TEAM 8! Turkey Trash Talkers - Your monster birds are our decoys

[brittman]

Can the Toms see your property from their neighbors?

Maybe a little decoy distraction?

[LABS4ME]

They all roost on the neighboring property... It's 80 acres of the most beautiful turkey woods you'd ever want to see. I can usually call a few my way at fly down. Shot 3 in a row doing that... They rarely roost in the small blocks of woods on the land I hunt. They used to use one part of this land as a strutting zone for years... but no longer.

As the houses get built around it, more and more people walk on it etc. I haven't run into anybody yet this year... but the signs are there that it's being well used... I think a lot of the birds are just dropping down off the roost next to hens. I can hear them calling in the woods at sun-up... Hard to compete with the real thing! I'll just keep putting in my time... One will hopefully come my way...

Good Luck!

Ken

[tealitup]

Ok - so put a hen decoy on a skate board. Attach a line/string to the skate board and when you think something is looking at the decoy pull it towards you. Would have to be on level or somewhat level ground.

[ccarlson]

I know I haven't checked in as a member of team 8 but thought I'd let you know now that I did end up bagging a Tom last Thursday evening.

Someone let me know who I can e mail the pictures to so they can get posted. The other problem I'm having is figuring out how to scan that entry form and include that but I'll try more tonight.

Here is my story.

First time turkey hunter. I drew season 239A after trying for 3 years. I took Friday off from work so I could get in at least 3 good days of hunting. I brought my 9 year old daughter with. I get to our property around 6:15 on Thursday evening and drive around before parking. I hadn't even really planned to hunt that evening. I see several toms out in a field I had planned to hunt the next morning but I didn't want to bump them off the property that night. I got to a second field and saw a big tom out in the middle and decided to chase him after I got settled.

We both got changed and grabbed our gear. No sign of the turkeys as we began setting up but then as I was putting the blind in place I saw a big tom about 150 yards out. It looked like he saw me and scooted into the woods. I finished getting set up and waited a few minutes to call.

As soon as I called the woods lit up with hens and a couple toms calling back. Then I made a bad call and they stopped. Pretty soon I hear (but can't see since it was behind my enclosed blind) a bunch of turkeys roosting or something near me and a water hole just down the ravine from the field edge I was set up on.

It wasn't long and I see a nice tom step out on the field down where the original one was. He dissapeared behind a ridge and I wasn't sure where he might be headed. I called a few times and sure enough, here he came over the hill. He would stop a couple times along the way and I would call. As soon as I called, he puffed up and strutted around before heading my way. I put the call down when he made eye contact with the decoys. Shot him at 28 yards. It was quite a rush. Especially seeing him respond to the call. Reminded me of the old days when ducks would actually respond to calls and decoys more than they seem to these days.

Weight 24 pounds even

beard 8.5 inches

spurs a measley 5/8" and 1/2 inch

I'll send pictures to anyone willing to help me post them. Just let me know where to e mail them to.

My other daughter (12) has her tag this weekend so we are heading back over to try again.

Thanks

ccarlson

[tealitup]

Nice JOB!! A first bird is always the most special - and for your daughter to be involved is even better! I think Labs4me can post a picture, or you can email borch - he will do it also for ya.

Once again - great job! nice to be on the board

[ccarlson]

Thanks, it was fun to have my youngest daughter with me, that is for sure. Next year she will be a preference two so I'll sign her up for one of the more likely seasons and give her a shot.

I sent the pictures and form to Joel since I couldn't find Borch's or Labs e mail. I'm sure he will post it or forward it to borch for posting. Good luck to the rest of team 8.

ccarlson

[Gordie]

CONCRATS ccarlson way to get on the board and the first bird is a great feeling also.

This morning went to my ace in the hole and was beat by a pair of 2,s had gobblers alaround me answering my calls all morning just counldnt get them to commit. did see two hens thou I might get out tonight I hope if not I'll give a nother try in thre morning

I know how your feeling labs4me I starting to chew on that crow too.

[tealitup]

I hope all works out well for everyone! Please do not put the pressure on me to finish the deal.

[Gordie]

still no luck I couldn't get out this morning but made it out this after noon had a hen sneak in from behind about 30 feet to my left and stood their clucking and purring for almost ten minutes then just wonder off also had turkey gobblin behind me and still nothing would commit. When I was done I found out three toms were in the other hay field,I picked the wrong field tonight. I got one day left and I hope its a good one.

[LABS4ME]

Well boys... 3 years in a row, the big 0!!! I thought I had a chance this morning. I had two gobblers who are constantly in one small section of the private woods who constantly call and actually came over to the public land once during my hunt. They seem to roost in almost the same area each night. Yesterday I got them all hot and bothered in the afternoon... so I made a plan then how to get them.

I got up a little earlier, snuck right up to the fence line and got up against a tree, I figured I was within 80-100 yards of their roost. Sat down and waited to hear the 1st calls of the morning. Gave a soft cluck on call and here's a dog on the edge of the woods. He starts barking at me at 5:55. This goes on till I get up at 6:10 and walk 300 yards away to set up where I hunted earlier in the week. The dang dog stayed there and barked till I couldn't take it anymore and walked up the ridge and out of the coulee at 7:00. At that point I was just hoping for a scared bird to run passed me. I was tempted at on point to take the dog to neverland... but I figured it was some kids pet.

I walked to the other end of the land and just sat on the ridge and enjoyed the sunrise. The dog finally shut up and left. Nice just sitting there, watching the morning unfold being able to scan a huge panoramic landscape like that.

With that said, if anyone is looking for a hunting partner in zone 339 for next year, let me know. I've hunted this same piece of WMA ground and it put out 4 birds in a row for me... then came the developments. Now it's 160 acres of ATV paths and joggers and people walking their dogs and now people letting their dogs run... I think it's time to move on. The other 2 pieces I had are no longer available to me... one has houses on it too, and the other has been sold and the new owner won't let me hunt. I had a piece of Vermillion River bottom I hunted once, but it seems to flood 4 out of 5 years and the birds don't seem to consistantly use it. I'm planning on a door knocking campaign before next year, and I may even consider hunting my buddies land in Ottertail county in the future.

Oh by the way, don't lose faith, I have Wisconsin yet to hunt... hopefully I keep us in the game with a bird form there!

Good Luck!

Ken

[Borch]

Quote:

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Thanks, it was fun to have my youngest daughter with me, that is for sure. Next year she will be a preference two so I'll sign her up for one of the more likely seasons and give her a shot.

I sent the pictures and form to Joel since I couldn't find Borch's or Labs e mail. I'm sure he will post it or forward it to borch for posting. Good luck to the rest of team 8.

ccarlson

---

I've got the photos you sent Joel. I'll try to post them Sunday night. As far as the form you can also take a picture of it with a digital camera and submitt it if that's easier than scanning. If someone on the team can help you our quicker that'll work also.

Congrats on the bird!

[Gordie]

sorry that I havent posted anything since thursday but had to head out of town friday afternoon .

well guys I drew a blank also for our team.

I had a great season minus a bird. I saw birds every day and nothing was in range of my gun. I learned alot this season about the movement of birds and their habits.

this contest was a lot of fun and I can't wait until next year. you guys are alot of laughs and I dont care if I have to eat crow, its not bad if you put enough ketsup on it anyway.

Thanks for the fun and laughs!

Good luck Teal hope you find sucess on the dunes. Email me and I'll try to explain were I saw most of the birds out in the dunes [email protected]

[LABS4ME]

How we looking team 8? I have my Wisconsin season starting next Wed... Hopefully works out better than MN. Went by both pieces of land I have permission to hunt this A.M.

1st one had 2 longbeards and a Jake with 3 hens up on the flat top... Toms were still picking on the Jake.

2nd piece I thought I died and went to heaven... out in the corn stubble, 1 group of 5 strutters, 2 Jakes and 5 hens. ANother group 50 yards from them of 3 strutters and 1 hen. Went around the corner tothe back field and there is a pick-up parked there... guy I kow must be hunting this farm this year... he usually hunts the main farm, Iwill need to check in with him as to how he does. Proceeded to the back field and there is another strutter and what looked like 2 more Jakes... couldn't tell as they never went on strut and never gave me a good view as to if they had a beard or not.

Turned my truck around and looked out into a nother field on the property that has a small woodlot (which usually doesn't hold many birds) and there is a lone gobbler walking into the woods feeding along...

Boy I wished I started today!

Good Luck!

Ken

[RodNGun]

tealitup have you ever shot a bird? Because everytime someone shoots a bird and has proof you put them down. Seems like you are jealous. What ever happened to saying good job or congradulations not " letting it out of a pen doesn't count." Giving a little sh** isn't bad but I haven't seen you say nice bird to anyone. Bad Style.

[Gordie]

Good luck Labs we need some luck to do well. I'm sure you'll do well in chesse land. I'm done for the year sorry I couldnt post a bird now its fishin and planning for next years hunt.

[tealitup]

Wow, Rod - yes I have shot birds; You seem to take offense on a little ribbing - I always congradulate people who harvest and post a picture. If you click on my name and go to the my posts please research and not be so touchy. It's all in fun.

From now on I'll treat you like eggshells - I am sorry if you were offended for a little ribbing and fun. If you know me; like some on here - you would know its all in fun.

[Gordie]

hey teal when do you hunt or did you?

[tealitup]

I hunt next weekend; Starting Friday - with all of the hunters who have not got one this year I expect no different. Luck will have to be on my side I think.

[LABS4ME]

Bird up!!!

Will post later...

Good Luck!

Ken

[tealitup]

Well Done! Give us some details

[LABS4ME]

Short hunt!

Decided to forgo the field edge and instead snuck into the woods about 30-40 yards. Found what looked to be a decent opening on a bench on the hill to catch the Toms between the roost and the fields above.

Waited till I heard the first gobble of the morning off in the distane and let out a tree yelp. I have 2 gobblers roosted 80-100 yards off to the side of me. In all the years I've hunted this farm, they always roost down by the river, fly down and walk the ravines up to the fields... these birds are roosted right off the field. So I gradually increase the cadence of my calls and then went into a fly down call. I had them lit up! Down they come off the roost. Though it's now legal shooting time I can't make out anything much past 50 yards. I know they're just beyond that gobbling like mad. I get conservative on my call to try to get them to come look for me... they continue gobbling on their own... then we got a 5 minute rain shower... that shut them up just like that. I tried calling after it rained and had no response for about 5 minutes... then I hear gobbles above me, sounds like they're out in the field. I sneak up to the field edge and see 2 Toms and a hen to my left... both are on full strut. I look further out in the field about 200 yards and only 10 yards out from where I last shot my last Tom on this farm is another Tom strutting for a hen. I give a couple of soft clucks and yelps to 'suade the 2 Toms to come over... the hen starts coming so I ready myself for a shot if one of the Toms follows. Nope, the hen comes to within 15' and begins to feed while the Toms move out to the other Tom and hen. After what seemed like forever the hen begins to feed away from me. When she got 40 yards out in the field, I did some yelps on the call to try and get the 1st 2 Toms attention, figuring they'd see the hen when I called and come up to woo her. No Go! The hen comes back, this time within about 6' of me and proceeds to bust me... now she's putt'n and purr'n back and forth on the field edge for about 2 minutes... then she slides 25' off to my left to try and make me from the side... I quick stand up to startle her, she bolts into the woods never to be seen or heard form again. I now slide up to a big cottonwood and set up to try and get one of the Toms to come in. I watch the lead Tom corral the other hen into the woods leaving the other 2 Toms out strutting for nobody. I gave a series of yelps and they both gobbled. Then I went into a really hard aggressive cutt and they took off running towards the woods to my side... 'oh no! what did I do?!' I figured I blew it. Well they were just running over to the woodline to set up up their 300 yard sprint. I'm not kidding when I say they covered those 300 yards in under a half minute!. They stopped about 8o yards away and would walk 5 steps, half strut, gobble... repeat. Finally the lead bird, the bigger of the two, entered into my comfort zone and a load of 6's found their mark. Game over! 6:30 am

Tale of tape...

21.4#s

11" beard

1 1/8" x 1" spurs

He even ended a 2 year drought I was on! Fun and exciting hunt... now I'm going to help my buddy try and harvest his.

Good Luck!

Ken

[OrionsX0]

Very nice Bird Labs4me Tealitup is happy now he can shoot a jake if it is dumb enough to walk in front of him

[tealitup]

Two birds for team 8! Nice bird Tom

[LABS4ME]

Well we followed up yesterday's bird with one for my buddy. Shot it almost to the minute when I did. 2 year old bird... 3/4" spurs, 9.5" beard, 18#s +/-. I know we can't use his score... but I figured we'll post some more success for our group! Quick hunt, called in 2 Jakes, 2 hens and 2 Toms all at the same time, they came out in the corner of the field we set up on, seen the decoys (which I hardly use late season and I used a Jake and 2 hens on top of that) and started trotting down to the dekes. 6 came in... 5 went back home... It unfolded quickly when we got them to engage into some pretty aggressive calling, a few hard gobbles, then silence (I figured they were quiet as they worked quickly up the steep coulee below the field). They came out 30 yards from us and my buddy took the 1st available opportunity to put Mr. Gobbler down. We did a tandem on the calling, one would yelp and the other would cutt hard over the top of the yelping... followed by some purrs and clucks. That was way more than they could handle...

Here he is:

Good Luck!

Ken

[Gordie]

great bird labs and well done its nice when a plan comes together and congrats on your buddys bird.