happens.

[iabow]

Well glad to hear you had some success, are you going to have another opportunity to bag your Osceola for the slam?
I know what your saying about the weather, but thankfully the forecast is looking up and I'm getting antsy. Good hunting everyone.

[huntn4bucks]

iabow,

The trip to Florida was the only one I had planned for Osceola turkeys. Better luck next year I guess.

On a positive side, I scored on an Eastern this morning. Check out the story in the Turkey Forum: Finally some success (pics) (http://www.realtree.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&amp;Number=925928&amp;an=0&amp;page=0#92592 8)

[jcwa]

Way to go. I'll be heading out Tuesday for a 4 day hunt. Hopefully I will add another one to our score.

[iabow]

Way to go Tracy, very nice bird! That'll sure make you feel better, loved the story. Great part is you shot straight with all the drugs http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Hope your doing better.

Good hunting jcwa, I have to wait until the 10th http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

[jcwa]

http://www.realtree.com/img/508/medium/Turkey6.jpg

He didn't have much for spurs, they were wore down from the rocky area. But we have one on the score card.

I didn't have to do much to get this guy. I set my decoys out and went over and just sat down when he gobbled just over the hill, I let out a couple of yelps and he popped out. When he saw the decoys he came strait in. He got to with in 40yds and the wind spun both of the decoys around real fast and he spooked and started to leave. I shot him at 46yds.

[iabow]

Congrats, good looking bird! O.K. now I'm really getting antsy.

[huntn4bucks]

Congrats on the bird. I'll post my entry as soon as I get my Brother to sign the entry form. Nice job.

[Bow Hunter Derek]

Congrats on the birds guys.

Our season opens two weeks from today. I think I'm going to take the day off work. Looking to take one with the bow this year. Then again, I say that every year and end up using the old 12 ga.

[iabow]

Well this bites. I called the landowner of my bread and butter spot to let him know I was coming up Sunday. He said why don't you wait two weeks, so I asked why, he said cause a couple guys that gave him breaks on his new house are in there hunting and he wants them to have it to themselves. I guess I can't blame him but man I was counting on this place, everything has been setup for 7 months. So I'm sort of scrambling right now, I have a couple more options but none super. My scouting down the tube for now, on the bright side I learned something.

[huntn4bucks]

TTT...we were getting lost in the shuffle. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[jcwa]

Were is your entry huntn4bucks, I haven't seen it posted.

[joebobhunter4]

hey guys, i got one... except i didnt take a picture while weighing it? i dont know if thats going to be a bad thing or what... it weighed 21 pounds... and the beard was about 8 inches and his spurs at the most an inch i will take pics of the beard and spurs with a tape measure but i dont have one with the weight? will that not be eligable to put in? sorry

[Bow Hunter Derek]

Congrats on the kill Joe.

I've been out four times in five days of our season. I've seen a couple hens, but heard very few gobbles. I did have a couple gobblers hammering back at me last night at around 7:00. They were moving in through the woods and then some hens started cutting real hard and the gobblers moved one. Oh well, still early and the birds are very henned up right now.

[iabow]

Congrats Joe!
Well been putting in time here with nothing to show for it. I've been shut out of the turkey timber I've been hunting for the last couple years, the one I mentioned earlier. So I've had to go to plan c, plan b has been over taken with 4 wheelers trespassing.
I must say I'm seeing birds but all 100 yds away in an open field. If I call they go the other way, even sweet and light talk (it's on the edge of a hard hunted public ground and private) and they are sticking with their lady friends. It's been very frustrating to say the lest and I had high hopes coming into the season. Well I'll probably be out all day tomorrow, so we'll see. I'll take about anything right now. Hope every one else is doing better, good hunting.

[Bow Hunter Derek]

Wow, this is the most frustrated I've ever been as a turkey hunter. I've only ever been skunked one season and at least that season I shot at and missed one with the bow.

I've yet to see even so much as a jake this year. I've only seen 3 hens in almost 2 weeks of hunting. I'm hearing gobbles, but they are way far away on properties I can't hunt. My honey hole spots are turning into dud spots this year.

Only a few days left in our season. I'm hoping something develops in the coming days.

[huntn4bucks]

[ QUOTE ]
Were is your entry huntn4bucks, I haven't seen it posted.

[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry guys, I haven't posted the pics and the entry form yet. I have everything together and will have it posted by the deadline...I promise.

[ QUOTE ]
hey guys, i got one... except i didnt take a picture while weighing it? i dont know if thats going to be a bad thing or what... it weighed 21 pounds... and the beard was about 8 inches and his spurs at the most an inch i will take pics of the beard and spurs with a tape measure but i dont have one with the weight? will that not be eligable to put in? sorry

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm pretty sure it's not required to have a pic of the weight. As long as you have a witness to sign the form, I think you're ok.

[joebobhunter4]

ok good. but do the pics of the beard and spurs have to still be attached to the turkey? because it was dark by the time we had a camera and we cleaned them that night... all i have is the legs and beard and the meat now... i did get some pics of the turkey tho. but the guy still needs to send me them because he took the pics and has them on his camera and i dont got them yet

[iabow]

[ QUOTE ]
Wow, this is the most frustrated I've ever been as a turkey hunter. I've only ever been skunked one season and at least that season I shot at and missed one with the bow.

[/ QUOTE ]

Same here and I finally had 2 toms with 7-8" beards coming in to my decoy, I'm getting ready to pull back settle the pin and shot, when all of a sudden they take of like a bat out of you know where. I was left thinking man what did I do, did they see move, did the decoy spook em, what? I then looked behind me through the blind window and here comes walking not one but 2 different hunters.
I'm trying hard fellas (couple 12 hour days) but things aren't looking to good for me to help out the team. Some one break out the mojo for us here http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

[Bow Hunter Derek]

OK, the years of slam dunk turkey hunting must be over.

Last night, my daughter and I went out hunting in the blind, behind the in-laws. Sat for 3 hours never saw or heard anything. So, we pack up and leave. As we pull away from the farm, I can look down a small lane at the north end right where I can legally stop hunting. There he is. Full strut all by himself. We pulled over the truck and I watched him for 10 minutes through the binos. He was full strut and gobbling his head off. I could not see any hens, but that does not mean they were not in the woods. Just as I'm about ready to pull away, he flies up to roost. It was around 8:15. I knew the exact group of trees that he was in, so my plan for this morning was put together. Slam dunk. Walk in on the grass lane staying in the shadows of the trees, real early, and set up less than 100 yards from him. One decoy and very very soft purrs and clucks. Shot gun, no messing with a bow and blind in the morning. It was time for redemption! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

So, I rolled out of bed this morning at 4:00 and was set up within 100 yards of the group of trees I saw him fly into by 5 :15. Legal time to shoot was around 6:00. A cat could not have been quieter stalking in on this bird. Yet, at the crack of dawn, nothing. Not a gobble, not a yelp, not a cluck, not so much as the sound of wings. He vanished in the night. I've heard of them moving in the night before or even bouncing from tree to tree as they get settled into the roost. It had to have been what happened. It was a SLAM DUNK! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Man I'm frustrated. I can't get a bird to so much as look my direction. Heck, I'm not even hearing them.

Hello, my name is Derek "Cuz" Craig. I used to be a proficient turkey hunter. Now I'm just an idiot sitting against a tree scratching on a stone with a stick. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Bow Hunter Derek]

PUT ON ON THE BOARD BABY!

Last day of our season, Mother's Day, so I have to go to church, then lunch, then leaving for two weeks going bear hunting in Saskatchewan. And at 7:30 this morning and the final buzzer closing in ... SCORE!

Official stats.

21#
7/8" spurs
9.5" beard.

Shotgun, not bow as I had planned.

I'm getting ready to leave, so I'll post up the photos and submit the form when I get back in town. I should be back around Memorial Day.

Man, I love this game.

[Bow Hunter Derek]

Here is a photo.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a35/decraig2000/ff3a0030.jpg

[huntn4bucks]

[ QUOTE ]
Were is your entry huntn4bucks, I haven't seen it posted.

[/ QUOTE ]
Got it posted this afternoon.

[huntn4bucks]

Congrats Derek! It's amazing how the season can turn around in a matter of seconds. Best of luck on your bear hunt.

[iabow]

Congrats Derek!! Good hunting on your trip.

As far as my part, well sorry team I had my worst season by far. The last two weeks have been nothing but wind, rain, wind, clouds and did I mention wind and just when I thought I had things figured out, they decided to completely change on me over and over.
I just didn't git-r-done. I've already started looking for a couple new places in prime country for next year, just has been a frustrating season for me. Well I'm off to buy a butterball http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. Good Hunting.

[Tail_Feathers]

Hey folks! I have to get my form downloaded and signed and a couple of pics of that for download but I got a real hoss this spring.
1 716" spurs, 10.5" beard and 21.5 lbs.. I have to get this bad boy entered! I'll have it posted up soon for sure. The pics suck tho. I didn't take the camera to the woods so my wife took some when I got home. She ain't no photographer for sure! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

[iabow]

That's awesome Tail Feathers, nice bird!

[jcwa]

Congrats Tail_Feathers

Bow Hunter Derek your score hasn't been posted yet. Did you post your form. Your score won't be posted with out it.

[huntn4bucks]

Great job Tail_Feathers! That should really boost our store. Congrats.

[Bow Hunter Derek]

[ QUOTE ]
Congrats Tail_Feathers

Bow Hunter Derek your score hasn't been posted yet. Did you post your form. Your score won't be posted with out it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've been in Canada bear hunting. I just got back and posted the form earlier today.

Check out my bear pictures in the Big Game forum.

[huntn4bucks]

Welcome back Derek. Congrats on the bear.

[Bow Hunter Derek]

It looks like Joebobhunter4 and Tailfeathers need to get their info submitted. They are not showing up in our scores (neither am I, but that is taken care of). That would give us 5 birds for the team and if my math is correct would give us around 294 points. That puts us in first place as of today. With most hunters done and out, that just might be enough to win this thing. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Tail_Feathers]

Guys, I'm sorry for dragging my feet. Been a busy spring.
I have the form printed now and will get that signed and the photo and try to have it online tonight. What's the final deadline?

[Bow Hunter Derek]

Deadline is the 12th.

I'm tryin to help Joebobhunter4 get his info posted up in the coming days.

[Tail_Feathers]

Thanks Derek, I can get 'er done by then for sure!
I re-measured the bird and deducted a bit, he came out to a dead even 70. Still my best ever! http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Hope this puts over the top.

[iabow]

You guys did awesome, congrats on all your birds!

[joebobhunter4]

bow hunter derek. i emailed the pics to you. ill try and find that forum to fill out?

[slaw]

only the best 4 birds count as far as team score goes.

[cutter10x]

great birds guys....congrates.....however only the top 4 birds count towards the final score(rule #4)..........if that ends up being more than us ..........awesome...congrates

[iabow]

Happy Brithday Derek!

[Tail_Feathers]

Happy Birthday Derek!
I added my 70 pointer pics to the board today! Twas the best I could do...
Nothing to do but watch and wait now.

[Bow Hunter Derek]

I guess I missed that in reading through the rules.

Thanks for the Bday wishes all.

[huntn4bucks]

Well guys, unless something changes between now and the contest deadline, it looks like we'll finish up in 2nd place. This is the best team finish I've been on since we started this thing 4-5 years ago. I really enjoyed being part of this team and congrats to everyone that scored.