It's winter and I am bored, so I spend time reading different forums and watching some youtube videos. I have participated in and viewed several forum discussions that deal with behavior, sportsmanship and ethics in general. As we watch the daily current events, we see a society that is struggling with many issues from a pandemic, isolation, social justice and morality.
We outdoor enthusiast have a God given outlet for our energy and emotional therapy. The great out doors should be a balm and remedy for our pain and anguish, but I see us just bringing the daily pain along with us into the woods and interactions with our fellow outdoors enthusiast. There should be a sign at every forest gate/parking lot, stream access, boat launch and trail head that says, "Leave your anger, pain, emotions, greed and troubles here, they are not allowed beyond this point. You can pick them up when you leave". why do we eat our own?
During 2020 many people had one of the most painful years of their lives. Many didn't know what to do and they came to the outdoors to get some relief. Some were greeted with smiles, but many got a cold shoulder and a snarl. We do not own God's creation we are only the stewards of it, and it was meant for all. That does not mean that sometimes these people are not aggravating and yes even butt holes, but that does not mean we should digress and be less than engaging, friendly and caring. To respond with contempt and resentment is a poison we pour into our own souls.
There is so much wonder in the great outdoors to enjoy. Let yourselves loose and enjoy it. If during your quest you encounter someone else, I challenge you to share a simple act of kindness. Perhaps two of you meet at a gate and both have targeted a specific Gobbler or you have one spotted. Just in the name of kindness, give way or maybe even simply put the other guy on the bird. Perhaps some day someone will do the same for you, or perhaps they already have. Life is a race to see who can gain the most the fastest, perhaps our time outdoors should be a little slower? Slow up and watch the wildlife, notice the flowers and listen to the songs of spring.
Why shouldn't we be better than what we see in society's unrest? Should we burn down the woods because we don't think what someone else done is fair? The Bible says, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". One thing I see seasoned outdoorsmen doing is griping about nimrods and newbies. when you encounter them, educate them in some small way, but be kind. We as sportspeople can and should be better....life sucks enough without dragging it along in our sport.
Post a story or example of a way you have shared an act of kindness or post a resolution of something you intend to do this year in your time afield.
Well said. Last season I shared hunting land with another hunter who I felt was being less than up front with me about where he was hunting and when. In some instances I became very angry with this individual. When scouting one day I saw a nice gobbler on part of the property where he usually hunts. I really wanted that bird badly and I knew I could get him the next day. I didn't feel good about doing that, so instead I told him about it and went so far as sending him a picture of the property and I marked the spot where I saw the bird and when I saw it. I hunted across the road from that spot the next day. I heard him shoot the bird and he sent me the pictures. It was bigger than any bird I harvested last year. I did not even hear a gobble in my vicinity that same morning. I think we both are still in competition for birds for this upcoming year and I've heard some things he's said about me that are less than flattering. I don't have any control over that, but what I can control is what I say and do.
Quote from: Meleagris gallopavo on February 10, 2021, 09:36:13 AM
Well said. Last season I shared hunting land with another hunter who I felt was being less than up front with me about where he was hunting and when. In some instances I became very angry with this individual. When scouting one day I saw a nice gobbler on part of the property where he usually hunts. I really wanted that bird badly and I knew I could get him the next day. I didn't feel good about doing that, so instead I told him about it and went so far as sending him a picture of the property and I marked the spot where I saw the bird and when I saw it. I hunted across the road from that spot the next day. I heard him shoot the bird and he sent me the pictures. It was bigger than any bird I harvested last year. I did not even hear a gobble in my vicinity that same morning. I think we both are still in competition for birds for this upcoming year and I've heard some things he's said about me that are less than flattering. I don't have any control over that, but what I can control is what I say and do.
Thanks for sharing and kudos to you. Your last sentence is a lesson that we all need to learn or have reinforced quite often, and we'd be better for it.
Last year, I helped a Female Friend get her first 2 Longbeards. Took 12 Days. I probably could have taken 2 more New Jersey Gobblers myself-- but helping her was more important.
excellent post
Great post eggshell! You can indeed tell a lot about a person based on what they do or don't do when no one is watching.
I don't get enough tags each year so I commonly hunt with others. Watching my boys kill their first birds has been very special. I commonly hunt with friends and always enjoy their success. Taking a friend who has never killed a turkey this spring. Really looking forward to those hunts.
Good post eggshell and good advice for all.
I hunt private land only so I dont see other hunters, however my resolution this year is the same as always. I will spend as much time in the field as possible and thank God for every opportunity I have. I will try to remember how blessed I am to just be able to hunt, knowing that most people on earth will never know the joy of watching a sunrise in the turkey woods. That's my plan anyway.
Mike
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Quote from: eggshell on February 10, 2021, 09:15:15 AM
There should be a sign at every forest gate/parking lot, stream access, boat launch and trail head that says, "Leave your anger, pain, emotions, greed and troubles here, they are not allowed beyond this point. You can pick them up when you leave". why do we eat our own
Thank you for posting! The only thing I would add to that sign would be the word "pride".
I believe one of the best things we can do is offer to take in a youth or other beginning hunter who has had limited access and success. For me, that has meant working with disabled hunters and disabled veterans. God has removed the ego and pride I once carried and I actually enjoy my time spent hunting more than I ever have.
Great posts here. Eggshell, very well said, I'd hunt with you anytime... Here's the way I look at the outdoor world. God indeed created the land and wildlife we all have the RIGHT to share. I hunt both public, and private lands. I've had my share with hunter interaction, but fortunately it has been minimal. What I find is the people that hunt the public are a bit more stressed and uneasy. I have to sympathize with them, because if you only hunt public, your competing for birds, and spots. It can wear on you. Private land hunters are way more relaxed, and less stressed. It's just a product of the two hunting conditions. Turkey hunting really is a solo connection between hunter and bird. It's a game of chess where he or she who makes the right decisions and moves win. The few interactions in my career that I have encountered, I ended up moved on to another area to hunt another bird. In my mind, the last thing I want is to squabble with a stranger that I totally do not know out in the middle of no where with a loaded firearm. We are all under stress with our divided country and pandemic. You never know how much stress an individual is under till you live in their shoes. That's why I have no problem sharing the woods with my fellow hunters. I harvest my share of gobblers, and enjoy every season and minute in the woods. I certainly do not ever want any negative interaction to spoil these adventures. The moral for me here is take control of what we can control. Avoid controversy, yield to others in our woods, and just be a kind human being. I have found that god has rewarded me with many beautiful gobblers, and for that and all he has created for us, I am extremely grateful. God bless everyone here on the forum, and all the other comrades we meet in the woods along the way. Be safe, best of luck this spring and many more to come.
As several has already stated, many of my best hunts and memories are when I helped people bag their very first gobbler. I can relive some of my own joy with each one of them. It is in fact one of the best things we can do. when we take someone under our wings, like an old hen with her clutch, we become the standard they gauge their own hunting by.
Quote from: eggshell on February 10, 2021, 11:37:29 AM
As several has already stated, many of my best hunts and memories are when I helped people bag their very first gobbler. I can relive some of my own joy with each one of them. It is in fact one of the best things we can do. when we take someone under our wings, like an old hen with her clutch, we become the standard they gauge their own hunting by.
Amen my friend
One of my fondest memories, was back years ago taking a young man on his first turkey hunting and calling a bird up for him and him killing the gobbler. Just this pass year he passed away at very young age, and the day after the funeral, i shared the story with his son about us hunting and his dad killing the gobbler. I also on several occasions took his dad catfishing on the Tennessee River. I shared all the stories that day with his son. It brought tears to us all and we had some laughs..that's what the outdoors is all about sharing memories with yourself and your friends and seeing those beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Very well spoken! I think we all should read that about once a week.
Great thread Eggshell. The first organized sportsmen club I joined was an NWTF Niagara Frontier Chapter in western NYS back in 1983. At the time they had more members than at the state level had and the only chapter on this side of Albany, NY. I had no clue how to turkey hunt at all. A couple of members took me under their wing and took me out calling and scouting birds one early spring. On that first morning out, they called up a dominant hen and put her right on my lap. It was to this day an awakening. I will never forget those members who went unselfishly out of their way to help this rookie out. So now in return, I do the same for other newbies and youngsters who desire to learn the game. Over the years I have achieved many sportsmen awards from various clubs to which I belong, but the best on my den wall is a framed thank you card and picture of a young lady with a bird I had called in for and can not think of any better award...pass it on to others!
So what your saying is I shouldn't be pulling into a public land parking spot 5 minutes before daylight while wearing a pair of pib overalls held up by one strap, no shirt, a clown mask and cranking slipknots " Custer"as loud as it will go? Man you guys suck the fun out of everything. Now I am gonna have to get up early and deal with people.
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Quote from: Happy on February 10, 2021, 03:39:02 PM
So what your saying is I shouldn't be pulling into a public land parking spot 5 minutes before daylight while wearing a pair of pib overalls held up by one strap, no shirt, a clown mask and cranking slipknots " Custer"as loud as it will go? Man you guys suck the fun out of everything. Now I am gonna have to get up early and deal with people.
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I thought you were way to old to know who Slipknot is, let alone one of their songs!
I have helped and been helped by friends on ducks and turkeys. I don't really count those as being all that generous because they are my friends and I would do most anything for the few I truly count as friends.
I was scouting a week ahead of the season on a well worn piece of public ground and it just slipped my mind it was youth weekend. I was just parking at high spots and listening. I eased up to my first spot and saw a man and boy getting out. It was a while before gobble time so I pulled over to chat. When I saw them gearing up I realized it was youth weekend. I told them where I had been the Wednesday before and where two birds were and where the headed when they hit the ground. It was a grandfather and grandson. He kind of hesitated and asked if they should hunt those birds - like he was not sure why I was telling him. I said, heck yes, that is why I am telling you. I backed out and he loaded in his truck and headed that way. I heard through some of his kin that the young un got one, but I don't really know if it was my info that did it. I hope so.
My motto for both turkey and duck hunting is:
Psalm 118v24. "This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it"
That is some excellent advice for any day afield right there - duck, turkey, redfish or just a walk through the woods or on the water.
i'm pretty open about helping people find decent public spots.
i was duck hunting 2 years ago on a damned up trout stream and when i got done there was an older lady with walking crutches fishing a spring pond i new had nothing in it. i gave her a public stream map book and spent a good half hour circling places i knew she'd be able to physically get to with her disability. i gave her a few spinners i had in my truck. i give spinners and flies away quite often. last year i met a couple from chicago by way of russia and could tell they were beginners. i probably gave them a dozen flies i knew they'd catch fish on
deer hunting this year i had a guy come up on me and say his buddies(from out of state) were doing a drive towards me and he let me take a good spot in case they bumped something. we didn't see anything, but i gave them another spot to try after they left. i always feel a bit worried when i do that, but it'd bother me afterwards too if i didn't try and help them out a bit.
I recently read a Zig Ziglar quote. Something like "Life is like an echo, you get back what you give out".
Give kindness and receive kindness in return.
But I still won't share my honey holes. :goofball:
Awesome post .
I'm a firm believer in the fact that the good Lord smiles upon those who provide smiles to others .
I agree tailfeathers, you reap what you sow. I also agree I don't freely give away my honey holes. The rewards in life mean more when they are earned. I never intended that we hand away our turkey hunting kingdom to someone who may not cherish it as we do, but to simply give them the tools to build on and an opportunity to use them. Even the Bible say we must work out our salvation. It also tells us to instruct others with kindness and respect and most of all not to think to highly of ourselves. There is balance in everything.
Fantastic post!
Quote from: Happy on February 10, 2021, 03:39:02 PM
So what your saying is I shouldn't be pulling into a public land parking spot 5 minutes before daylight while wearing a pair of pib overalls held up by one strap, no shirt, a clown mask and cranking slipknots " Custer"as loud as it will go? Man you guys suck the fun out of everything. Now I am gonna have to get up early and deal with people.
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hmmm isin dis one of them thangs....oh shucks what thay callit, oh yeah an oxymoron. To make this statement with the handle "Happy"
sometimes your friends are just like a turkey beak, always picking at something
Very good reminder Eggshell! I agree, we need to realize that God made this world for us all. Also for the generations to come!
Last season I took out not one but two brand new turkey hunters successfully.
The first was a guy I saw mumbling around on a local hunting form about how he'd love to learn how to hunt turkeys or kill one. I reached out to him and asked him to come join me for a hunt.
The second was a groomsmen of mine that texted me last winter "I want to kill a deer next year". I replied with how about we start with a turkey. We got two opening weekend. Last fall he got a decent muley opening week of our home state and a lifetime muley in MT with another friend. All he has ever talked about even after them two beautiful bucks is hunting turkey again.
This year my goal is to get a youth out and an "adult" for their first hunt. Minimum of one new hunter every year is the goal.
Quote from: Tail Feathers on February 10, 2021, 09:49:39 PM
I recently read a Zig Ziglar quote. Something like "Life is like an echo, you get back what you give out".
Give kindness and receive kindness in return.
But I still won't share my honey holes. :goofball:
Very true. We have a guy at our hunting club that's handicap and rides the main camp road in his wheelchair. Well at one point during last Turkey season the mosquitos were awful, without a doubt too bad to hunt without a thermacell. So he's coming down the road in his chair and in shorts and short sleeve shirt, mosquitos wearing him. He flags me down as I'm pulling out of my drive to go into the woods and tries his best to talk and ask for mosquito spray. So I tell him I have some and turn around and go back inside to get it snd he meets me in the drive and tells me to cover him in spray. I mean they are tearing this man up. So I spray him down real good and he goes on his way. My brother is in the yard messing with something and I tell him what the guy wanted and I gave him some spray. Proceed to tell my brother that maybe that afternoon the favor will be repaid and I'll kill my other bird that afternoon. Wasn't gone 10 minutes, didn't make it to where I wanted to start hunting at and round the curve and there's two gobblers strutting in the dirt road with hens. Bail off my ATV and put my gloves etc on and run in the woods and start calling and one of the gobblers comes right in. Firmly believe that bird was a nod from the big man for a deed well done earlier that afternoon!
Quote from: RiverRoost on February 11, 2021, 12:37:08 AM
Quote from: Tail Feathers on February 10, 2021, 09:49:39 PM
I recently read a Zig Ziglar quote. Something like "Life is like an echo, you get back what you give out".
Give kindness and receive kindness in return.
But I still won't share my honey holes. :goofball:
Very true. We have a guy at our hunting club that's handicap and rides the main camp road in his wheelchair. Well at one point during last Turkey season the mosquitos were awful, without a doubt too bad to hunt without a thermacell. So he's coming down the road in his chair and in shorts and short sleeve shirt, mosquitos wearing him. He flags me down as I'm pulling out of my drive to go into the woods and tries his best to talk and ask for mosquito spray. So I tell him I have some and turn around and go back inside to get it snd he meets me in the drive and tells me to cover him in spray. I mean they are tearing this man up. So I spray him down real good and he goes on his way. My brother is in the yard messing with something and I tell him what the guy wanted and I gave him some spray. Proceed to tell my brother that maybe that afternoon the favor will be repaid and I'll kill my other bird that afternoon. Wasn't gone 10 minutes, didn't make it to where I wanted to start hunting at and round the curve and there's two gobblers strutting in the dirt road with hens. Bail off my ATV and put my gloves etc on and run in the woods and start calling and one of the gobblers comes right in. Firmly believe that bird was a nod from the big man for a deed well done earlier that afternoon!
I found this hilarious cause I totally thought you were gonna help the wheelchair guy kill a bird. Not kill it yourself. :TooFunny:
Quote from: eggshell on February 10, 2021, 11:17:22 PM
Quote from: Happy on February 10, 2021, 03:39:02 PM
So what your saying is I shouldn't be pulling into a public land parking spot 5 minutes before daylight while wearing a pair of pib overalls held up by one strap, no shirt, a clown mask and cranking slipknots " Custer"as loud as it will go? Man you guys suck the fun out of everything. Now I am gonna have to get up early and deal with people.
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hmmm isin dis one of them thangs....oh shucks what thay callit, oh yeah an oxymoron. To make this statement with the handle "Happy"
sometimes your friends are just like a turkey beak, always picking at something
Hey, I may be one of them there dumb ox thing's you mentioned:).
but I do like to have some good natured fun. In all honesty though if killing a turkey means so much to someone that they are willing to treat others poorly then I feel sorry for them. There are much bigger concerns in life. But eggshell you need to hang with me and I can teach you a thing or two. Gotta always keep them guessing and wondering just how tightly your wrapped.
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QuoteBut eggshell you need to hang with me and I can teach you a thing or two. Gotta always keep them guessing and wondering just how tightly your wrapped.
A wise old nut told me about stranger danger and that if they didn't know the safe password to not get in the truck with them....do you know the password, Happy? He warned me there are people out there that could lead me astray.
Oh, being one of those Oxy things doesn't mean anything about someones intellect....yeah I used a big word and my wife questions my I.Q. daily.
Having fun with someone is actually part of a healthy friendship
I actually enjoy meeting and talking with new folks. There's actually a couple folks on some of the hunting forums I visit, including this one, that I've dropped pins on maps for in places I've heard turkeys, seen turkeys, or killed turkeys. I always enjoy hearing back from them if they visit those places and I'm always curious if they had any success. I've had people return the favor, I've had others help me without it being a favor.
I like to see others be successful. Especially new hunters.
What's nice about reading this thread is the fact that we all seem to be happy in the woods when we hear a distant shot...we are all grateful that another comrade had success, not the fact that a bird in the area may be gone......be safe,
:TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Quote from: Sir-diealot on February 10, 2021, 04:18:35 PM
Quote from: Happy on February 10, 2021, 03:39:02 PM
So what your saying is I shouldn't be pulling into a public land parking spot 5 minutes before daylight while wearing a pair of pib overalls held up by one strap, no shirt, a clown mask and cranking slipknots " Custer"as loud as it will go? Man you guys suck the fun out of everything. Now I am gonna have to get up early and deal with people.
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
I thought you were way to old to know who Slipknot is, let alone one of their songs!
Last year while hunting some very used public ground in WI, I got a very good laugh from a passing hiker. Because of covid there were a lot of extra users in the woods last spring. I was having a very hard time getting away from everyone. The birds were quite from so much people activity, I figure I would find a spot and sit for the afternoon. I found a trail that had been posted Closed off from hiking because they re-seeded the area. I placed a hen decoy out, moved back thirty yards into a log pile and settled in. Wasn't long before I heard somthing coming in the leaves, and to my supprise it was a black lab sniffing where I was hiding. I didn't move to spook the dog into barking, and a long comes the owner. He see's my decoy looks around and see no one, so he figures it would make a nice selfie. He bends down takes his picture and when he got back up I was now standing and he see me. I waved to him he waved back to me the dog never barked and he got his butt out of there fast. I got another story to tell to add to my other public land hunting, and a smile. And I am sure it has to bring a small embarrassing smile to his face when he thinks of his hike that morning also. Just one of many groups sharing our public lands.
Unfortunately my turkey hunting friends are all right here on this page, wish some of my friends turkey hunted but they do not. I have had the good fortune to help a few kids get started by giving them pot calls or so on which I enjoyed. I told the last two which were brothers that if they got a turkey with one of the calls or strikers I gave them they would have to name their next 13 kids after me. (Don't laugh, they are Mennonite, it could happen!)
Had one person I started to hunt with, liked the guy quite a bit, one day we were in the blind together and he picked up one of my strikers and kept looking at it and turning it around and I asked him what it was that he liked about the striker. He told me it was just like one his dad had when they started hunting together many years ago. He went ahead looking for turkey as he moves better than I do and when he was gone I stuffed the striker into the bottom of his hip sack, I figured anybody looking at a striker that intently and having such vivid memories because of it should have it. Later he helped me with getting my tail feathers done from the first and only turkey I have gotten. I gave him one of Niels diamond wood strikers because for helping talk me through what I was doing.
I will be picking up a blind that opens in the back next month and donating it to my local NWTF Jakes Program so that maybe they can get some disabled kids out there hunting and I hope maybe it can get used for some Vets to get out there as well. I know all too well how hard it can be to get out there after an injury and I don't want to see anybody else loose out like I did for all those years.