I talk turkey to, pretty much, anyone who wants to. A couple decades back, I held a position with a company that allowed/ required me to talk turkey with a few thousand folks each year. I noticed, early on, that there were always the folks who had a number right on the tip of their tongue. Now..................granted........if a person is relatively new to the sport (sickness) of turkey hunting and has taken a relatively small number of birds, he/she will likely know exactly how many. But, eventually, recall will fail you and you won't be able to just close your eyes and count on your fingers. So in order to know how many tags you've punched over your career, you'd have had to have kept a running tally.
Do you ?? Keep a running tally ?? Do you KNOW......right now, without having to try to count......how many wild turkeys you have taken ??
NOT asking for a number, but more of a "yes I do" or "no I do not".
Just a curiosity thang.
Nope. I kept track when I first started but then I realized that it doesn't matter. I just try and play my best game on the next one.
Why yes, yes I do.
Quote from: Happy on May 22, 2019, 09:33:07 PM
Nope. I kept track when I first started but then I realized that it doesn't matter. I just try and play my best game on the next one.
I also lost a lot of beards between moving and pets and that was probably a good thing in the long run.
Yes. I'm pretty sure I know the exact number of gobblers, but not total turkeys. The number doesn't mean squat, but I know what it is.
Honestly, no I don't know exactly how many birds I've killed. I remember some of them. My first, my biggest, one that circled behind me so close that when he drummed behind me it sounded like someone punching a beach ball, he busted me and I sawed off a jack pine trying to shoot him left handed as he made good his get away. The only Merriam I've killed,.... most vivid are my sons first a jake when he was 10 and his biggest taken this year at 13... I don't think numbers matter but there are a couple I wouldn't trade for a thousand more.
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Just to add or clarify................ I am in no way asserting that one way or the other is right or wrong. Just curious as to how others roll on this............
FWIW................. I am a "no, I do not" . If I sat down and racked my brain, I could likely come to within somewhere aroud 10 or so of the actual number. I just ain't that interested.
I know roughly how many I've killed, but I couldn't give an exact number. I remember many of the kills and details of the more memorable kills. But I remember in great detail each and every bird I have missed or screwed up on.
I've kept a hunting journal for deer and turkeys since I was a kid. I have the date time and location as well as weather etc and hunt details of every single Gobbler I've killed. Some people ask how many Ive killed when they find out how serious I am about turkey hunting but I never say, I know and that's what matters.
Quote from: merriamsman on May 22, 2019, 09:49:24 PMBut I remember in great detail each and every bird I have missed or screwed up on.
SO TRUE !!! And so NOT funny it's funny !!!! ;D
Also gave me an idea for another post at another time.
Between fall and spring seasons, no, I do not.
Nope.
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Nope ... but I've had a lot of fun .... cried little also... lol :TooFunny:
No,I don't know. I mark my guns with each kill, but many of them are kills my sons have made.
Yes— I keep a journal as mentioned above also write down some of those special ones and slip in a hull- fun to go back and remember those in great detail- I feel like as the years go by the recall of those hunts will need help. When I'm old and can't go anymore I hope those will bring me recall and happiness looking back at them
No I don't keep up with it...
I have a rough number but couldn't give an exact until I counted them all up.
No, never kept count.
I would have to think about it for a while and could probably get pretty close.Think I'd have to count them by state.
No count here.
Ain't got the slightest
No. I used to keep a journal and attach photos to it at the end of each entry. I stored this at my dad's when I was in the Marines and during that time, his home caught on fire and it was lost. Since then, I have started a new journal but I can't honestly say how many were in the original.
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Yes to both questions.
I have no idea how many, but not enough!
Been at it since 1992, and have had some stellar years, guided many people to birds and even did a hunt of a lifetime trip for a kid with cancer, best experience turkey hunting by far!
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Yep, I keep a detailed log and journal of my hunts in a spreadsheet. I even kept up with it when I was a kid but didnt start the spreadsheet until probably 10 years ago. I can look back at my log and remember every bird.
Most people keep the beards, all you would have to do is count them. I'll admit I have done so.
I stopped counting when I ran out of fingers and toes to keep track on...
Quote from: Roost 1 on May 22, 2019, 10:01:45 PM
No I don't keep up with it...
Be pretty tough for a felller like yourself to I'd imagine Greg.
To answer, I don't keep count. Save all my beards, but would have to count them to know exactly.
Yes. I don't advertise but I can tell you how many deer, elk turkey, and any big game I've taken. It's for my satisfaction. I'm not all about the numbers but it's my way of keeping a reference and remembering the hunt.
I lost count after about 120 bow kills. On the flip side,gun hunting is more enjoyable when I do it. I've got one with a .410 but numbers wise I'm < 40 with a gun.
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Nope
I did up to a number. Once I hit that then I lost count. The numbers became less important to me. I know my misses but the screw ups are too numerous to even attempt to come up with a number.
No I don't
I don't even keep beards or spurs anymore, if you can't eat it I don't keep it. I have some people ask for feathers from time to time for crafts. I bagged up all my fans, spurs and beards a few years ago and set them out for the garbage truck. Even my wife couldn't believe it. For some reason it just came to the point it seemed like a vain and useless thing. I do keep a photo of each bird, but some from my early years were lost, so I could guess with maybe 10-20 but that's about it. .
I will tell you a count that does matter. The number of turkeys that are out there in the woods. The various state agencys have done a wonderful job building our flocks. when I started there were only a few area with birds and if you found 1 or maybe 2 gobblers to hunt you camped out on them. Now you just decide which one to go after and they are everywhere. That is the best number. I kill more in one season than I did in 10 years when I started.
No, I could probably get close if really thought about it
I know exactly how many I have killed but every time someone asks the answer is always "not enough".
Old guy here, I can guess and be in the ballpark. But I do keep a journal of turkeys taken, missed, called in to range, seen conditions and sex/maturity and location. I would need to go through them all to get the exact total. Then forget and do it all over again, lol. I do use the info to determine my past successes and failures in certain areas. :OGturkeyhead:
I do not know off the top of my head but I do mark each beard with the number on the shell casing I stick it in and add the number to my journal post. To my knowledge no one else besides maybe my wife would know the number. I have photos in my journal of the Gobbler so I can pull the beard out as I relive the hunt in my mind.
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Like others, when I was new to the addiction, I could tell you exactly how many I had killed. That ended about thirty years ago. I could take a w.a.g. now, but I would have to think about it for a while,...and thinking is hard nowadays. ;D
I do admire those folks that have kept a log of hunts over time. I did that for a while and then stopped,...I wish I hadn't.
Quote from: eggshell on May 23, 2019, 07:01:15 AM
I will tell you a count that does matter. The number of turkeys that are out there in the woods.
Totally agree, eggshell. A lot of my satisfaction nowadays comes in the form of just going to the woods, hearing those gobblers, and knowing that they are out there and doing well.
Yes. How many I have killed and how many I have called up for others which is about a 2:1 ratio. I keep a log with dates and places.
No I do not keep count, But I can remember just about every successful turkey hunt I've been apart of. I wish I would have kept a journal or log of some sort.
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I keep a little notebook of the turkey and deer that I've bagged over the years. I also make an entry for when I go wingshooting.
What I don't write down, but what is also seared into my memory are the ones that have busted before I got a shot, not to mention the one that I missed at twenty yards (how the heck that happened still keeps me up and night and makes me shake my head).
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Quote from: AndyH on May 23, 2019, 10:11:09 AM
No I do not keep count, But I can remember just about every successful turkey hunt I've been apart of. I wish I would have kept a journal or log of some sort.
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Not too late, brother. Grab a little fifty cent spiral notebook and start with what you remember! Put it in your pocket for when something drops into your memory and pretty soon you'll have a treasure!
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Yes, but only because I keep a log.
As someone else said.. not enough yet.. :)
I am on the No Side .. I have a rough idea, but never kept an exact count. If I counted up my beards I guess I could get within 2 or 3 as I think I have only lost that many over the years.
No,like a lot of guys I have a good idea how many but not an exact number.
All I really know is I enjoyed each and every hunt that I have been on during the time I have chased after them.
Greg
Yes, I know. I have an older Garmin GPS and with my Mapsource software have a TurkeysKilled.gbd file. I create a waypoint for each one in the spot they met their demise. Then in the comments section for the waypoint I have the date and vital statistics...weight, beard, spurs. Better than a written log. Kind of neat bringing it up in Google Earth. Just added this morning's PA bird.
Really wish I had done the same for deer but, alas, I didn't.
No not a clue. I remember the first and the last and a few in between.
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I have no idea how many ducks,squirrels,hogs or rabbits I've killed and don't care. But a Wild Turkey Gobbler is different. I know the date and details of everyone. I guess it depends on how much they mean to the individual. I also have every beard, fan and spurs. Like just mentioned I can't understand throwing away the beards and spurs or fans for that matter. Each Gobbler is special and I want to remember each one not treat it like a dumb hog or tree rat that are a dime a dozen. I think it has a lot to do with were and how you hunt. If you sit on a field edge in front of a flock of decoys and see 10 a day they may not mean as much to you as someone that hunts woods turkeys were a casual sighting is rare and you have to work for each one you see in shooting range
Yes. I keep my beards in the shell I shot them with along with a piece of paper describing the date, location and whether they strutted, gobbled or any other little facts.
QuoteI know right away not to take someone very seriously if they tell me they do not keep the beards and spurs. Usually a warning sign to me what type of hunter I am listening to.
Let's be careful in offering opinions so this thread doesn't go off the rails like one recently did. I will admit I could think this comment was directed at me, but I know your making a general statement.
Just for the record, I worked 31 years for a state wildlife agency in Fisheries, I have a box of commendations from various state and private agencies for my service to sportsmen, I was a long time member of NWTF, I supported trap and transplant efforts, as part of my job I ran a check station, I worked with the trapping crews in my off season, I managed 1,000 acres of private timber land for grouse and turkey. I have hunted 7 states over 48 years and killed a grand slam. I obey laws and hunt ethically. I have been shot and almost died in a turkey hunting accident. I only keep the meat from turkeys, I got tired of all the stuff. I did throw it all away after I was shot, because I felt trophy hunting added to accidents as the pressure to succeed made people take chances. Yet by your statement I am "one of those type hunters (whatever that is), because I only keep the meat. I consider myself a sportsman and lover of all the great outdoors that God has given us domain over.
You see how generalized statements can accidentally offend and start arguments. I know what your trying to say, but it did make me write all this.....
I lost count years ago.
no I do not
Do I count how many I've put in front of someone else's barrel?
A rookie who became hooked for life?
A kid?
Or someone who flat gave up and you changed their mine when they all but quit turkey hunting altogether?
My good friend always said you usually gotta kill 3 or 4 before you get a chance to shoot one. I choose to do it that way sometimes.
I could show you a nice long rope of spurs, heck back in the day I even put hard as nails gloss finger nail polish on em. Made em purdy.
I could show you a wad of beards too.
I like to shoot turkeys. Have had more fun sharing with others.
I do keep a record with details on every bird I kill, so yes, I do know how many. To be honest, I usually fill out the record sometime at the end of the season, and most times, I'd have no idea what that number was until I go to my log book, but right now, I'm approaching what I consider a milestone, so I know the number.
I've had 4 family members suffer from dementia, some old, some not nearly old enough. My hope is that someday if I'm in that situation I can go back to the log book and remember a few more of those days.
I couldn't tell you without counting beards. I can only give an estimated guess that will probably be within 10 or so of the correct number.
I have kept a journal since day 1, and have notes in there on all kinds of "turkey" not just the kills, more the things I have done, guiding, some great birds, doubles, youth hunts and such. I could look it up and give you a number, in a given spring season I could give you that number for birds that year.
I started that journal as it was the one thing I got my dad in to hunting, never had turkeys to hunt as a kid, a buddy and I got started and then I got my dad hooked!
MK M GOBL
Quote from: eggshell on May 23, 2019, 02:41:07 PM
QuoteI know right away not to take someone very seriously if they tell me they do not keep the beards and spurs. Usually a warning sign to me what type of hunter I am listening to.
Let's be careful in offering opinions so this thread doesn't go off the rails like one recently did. I will admit I could think this comment was directed at me, but I know your making a general statement.
Just for the record, I worked 31 years for a state wildlife agency in Fisheries, I have a box of commendations from various state and private agencies for my service to sportsmen, I was a long time member of NWTF, I supported trap and transplant efforts, as part of my job I ran a check station, I worked with the trapping crews in my off season, I managed 1,000 acres of private timber land for grouse and turkey. I have hunted 7 states over 48 years and killed a grand slam. I obey laws and hunt ethically. I have been shot and almost died in a turkey hunting accident. I only keep the meat from turkeys, I got tired of all the stuff. I did throw it all away after I was shot, because I felt trophy hunting added to accidents as the pressure to succeed made people take chances. Yet by your statement I am "one of those type hunters (whatever that is), because I only keep the meat. I consider myself a sportsman and lover of all the great outdoors that God has given us domain over.
You see how generalized statements can accidentally offend and start arguments. I know what your trying to say, but it did make me write all this.....
I agree. I don't know why I'd want to have hundreds of beards and twice as many spurs around, certainly not so somebody would take me seriously. I guess I can understand why some guys would want to. It's probably fun to look at them. To each his own. I did keep the 4 beard one I got last year but don't know what to do with it. I have a friend who takes my beards, legs, skulls, wings and tails and uses them in the native American type ornaments and doodads he makes to give to kids when he goes to schools all dressed up like a Jeremiah Johnson mountain man and gives nature talks and mountain man history talks. He travels around to the Mountain Man rendezvous in the summer doing the same thing. I started keeping a hunting journal about 20 years ago but have nothing on the 45 years before that except pictures and what I can remember about everything I've hunted. Kinda wish I had started on the journal 65 years ago.
How about telling us the story of how you got shot. Maybe it will help somebody avoid the same fate.
I'm a NO
Used to be sure to keep beards and fans, then lost a few with a move here or there. I could tell you the number from the last couple of years...until it gets to be a couple of years from now. Lol
Quote from: Happy on May 22, 2019, 09:33:07 PM
Nope. I kept track when I first started but then I realized that it doesn't matter. I just try and play my best game on the next one.
+1
Yes, but I've only been at it for 6 years. Hopefully I'll wind up as a "no" in the future.
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No here. I remember my first when I was 11, and I remember my 12 year olds first this year 34 years later. In between I remember a bunch of them I've called up for myself, for my brother and sister, and for friends. I have a lot of good memories of others' first birds, memorable doubles, etc.
But I definitely remember the times they've whooped me, some of my fondest memories in fact, that remind me why I go.
Yes...every one...
I don't count. I've lost track of how many.
Quote from: eggshell on May 23, 2019, 02:41:07 PM
QuoteI know right away not to take someone very seriously if they tell me they do not keep the beards and spurs. Usually a warning sign to me what type of hunter I am listening to.
Let's be careful in offering opinions so this thread doesn't go off the rails like one recently did. I will admit I could think this comment was directed at me, but I know your making a general statement.
Just for the record, I worked 31 years for a state wildlife agency in Fisheries, I have a box of commendations from various state and private agencies for my service to sportsmen, I was a long time member of NWTF, I supported trap and transplant efforts, as part of my job I ran a check station, I worked with the trapping crews in my off season, I managed 1,000 acres of private timber land for grouse and turkey. I have hunted 7 states over 48 years and killed a grand slam. I obey laws and hunt ethically. I have been shot and almost died in a turkey hunting accident. I only keep the meat from turkeys, I got tired of all the stuff. I did throw it all away after I was shot, because I felt trophy hunting added to accidents as the pressure to succeed made people take chances. Yet by your statement I am "one of those type hunters (whatever that is), because I only keep the meat. I consider myself a sportsman and lover of all the great outdoors that God has given us domain over.
You see how generalized statements can accidentally offend and start arguments. I know what your trying to say, but it did make me write all this.....
Was the quote you responded to deleted? I can't find it but thanks for your response. I don't keep beards or spurs either. I've got several fan/beard/spur displays and just don't need any more trophies. I was gonna sell mine on ebay but it's illegal in my state. Too bad, looks like a good way to help fund the addiction. I'm also a legal and ethical hunter. Wonder why not keeping beards and spurs makes me otherwise?
Yes I do. I have a log book of every deer and turkey kill with photos since I started hunting. Really like looking back at all the past photos.
Quote from: warrent423 on May 23, 2019, 01:32:45 PM
Don't keep count. Don't matter to me. I've always been about the difficulty of the Gobbler killed, rather than how many I have killed. I keep each and every beard, with spurs attached with a fishing line loop. Reckon one day I could add them up. I know right away not to take someone very seriously if they tell me they do not keep the beards and spurs. Usually a warning sign to me what type of hunter I am listening to.
Why is this? About trusting ppl who don't keep them? I'm just curious as I stopped keeping them because o got tired of moving the nasty things around.
I do have 3 subspecies mounted and will add an osceola hopefully soon. All public land birds.
And maybe I'm diff in some way but I hunt turkeys every single day of the season possible. All off days and every morning of night shift, from March 15th to early May when the only seasons open are 15-20hrs away from me. And even then I go if I have enough time off to make it.
I'd use vacation but I take all 3 weeks for elk hunting
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I've kept a count of every gobbler I've killed since the first one on 3-30-1990. Personally its important to me and my journey. Its satisfying to me that I have that info. Everybody's different. Some guys could care less about a spur or a beard or a count. That's perfectly fine. We all gotta do our own little deal however it is we wanna do it.........Most times when I kill a turkey I'll sit a spell. Maybe as long as an hour, being quite and reflecting. I try to soak it all up. I don't scream and holler or jump up and down. If someone else does that's perfectly fine. I've celebrated myself from time to time.
I know turkey hunters that are way into the 100's that are too modest to talk numbers. I know guys that have killed 15 birds and will tell you they've killed so many they've lost count. Either way doesn't change my little deal. Hope you all had a great season........
I have always kept a Journal. So, I have 30 Spring Seasons and 29 Fall Season in 3 States- NY,NJ,+ PA. Right now, I have 119 Wild Turkeys with 49 of them being Longbeards. All on Public Land or crowded gun club lands. NY is still open and, I hope to take my 50th Longbeard before May 31st runs out at Noon. I got started late at age 30 as there were no Turkeys in my area when, I was 14. I am 59 now.
Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 22, 2019, 09:33:44 PM
Why yes, yes I do.
By the way... this post deserves more credit. Lol
Congrats Sir-diealot! :icon_thumright:
I don't have an accurate count. I can ballpark it, maybe sit down and try to count them all up. I can tell you how many years I've hunted. I can tell you the most I've killed in a season, which states I've killed birds in, how many I've killed in the last 4 or 5 seasons. As far as beards and spurs......I had a box of them when I hunted Easterns. I lost some to moths, lost some in a couple moves (IL to CO and CO to MT), still have a few. I have Merriam's beards scattered around the house, box here and shelf there. At least half of them aren't kept and it's rare that I keep their spurs. Who needs a bucket of Merriam's nubs and scraggly beards sitting around? They amount to nothing.
I can't hardly bear to throw fans away, at least not initially. But.....how many fans can a guy hang on the wall. I usually keep them piled up until they get in the way. I tried to give a pile away a couple years ago to fly fishermen, but trashed most of them when only one guy wanted one. Can't keep them in my freezer forever or stacked in the garage. I keep the primaries and send to traditional archers if I can find them in need.
I do take a pile of photos. I'm not sure what "type of hunter" that means I am. Have at it though, and make assumptions. I can tell you this....I love turkeys, I hunt my tail off, I do a fair job of hunting them, but lot's of guys have killed more than me.
I knew the number after several years of turkey hunting. I haven't kept up in while and couldn't tell you now.
I don't know the number of gobblers I've killed, but I know how many some of my calls have pulled in. I met an old timer who notched his calls for every gobbler he killed with them. I started doing it just because I liked the idea. Now, before I go further, I need to clarify that none of my calls are high dollar or fancy. I told this on another forum & had folks almost lose their minds over it.
Jim
Quote from: warrent423 on May 23, 2019, 01:32:45 PM
I know right away not to take someone very seriously if they tell me they do not keep the beards and spurs. Usually a warning sign to me what type of hunter I am listening to.
I am not following you on this one??? Some hunters like to keep a memento from each bird, some have pictures filed away, and some just look forward to the next hunt after enjoying the moment..
Tail fans are pretty, but take up space, and while beards and spurs are cool, they are not all that aesthetically pleasing.
Quote from: SteelerFan on May 23, 2019, 08:34:22 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 22, 2019, 09:33:44 PM
Why yes, yes I do.
By the way... this post deserves more credit. Lol
Congrats Sir-diealot! :icon_thumright:
I was wondering if anybody was going to catch it. Thanks :D
Yeah I know the count. Got all the beards. Got all the pictures. Helps with the memories. One day when I'm not able to hunt I can sit on the porch and reminiscence.
Know how many killed, missed and passed up. Do not get many opportunities so it is an easy count
If I looked in my journal, yes I could tell. I started Turkey hunting in the late 80's, spring and fall. No matter what the numbers are, there's always more that humiliate me. And that's what it's all about, and makes it so much fun. Hunt like there is no tomorrow, cause there might not be.
Yup, keep a very detailed spreadsheet. I can tell you the date and time of harvest, location, distance, stats, and about anything else you'd want to ask about a bird. Keep a running tally of birds/state, % of birds on public land, number of National Forests, number of counties in my home state, etc. Plan on continuing it until the end.
Yes I count turkey's. My own and birds I called to the gun or bow of others, I also have weather data, total birds observed and heard for every hunt in the past 22 years and the distances of each shot.