Fellow New Yorkers - are the Thunder Chickens hammering yet? I live in Queens and haven't had the time yet to scout, but I am getting itchy to get to it. Thx for the feedback. :gobble:
I have not heard any yet.
Haven't heard any here in Allegany or Steuben county yet.
Haven't heard any in Schenectady county but saw some jakes strutting in Albany county last week
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Nice. Thx for the feedback. I will try to scout next weekend and provide a situation report.
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what part of the state do you hunt.
Don't have any thunder chickens in my part off NY,just turkeys.They're still flocked up here and even if they were gobbling it wouldn't matter much, way to early to gather much info on where or what they'll be doing come may 1st. And I can't believe they're not gobbling in Queens yet :TooFunny:
I hunt Sullivan and Ulster counties mostly private land and occasionally on public land.
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We don't have them in Queens, but they are in Staten Island like this one in the photo. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160306/070c54c9dc395c6c8d5912987be02fbe.jpg)
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I've seen a few toms out and about, but no strutting or gobbling activity yet.
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Quote from: mlisandro on March 06, 2016, 11:34:57 AM
We don't have them in Queens yet but they are in Staten Island like this one in the photo. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160306/070c54c9dc395c6c8d5912987be02fbe.jpg)
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Cool! I assume the guy by the door is doing the calling? ;) Still early here in my corner of NY.
Bob
I'd set up in those bushes to the right-under the AC.
Quote from: nyhunter on March 02, 2016, 08:23:59 PM
Haven't heard any here in Allegany or Steuben county yet.
:agreed: None in Steuben where I hunt either.
Still winter flocked but the flocks are strutting and gobbling in Greene with all this warm weather, my buddy who lives next to one of the farms we hunt told me he's been woken up 3 times this week by birds gobbling close to his house. Says the flock has about a dozen Toms that will strut each morning and some more smaller two year olds and jakes that just hang out and watch with all the hens. Usually by opening day they're broken up a bit but there's still usually a good few hanging around together until about a week or so into May before they get tired of beating on each other and spread out further, last year i shot a bird out of a group of 7 toms opening morning that were roosted together with about 5-6 jakes and 20 hens. Makes for some ruckus roost gobbling
Dang taunto, sounds like you hunt one of the premier turkey farms in the state!!! I saw my first strutter of the year yesterday morning...it got me all fired up!!!
I went out to scout and pattern my Win SX2 this past weekend in Sullivan County. Well, I did not hear or see any birds in the woods during my scouting endeavors. I did see loads of deer everywhere I turned and they all appeared in great health. As I concluded my scouting on Sunday morning and made my way to Route 209 from a back road, there they are .... a flock of 15 birds in a driveway and on the front lawn of a home with a Thunder Chicken standing erect with his rope dangling in the wind. I could not slow down enough to assess the rest of the flock due to safety reasons. It did get me pumped none the less.
My patterning session was not as successful as i wished it to be. I cannot get the patterns from my SX2 like we see in this forum, but that's another story for another place and time.
Anyway, I will keep you updated as we approach the season and I ask the same of from you. Good luck to all.
Saw two beautiful strutters with about 20 hens tonight...they were keeping a couple of jakes and another longbeard at bay. Also saw a stud of a gobbler with a bunch of hens this morning at my youth season spot. Hope he sticks around!
I heard some SWEET music this morning, watched a couple strutters do their stuff, then had a jake cross the road in front of me on my way home. :turkey2:
Bob
Quote from: OldSchool on March 16, 2016, 01:24:00 PM
I heard some SWEET music this morning, watched a couple strutters do their stuff, then had a jake cross the road in front of me on my way home. :turkey2:
Bob
What county are you in?
On the way to work this morning I saw a group of 8 or so hens and a tom in full strut. Schenectady county
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Quote from: mlisandro on March 16, 2016, 01:28:31 PM
Quote from: OldSchool on March 16, 2016, 01:24:00 PM
I heard some SWEET music this morning, watched a couple strutters do their stuff, then had a jake cross the road in front of me on my way home. :turkey2:
Bob
What county are you in?
I'm in the northern Otsego/southern Herkimer Co. area. The winter flocks are just starting to break up here and I'm starting to see birds slowly filtering back into their spring haunts. Just a bird here and there right now, but it's a good sign.
Bob
Still haven't seen any strutters in Oswego county.
Seen two yesterday with about 15 hens and one strutted and was a nice one...
Quote from: Terry on March 16, 2016, 05:12:58 PM
Still haven't seen any strutters in Oswego county.
Me neither, but i haven't been scouting either, i'll keep an eye out but very little time and i still have to pattern my gun before i can hit the woods, they're there though they always are.
Going upstate this weekend to sight in my SX2 and do some scouting. Standby for the report no later than early next week.
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I've been getting Txt messages like this the past week from my hunting buddy in NY...
"100 birds flew across the creek this am and are out in the pasture right behind the barn as im milking, you shoulda seen it! counted 15 round fans"
"Drove by Mrs. ______'s farm today and had 3 slobs walk in front of the truck by the gate... ____ said he saw a flock of a dozen 2yr olds and jakes there last week thumping on each other"
"Was up at ____ farm making sure we're good for the youth and Vet hunts again this year. Must have been 50 birds and 10 of them had ropes out by the Island" (7 acre patch of timber surrounded by 1/2 mile of fields on all sides) unbelievably good farm but we can only usually get in to take kids and vets during those hunts and need to give a few old timers at least 2weeks of the regular season before the farm will allow my buddy and I full run of the place.
With a short weak winter I think theres going to be a ton of healthy sized birds running around this spring, as long as its not 90 degrees by mid May we should have a bang up year.
Hello Gents. I patterned my SX2 this weekend and did some scouting. I didn't hear a gobbler but I saw a hen on the side of a back road. I gently yelped at her when she disappeared in the pines and about 15-seconds later she comes running to the truck with a barrel chested jake trying to jump on her. He had an above average size head but only 4" beard. He got my blood boiling for sure. Here's a couple of pics I took with my phone.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160327/07ef2ecf652a4580b21fa2eba5ad9123.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160327/0569faa25d71ffbadb65ef20d8eecc05.jpg)
Sent from my thunder chicken slaying machine!
Anyone hear or see any thunder chickens recently?
Sent from my thunder chicken slaying machine!
I witnessed a little shoving match early this morning. I was out listening when two gobblers came into a field a few hundred yards away. They wrapped necks and shoved each other around for probably twenty minutes, then disappeared back into the woods still going at it.
Thanks for the pics. :icon_thumright:
Bob
Haven't seen or heard any but received my Flextone Thunder Chicken decoy the other day!
Quote from: NYlogbeards on March 28, 2016, 05:01:48 AM
Haven't seen or heard any but received my Flextone Thunder Chicken decoy the other day!
What do you think of it this far? I guess the real test for its effectiveness will be in the field?!
Quote from: mlisandro on March 28, 2016, 05:25:31 AM
Quote from: NYlogbeards on March 28, 2016, 05:01:48 AM
Haven't seen or heard any but received my Flextone Thunder Chicken decoy the other day!
What do you think of it this far? I guess the real test for its effectiveness will be in the field?!
I don't know how effective it will be to stalk turkeys with but it will be good for field edges and to run n gun with, the detail is pretty good as well and should fool the turkeys.
Quote from: NYlogbeards on March 28, 2016, 05:01:48 AM
Haven't seen or heard any but received my Flextone Thunder Chicken decoy the other day!
I don't know how effective it will be to stalk turkeys with[/quote]
I hope the above is a miss statement!!!!!!!
Quote from: TauntoHawk on March 23, 2016, 09:36:46 AM
I've been getting Txt messages like this the past week from my hunting buddy in NY...
"100 birds flew across the creek this am and are out in the pasture right behind the barn as im milking, you shoulda seen it! counted 15 round fans"
"Drove by Mrs. ______'s farm today and had 3 slobs walk in front of the truck by the gate... ____ said he saw a flock of a dozen 2yr olds and jakes there last week thumping on each other"
"Was up at ____ farm making sure we're good for the youth and Vet hunts again this year. Must have been 50 birds and 10 of them had ropes out by the Island" (7 acre patch of timber surrounded by 1/2 mile of fields on all sides) unbelievably good farm but we can only usually get in to take kids and vets during those hunts and need to give a few old timers at least 2weeks of the regular season before the farm will allow my buddy and I full run of the place.
With a short weak winter I think theres going to be a ton of healthy sized birds running around this spring, as long as its not 90 degrees by mid May we should have a bang up year.
Come on TauntoHawk, fill in the blanks for me...... Sounds like you are going to out numbered this spring. If you need any added protection/help, just give me a shout. Just kidding. :funnyturkey: Good luck this spring.
Quote from: catclr on March 28, 2016, 08:19:36 PM
Quote from: NYlogbeards on March 28, 2016, 05:01:48 AM
Haven't seen or heard any but received my Flextone Thunder Chicken decoy the other day!
I don't know how effective it will be to stalk turkeys with
I hope the above is a miss statement!!!!!!!
[/quote]
I didn't miss state what i said but i should clarify that i have no intentions using this decoy to stalk a Turkey and wouldn't be effective or safe to do so, but if you ever watched the videos of guys using the Thunder Chicken to crawl up on Gobblers then you know people probably buy the decoy for that purpose but id advised against it, now its a great decoy to run n gun with and the detail is pretty good.
Quote from: NYlogbeards on March 29, 2016, 03:28:31 PM
Quote from: catclr on March 28, 2016, 08:19:36 PM
Quote from: NYlogbeards on March 28, 2016, 05:01:48 AM
Haven't seen or heard any but received my Flextone Thunder Chicken decoy the other day!
I don't know how effective it will be to stalk turkeys with
I hope the above is a miss statement!!!!!!!
I didn't miss state what i said but i should clarify that i have no intentions using this decoy to stalk a Turkey and wouldn't be effective or safe to do so, but if you ever watched the videos of guys using the Thunder Chicken to crawl up on Gobblers then you know people probably buy the decoy for that purpose but id advised against it, now its a great decoy to run n gun with and the detail is pretty good.
[/quote]
Glad to hear your not going to stalk turkeys, and any nut job that does is asking for trouble.
Quote from: catclr on March 29, 2016, 08:03:43 PM
Glad to hear your not going to stalk turkeys, and any nut job that does is asking for trouble.
You're telling me, found this on YouTube https://youtu.be/C7JAR59UiuE (https://youtu.be/C7JAR59UiuE)
Can anyone say death wish!
Quote from: NYlogbeards on March 29, 2016, 08:47:52 PM
Quote from: catclr on March 29, 2016, 08:03:43 PM
Glad to hear your not going to stalk turkeys, and any nut job that does is asking for trouble.
You're telling me, found this on YouTube https://youtu.be/C7JAR59UiuE (https://youtu.be/C7JAR59UiuE)
Can anyone say death wish!
Insane, lmao.
Quote from: NYlogbeards on March 29, 2016, 08:47:52 PM
Quote from: catclr on March 29, 2016, 08:03:43 PM
Glad to hear your not going to stalk turkeys, and any nut job that does is asking for trouble.
You're telling me, found this on YouTube https://youtu.be/C7JAR59UiuE (https://youtu.be/C7JAR59UiuE)
Can anyone say death wish!
Man, I've seen some less than bright ideas, but this may just take the cake. Isn't this the same guy that was pushing the new choke a while back and shooting birds at crazy ranges? Doug Borries?
Bob
Your correct OldSchool, as the dumbest idea. I clicked dislike for the video, and did post a comment, as being dumb as it gets.
I see Bob, you left a comment also on the video. I also disliked it, or gave it a thumbs down.
Quote from: catclr on March 30, 2016, 11:59:02 AM
Your correct OldSchool, as the dumbest idea. I clicked dislike for the video, and did post a comment, as being dumb as it gets.
I see Bob, you left a comment also on the video. I also disliked it, or gave it a thumbs down.
I imagine the comments will be there about as long as the one I left regarding his 70 yard shots. I checked back a couple hours later and it had been deleted.
Bob
I'm hoping at least this was private property and not done on public prop, either ways its pretty idiotic to have a Turkey as a Helmet.
Quote from: OldSchool on March 30, 2016, 11:09:30 AM
Quote from: NYlogbeards on March 29, 2016, 08:47:52 PM
Quote from: catclr on March 29, 2016, 08:03:43 PM
Glad to hear your not going to stalk turkeys, and any nut job that does is asking for trouble.
You're telling me, found this on YouTube https://youtu.be/C7JAR59UiuE (https://youtu.be/C7JAR59UiuE)
Can anyone say death wish!
Man, I've seen some less than bright ideas, but this may just take the cake. Isn't this the same guy that was pushing the new choke a while back and shooting birds at crazy ranges? Doug Borries?
Bob
I have no idea who this guy is or what other videos he has but if this is the idea he thought of i'm sure the rest aren't any brighter.
8" of snow and 30 - 40+ mph winds here this morning, with another 3 - 4" of snow predicted through tomorrow. I wasn't out this morning and I've seen stranger things, but I would imagine it was pretty quiet here as far as gobbling goes. ;D
Bob
Quote from: OldSchool on April 03, 2016, 11:07:03 AM
8" of snow and 30 - 40+ mph winds here this morning, with another 3 - 4" of snow predicted through tomorrow. I wasn't out this morning and I've seen stranger things, but I would imagine it was pretty quiet here as far as gobbling goes. ;D
Bob
I know this sucks, Same high winds and 6" here in Oswego on the ground and cold enough to freeze a turkey's beak off, Winter was pretty kind but don't seem like it wants to leave and i am still looking for a good day to pattern the shotty... wonder if this puts a damper on our season or what?
April snow showers are pretty common in Oswego county. I'm not worried about it's effect on the turkey
Quote from: Terry on April 03, 2016, 02:16:43 PM
April snow showers are pretty common in Oswego county. I'm not worried about it's effect on the turkey
Yeah they are pretty common, but last season was all over the place and closing season is when things got good, hope they are ready for May 1st seems like there is big flocks this year i seen a group of 12 males and 8 females during deer season just keeping my fingers crossed now.
Quote from: Terry on April 03, 2016, 02:16:43 PM
April snow showers are pretty common in Oswego county. I'm not worried about it's effect on the turkey
It might have kept them in the trees a little later this morning, but that's about it. If it even did that.
It sure is different here now compared to this morning and today. With the snow and wind I couldn't see out to the road most of the day.
Bob
I've seen a few strutting out in the fields about a week ago when the weather was warm... Just put out trail cameras a few weeks ago and got a few pictures but they do seem to be breaking apart the winter flocks on my farm
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160403/9ea6d94246f86f6a739c71c7f1714520.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160403/a2cc7aae0da7012ac0cc5d071aadec5a.jpg)
It seems like everything is on track this year, what have you all been seeing in bird numbers?
Had a friend of a friend say he watched a gobbler bread a hen on Friday in Greene County. I don't know the guy too well how and wont voucher for his authenticness but that seems early.
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Quote from: TauntoHawk on April 03, 2016, 10:14:30 PM
Had a friend of a friend say he watched a gobbler bread a hen on Friday in Greene County. I don't know the guy too well how and wont voucher for his authenticness but that seems early.
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Friday was April Fool's day ... Was he pulling your leg?
Quote from: walnuts4x4 on April 03, 2016, 07:36:51 PM
I've seen a few strutting out in the fields about a week ago when the weather was warm... Just put out trail cameras a few weeks ago and got a few pictures but they do seem to be breaking apart the winter flocks on my farm
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160403/9ea6d94246f86f6a739c71c7f1714520.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160403/a2cc7aae0da7012ac0cc5d071aadec5a.jpg)
Nice pics and thanx for sharing.
Quote from: mlisandro on April 04, 2016, 05:20:38 AM
Quote from: TauntoHawk on April 03, 2016, 10:14:30 PM
Had a friend of a friend say he watched a gobbler bread a hen on Friday in Greene County. I don't know the guy too well how and wont voucher for his authenticness but that seems early.
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Friday was April Fool's day ... Was he pulling your leg?
I don't know, I've seen jakes and young toms for a lack of a better term, mount nothing and hump the air. I'm half assuming that's what he say at distance and thought it was breeding activity. I just have a hard time believing that a few early warm days trick an animals instincts
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Thanks for the pics walnut44 and :welcomeOG:
Bob
Seen my first strutter in Oswego county today
Cool. :turkey2:
Quote from: Terry on April 04, 2016, 07:11:26 PM
Seen my first strutter in Oswego county today
What area in Oswego? I hunt Granby and Scriba area haven't seen a thing.
Quote from: Terry on April 04, 2016, 07:11:26 PM
Seen my first strutter in Oswego county today
Cool! I watched a couple strutting in 8-10 inches of snow this morning. Beautiful sight.
Bob
If this guy keeps on doing what he's doing now he is gonna get a headache on 4/23! Love this spot, it's produced youth gobblers by 6:30 on opening morning for the past three years running. I can't wait to kick the season off in KY next weekend...
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b284/WNYBowhunter/zIMAG0130.jpg) (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/WNYBowhunter/media/zIMAG0130.jpg.html)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b284/WNYBowhunter/zIMAG0190.jpg) (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/WNYBowhunter/media/zIMAG0190.jpg.html)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b284/WNYBowhunter/zIMAG0312.jpg) (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/WNYBowhunter/media/zIMAG0312.jpg.html)
Great pics!
Nice WNY and all the luck to you guys in Kentucky.
Got these texts from my buddy in NY while I was in the gym this morning
"Counted 97 last night on the flats (fields at the base of the mountain where he lives and we hunt) 10 were strutting but I know there's more a few younger toms broke off and have been doing their thing on the West end."
"These two and another joker were strutting up on the hill at _____'s farm this morning. Probably save this spot for Janelle (my wife) mid season"
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160408/32e37ecdbfa1165f634455aa4d6224dc.jpg)
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Awesome. Thx for the update.
Did some scouting and observed 6 gobblers this past weekend. A couple were strutting with hens as seen in this photo. I took the picture through the windshield on a back road. They were 95-yds away according to the range finder. I guessed closer than that but the laser wins. We heard some gobbling and I'm guessing they may be getting hot in the southern zone. Who knows for sure since I have a scouting time constraint. None the less, I'm getting pumped for May 1st.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160411/5bc9bb792794703b45bbc5e5b7826513.jpg)
Gentlemen - do you have any updates for us? Unfortunately I am stuck at home this weekend and cannot do any scouting.
Been seeing a group of four toms with 8 hens every few days in the same area since mid march in Schenectady county
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Nice. Need him on our team scoreboard. Good luck.
Anyone have youths going out this weekend?
I'm gonna be down in MD hunting with family so I won't have a kids out in PA or NY this year, all the kids I used to take are too old and hunt with me during the regular season now but I will miss the look on a kids face the first time a bird rips just out of sight.
My buddy has two girls going out for their first ever hunt of any kind in NY, Greene County. He's got a killer spot picked out, scouted this morning at least 10-12 strutters on one farm spread out in about 4 groups. Lot of strutting and pushing around but will be tough to get them away from the hens.
We'll scouted in Sullivan County this morning and wasn't too happy. Checked out 2 pieces of property we lease plus a couple spots on a WMA nearby.. Hiked my but off! Heard a hen on one of the WMA pieces but that was it. Made sure I was there at daybreak to listen for gobbling but didn't hear a peep. Hope they're just resting up for next weekend.
gobbling like crazy last month...dead now. Sadly seeing a lot of dead ones on the Taconic.
Put a gobbler to sleep last week. Saturday morning only heard/seen 2 hens at one spot. No gobbling. Going to head out here soon to another spot. People ive been talking to have been saying not much gobbling right now.
Heard a bunch in Chemung county this morning.
Got another roosted tonight. Gobbled like crazy after he was on the limb.
Saw four strutters this past weekend and hopefully I will be able to set up a meeting with at least one of them next week. Getting pumped and best of luck to you.
Have't been able to scout much but haven't heard or seen much some tracks but thats about it... Wondering where that flock of jakes and toms went I seen last fall, gonna head out Saturday and try to locate one before opening day.
Good luck.
I think I jinxed myself. Haven't seen the flock I have been scouting in over a week now.
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Went out scouting this morning and heard 3 gobblers ripping up a storm, unfortunately it will be pooring down raining next couple days... probably wont get out till tuesday.
That's what the weather man says but I am ready for battle. Good luck to ya.
Putting a bird to bed now. Gobbled twice right where I need him to be. Rain ain't keeping me out tomorrow. Good luck tomorrow!
Worst opener in years. It poured rain all morning but heard one gobbler in the roost for a short time and he disappeared. Back there tomorrow. Good luck to all.
Nailed one at about 6:30. It was pouring rain, but he came right in. 20.14 pounds, 9.5" beard, .75" spurs.
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q52/terry13111/Mobile%20Uploads/KIMG0484_zpscwybwpsn.jpg) (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/terry13111/media/Mobile%20Uploads/KIMG0484_zpscwybwpsn.jpg.html)
Congrats Terry. I was able to get it done on opening day as well. Shot him at 6:35. They stayed up on the roost a little bit longer and he only gobbled 4 or 5 times but still a great hunt and a great bird to kick off the season!
9 3/4in beard 1in spurs
Quote from: BABS9 on May 02, 2016, 08:24:53 AM
Congrats Terry. I was able to get it done on opening day as well. Shot him at 6:35. They stayed up on the roost a little bit longer and he only gobbled 4 or 5 times but still a great hunt and a great bird to kick off the season!
9 3/4in beard 1in spurs
Congrats man!
Got it done this morning. 545 and he gobbled more than I have ever heard one gobble. 8 inch beard 1 inch spurs.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160502/010a59321aa30d360889220979f663ac.jpg)
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Great news gents. Congrats. Today was not a good one either with the downpours in Sullivan county. Try to get it done tomorrow. Congrats again and good luck to all.
Had one gobbling all morning but couldn't get him in due to a swamp, gonna try tomorrow... Good luck guys.
I got out on opening day in the rain on a large flock, targeted the two dominant birds in the flock and had them both at 32yds right off the roost but there were too many birds in tight. Any shot I took was gonna have the possibility of killing a half dozen birds they were grouped so bad had 50 turkeys in front us pushing each other around, strutting, chasing never had anything like that so close. Could have shot several of the less dominant Toms as there were 8 longbeards in the flock but we decided to just enjoy the show and wait for an opportunity on one of the two i wanted but we never could make it safely happen before they slipped off into the plowed fields for the day.
I feel like it was a successful hunt regardless of pulling the trigger, after all that's the easy part but having 8 unsuspecting long breads put on the morning ritual and show all inside 50yds isn't something you get to see very often, the amount of hen, Jake, and gobbler vocalization that was going on was well worth it.
Got out this morning and thought i was busted walking under a few hens but they didn't see me and i was able to sit down under some cover... about 50 yards across a creek heard one gobbling like crazy, i made a few soft yelps and clucks and he flew down right in front of me and was able to put this guy down at 25 yards.
(http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h419/vogelsangjj5424/Mobile%20Uploads/20160503_071527_zpsmexmlsdy.jpg)
Another wet NY morning with zero gobbles. I did see three ropes and a jake in a field next to a home. I just remained in awe watching them. Giving it another shot tomorrow which is suppose to be wet again. Good luck all.
Quote from: mlisandro on May 03, 2016, 01:07:51 PM
Another wet NY morning with zero gobbles. I did see three ropes and a jake in a field next to a home. I just remained in awe watching them. Giving it another shot tomorrow which is suppose to be wet again. Good luck all.
Even though its been wet and cold birds have been really active around my parts, hope things turn around for you... Good luck.
When the weather breaks its gonna heat up fast, I am in no rush to get my tags on any birds just yet. I've always encountered that the boss birds have hens all day early season and don't start to get lonely and making mistakes until later.
As far as bagging a bird.....look at my screen name to answer that....none but opening day my dad worked 12 birds and I finally got my first real shot at a spring turkey and missed.
So if I'm getting that action and I'm a terrible turkey hunter? Birds must be back strong.
My dad just had to run into that 23 lb tom I scouted all winter. Lol! I do the scouting never get a bird...he uses my scouting reports and slaughters everything and will be done by Saturday I bet before I even get a shot at another.
But whatever I've got a field with 8 male turkeys strutting and saw some fighting for the first time ever last week. 3 are big boys the rest are Jakes. Had two working in at this spot and a freaking house cat just slowly stalked the field edge of course a white cat will spook a smart bird but better the cat than us.
I don't know why I'm still trying to get a turkey but I guess it's still exciting even if you haven't shot a bird. The thrill of a tom gobbling and waiting for him to appear is too much fun. I just can't stop.
Btw we hunt 60% public but have a massive tract nearby so it kind of skews the numbers. The public land is banging this year compared to years past. No one is out. I mean no one. I barely see a soul hunting and that's the truth.
Please everyone wish me luck! Is wish you some but you don't want the kinda luck I have, more like a jinx. If I don't get one by the seasons end that's the time I say Uncle and stick to shooting a couple hundred ducks and 500 geese again this fall. That's about all I can hunt well.
I've been trying to take that enthusiasm and put it towards turkeys but it doesn't matter...I'm cursed so if anyone knows a witch doctor send him my way!
I seen toms struting and gobble , before the season opened. But now not one gobble.
I've called in one hen. Sence opening day.
And I have 6 Jake's that visit my bird feeder at. My house just about every day.
CAN. THIS. RAIN. STOP. PLEASE
If the weather prediction holds true and we get rain again this weekend it'll be 8 days in a row with rain during hunting hours. This weekend we have our NWTF Wounded Warrior Vet hunt and I'd really like to not have to battle through rain, fog, and wind if at all possible for those guys. We have 16 vets in this year, wish us luck and straight shooting boys
Best of luck.
They will enjoy it no matter what.
Carry-On.
Researchers at Clemson said when we see the boss gobbler and jakes hens all together it's not the best time to hunt as the toms haven't quite broke the flock mentality.
We are almost there but not quite. Only time I'm running into birds is when I find 3-5 together and of course we're not doing much since the gobblers henned up.
So this is helping me stay positive and wait them out. They do seem to be getting more ancy in the morning we had a tom booming the woods 45 mins before shooting time!
I think we will see a great boost of activity between now and the 10th. Gobblers will hit their mean steak and start really seeking and that's when we will be there. Can't force nature, we can try and it can work, but turkeys seem to be the best at fighting back. Good luck guys! Hope I can scratch this boss off tomorrow before the wife gets too mad I'm still out and it's Mother's Day!
Quote from: TauntoHawk on May 06, 2016, 09:52:20 AM
CAN. THIS. RAIN. STOP. PLEASE
If the weather prediction holds true and we get rain again this weekend it'll be 8 days in a row with rain during hunting hours. This weekend we have our NWTF Wounded Warrior Vet hunt and I'd really like to not have to battle through rain, fog, and wind if at all possible for those guys. We have 16 vets in this year, wish us luck and straight shooting boys
Awesome vet hunt, 16 vets killed 12 birds over the weekend. My guy a 71yr old Vietnam vet killed a beautiful 3yr old on an unbelievable hunt and we finished up the day with a fast and furious bird for me before the noon gun.
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Quote from: TauntoHawk on May 09, 2016, 12:06:25 PM
Quote from: TauntoHawk on May 06, 2016, 09:52:20 AM
CAN. THIS. RAIN. STOP. PLEASE
If the weather prediction holds true and we get rain again this weekend it'll be 8 days in a row with rain during hunting hours. This weekend we have our NWTF Wounded Warrior Vet hunt and I'd really like to not have to battle through rain, fog, and wind if at all possible for those guys. We have 16 vets in this year, wish us luck and straight shooting boys
Awesome vet hunt, 16 vets killed 12 birds over the weekend. My guy a 71yr old Vietnam vet killed a beautiful 3yr old on an unbelievable hunt and we finished up the day with a fast and furious bird for me before the noon gun.
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Thank you for taking care of our vets! Hooah to the team.
Quote from: mlisandro on May 09, 2016, 03:21:57 PM
Quote from: TauntoHawk on May 09, 2016, 12:06:25 PM
Quote from: TauntoHawk on May 06, 2016, 09:52:20 AM
CAN. THIS. RAIN. STOP. PLEASE
If the weather prediction holds true and we get rain again this weekend it'll be 8 days in a row with rain during hunting hours. This weekend we have our NWTF Wounded Warrior Vet hunt and I'd really like to not have to battle through rain, fog, and wind if at all possible for those guys. We have 16 vets in this year, wish us luck and straight shooting boys
Awesome vet hunt, 16 vets killed 12 birds over the weekend. My guy a 71yr old Vietnam vet killed a beautiful 3yr old on an unbelievable hunt and we finished up the day with a fast and furious bird for me before the noon gun.
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Thank you for taking care of our vets! Hooah to the team.
Oh its one of the most fun weekends of the whole year, long story in the general section if you got the time and want a read.
Anyone else trying to hunt this insane weather??? We had 40's and screaming 30+ mph winds all day today and now it's 33 and snowing in sheets.
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Quote from: TauntoHawk on May 15, 2016, 09:04:42 PM
Anyone else trying to hunt this insane weather??? We had 40's and screaming 30+ mph winds all day today and now it's 33 and snowing in sheets.
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I tried,need 1 more to finish off NY,ive never saw the weather be this way.If it's not raining the wind blows hard lolol.Been trying to get up there on wed,fri,and sun.mornings.It has to get better sometime!
I concur. It has been the strangest weather I've encountered in the spring season for the past 25-years. I will give another shot this week and then hang it up for the year. Good luck to all.
I tagged out yesterday, killed two really nice birds and had called one for a Vet hunter but was an ego check for sure this year. Very tough hunts delt with Rain, Wind, and even some hail/snow on the one lone perfectly sunny day I had I never heard or saw a single turkey after fly down also had more hunting pressure it seemed on some of the farms that are usually fairly un-pressured got hunted hard by other guys.
Congrats. I'm getting back to it tomorrow until Sunday then I'm hanging it up for the year. Hopefully, I can add one to the board. Good luck y'all.
I thought youre only allowed one bird per day in New York ???
Quote from: TauntoHawk on May 17, 2016, 09:43:57 AM
I tagged out yesterday, killed two really nice birds and had called one for a Vet hunter but was an ego check for sure this year. Very tough hunts delt with Rain, Wind, and even some hail/snow on the one lone perfectly sunny day I had I never heard or saw a single turkey after fly down also had more hunting pressure it seemed on some of the farms that are usually fairly un-pressured got hunted hard by other guys.
I ment for the year, over a week apart. I wouldn't ever want to end my season too quickly
Had one this morning in the tree about 80 yards gobble his arse off,stayed in the tree till 615.About 600 i was scanning the trees and saw him on a limb in and out of strut.Only yelped 3 soft yelps the whole time,he answered,i shut up thinking he only has to drop 40 yards into this field.NEGATIVE,he came out of tree and went the opposite way,gobbled 1 more time going away.Left him,heard another had with'n 100 yards gobbled couple dozen times,then went silent.Had 2 jakes in yesterday in another spot and heard 2 others gobbling hard on roost,along ways away.TIME WILL TELL LOLOLL on this wacky season,killed 2 in Pa first week and 1 in NY on first friday.Good luck everyone on these pain in the butt late season birds.
So, today i figured i'd give my honey hole a break and let the Turkeys rest, instead i went to a strip of power lines to see if i could find any gobblers there... Now I've only hunted here twice last deer season and seen no turkey signs, and this morning not one gobble was to be heard, I'm thinking to my self "There is no damn turkeys here" i figured i'd stick it out and sit and soft call... Watched some deer grazing then checked my watch and it said 11:31 so i figured to pack up and head home, but wait! whats that right there at 30 yards? A gobbler staring me in the face, i raised my 20ga and boom the Win XX dropped him right in his tracks.
Weighed 18 pounds and had a 6" beard
(http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h419/vogelsangjj5424/Mobile%20Uploads/20160518_142021_zpsb6hwbqjg.jpg)
way to go keeping after them
Pretty good morning, i'm tagged out but my dad isn't and he was able to get one this morning. had one gobbling on the roost... after he flew down to the field my dad dropped him at 45 yards, the Win XX is one good hard hitting load. i'll post a picture when i upload it...
I finally scored brothers on Friday 5/20. I shot a bruiser at 18.4lbs with a 12" paintbrush with 1" (sharp as knife) and .625" spurs. I dropped him at ~35yds. A great morning for sure. Then yesterday, I called in a nice one for my cuz. It took 10-mins and he was on a string. His bird was 16.4lbs, 9" beard, and .75" Spurs on both sides. Our season is pretty much done due to family commitments. For those of you that are still going at it, good luck.(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160525/74e18982be41383ebd580ac16b595809.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160525/27c0268dd4540b2c15d53f997602f716.jpg)
This boss tom had eluded me 5 times this year. Today and yesterday he gobbled a good 200 times. I got a great bead on him at about 50-60 yards. He is 23 lbs...inch spurs on both...9 inch paintbrush like beard. Beard looks like it should have split into two. The base was funny but it was all one and massive.(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160527/31c3830919f553574fd94d03f8b9c1c2.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160527/57f5c49fdf29c5616f24ee8a1969c23b.jpg)
Tagged out in NY. 8 inch beard and 3/4 spurs. Came in with another Tom and two jakes. They put on a great show with lots of jake yelps and strutting! (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160527/3e51f0866af10e38621a0faa460df1d1.jpg)
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Great job. I ate one tag this year. I wish I had more time to hit the woods. Congrats.
Quote from: philbilly223 on May 27, 2016, 07:28:36 PM
Tagged out in NY. 8 inch beard and 3/4 spurs. Came in with another Tom and two jakes. They put on a great show with lots of jake yelps and strutting! (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160527/3e51f0866af10e38621a0faa460df1d1.jpg)
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Congrats! Nice bird! Up north? South east? West or north central? You don't have to tell me the direct town if you don't want to just like to see if it's still worth hitting the woods tomorrow. I got my big bird. I am ok with eating one tag. It's been a great year.
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Both were in Schenectady county about 10 miles from each other. Missed one in PA too bc I didn't wait long enough and took a shot that was too far.
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Very nice. I'm in Ontario county but took the bird in the hills around Dansville. I gotta get a few new farms. Time to start driving out the most remote farm area possible! We have three 1,000 acre diary farms we hunt but others are in there frequently and it makes it tough.