Got a trip gift card with Cabelas worldwide trophy adventures. Curious as to where everyone would go if money wasn't an option to turkey hunt. Want to get most bang for my buck. I have been to Hawaii and I live and hunt in Va. Killed a Rio in Hawaii and Easterns in VA. Thanks Gang!!
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Central America for the toughest bird in the world slam, the Oscellated. They now call them in, no longer shoot them in the trees. Best of luck, congrats...
New Zealand
I hunt Kentucky and Tennessee so I have it good. But if I were to go anywhere it would be one of the Dakota's or Nebraska.
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I've got my Grand Slam from Florida, South Dakota, Kansas and Easterns in several states so I would want an Oscellated and/or Goulds. Traveling for turkeys to different states and regions is a Great experience IMO. I personally would look to Mexico and see if I could find an outfitter to put me on a double if possible.
Based on the turkey hunting trips I see listed in the Cabela's website, I would be opting for one of the hunts for either Gould's, Osceola's, or Ocellated,...and probably in that order. The other hunts/subspecies available can be undertaken pretty inexpensively and/or DIY.
The Ocellated hunt opportunity is probably the highest value hunt, but I have no desire to kill an Ocellated turkey in that I see it as nothing more than a glorified peacock that the NWTF decided they wanted to add to the list of "real" turkeys so their high-rollers could have something to hold over all of us regular "peon" turkey hunters,...but hey, to each their own. ;D :you_rock: :toothy12:
Oops, methinks I might have said too much.... :-X ;D
I've been fortunate to hunt them all. For an experience unlike anything you will have experienced, I'd recommend hunting Ocellated turkeys. I did that in Guatemala with Lovett Williams several times in a true jungle setting. I used a Doug Camp owl hunter to mimic one of the sounds that the hens make and also an electronic call to mimic the male birds. The Ocellated responded best to being challenged by another male. Lovett has passed away and the Guatemala hunts are over. The Yucatan of Mexico is safe for the most part when compared to the area of Mexico where Goulds live. If you do the Ocellated hunt, your chances of success are probably greater to hunt the agricultural fields, but the jungle setting is what I would recommend as you will see much more different wildlife and if a bird comes in, because the cover is so thick, the action is very close up and exciting.
Having said that, I hunted Goulds multiple times in Chihuahua and Sonora. The birds were very responsive and actually plentiful. It is a bit unnerving to be pulled over by the military, various police force outfits. That happened to me on several occasions. I love the terrain that the Goulds live in and those beautiful white tipped birds coming in.
If money is no object, I would use the gift certificate for the Ocellated and plan a trip later on your own for the Goulds. I would strongly recommend Wingshooters Lodge for the Goulds. I last hunted with them in 2009, but you would absolutely have no problem getting a couple of birds there. They have over 100K acres to hunt and have lots of birds.
Quote from: GobbleNut on December 24, 2020, 10:00:17 AM
Based on the turkey hunting trips I see listed in the Cabela's website, I would be opting for one of the hunts for either Gould's, Osceola's, or Ocellated,...and probably in that order. The other hunts/subspecies available can be undertaken pretty inexpensively and/or DIY.
The Ocellated hunt opportunity is probably the highest value hunt, but I have no desire to kill an Ocellated turkey in that I see it as nothing more than a glorified peacock that the NWTF decided they wanted to add to the list of "real" turkeys so their high-rollers could have something to hold over all of us regular "peon" turkey hunters,...but hey, to each their own. ;D :you_rock: :toothy12:
Oops, methinks I might have said too much.... :-X ;D
Got this as a 10 year service award. I like your post as it gives me something to think on. I'm def not into the high end hunts or need that type of treatment. I just love turkey hunting and want to get biggest bang for buck. I'm just a regular ole jed fella here!! Just get me bear the turkeys and let me go
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I grew up hunting my dream spots of South Central Florida's blackwater creeks, cypress swamps and oak hammocks. No where on this earth do I feel more comfortable and at home than turkey hunting those childhood stomping grounds. So my dream hunt would be a private ranch with the above terrain and a huntable population of Osceolas. Give me the above along with a small tent, sleeping bag, some MRE's and turn me loose. I'd take that over the fanciest lodge anywhere with 3 meals a day and turkeys galore.
I would love to hunt Yukon Moose with a bow or go to Mexico to hunt a Gould's turkey.
I hear you about wanting to do it yourself. On Lovett Williams Ocellated hunts we stayed in open air huts with bug nets. It was well over 100 each day. You were not pampered. You did all the calling and decided when to call, and made the shot on your terms. You did have a guide to keep you from getting lost in the jungle which was very easy to do. Lovett's Gould's trips were spartan. I slept in tents in below freezing mornings. They gave you an area to hunt in and you went by yourself which was fun. I came upon a makeshift runway with flour bags in the trees marking the approach. Haha--I asked for a different area after that.
Wingshooters has a very comfortable house in the small village of Yecora Sonora. The food is very good, but not fancy. You are taken out, but you most definitely can do all the calling and deciding how you want to hunt. It's not cheap as none of the Goulds trips or for that matter Osceola paid hunts are. Again, I haven't been there in going on 12 years, but again, if you have a freebie hunt ,do one that is different from what you're used to. I'm jealous you have received such a nice gift!
Good points, Ron. I would suspect most, if not all, of the Cabela' hunts have been thoroughly vetted such that there would be no surprises in those hunts. You would most likely know exactly what you are getting beforehand.
Regarding Mexico Gould's hunts in general (and I am sure this applies to the Ocellated hunts, as well), there are definitely a lot of variables in what to expect,...from hunts with "five star" accommodations, to those with "the basics". Just remember the "two R's" when booking hunts,...Research and References. Don't assume anything,...and make sure it is written down in contract form,...especially if you are forking over any money up front.
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Got this as a 10 year service award. I like your post as it gives me something to think on. I'm def not into the high end hunts or need that type of treatment. I just love turkey hunting and want to get biggest bang for buck. I'm just a regular ole jed fella here!! Just get me bear the turkeys and let me go
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Wow, that is super to work for a company like that. Make sure you remember that when things get tuff. I worked for thirty years as a public servent and gave them a full eight for eight hours. No Christmas parties for us peon's and a watch at thirty year for retirement. So thanks for shareing, life is good but can always be better. Any trip you pick will be get for sure, good luck and have fun you earned it.
Va hunter here to. I'd go new Mexico merriam or maybe goulds
Quote from: skimerhorn on December 25, 2020, 03:53:26 PM
Va hunter here to. I'd go new Mexico merriam or maybe goulds
All good choices so far. Me though, I would chase those Merriams for sure in the most picturesque place possible.
i agree that is a great 10 year service award, i just retired after 39 years with the same company and was never offered anything like that! Come to Ms. and hunt some easy public land birds here! My dream trip would be a true Osceola!
I was lucky enough to get to hunt Goulds in Mexico a few years ago. It would definitely be at the top of my list of where to go again if the opportunity was to ever pop up again. The scenary was beautiful, the people were friendly and accommodating and the turkeys were plentiful and vocal. It was a trip of a lifetime for me and I would highly recommend it to any turkey hunter
Quote from: BennieGobbler on December 24, 2020, 07:47:47 AM
Got a trip gift card with Cabelas worldwide trophy adventures. Curious as to where everyone would go if money wasn't an option to turkey hunt. Want to get most bang for my buck. I have been to Hawaii and I live and hunt in Va. Killed a Rio in Hawaii and Easterns in VA. Thanks Gang!!
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I didn't see any 2021 options on their site. Can they pretty much book a hunt anywhere for you?
If so, I'd go on an Osceola hunt first of March. Think of it this way, if it's a free hunt, then you are getting a more expensive "free" trip if you go on an Osceola hunt than say an eastern.
My dream spot is the neighbor's land, that I don't have permission to hunt, where the turkeys go to spend most of their day after flydown.
New Zealand, went years ago, best bang for your buck if it is still at the same level. I killed 23 in a week, 13 with a bow!
Also some feral goats and waterfowl! Amazing place.
Quote from: Dtrkyman on January 12, 2021, 09:19:32 PM
New Zealand, went years ago, best bang for your buck if it is still at the same level. I killed 23 in a week, 13 with a bow!
Also some feral goats and waterfowl! Amazing place.
:z-winnersmiley:
New Zealand would be a great trip,...but not for turkey hunting. If you are hunting turkeys in New Zealand, you might as well go visit your local turkey farm. Had a wildlife professor go over there years ago specifically to look into the genetics of the New Zealand turkey population. As I recall, a couple of them killed over sixty in a couple of days. They concluded that the turkeys there were mostly of domestic stock,...and behaved as such.
That was years ago, and perhaps things have changed a bit,...but it doesn't sound like it.
Wow what a problem to have! LOL
Already planning to go to Texas for rio's this year. I hunt TN so I have it pretty good. Not as many birds but always kill at least one monster. On someone else's nickel probably Florida for Osceola's.
New Zealand is truly an awesome place. I spent 2 weeks there hiking a few years ago. I didn't hunt or fish(I regret the latter)--monster trout. However, I wouldn't fool with turkeys there. They are essentially feral turkeys. They resemble Merriams to me, but hunting NZ birds is worse than kicking up pen raised quail in my opinion. There's nothing wrong whatsoever with killing NZ turkeys and lots of them, but the fact that a person could smoke 13 in a week with a bow tells you that it ain't the same thing as hunting wild turkeys.
Quote from: TonyTurk on December 26, 2020, 05:15:43 PM
My dream spot is the neighbor's land, that I don't have permission to hunt, where the turkeys go to spend most of their day after flydown.
I can relate to that....
Those New Zealand birds I hunted appeared to be Merriams not domesticated looking at all, zero hunting pressure and hundreds of birds with no predators was the difference.
I believe that was in 2005 so it may be vastly different, but it was a hell of a time!
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This large white/native American/freed black boy is going to the Yucatan in search of the peacock turkey.
27* 42' 54N
80* 47' 48W
Daggum!!! Pressley's?
Phattso ;)
For some reason Nebraska keeps coming to mind. I can't complain though, I live.oneile across the Kentucky Tennessee border and can kill 7 turkeys a year if I wanted to. 3 in Tennessee 2 in Kentucky and I hunt on Fort Campbell Army Base which is 2 bonus birds.
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Sorry one mile across the state line.
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Ocellated! Have you seen the spurs on those birds!
May be a glorified peacock but pretty dam cool!
Made my first Ocellated trip to Yucatan last March. Crazy but Covid was not rampant yet we made it in/out Ok. Down side always in back of mind if were going to get home. 3 of us in camp and we all got a bird so we left a day early. We hunted the jungle with Manuel Enriquez. Hunted with him first time in 2018 in Chihuahua. Put off going to Mexico for a decade 'cause I was skeert. But the Goulds hunt was absolutely amazing and took a friend back in May 2020. We made it in/out just fine the hunting was spectacular. Manuel runs a first class outfit and feel very safe. Am unable to comment on Ocellated hunting other than the jungle. Never experienced anything like it - amazing the birds and wildlife they had a trail cam pic of a jaguar a few days before we arrived. Absolutely loved it. Have hunts booked for 2022 for both Ocellated and Goulds with Manuel at El Halcon. Hard working extremely friendly people
Wherever you go hope you have a Grand Trip