Time to think turkey...

[turkeygirl]

Anyone else thinking turkey yet or gearing up for the season?

My goal this year it to scout early, I really need to, especially if I'm going to hunt the state land again. I really need to get a lay of what birds are out there and where they hang out.

The land I hunt hear by home....I'm not sure about...seen their tracks...3 traveling together....that sure isn't alot...but before fall turkey season there wasa set of 7 together, saw them. I dunno where they all go, it's weird.

[ruttinbuc]

My situation is the same, Ruth. I only saw a few birds in my normal spots. I'll have to look into new areas to try to hunt.

[maytom]

I agree, even though the spring season is a way off, (May 1st), it's on my mind a lot too!!!

[PA_Spike_King]

Well Turkeygirl, I think this spring will be better than the last few springs as my father and I have been deer hunting around home here and just about everywhere we have gone there are turkeys aglore.

[Michiganbowhunter_SQ2]

yeah I got em on my mind already. :D Got to get the calls out to do some practice (I am still fairly new to this turkey hunting thing :)) and shoot the shotgun some. Called my friend up north a couple days ago and made sure he was going to hunt, then ordered my tag, should be here sometime this week. Will be hunting state land up where he lives, but since he is a forester for the DNR he can scout out some areas while he works :D:D:D

[KentuckyTurkey]

Ours is around 3 months away :( They should be in the same places as last year which that means meat on the table :D

[Strut10]

I think "turkey" 366 days a year. :o

Deer season is only something to do while waiting for spring gobbler to get here again.

Problem is, the season's still so far away I don't need to be getting all sweated up over it just yet. Watched pot never boils kinda deal.............:(

[overundergun]

Yes today I even got my hunting vest on and practiced my calling with diaphragms and everything else ...My son answered me :D with is own mouth call . So I suppose I got him thinking turkey too:) Lot's of fun calling to ourselves now where are the birds :confused:

[Rhino]

I'm always thinking about it but we still have through the end of January before our deer season is over.

Saw some birds and heard some hens cutting up this morning while deer hunting. I've also been getting a lot more gobblers on my trail camera runs this winter than last year even though I've been making my sets for deer. One of my best friends heard a bunch of hens sounding off one morning about a week ago and a couple of gobblers couldn't help but gobble to answer them.

Won't be long but I'll enjoy chasing deer around here for a few more weeks before I put my game face on for scouting and hunting turkeys. ;)

[HUNTINGMAN]

I still have until the 19th of this month before deer season is over,I already have scheduled vacation for turkey season witch I think starts the 18 of april.I scheduled it last month and will be takeing the whole first two weeks off so maybe I can get a couple of good birds down.

[Adjam5]

Yes Ruth, we are ready NOW for turkey:D.
What strangely got me in turkey mode was the flock I spooked 2 weeks ago and they left wing prints in the snow as they took off. I have downloaded the turkey survey sheet for DEC to help keep track of winter flock #'s.
What will make this season special is, I will have all 3 of my sons hunting turkey this year. It looks like all I will get to carry is the vid cam and a big grin:D
Thats fine with me;)

[RangerClay]

The land I hunt hear by home....I'm not sure about...seen their tracks...3 traveling together....that sure isn't alot...but before fall turkey season there was a set of 7 together, saw them. I dunno where they all go, it's weird.

You could have the same probably we had. Coyotes! They decimated our local flocks. For years I would see a least a dozen birds on opening day and now I'm lucky to see half that. It has been getting better now that we are hunting the coyotes.

As for getting ready. NO WAY! We have 5 months till season opens and if I start getting worked up now I will have nothing to do later. Right now I am focused on ice fishing. Ask me again in April. :D

[pendog]

I think "turkey" 366 days a year. :o

Deer season is only something to do while waiting for spring gobbler to get here again.

Problem is, the season's still so far away I don't need to be getting all sweated up over it just yet. Watched pot never boils kinda deal.............:(

Ditto, turkeys are the cats meowww!

A trip to SD in April for Merriams and seasons in PA and NY, can't wait!!

[The Kid]

yup i'm looking forward to it,, its the only thing that keeps me going in the winter

[NiteRunner]

Been thinking about turkeys for awhile now! Can't wait! :D
I wouldn't worry about not seeing many birds, they travel a lot looking for food at this time of year.

[Rayzorp]

My situation is the same, Ruth. I only saw a few birds in my normal spots. I'll have to look into new areas to try to hunt.

Where in NJ do you hunt? Last year a saw a few by the Black River WMA,,

[PotashRLS]

Worst December weather we have ever had. Deep snow and cold will certainly hurt our birds this winter. They were noticeably skinny last year and this year looks to be the same. All their food is under nearly 2 feet of crusty snow and travel is difficult. Hoping for a Jan. thaw.

[Ambuscher]

Think turkey here, too. Had to send in for permits last week. The state land that I hunt went to a permit hunt this year. It'll be nice if I get drawn, because it's for a three day hunt w/only 15 permits given out.

[Mathews XT Man]

Yup..they wont let me forget..they come to see me just as a remeinder!!

http://www.realtree.com/img/508/medium/January_09_125.jpg

[elnor]

I am *ready*. Now if I could only find a spring turkey season open somewhere in mid-January. :)

I've decided my new challenge for this year is going to be getting as much video of my hunts as possible. So I'm working out gear issues (camera, tripod, camo for them, etc.) while trying to keep everything inexpensive. I did manage one interesting video of turkeys fighting and chasing, even gobbling a bit, during deer season; I'll get that posted for everyone to enjoy asap.

[KentuckyTurkey]

Why do turkeys in the snow look like they have extra layer of leathers?

[woodsman2230]

I've already been out scouting a few times already! I'm ready to go!!

[mikey0715]

Been ready since last year!! Lots of birds this year!!

[WHISKEYSWAMP]

I still have a couple weeks of deer season left here but am ready to pack my stuff and get ready for turkey season... It's still to early to worry about scouting yet around here as the birds are still in there winter flocks... I usually don't do much scouting until about a month before season.

[Born2Hunt]

I'm always thinkin bout them nasty ol birds.

[fly]

I'd love to get all excited about hunting IL. turkey's like I do deer, but the turkey season is over so fast I just don't get that excited. The first season is only 5 days long. There are second and third season lotteries but I generally just do one season. My work schedule is always busy during that time of year so getting off more than a couple days is nearly impossible. Plus I have to drive 3 hours to my hunting location which makes single morning hunts sort of a pain.

Looks like I'll be taking a 2-3 day trip to my usual turkey spot in S. Illinois this spring. I do love being in the turkey woods even if the hunting isn't that good.

[Michiganbowhunter_SQ2]

I was at my cousins house for the weekend, which is out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but farmland. They have cornfields across the street, and every other side of their house. I looked out the front window yesterday morning and noticed a turkey walking around across the street. It was walking away, and then something must have spooked it, because it took off and flew right in front of the window to the field to the south of their house. When it landed I noticed another turkey was with it now, it must have been just out of sight because I have no idea it was there. As walked to the side window to continue watching them, I noticed about 6 other turkeys about 50 yards down the road, getting ready to cross into the field I was looking at. As I turned to look at the first turkey I seen, I then noticed another 4 or 5 turkeys a bit farther back near their back yard.
This really got me pumped. I am heading up north for a weekend to turkey hunt, but if I come home with my tag in my pocket, I may have to set up in my cousins yard and take one. :D:D:D

[Dakota]

You bet, Ruth! Looking forward to a good spring here in SD! :D Our season opens April 11th, but I won't be hunting till the last week in April. That's when I go out to the Black Hills to hunt Merriams with Jim Zumbo and Pete Brownell. I have a tag for WY and a tag for SD, so we'll be chasing gobblers across state lines in the Hills. Then on the way back, I'll hunt a couple acres by the armoury my Dad reports to for Guard drill and see if I can't bag a nice Eastern gobbler there. Dad always sees about 40 of them in the field along some trees every single time he goes by there! And with my new 3 1/2" 12 ga. Realtree Hardwoods Mossberg 835 with red dot scope, I think I'm set to prove for once and for all...I am "gobblerbane08"! :D:D:D Cluck cluck gobble gobble BANG!!!!!!! :D:D:D

Dakota :)