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ARCHIVED OLD GOBBLER TURKEY HUNTING TEAM CONTESTS => 2022 OLD GOBBLER TURKEY HUNTING TEAM CONTEST => Team Scattered Flock => Topic started by: Spellnj3 on April 25, 2022, 08:20:20 PM

Title: Finish Strong!!
Post by: Spellnj3 on April 25, 2022, 08:20:20 PM
Cmon guys, only a few/couple weeks left.  Lets finish strong and make a great run for a first year team!!!  Let's go!!!!
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: notsure on April 27, 2022, 06:35:05 PM
No luck during Season B in MN. Fifth coldest April on record combined with bad luck equates to no dead gobbler. However, all is not lost! I get to hunt again starting on May 11th.  Usually, late season hunts are tough, but with this year's weather, maybe I'll catch a break for a change. Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: Spellnj3 on April 27, 2022, 07:11:47 PM
No luck during Season B in MN. Fifth coldest April on record combined with bad luck equates to no dead gobbler. However, all is not lost! I get to hunt again starting on May 11th.  Usually, late season hunts are tough, but with this year's weather, maybe I'll catch a break for a change. Fingers crossed.

Good luck, go get um!!
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: JeffC on April 28, 2022, 07:36:41 AM
Thanks for the update, woke up this morning to wind chills in the 30's, supposed to be back in the 70's by the weekend, going back to where is was on Monday, hoping they do the same thing, good luck.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: VA Gobble Addict on April 28, 2022, 02:43:26 PM
Pics coming. He’s not big but he’s points
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: JeffC on April 28, 2022, 03:47:43 PM
Way to get it done VA GA, so we have 3 birds pending!!
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: HillclimberWV on April 28, 2022, 05:13:50 PM
Had an opurtunity at a big bird this morning but a herd of cows decided to get between me and him.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: lacire on April 28, 2022, 07:23:18 PM
Had an opurtunity at a big bird this morning but a herd of cows decided to get between me and him.

I’ve never had cows get in the way but I’ve had horses. At first light we had turkeys on the ground in front of us when two horses ran between my gun and the turkeys. Then to top it off they both turned and stared right at me with a “I dare you look”. I couldn’t believe it when one then walked over and started kicking a metal corral as hard as it could, it sounded like a gigantic alarm bell going off as if he was trying to warn his turkey buddies to get outta there.  :TooFunny:
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: lacire on April 28, 2022, 07:24:27 PM
Pics coming. He’s not big but he’s points

Congratulations.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: JeffC on May 06, 2022, 12:26:50 PM
Heard at least 3 Toms on Monday, deep into private. Heading out again tomorrow, with rain gear, calling for windy rainy nasty day, will head to different area with fields.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: lacire on May 06, 2022, 12:40:21 PM
 It doesn’t sound like bad weather is going to keep you in. Good luck Jeff.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: notsure on May 06, 2022, 02:00:10 PM
83F predicted for my second "opening day"! What a difference a few weeks makes!
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: austinc on May 06, 2022, 05:56:45 PM
Right now it's supposed to be 55, clear blue skies and no wind at daylight. High 80, and only 5-10 mph winds all day. Should be a beautiful last Saturday here! Hopefully I can find a bird. We're only allowed 1 per wma, but 2 statewide, so I've got to go to a new area now.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: VA Gobble Addict on May 07, 2022, 08:23:52 AM
Good luck everyone! Season is about done for me here in VA. Luckily I traveled west this year and was able to contribute. May travel west again next year and try to get a Rio.  Gonna try to find a trespass fee hunt for that one.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: Spellnj3 on May 07, 2022, 04:55:12 PM
This morning was out last hunt for the season of 2022.   Great year for us, we shot 7 birds.  3 Longbeard and 4 jakes.   For the first time all 4 of my kids harvested a bird.   Very happy!!
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: lacire on May 07, 2022, 09:55:14 PM
Well, we’ll have to do this again next year, God willing  :mycross:.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: JeffC on May 08, 2022, 07:54:16 AM
Great year for your family Spellnj3, lot of memories, glad your father got to enjoy the hunt even if he didnt pull the trigger.

Never made it out yesterday, wind woke me up at 2am, rocking the house. Will be running back over there Friday and Saturday, looking at 80 degrees, should have birds looking for new girlfriends after this weekend's 2 inches of rain and 40+ mph winds.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: Spellnj3 on May 08, 2022, 05:37:44 PM
Great year for your family Spellnj3, lot of memories, glad your father got to enjoy the hunt even if he didnt pull the trigger.

Never made it out yesterday, wind woke me up at 2am, rocking the house. Will be running back over there Friday and Saturday, looking at 80 degrees, should have birds looking for new girlfriends after this weekend's 2 inches of rain and 40+ mph winds.

Good luck...that weather can be a pain
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: JeffC on May 13, 2022, 06:51:31 PM
Only heard 1 Tom this morning, made my way to area, He dropped into a private field, gobbled at everything I threw at him. Waited till after 9 before giving up on him. Even had his hens talking, but I had a swamp between us, sure he gets messed with every day, he's easily seen in field from road. Back at it again tomorrow. 2 weeks left...
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: lacire on May 14, 2022, 03:53:16 AM
Good luck Jeff, hopefully you’ll get your new gun bloodied.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: JeffC on May 14, 2022, 03:13:41 PM
Didn't happen again, yesterday spotted 3 red heads in a field thats public, 1 was in full strut, full fan. There was no way I could get to him yesterday. Went in this morning after them. Small area 1 house in middle it. Went to rear of property next to marsh, 1st gobble didnt happen till 645, and only heard 1 time, and of course on private. Was a very foggy damp morning, didnt start calling till 7, instant response close, hit it a 2nd time and he is now within 30 yds, but gobble sounded like a jake, set up behind 2 tree stumps, here they come, 2 jakes, safety was off, watched as they walked down wood line and right into woods too me, 5' from end of barrel. Let them walk behind me, took some pictures as they walked off, then called them back 2 more times, hoping all the gobbling he was doing would bring out the Tom, no luck. 2 tags left...
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: lacire on May 14, 2022, 08:45:34 PM
They must’ve liked what they were hearing to have them come back to you like that.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: notsure on May 15, 2022, 06:12:18 AM
Day 5 of my late season hunt. They're gobbling like mad about 150 yards to my south, just up the  hillside and across the Root River. Per usual. Problem is, they've been flying down on the wrong side of the river more often than not. Maybe today's the day.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: lacire on May 15, 2022, 09:12:45 AM

Day 5 of my late season hunt. They're gobbling like mad about 150 yards to my south, just up the  hillside and across the Root River. Per usual. Problem is, they've been flying down on the wrong side of the river more often than not. Maybe today's the day.

Good luck
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: notsure on May 15, 2022, 09:29:30 AM
Thanks lacire. Now going on well over two hours. They've managed to cut the distance (they're behind thick brush, can't tell how close), but they still haven't crossed the river.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: lacire on May 15, 2022, 10:04:42 AM
So close, keep at them.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: Spellnj3 on May 15, 2022, 10:43:36 AM
Man that can be frustrating.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: notsure on May 15, 2022, 03:16:50 PM
They finally crossed the river, 100 yards from my setup. Maybe tomorrow.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: lacire on May 15, 2022, 07:44:39 PM
They finally crossed the river, 100 yards from my setup. Maybe tomorrow.


 :icon_thumright: Wishing you luck tomorrow.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: JeffC on May 16, 2022, 08:10:36 AM
Sounds like your gaining ground on them notsure, keep after them, good luck. I am headed back over Wed. Try another area, hopefully less pressure on birds now, fishing is starting to pick up in Bay, more guys fishing than hunting.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: HillclimberWV on May 16, 2022, 12:38:55 PM
Notsure i feel your pain. I spent all weekend messing with some field birds that everytime i zigged they zagged. Multiple times i was within 75 yards but could not get them to close the distance. I haven't decided if i want to spend the last weekend of season chasing them or admit defeat and go look for willing birds on a different property.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: notsure on May 16, 2022, 04:54:44 PM
I'm changing gears tomorrow and will hunt out of my "West Blind", located about 1 mile west (imagine that) from the location I've being setting up at since last Wednesday. You can't get near as close to where birds typically roost compared to the river blind, but I've killed several toms at this site simply by waiting for the "second bite".
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: HillclimberWV on May 16, 2022, 05:57:36 PM
Yeah i definitely understand changing it up. If i can get out before work this week one morning im going to give it one more shot as long as i can roost them the night before. This weekend I'm going to go to a spot i scouted early thats a little farther from home. I just hate to leave turkeys to find turkeys but also think i'm just educating the group at this point.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: JeffC on May 16, 2022, 09:10:16 PM
Sounds like you 2 have game plans...me, going in blind, hoping for a Tom comes find me..Good Luck guys
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: JeffC on May 19, 2022, 09:16:09 PM
Wednesday was a bust, one gobble at 5:45, 95% sure it was a jake. Had a great conversation with a lone hen, nobody else want to get involved. Hit 4 other WMA's nothing. Even went back to area I was hunting at start of season. No fresh sign, too much pressure. Heading to another area Saturday. 
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: lacire on May 20, 2022, 12:00:01 AM
 :icon_thumright: Good luck Jeff, keep us posted.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: notsure on May 20, 2022, 01:52:50 PM
Good luck Jeff. I took today off, and I'll probably stay home on Saturday and Sunday as well. Sleep deprivation is a real .... I haven't given up yet, but this season's been beyond difficult.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: austinc on May 21, 2022, 08:14:56 AM
Good luck jeff, get it done!

How long does the contest run? As of now I'm heading to another new state next weekend to close out the season lol if I hear a bird I'll be happy, never hunted this late before.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: lacire on May 21, 2022, 11:47:01 AM
Good luck jeff, get it done!

How long does the contest run? As of now I'm heading to another new state next weekend to close out the season lol if I hear a bird I'll be happy, never hunted this late before.
Good luck Jeff. I took today off, and I'll probably stay home on Saturday and Sunday as well. Sleep deprivation is a real .... I haven't given up yet, but this season's been beyond difficult.



The season for me ended three weeks ago, glad to see you two are still out there, good luck.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: HillclimberWV on May 22, 2022, 02:24:46 PM
Missed my one opportunity this morning on the field gobbler ive been chasing the last 3 weeks. He was well within range when he periscoped over the edge of a knoll. He came in quiet and caught me with my gun in my lap. I didnt chance a fast move with the hopes of sticking with him. He soon grouped up with a handful of jakes and couple hens. I chased them around the field till end of shooting time never could them in rang and in plain view. Several times i had them within range but it was too hard to tell which was the gobbler and which was the jakes. They didn't gobble one time after 6:30 and never saw the gobbler strut. It wasn't worth it to me to make a mistake and shoot one of the jakes so he wins this year. All in all i had a good season. I only filled one tag but i got to battle with a big bird and devote alot of time to just him since i filled it early. I also can tell i'm improving as a caller because i called in more hens this year than i ever have. I attribute that to the wingbone mostly. It was my first year carrying one and i got alot of responses to it. I did mess up a couple of times with it though by playing too loud. Still need some more practice. Good luck to anybody that still has season left. Its been fun.
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: JeffC on May 22, 2022, 04:55:57 PM
austinc, contest ends when seasons end, sometime in June, believe Maine closes us out.

HillclimberWV you had a great trip out west with something to bring back! Thats a great year in my book. Its great when you can find a Tom that is looking for a long drawn out fight, you will get him next year!

I found a nice size flock on Saturday, but as usual on private. Spotted a young Tom last Wednesday, guess he was roosted in one of 2 blocks of woods on edge of public/ private, went in Sat. morning, had coyote sneak up to 30 yds, guess he smelled all the bug spray and ThermaCell heard him bust out into wheat, gray light time of morning so couldn't get shot off. Did see Owl dive on something, then 2 Woodcock flew by. Heard 1st gobble way off, moved in direction as It was only bird I heard. Gobbled great on limb, more then 1 bird, at least 2 Jakes. But they were 400 plus yards across private field. Answered every time I called, even gobbled on his own when I went quiet. Sometime after fly down, he is still hammering, saw 2 hens come out into field and make their way to the east. Thought I could pull the rest of flock across field now that hens left for nests, no luck. It was now 8ish, temperature was in 80s and getting hotter, no way were they coming across hot field in open sun, and I was worried I still had to hike back to truck, being fat and old in first heat wave of year, not a good thing. But learned where they are,  trying 1 more time Wednesday. Maryland closes tomorrow, Jersey closes Friday.   
Title: Re: Finish Strong!!
Post by: austinc on May 22, 2022, 05:32:15 PM
Good luck Jeff, hopefully you can get it done. Work had asked me if I wanted to go to jersey this week, almost parlayed it into a hunting trip too, but ultimately I couldnt go and let another guy go.