Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

    Coming to a Field near you-- Your Fav Field- LOL.
   Seriously, I have been watching a number of different  Utube videos featuring some new groups,I have never of.
     There has to be upwards  of 40 different  ones. The Money must be really Good! Imagine if 2 groups appeared at the same Public Parking Lot at 3.40am. On a Opener.
    Just a off Season Topic here.
  While,I enjoy some of these videos,I hope,I never see 3 or 4 Mountain Bikes and Camera equipment  get quickly unloaded  at 3.40am.at @#$%!

I am not sure what they are doing is any different than what some of the early pioneers of turkey hunting did. They just release it on YouTube now versus putting out a video each year. When I was learning to turkey hunt 25 years ago, I would watch the Primos, Mossy oak, Realtree, Knight and Hale, Quaker Boy, MAD, etc videos. All of these "teams" traveled to multiple states each year and videoed their hunts. They hunted all of the subspecies. I think that the veterans hunted private ground more, but doing so now is not financially possible for most.

Most of them don't make money. They're just trying to be like the Hunting Public.

If they didn't name states, I don't think it'd be that big of a deal to be honest with you

Bunch of wannabes, LOL.

What i enjoy watching this time of year on Youtube is the old Knight Hale turkey videos and some of the older Primos videos ... these newer ones i don't care to watch...I have watched some of these older pioneers who paved the way over and over sharing information and experiences and I still enjoy learning from them... 

Maybe they just do it because they enjoy it? I enjoy watching them. Like the other guy said, they used to do it and just release it every year on VHS. If ya don't like it, then don't watch it.

I worry more bout the "hot shot" locals who think they own the woods than a team of u-tubers who will be in and out.  Most hunters are good about working around others but there are a few who are a real PIA.  Need I mention trash at the parking area and anywhere in the woods?  I'll take my chances with the u-tubers.  If Shane Simpson shows up in my spot I will beg him to hunt with me and then cherish the meeting.  :you_rock:

Here we go again.... TV killed the radio star.

Quote from: Jordan121787 on February 14, 2023, 07:22:45 PM
Maybe they just do it because they enjoy it? I enjoy watching them. Like the other guy said, they used to do it and just release it every year on VHS. If ya don't like it, then don't watch it.

They do it because they need the attention, verification and likes from strange men......

Turkeys hunters go hunt and enjoy turkey hunting for what it is. And that's enough.  A Whippoorwill in the darkness walking to the ridge top, sky lighting up with your back to a tree , distant owl, the first gobble, rush of the excitement before figuring out your play....... That's what it's all about. It's not rushing back to post your video so you can stroke your ego. I guarendamtee that.

Quote from: turkeyfool on February 14, 2023, 06:18:48 PM
Most of them don't make money. They're just trying to be like the Hunting Public.

Who's that?

Quote from: Sir-diealot on February 14, 2023, 08:49:49 PM

Quote from: turkeyfool on February 14, 2023, 06:18:48 PM
Most of them don't make money. They're just trying to be like the Hunting Public.

Who's that?

Who ?  Only the best bunch of killas known in modern times!

Quote from: quavers59 on February 14, 2023, 05:51:15 PM
    Coming to a Field near you-- Your Fav Field- LOL.
   Seriously, I have been watching a number of different  Utube videos featuring some new groups,I have never of.
     There has to be upwards  of 40 different  ones. The Money must be really Good! Imagine if 2 groups appeared at the same Public Parking Lot at 3.40am. On a Opener.
    Just a off Season Topic here.
  While,I enjoy some of these videos,I hope,I never see 3 or 4 Mountain Bikes and Camera equipment  get quickly unloaded  at 3.40am.at @#$%!

IMAGINE?........you dont have to imagine that. they already do it. Many of the heavy hitters hit the same areas at the same times. you done got me fired up real quick tonight.

YouTube hunters have just become the easiest thing to point a finger at as to why people can't kill a turkey. They refuse to look in the mirror.

I just want the earlier opening dates, normal limits, undo public land restrictions all across the south made to combat social/YouTube crowding back.  We had it good for a long time before the pimping started. The opportunity lost by public land hunters is massive in comparison to few dollars they've made selling out the resource. 

This is just me...I hunt mostly alone. I have a six state trip (or more) planned this year. Just me. It's the way I like it. When I'm driving around public and I see 8 tents in every place they can. I turn around and shake my head. I don't like people that much. But to each their own. I was Turkey hunting when Turkey hunting wasn't cool. And I'm looking forward to the day it isn't cool again.

I'm still in shock each youth day as well when there's pics all over social media with 3 and 4 year olds killing birds. But that's a completely other subject. I've taken a ton of young people on youth day but I'm just saying y'all.

We are encouraged to get more people involved. And I'm not against it. I just like the days of old. But I'm a loner traditionalist.

I'd say some of them do it for ego gratification.  I personally dont care for the monetization of our natural resources in that way.  What would really be a problem is if their need to produce a youtube show would somehow trump any other hunters access to the same resource we all share. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: Howieg on February 14, 2023, 09:27:31 PM

Quote from: Sir-diealot on February 14, 2023, 08:49:49 PM

Quote from: turkeyfool on February 14, 2023, 06:18:48 PM
Most of them don't make money. They're just trying to be like the Hunting Public.

Who's that?

Who ?  Only the best bunch of killas known in modern times!

So Rodger Raglin, Tom Miranda and formally Fred Bear?

I always go back to the time when internet forums flavor of the week to chit on was the TV guys, everyone said they could never kill anything if they had to hunt public land like we do!

Carefull what ya wish for!

I watch a few of them, most of the newer ones that pop up I ignore, I waste enough time watching crap on youtube!

Quote from: Dtrkyman on February 15, 2023, 08:55:32 AM
I always go back to the time when internet forums flavor of the week to chit on was the TV guys, everyone said they could never kill anything if they had to hunt public land like we do!

Carefull what ya wish for!

I watch a few of them, most of the newer ones that pop up I ignore, I waste enough time watching crap on youtube!

:TooFunny: Remember the Eddie Salter Squealing Hen?!?!? :TooFunny:

   Over the last few years at least and pick your Location in the US- There must have been at least a mild confrontation or worse as a Local Legend arrived at his Favorite  Hotspot Field at about the same time as a crew of 2 ,3, or more Guys with Camera equipment  .
    Who gets the Field? Probably  not fun for 1 Local Man to have a Muffled back and forth with 2 or 3 Guys in the Pre- Dawn Blackness.
    The above must have happened a number of times by now.

I'm not saying it's the YouTube guys, I think it's a combination of all the "cool" things. A piece of public that I have hunted since about 2009 has several "tracts" which are 100 to 4 or 500 acres and totals 8,500 acres, the past 2 seasons you can barely step foot on the place. There used to be around 30 or less taken a year off of the whole place. This past season there were nearly 70 taken. Every pull off for the first 2 weeks of season had at least 2 trucks but typically had 8 or 12, every day, all day. 99% of them were from Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Mississippi or Tennessee. No doubt YouTubing or "Chasing the 49". I continue to dance around those guys and kill my birds, but it definitely makes it less enjoyable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: quavers59 on February 15, 2023, 11:06:56 AM
   Over the last few years at least and pick your Location in the US- There must have been at least a mild confrontation or worse as a Local Legend arrived at his Favorite  Hotspot Field at about the same time as a crew of 2 ,3, or more Guys with Camera equipment  .
    Who gets the Field? Probably  not fun for 1 Local Man to have a Muffled back and forth with 2 or 3 Guys in the Pre- Dawn Blackness.
    The above must have happened a number of times by now.

Local Legend?   I'll probably side with the crew of 3 or more guys with camera equipment who will be in and out.   Sounds to me like the Local Legend thinks he's a little higher on the public turkey hunting hierarchy than most, at least in his own mind.   

Quote from: quavers59 on February 15, 2023, 11:06:56 AM
   Over the last few years at least and pick your Location in the US- There must have been at least a mild confrontation or worse as a Local Legend arrived at his Favorite  Hotspot Field at about the same time as a crew of 2 ,3, or more Guys with Camera equipment  .
    Who gets the Field? Probably  not fun for 1 Local Man to have a Muffled back and forth with 2 or 3 Guys in the Pre- Dawn Blackness.
    The above must have happened a number of times by now.

Public land is public.  The drama can be avoided by purchasing your own property to hunt on.
Public land has always been like this for as long as I can remember. Good spots get found out
about, then get over run unfortunately . Long before you tube existed. It stinks, but it is what
what it is. At least we have public land to hunt on, might not be the case for future generations
the way it is going.

I have looked at some of the you tube videos, and don't think they are put together that well. Not that the older ones were that great by any means. I would love to see someone put together a video where they miss birds, trip over logs, run behind a tree and take a leak, get totally shut out. Quit going back and editing everything!!! I don't need music, and then when it stops, you know the shots coming. Just video a true hunt. Good and bad. I don't need to know where your hunting either. In fact I could swear I saw someone's video where they said they were in 2 different states but the land looked just alike. So, take that with a grain of salt.

Public has definitely gotten more public!  I had a complete chit show in a state last year for the opener, ignorant hunters at every turn.

Hike in several miles and loacted a bird, dude on an ebike(trail not open to ebikes) rolled in and fd that hunt up.  Had a guy intenionally walk up and down a road between me and some gobbling birds and just a basic lack of respect for other hunters all the way around.

All locals, not youtubers in sight! Was shocked at the amount of pressure and this in a "non turkey hunting" state so to speak. 

Main problem there is the birds are concentrated early in the season and lots of folks know where they are, they get beat up so bad then that after the initial mess the birds are extremely quiet and do not respond well to calling!

Quote from: guesswho on February 15, 2023, 12:44:19 PM

Quote from: quavers59 on February 15, 2023, 11:06:56 AM
   Over the last few years at least and pick your Location in the US- There must have been at least a mild confrontation or worse as a Local Legend arrived at his Favorite  Hotspot Field at about the same time as a crew of 2 ,3, or more Guys with Camera equipment  .
    Who gets the Field? Probably  not fun for 1 Local Man to have a Muffled back and forth with 2 or 3 Guys in the Pre- Dawn Blackness.
    The above must have happened a number of times by now.

Local Legend?   I'll probably side with the crew of 3 or more guys with camera equipment who will be in and out.   Sounds to me like the Local Legend thinks he's a little higher on the public turkey hunting hierarchy than most, at least in his own mind.   

This is where I've had all of my 'confrontations'.  People who have been "hunting this spot for a week" or "my daddy showed me this spot".  I always try to be the bigger person if it comes to the point that it's obvious neither one of us wants to leave. 

Side story:  In one of the areas that I frequently hunt near my house, I've had guys claim I'm on posted land.  So we went down the rabbit hole with maps and I proved to him that he was wrong...NOT ONLY WAS HE WRONG but he was standing 300 yards inside public property DURING a quota hunt.  Literally at the beginning of the conversation he stated he'd "killed his first deer, duck and turkey right in that same bottoms".  :z-guntootsmiley:

Quote from: ScottTaulbee on February 15, 2023, 12:19:35 PM
I'm not saying it's the YouTube guys, I think it's a combination of all the "cool" things. A piece of public that I have hunted since about 2009 has several "tracts" which are 100 to 4 or 500 acres and totals 8,500 acres, the past 2 seasons you can barely step foot on the place. There used to be around 30 or less taken a year off of the whole place. This past season there were nearly 70 taken. Every pull off for the first 2 weeks of season had at least 2 trucks but typically had 8 or 12, every day, all day. 99% of them were from Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Mississippi or Tennessee. No doubt YouTubing or "Chasing the 49". I continue to dance around those guys and kill my birds, but it definitely makes it less enjoyable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This makes my heart hurt for you and the turkeys.  That really sucks. Its scary to me when that many more birds are taken off the landscape. It's undeniable the pressure has skyrocketed since YouTube turkey hunting has taking off since around 2018 or so. I sure hope the pressure will ease up. Turkey hunting is hard. Maybe people will start to give up lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: aclawrence on February 16, 2023, 08:39:47 AM
It's undeniable the pressure has skyrocketed since YouTube turkey hunting has taking off since around 2018 or so. I'm sure the pressure will ease up. Turkey hunting is hard. Maybe people will start to give up lol.

I think this may end up being the silver lining in this debate about ever-increasing pressure on public land.  At some point, we should reach that "point of diminishing returns" where a lot of folks, especially those newer to spring hunting, stop hunting due to the number of hunters in the woods hunting what appears to be an ever-decreasing number of available gobblers.  We'll see if that hypothesis is true and how long it takes.

Of course, those of us that have been doing it a long time are 1) more stubborn about giving in, 2) know enough about turkey hunting to persevere and succeed where others fail, and 3) probably know places to go, and are willing to make the effort to get there, so as to get away from that increasing hunting pressure.

I meant to say "I sure hope" instead of "I'm sure" but hopefully you're right. Pulling up to a crowded gate or running into other hunters isn't fun. I imagine it's easy for new guys to be fooled by other hunters calling and after having a few negative experiences in this way they will be discouraged. I know we have needed new hunter recruitment but there's got to be a balance in there somewhere.  If we could get all the new turkey hunters to switch to coon hunting we'd be uptown!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: GobbleNut on February 16, 2023, 08:53:56 AM

Quote from: aclawrence on February 16, 2023, 08:39:47 AM
It's undeniable the pressure has skyrocketed since YouTube turkey hunting has taking off since around 2018 or so. I'm sure the pressure will ease up. Turkey hunting is hard. Maybe people will start to give up lol.

I think this may end up being the silver lining in this debate about ever-increasing pressure on public land.  At some point, we should reach that "point of diminishing returns" where a lot of folks, especially those newer to spring hunting, stop hunting due to the number of hunters in the woods hunting what appears to be an ever-decreasing number of available gobblers.  We'll see if that hypothesis is true and how long it takes.

Of course, those of us that have been doing it a long time are 1) more stubborn about giving in, 2) know enough about turkey hunting to persevere and succeed where others fail, and 3) probably know places to go, and are willing to make the effort to get there, so as to get away from that increasing hunting pressure.

I know back during the COVID year, I talked to several of them that pulled in the lot after me or that I ran in to walking out and these were "local" guys that hadn't Turkey hunted before or college kids from another state that were attending school here and giving it a try. But 21 and 22 season there was a huge influx of of out of state guys on this particular WMA. I'm not sure if it was posted on the internet or something but the amount of people exploded. But the National Forest Land I prefer to hunt about an hour east of there didn't experience the same, at least the area I hunt of it. Opening weekend 5 or 6 trucks, after that it's just me and one older fellow that's probably my dad's age that grew up down there and has hunted it since our first statewide season. He comes and visits with his parents and stays at his boyhood house and hunts. We get along well and I can count on us pulling in at about the same time, we walk to a listening spot that coincidently we both were using without knowing it, and we listen to the whippoorwills and talk life until the first gobble, after there is a couple that gobble we each pick a bird and part ways. If one bird gobbles I let him have it and drive to more land a ways down the road. I've yet to catch his name and we've done this for 3 or 4 years now. And I hope and pray I hear his gun crack all morning long. I don't mind guys that know the sport and are respectful. It's the ones that bust through the woods in front of you making cellphone videos and get mad at you because you're there first.

Story from that National Forest land that happened year before last. I was the first to the gate and walked in, at gray light, a couple gobblers started up and after fly down got with hens, they worked their way up to the top of one of the mountains with me right in tow, I had closed the distance and could hear them all walking right around a curve in the terrain in front of me. At this point It was about 10 am, I had been with these birds since day break. As I was about to ease on around the curve, I hear a gunshot close and a turkey flapping, not 50 yards below me on the left side of the mountain.  The turkeys I had been following froze, next thing I know, this guy is whooping and hollering and carrying on and the turkeys I had been with took off like airplanes. I got up and walked out and as I was coming off the mountain I ran in to successful hunter. He had heard the gobbling and was trying to move in and ended up basically walking up on a Jake and killed him. I kept my words to myself. That's a thing that gets under my skin, act like you've been there, there's no reason to holler and carry on and alert others birds to hunters.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No doubt YouTube and social media is a huge reason for increased pressure throughout the country on public land for all the popular game animals. I used to post my successful hunts on social media but soon realized nothing good came from it.  5 minutes of fame is not worth the years of consequences.

We've already lost a tremendous amount of public land hunting opportunity in recent years, particularly in the southeast, due to the spotlight being put on public land turkey hunting through social media and YouTube. And mark my words, there is more opportunity loss to come. Many of us predicted this years back when we saw the damage being done.

We kept being told "Oh, it'll fizzle out." and "It's COVID! not YouTube." etc./etc.

Well, here we are years later and there is no signs of it slowing down. Applications to many states are breaking records. Point creep, which in the past was only really seen with western big game, is now becoming a reality in the turkey world. More and more public lands will continue to go under quota systems. More states will implement non-resident restrictions. License costs will continue to rise as a way to deter non-resident hunters. More restrictive bag limits will be put in place on public lands. You will need access to private lands to turkey hunt the entirety of a season (examples: Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina).

It ain't pretty fellas. These are turning into "The King's" turkey. Look at how fast its changed in 5 years, just imagine what it could be like in another decade.

So before you go like and subscribe your favorite YouTuber's video, buy their $145 pot call, line up to get their autograph. Just realize you are funding the very thing that is taking away YOUR public land hunting opportunities.

But its not just OUR public land opportunities being compromised. It is the future generation's.

Quote from: deerhunt1988 on February 16, 2023, 11:11:56 AM
We've already lost a tremendous amount of public land hunting opportunity in recent years, particularly in the southeast, due to the spotlight being put on public land turkey hunting through social media and YouTube. And mark my words, there is more opportunity loss to come. Many of us predicted this years back when we saw the damage being done.

We kept being told "Oh, it'll fizzle out." and "It's COVID! not YouTube." etc./etc.

Well, here we are years later and there is no signs of it slowing down. Applications to many states are breaking records. Point creep, which in the past was only really seen with western big game, is now becoming a reality in the turkey world. More and more public lands will continue to go under quota systems. More states will implement non-resident restrictions. License costs will continue to rise as a way to deter non-resident hunters. More restrictive bag limits will be put in place on public lands. You will need access to private lands to turkey hunt the entirety of a season (examples: Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina).

It ain't pretty fellas. These are turning into "The King's" turkey. Look at how fast its changed in 5 years, just imagine what it could be like in another decade.

So before you go like and subscribe your favorite YouTuber's video, buy their $145 pot call, line up to get their autograph. Just realize you are funding the very thing that is taking away YOUR public land hunting opportunities.

But its not just OUR public land opportunities being compromised. It is the future generation's.

I think thats perhaps the scariest part of the whole deal to me... We can sit here and ponder what it'll be like 5 years down the road from now. Surely, more oppurtunity will be lost. But whats it gonna look like for the future generations?  Will it take my son a decade or more to draw an Iowa turkey tag? Will there be a shuttle bus taking all the hunters up to Mauna Kea from their Kona resort? South Florida draw hunts be a OIL tag? Unless something drastic happens I'm afraid it'll only get worse with each passing year..

It makes me sick.....to think what we had before compared to what we have now. Loose lips sink ships.  Still true after a 100 years. And every turkey hunters dang well knows it

Too bad nobody told the birds to increase their brood success rates!!

Maybe turkeys don't watch Look-At-Me Tube?

Pedal all across OK for one bird!

ran into a very old friend a while back. we grew up coon hunting together and we talked old times for a while then, his young great nephew walked up and joined the conversation and was quick to tell about all his on camera kills and shared videos. we both gave him the eye then a good talking too. he got a bit PO'd and walked off. at that time we both agreed...we're the last generation of "real hunters". that's right, I said it. the young 'look at me' crowd haven't a clue how we old timers started out. we spent a lot of time walking behind someone most often with an unloaded gun then after we did what we were told we starting getting to shoot and then it's off on your own. if you didn't listen or shot at something you shouldn't have you stayed home to think about it. we had respect for our elders and the animals we hunted. we watched and listened and learned everything we could about the woods. my friend and I were turned loose on our first solo coon hunt when we were young teenagers. his dad dropped us off and told us where he'd be parked before morning. we showed up on time with a dead coon and ever since we were considered coon hunters not just kids tagging along. those were the days and I'd give anything to get a chance to go back for just one last hunt with all the old guys that I so miss and respected. my dad, my grandpa, my uncle and the old guy that lived next door that treated me like his own son. they would roll over if they knew what hunting has turned in to.

 :popcorn:

More tears in the White Claw huh?  :'(

Quote from: dublelung on February 16, 2023, 04:32:25 PM
More tears in the White Claw huh?  :'(

Lol , I spit out a lil of my ranch water on this one ! 

Quote from: JohnSouth22 on February 14, 2023, 10:06:59 PM
YouTube hunters have just become the easiest thing to point a finger at as to why people can't kill a turkey. They refuse to look in the mirror.

Facts

I just miss the style of the old hunting videos like the truth etc.  I don't want to watch a 40 minute video with 20 minutes of looking at your ugly mug while you walk around and talk.

Quote from: kytrkyhntr on February 16, 2023, 09:31:05 PM

Quote from: JohnSouth22 on February 14, 2023, 10:06:59 PM
YouTube hunters have just become the easiest thing to point a finger at as to why people can't kill a turkey. They refuse to look in the mirror.

Facts

Funny thing is many of the poeple that have been banging the drum about  social media and the tubers have no problem killing birds. Most likely kill more than 90% of the tubers every year.

I was watching a YouTube er this past year that fishes out  near Vegas. He was saying that he can no longer film on federal lands or waterway without a commercial filming permit issued by the district ranger. Because his channel generated money from video made on federal property. He would have to submit an application for the dates he planed to video.
Copy and pasted from link below.

Does commercial filming by individuals or small groups require a permit?


Federal law requires a permit for all commercial filming, no matter the size of the crew or the type of equipment. This includes individuals or small groups that don't use much equipment, but generate revenue by posting footage on websites, such as YouTube

https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/management/filmingpermits.htm

I am waiting on some of those bikini fishing girls to start doing bikini turkey hunting videos.... :drool:

Yup if the youtubers were smart they would take one of those gals along with them and have her get out of the vehicle first, and every old fart at the gate would volunteer where the turkeys were and say go get em. A good looking hen will fool more than just gobblers! Come on you all know you've watched them when the wife wasn't looking

News Flash: There's a new team roaming the country this spring filming gate numbers, addresses and GPS coordinates. The G.O.A.T.S. are going high tech. Well if Gobblenut can get his old 8mm to work again, maybe.

In all seriousness, it's not a new thing it just shows up faster. Way back in the 80s I had a film crew roll up on me and try and push me off a bird, Because "we're filming for a video". I was just in my 20s and they thought they could bully me. Funny thing is they were on my family's property without permission and I was working for the Division of Wildlife and ran the check station. Boy they had a funny look on their faces when they stopped at the check station to check the local kills and I greeted them in full uniform. I introduced them to the game warden. yeah, one of them calls himself a "turkey Thug" now. Just adapt and move on

Dang that's a juicy story. Wonder if it's being told around the "campfire story time" at the convention today.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Adapting in my part of the country is shortening of seasons, lower bag limits and more LIMITED opportunity hunts. While I'm adapting you have a bunch of jackasses with strutter decoys on a helmet and other youtubers/social media people fighting each other to he on the next great podcast just to try and make some money of a natural resource. Seems fair right but I guess we all to shut up and keep adapting. Covid took to many of the wrong people.

  Thanks For that story Eggshell!! Glad you stood your ground back in your 20s!
   I read a few replys here that the Youtubers will be ( in and out).  Ok-- I guarantee  1 or 2 Gobblers is going " with the Crew".  Possibly that Gobbler or 2 would have been shot by you instead.
   

And your point being?    Somebody other than a local legend killed a couple gobblers on public ground?   Local legend still shouldn't have any problem filling his tags.   

This is, in my opinion, why these shows are so popular:

1) It's public land hunting. The majority of people don't have access to private land, where you get to sit in a pop-up blind, with a bunch of decoys, and the turkeys just come to you. It reflects the reality and struggle that it takes to get a pressured bird. The old VHS hunting videos were all filmed in private, and was not relatable for the majority of hunters. Those hunts were easy, and boring.

2) It shows success and failure. Some of the best Hunting Public videos have no kills at all, and that's fine. Those videos are still great. Old hunting videos were all about the kill.

3) Its about the hunt and not the gear. Despite the fact that many of these channels are now sponsored, they are not constantly trying to shove product down your throat. That's what the old Primos videos did. It's just a group of young guys, with mismatched camo and an old 870, using their ability and wits to kill a bird. No blinds, no decoys, no gadgets.

4) They are very good. Despite their videos being all about the journey, and the characters, they still are very good at what they do. And because they are good, paying attention to what they do and the decisions they make on the spot will give you something to learn.

What really changed the course of turkey hunting with utube videoing is Cell phones and ONX Hunt maps app for phones.. as we have made it easier to hunt these public areas from days of old, before all of this people didn't have a clue of what land was available in a lot of states for hunting unless you were a local hunter of that state .. now i'm not again cell phones at all, it's just how technology has changed the game of hunting especially public land and utube/people >> It's easy for us all to want to blame others , but really we all have played a part in this blame game of gaining public access/availability ... IMO having these map app's on your phone and using them to out maneuver a gobbler, on a section of woods/public give you advantage just like a person who's in a blind using decoys ... IMO ...

Quote from: Greg Massey on February 17, 2023, 11:03:32 AM
What really changed the course of turkey hunting with utube videoing is Cell phones and ONX Hunt maps app for phones.. as we have made it easier to hunt these public areas from days of old, before all of this people didn't have a clue of what land was available in a lot of states for hunting unless you were a local hunter of that state .. now i'm not again cell phones at all, it's just how technology has changed the game of hunting especially public land and utube/people >> It's easy for us all to want to blame others , but really we all have played a part in this blame game of gaining public access/availability ... IMO having these map app's on your phone and using them to out maneuver a gobbler, on a section of woods/public give you advantage just like a person who's in a blind using decoys ... IMO ...

This ^^^!!

So true. I love the technology also. It beats the big maps we used to carry that had about half the roads marked. Haha. But I kinda miss those days in some ways. But it sure is easier now.

It has made it much easier to find public access like you said. It's clearly marked on the hunt apps. But I like that now I can see exactly what is public and private while hunting. Because some of those old big maps I mentioned earlier wasn't very reliable.

Maybe the NWTF can take those millions and buy more and more public?  :smiley-char092:

Technology really has no place in the woods. That's why we rub wood together and suck through wing bones to lure in our prey. Hunting is purposely antiquated in order to uphold fair chase ethics and keep "ecosystems" in balance. If it requires a battery, you're probably better off leaving it at home. It's ok if you fail. It's supposed to be hard.

Quote from: Greg Massey on February 17, 2023, 11:03:32 AM
What really changed the course of turkey hunting with utube videoing is Cell phones and ONX Hunt maps app for phones.. as we have made it easier to hunt these public areas from days of old, before all of this people didn't have a clue of what land was available in a lot of states for hunting unless you were a local hunter of that state .. now i'm not again cell phones at all, it's just how technology has changed the game of hunting especially public land and utube/people >> It's easy for us all to want to blame others , but really we all have played a part in this blame game of gaining public access/availability ... IMO having these map app's on your phone and using them to out maneuver a gobbler, on a section of woods/public give you advantage just like a person who's in a blind using decoys ... IMO ...

I'd like to preface this based off of my turkey hunting experience in public forested upland to slightly mountainous forest regions.

I can have all technology in the world at my finger tips and it still won't make him gobble yet alone bring him closer. Does tech help new turkey hunters? Possibly, mostly in the scope finding areas to hunt. The where can be answered with tech. The what, when, and why not so much.

Is the mapping software responsible for the influx of new hunters and overcrowding? It's possible but I would think it might have the opposite affect by spreading them out into the lesser known areas.

Are we saying these new hunters wouldn't hunt turkeys if it were not for mapping software or is it they started turkey hunting because it's great and Onx helps make it a little easier?

Do the mapping apps give lesser woodsman the confidence to go into more remote locations? Sure do, possibly causing the over crowding complaints because guys just ain't used to seeing folk way back in here!

One thing I think gets over looked when people start bashing these apps is they can also be used to spread pressure out. Back in the day 5 newby hunters would start there day out in close proximity to each other. Not because they wanted to but because that's where the gate was. Pre Onx most of these newbys stumbled around the same area chasing after the same gobblers because well that's where they knew to go hunt them. Nowadays with the same scenario all it takes is the a quick look at his phone and the newb is of to harass a new area.  Chances are with the new orienteering confidence the newbs will be spread out more to begin with and not all hovering around the gate or access road come 1st light. Sucks that access my outta the way spots are readily available at the click of a button but that works 2 ways as more of your outta the way spots are readily available to me.

I can see where hunters that just hunt local don't like the app, but that's not me. I've been traveling for gobblers since my inception to wild turkey hunting some 30 yrs ago so I can't speak from that end.


I've got a stack of old state specific sportsman's atlases the I've been gathering since the mid to late 80's. They're collecting dust around here somewhere. Got a couple old USGS topos from Ga and Co from around the same time period  too. Lost my second gps in 30 yrs just 2 years ago. No matter it was just playing back up to the phone anyways.


Unless you been hunting turkeys for longer than 60 years or so. The topo maps and public land info were easily  available with a couple phone calls.

Topos in Onx are a joke when looking for anything other than major land features. There's so many nooks and crannies that can't be seen in a scale viewable on your phone and the satellite imagery is atleast 3 years old in most cases. Onx may tell me he's on the other ridge point but how I'm going to get there in rugged terrain is a crapshoot when it comes to obstacles. What looks like the best route in Onx often proves to be less than optimal. In my experience anyways.

Satellite imagery was readily available in about the late 90's and Google Earth and yes I had a handheld gps along with my compass 30 some years ago. None of these tools are new to say the least apps just bring it all together. If you hunted turkeys during a time period when topo and public land maps were not available my hats off to you, you'd be pushing 90 years old or pushing daisies and 90 years is no small feat.

Do the new guys find it easier to find gobblers now days? Most likely. Do they find easier to kill turkeys? Not hardly. At least not the ones that don't use decoys. I would say turkeys are safe from most hunters in the recent onslaught seen on public grounds. My secret spots not so much. What all the old/new tech has in common , at least for me, ultimately I need to put boots on the ground to find out if the area needs further assessment.


That's what kill turkeys. Hunting,scouting, and just generally being in the woods. A Tom Kelly Quote about paying for every turkey with time comes to mind. A buddy just reminded me of that one.

If your not gonna put the time in to be good at turkey hunting these apps will only help you so much and if you are good at turkey hunting you probably don't need the apps.

Where and why all the new turkey hunters? Here's a thought for you.

Let's say 10 guys back in the 70's started turkey hunting. During their lifetime they had 2 kids that they introduced to turkey hunting who also introduced 2 of their kids to turkey hunting which is feasible during a 50 yr time period. So now at around 70 years old those 10 guys are responsible for introducing 60 people into turkey hunting for a total of 70 people hunting today. Now take them numbers and multiply by 50,000 which I'm sure would be a lowball figure for hunter numbers in the late 70's. All theoretical of course but them numbers add up pretty quick.

After having said all that, is having a map app on my cell phone the same as using a turkeys heredity against him by playing on traits bred into him over thousands of years?

Best answer I have for that is apples and oranges.

Again technology has changed the way we all hunt. In the ways we gain information with apps, a cell phone in our hands has become a major tool along with everything else. You have to remember back in the beginning we didn't have these fine cell phones, maybe a walkie - talkie at best, compass and map. With the simple tools in the beginning we didn't have nearly as many people turkey hunting as we do today. The new generation has better technology and ways of accessing all of the different terrain / public that is available in any state that has turkeys. I agree that the map on a phone is only as good as the day it was downloaded. Regardless of all of this technology you still have to find that gobbler to kill and deal with all the obstacles / people to be successful.  Woodsmanship / ability / desire play a big role. Being an old hunter, I still like my cell phone / technology .. IMO

We started losing duck hunting spots when Google earth was first around.  Our secret honey holes we had found with leg work and scouting hours were an easy find with Google Earth and a GPS.  fast forward 20 years and the sources have changed, but technology is here to stay.  Improvise, adapt and overcome.  Those memories are ours forever and some great and not so great hunts recalled.  I plan on continuing to make more memories until I shuffle off this mortal coil and if I use my cell phone like a new GPS or to mark spots, so be it.  If my batteries die, I know me and my family and friends have the skills to find our way home.  When it comes right down to it, until they invent a "Google Gobbling Turkey Roost Tree" app, it is still us against the bird.  Have a great season all.  I hope no one encounters a rude hunter, your turkeys are lovestruck and dumb and everyone has a safe season. 

I'm just jealous that YouTube wasn't around when I was young and that I had the balls to quit my job and go turkey hunting for a living.

Quote from: Glades on February 17, 2023, 10:51:06 AM
This is, in my opinion, why these shows are so popular:

1) It's public land hunting. The majority of people don't have access to private land, where you get to sit in a pop-up blind, with a bunch of decoys, and the turkeys just come to you. It reflects the reality and struggle that it takes to get a pressured bird. The old VHS hunting videos were all filmed in private, and was not relatable for the majority of hunters. Those hunts were easy, and boring.

2) It shows success and failure. Some of the best Hunting Public videos have no kills at all, and that's fine. Those videos are still great. Old hunting videos were all about the kill.

3) Its about the hunt and not the gear. Despite the fact that many of these channels are now sponsored, they are not constantly trying to shove product down your throat. That's what the old Primos videos did. It's just a group of young guys, with mismatched camo and an old 870, using their ability and wits to kill a bird. No blinds, no decoys, no gadgets.

4) They are very good. Despite their videos being all about the journey, and the characters, they still are very good at what they do. And because they are good, paying attention to what they do and the decisions they make on the spot will give you something to learn.

Nailed it clean. My sentiments exactly.
How anyone could pine for those ol' 70's,80's,90's canned hunts with all the brand's that helped sponser them rammed down yer gullet at every opportunity is beyond me.

Since this has turned into a tech. discussion. I have hunted turkeys over 50 years and I remember the days of hearing a gobbler and not knowing if I could go after him. The NFS has always been terrible about marking their lines and if on private landowners usually wouldn't walk you around the lines. I have done the old topo map and drive 100 miles around a new area thing. Knocked on doors stopped at yard sales and been cussed out. Yup I am an old timer, but give me that cell phone and a hunting/land app and turn me loose. I fully embrace it and love it. It makes life in new areas a whole lot easier. The down side is I have lost some remote honey holes due to the apps, but that's the cost of the new convenience. I can live with it and use it.

Quote from: West Augusta on February 17, 2023, 08:44:03 PM
I'm just jealous that YouTube wasn't around when I was young and that I had the balls to quit my job and go turkey hunting for a living.

Mmmm...It took guts to admit to what a lot of people won't. I guarantee that's the very problem with some of the ones who are doing the howling.

Quote from: Jbird22 on February 18, 2023, 07:15:57 AM

Quote from: West Augusta on February 17, 2023, 08:44:03 PM
I'm just jealous that YouTube wasn't around when I was young and that I had the balls to quit my job and go turkey hunting for a living.

Mmmm...It took guts to admit to what a lot of people won't. I guarantee that's the very problem with some of the ones who are doing the howling.

I have actually had this discussion with people.  In fact, my wife has made the comment, after hearing that supposedly some people are getting filthy rich making YouTube videos, that I should start doing it.  My response is that 1) I am way too old to start doing it now (and don't need or want to), but I would have considered it about forty years ago if it had been "a thing" back then, and 2) I don't want the things I do at my own discretion and leisure to start looking like a job,...and where I have to tell myself I have to go do this, even though I don't want to  go on this particular day, because of financial concerns.  I had a "job" for over forty years,...and I have no intention of turning my hunting activities into another one. 

The notion of being able to go turkey hunting (or any other) initially sounds appealing at first glance.  When I actually start thinking about it,...and I have done this watching some of these videos,...I find myself thinking about the other people in these YouTubers lives and what those people are sacrificing for their significant others to go galivanting all over the country to hunt stuff.  I may be the exception, but I can tell you one thing for sure, if I had told my wife that I was leaving to go turkey hunting for weeks or months at a time, I would have been shown the door many years ago.  If children were part of the equation, that would only be magnified tenfold. 

Not only that, but some of these guys go by themselves, drive hundreds or thousands of miles, sleep in their vehicles, hunt alone,...and do that over and over again.  I have tried that myself for some relatively short periods of time and it isn't something I would enjoy doing more than just a little bit. 

I suppose the point I would make is that it takes a certain personality type,...not only by the person doing it, but also by those close to him/her to decide to pursue that lifestyle,...or tolerate it.  As much as I enjoy turkey hunting, pursuing it under those circumstances is nothing I would do,...or, truthfully, admire in those that do it. 

But hey,...to each their own.... :icon_thumright:

If your nailing the hottest girl around town you'd best keep it quiet if you wanna keep doing it

If your making good money you'd better not run your mouth or everybody will try and take your business

If you killing turkeys / fish/ know about a big deer you'd better keep it quiet or you'll have company


Hunt for yourself. Hunt because YOU enjoy it. Screw your likes and attempt to monetize public land resources while sheeting on all the other hard working public hunters. The little bit of money your making - and frankly it's peanuts - is being paid x10 by others in lost opportunities

What's getting ridiculous? Is people leaving a vehicle at the gate going back home going to bed. Come back the next morning. Trying to claim THERE  spot. If it's a good size piece of property I don't care  what time you camped out I'm going in. Try and stop me.

Quote from: Leadchunker on February 18, 2023, 09:54:38 AM
What's getting ridiculous? Is people leaving a vehicle at the gate going back home going to bed. Come back the next morning. Trying to claim THERE  spot. If it's a good size piece of property I don't care  what time you camped out I'm going in. Try and stop me.

But this is part of that adapting everyone keeps talking about.

I will also add..that in the early to mid 2000's when the smaller digital camcorders came out my buddy bought one. He followed me around a bit with it. My Osceola kill is on video. And several other great kills and some awesome footage. If there was YouTube then we didn't know it.

He done it for fun and it was always fun to go back and watch it. I haven't seen one of those videos in over 10 years or more. It'll never make YouTube. I wouldn't want it to. And to me, it wasn't as fun hunting with him tagging along with that camcorder, it didn't fit my style. Too much equipment I thought (it was a camera and tripod only) and it slowed me down (I was a big run and gunner then). I find it much more enjoyable going alone all over the country by myself. More freedom to do as I want.

But to each their own. I watch some of the videos on YouTube. But I do agree, I wish they wouldn't say "we heading to "insert state".

Quote from: GobbleNut on February 18, 2023, 09:08:49 AM

Quote from: Jbird22 on February 18, 2023, 07:15:57 AM

Quote from: West Augusta on February 17, 2023, 08:44:03 PM
I'm just jealous that YouTube wasn't around when I was young and that I had the balls to quit my job and go turkey hunting for a living.

Mmmm...It took guts to admit to what a lot of people won't. I guarantee that's the very problem with some of the ones who are doing the howling.

I have actually had this discussion with people.  In fact, my wife has made the comment, after hearing that supposedly some people are getting filthy rich making YouTube videos, that I should start doing it.  My response is that 1) I am way too old to start doing it now (and don't need or want to), but I would have considered it about forty years ago if it had been "a thing" back then, and 2) I don't want the things I do at my own discretion and leisure to start looking like a job,...and where I have to tell myself I have to go do this, even though I don't want to  go on this particular day, because of financial concerns.  I had a "job" for over forty years,...and I have no intention of turning my hunting activities into another one. 

The notion of being able to go turkey hunting (or any other) initially sounds appealing at first glance.  When I actually start thinking about it,...and I have done this watching some of these videos,...I find myself thinking about the other people in these YouTubers lives and what those people are sacrificing for their significant others to go galivanting all over the country to hunt stuff.  I may be the exception, but I can tell you one thing for sure, if I had told my wife that I was leaving to go turkey hunting for weeks or months at a time, I would have been shown the door many years ago.  If children were part of the equation, that would only be magnified tenfold. 

Not only that, but some of these guys go by themselves, drive hundreds or thousands of miles, sleep in their vehicles, hunt alone,...and do that over and over again.  I have tried that myself for some relatively short periods of time and it isn't something I would enjoy doing more than just a little bit. 

I suppose the point I would make is that it takes a certain personality type,...not only by the person doing it, but also by those close to him/her to decide to pursue that lifestyle,...or tolerate it.  As much as I enjoy turkey hunting, pursuing it under those circumstances is nothing I would do,...or, truthfully, admire in those that do it. 

But hey,...to each their own.... :icon_thumright:

Well put and sage perspective as usual. Turkey hunting is a great avocation, one for which those on this forum share a great passion. Turn it into a vocation - a job - and that is subject to change. No thanks.

I've always been told if your job entails doing what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. I could see it going the other way quickly though if doing what you loved didn't pay the bills

Quote from: Leadchunker on February 18, 2023, 09:54:38 AM
What's getting ridiculous? Is people leaving a vehicle at the gate going back home going to bed. Come back the next morning. Trying to claim THERE  spot. If it's a good size piece of property I don't care  what time you camped out I'm going in. Try and stop me.

This ain't a new trick, that 'ol ploy has been around a long time. It's a little silly, but I saw it a lot in the late 90's for deer, ducks, and turkeys, then it cropped up again a few years ago. There is a lot of extra effort and risk, imo for a spot that is likely to get overrun anyway and leave the 2 car folks cussin' and kicking pine cones. If it's so good you gotta try these tactics, you will have company!

I sure did enjoy all those "sorry, No-count youtuber's" this past year while I was laid up recovering from shoulder replacement and knee replacement. Made those days a lot more bearable for me.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

Quote from: Nathan_Wiles on February 18, 2023, 03:19:20 PM

Quote from: Leadchunker on February 18, 2023, 09:54:38 AM
What's getting ridiculous? Is people leaving a vehicle at the gate going back home going to bed. Come back the next morning. Trying to claim THERE  spot. If it's a good size piece of property I don't care  what time you camped out I'm going in. Try and stop me.

This ain't a new trick, that 'ol ploy has been around a long time. It's a little silly, but I saw it a lot in the late 90's for deer, ducks, and turkeys, then it cropped up again a few years ago. There is a lot of extra effort and risk, imo for a spot that is likely to get overrun anyway and leave the 2 car folks cussin' and kicking pine cones. If it's so good you gotta try these tactics, you will have company!

I sure did enjoy all those "sorry, No-count youtuber's" this past year while I was laid up recovering from shoulder replacement and knee replacement. Made those days a lot more bearable for me.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

I got a spot I like to deer hunt when I can pull myself away from waterfowling. One of the local land owners leaves a truck and trailer parked at the gate for the whole rifle season. Been doing it since I started showing up to the area some 15 years ago

Quote from: GobbleNut on February 16, 2023, 08:53:56 AM

Quote from: aclawrence on February 16, 2023, 08:39:47 AM
It's undeniable the pressure has skyrocketed since YouTube turkey hunting has taking off since around 2018 or so. I'm sure the pressure will ease up. Turkey hunting is hard. Maybe people will start to give up lol.

I think this may end up being the silver lining in this debate about ever-increasing pressure on public land.  At some point, we should reach that "point of diminishing returns" where a lot of folks, especially those newer to spring hunting, stop hunting due to the number of hunters in the woods hunting what appears to be an ever-decreasing number of available gobblers.  We'll see if that hypothesis is true and how long it takes.

Of course, those of us that have been doing it a long time are 1) more stubborn about giving in, 2) know enough about turkey hunting to persevere and succeed where others fail, and 3) probably know places to go, and are willing to make the effort to get there, so as to get away from that increasing hunting pressure.

Yup, I've seen it and been there too. Been run over by rookies and those that don't know their butt from a hole in the ground but are in a once primo spot because the conservation dept cut in a gravel highway for reasons unknown. It's my hope that they give up because of diminishing returns as well, plus the expense of hunting these great birds certainly isn't receding...

Quote from: GobbleNut on February 18, 2023, 09:08:49 AM

Quote from: Jbird22 on February 18, 2023, 07:15:57 AM

Quote from: West Augusta on February 17, 2023, 08:44:03 PM
I'm just jealous that YouTube wasn't around when I was young and that I had the balls to quit my job and go turkey hunting for a living.

Mmmm...It took guts to admit to what a lot of people won't. I guarantee that's the very problem with some of the ones who are doing the howling.

I have actually had this discussion with people.  In fact, my wife has made the comment, after hearing that supposedly some people are getting filthy rich making YouTube videos, that I should start doing it.  My response is that 1) I am way too old to start doing it now (and don't need or want to), but I would have considered it about forty years ago if it had been "a thing" back then, and 2) I don't want the things I do at my own discretion and leisure to start looking like a job,...and where I have to tell myself I have to go do this, even though I don't want to  go on this particular day, because of financial concerns.  I had a "job" for over forty years,...and I have no intention of turning my hunting activities into another one. 

The notion of being able to go turkey hunting (or any other) initially sounds appealing at first glance.  When I actually start thinking about it,...and I have done this watching some of these videos,...I find myself thinking about the other people in these YouTubers lives and what those people are sacrificing for their significant others to go galivanting all over the country to hunt stuff.  I may be the exception, but I can tell you one thing for sure, if I had told my wife that I was leaving to go turkey hunting for weeks or months at a time, I would have been shown the door many years ago.  If children were part of the equation, that would only be magnified tenfold. 

Not only that, but some of these guys go by themselves, drive hundreds or thousands of miles, sleep in their vehicles, hunt alone,...and do that over and over again.  I have tried that myself for some relatively short periods of time and it isn't something I would enjoy doing more than just a little bit. 

I suppose the point I would make is that it takes a certain personality type,...not only by the person doing it, but also by those close to him/her to decide to pursue that lifestyle,...or tolerate it.  As much as I enjoy turkey hunting, pursuing it under those circumstances is nothing I would do,...or, truthfully, admire in those that do it. 

But hey,...to each their own.... :icon_thumright:

Yes sir, well said!

It amazes me the number of YouTubers that have popped up.   

Just a big "look at me" contest.  They need to go back to their mom's basement where they belong. 

I don't care what people say, they are NOT making the money people think pimping the resource. It's real simple guys- look up monetization rates for YouTube.

I have a lot of friends that stream both on Youtube and on Twitch and it is VERY difficult to make money unless you are getting donations through the donation button. I think you have to have so many subscribers before you can even get paid. Just looked it up.

Youtube: "To start earning money directly from YouTube, creators must have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year.Dec 29, 2022"

Twitch: Twitch Affiliate: To become an Affiliate, you must have at least 50 followers and meet minimum streaming metrics in the last 30 days (500 minutes broadcast over at least seven unique days, with an average of at least three concurrent viewers).Sep 15, 2022

The majority of them are not making squat so they have to be doing it for more than that. I do not believe it is just about getting likes, though I do think that is a part of it. I do think there are those out there that simply enjoy doing it, enjoy hunting and want to share it with others or are just seeing what it is all about.

I am not a fan of what hunting has become on Youtube or on the hunting channels at all, my main problem is the kill at all cost attitude that so many of these people show and are passing on to many younger and some older hunters alike. I see some incredibly poor shot angles with both gun and bow. ( I fully acknowledge that camera angle may make it seem bad at times when it is not) I see people talking about taking 100 yard shots with a crossbow, I see people talking about taking shots with a bow through the shoulder bone because "My broad head is a one piece construction and is so many grain and can punch right through the bone" Or "I only take spine shots with my bow/crossbow" and much of this attitude has been taught to them through both the hunting channels and the YouTube channels. When you intentionally injure an animal with the attitude of killing it later with a second shot you are in the wrong, the animal deserves the respect of a quick and clean kill with the first shot or at least the attempt to do that. I hate what I have seen these videos/shows become, I would rather watch the old shows myself because the animal was shown respect and there was not a bunch of hooting and hollering and acting like an idiot, the animal was shown reverence.

Quote from: Glades on February 17, 2023, 10:51:06 AM
This is, in my opinion, why these shows are so popular:

1) It's public land hunting. The majority of people don't have access to private land, where you get to sit in a pop-up blind, with a bunch of decoys, and the turkeys just come to you. It reflects the reality and struggle that it takes to get a pressured bird. The old VHS hunting videos were all filmed in private, and was not relatable for the majority of hunters. Those hunts were easy, and boring.

2) It shows success and failure. Some of the best Hunting Public videos have no kills at all, and that's fine. Those videos are still great. Old hunting videos were all about the kill.

3) Its about the hunt and not the gear. Despite the fact that many of these channels are now sponsored, they are not constantly trying to shove product down your throat. That's what the old Primos videos did. It's just a group of young guys, with mismatched camo and an old 870, using their ability and wits to kill a bird. No blinds, no decoys, no gadgets.

4) They are very good. Despite their videos being all about the journey, and the characters, they still are very good at what they do. And because they are good, paying attention to what they do and the decisions they make on the spot will give you something to learn.

Reason number 1 is what drew me and many others to YouTube initially. It was refreshing to see average Joe's making use of public land hunting, gets old seeing the primos crew having bulls running to their bugles on a sprawling private ranch. Likewise seeing waddell with his decoy in a green field with a strutter decoy.

Quote from: GobbleNut on February 18, 2023, 09:08:49 AM

Quote from: Jbird22 on February 18, 2023, 07:15:57 AM

Quote from: West Augusta on February 17, 2023, 08:44:03 PM
I'm just jealous that YouTube wasn't around when I was young and that I had the balls to quit my job and go turkey hunting for a living.

Mmmm...It took guts to admit to what a lot of people won't. I guarantee that's the very problem with some of the ones who are doing the howling.

I have actually had this discussion with people.  In fact, my wife has made the comment, after hearing that supposedly some people are getting filthy rich making YouTube videos, that I should start doing it.  My response is that 1) I am way too old to start doing it now (and don't need or want to), but I would have considered it about forty years ago if it had been "a thing" back then, and 2) I don't want the things I do at my own discretion and leisure to start looking like a job,...and where I have to tell myself I have to go do this, even though I don't want to  go on this particular day, because of financial concerns.  I had a "job" for over forty years,...and I have no intention of turning my hunting activities into another one. 

The notion of being able to go turkey hunting (or any other) initially sounds appealing at first glance.  When I actually start thinking about it,...and I have done this watching some of these videos,...I find myself thinking about the other people in these YouTubers lives and what those people are sacrificing for their significant others to go galivanting all over the country to hunt stuff.  I may be the exception, but I can tell you one thing for sure, if I had told my wife that I was leaving to go turkey hunting for weeks or months at a time, I would have been shown the door many years ago.  If children were part of the equation, that would only be magnified tenfold. 

Not only that, but some of these guys go by themselves, drive hundreds or thousands of miles, sleep in their vehicles, hunt alone,...and do that over and over again.  I have tried that myself for some relatively short periods of time and it isn't something I would enjoy doing more than just a little bit. 

I suppose the point I would make is that it takes a certain personality type,...not only by the person doing it, but also by those close to him/her to decide to pursue that lifestyle,...or tolerate it.  As much as I enjoy turkey hunting, pursuing it under those circumstances is nothing I would do,...or, truthfully, admire in those that do it. 

But hey,...to each their own.... :icon_thumright:

No doubht some of these guys home lives are completely shot. Wives are definitely hanging out with the tennis instructor after lessons.

No doubht some of these guys home lives are completely shot. Wives are definitely hanging out with the tennis instructor after lessons.
[/quote]

Too funny. And why I stay single. Relationships get in the way of turkey hunting.

No doubht some of these guys home lives are completely shot. Wives are definitely hanging out with the tennis instructor after lessons.
[/quote]
This is absolutely the case. Look at the youtubers- for the most part they are a bunch of sawed off small men.

They dang sure aren't broad shouldered love machines.

Nothing is more weird to me than the love affair these self proclaimed old school turkey pros have on this forum with guys who make you tube videos. You guys are so weird. Now we're talking about their physical stature? I believe that's a sign for me to take a break from this forum.  :z-guntootsmiley:

While I'm not a fan of the current youtube stuff and the crowds it's bringing to a lot of public lands, I have nothing against the hunters themselves. They are getting to do what they love and a select few are making a living from it. Kudos to them, deep down we all wish we could do the same. But. that doesn't change the fact that it very well may be a contributing factor in some negatives things hunters seem to be experiencing. Until the older generations accept that VHS and the like can not be compared to the incredible amount of instant access to information people have now through the internet, and younger generations develop a little more respect of other hunters, the tradition and history etc., any issue stemming from this can't be solved.

Quote from: silent tom on February 20, 2023, 10:20:36 AM

No doubht some of these guys home lives are completely shot. Wives are definitely hanging out with the tennis instructor after lessons.

This is absolutely the case. Look at the youtubers- for the most part they are a bunch of sawed off small men.

They dang sure aren't broad shouldered love machines.
[/quote]
"Stereotype " much ??

I can say much but I'll summarize it as a terrible thing that's happened to hunting in general.

  In these last few years you never really know who is parked and camping just behind a Public Gate when you turn into a Parking area at 3.45 am.
    It might or might not be a Utube Group still to arise. Or there might be an event going on like Labrador  Trials which will draw people from different  States.
    Out of State License  Plate on a  Vehicle  with no lights on inside.  Just walk on by  go on in.

Quote from: Howieg on February 20, 2023, 05:18:02 PM

Quote from: silent tom on February 20, 2023, 10:20:36 AM

No doubht some of these guys home lives are completely shot. Wives are definitely hanging out with the tennis instructor after lessons.

This is absolutely the case. Look at the youtubers- for the most part they are a bunch of sawed off small men.

They dang sure aren't broad shouldered love machines.

"Stereotype " much ??
[/quote]

I may get the "short" end of this one, but I was told never to trust a small man, like Zelensky.  They carry a grudge, and they want it all..

This thread has really gotten idiotic

Quote from: Zobo on February 21, 2023, 02:36:57 PM
This thread has really gotten idiotic

Amen

Quote from: Zobo on February 21, 2023, 02:36:57 PM
This thread has really gotten idiotic

Sure has.

All I see is "younger hunter or newer hunters using YouTube is ruining MY hunting".

10 years ago it was "we're running out of hunters" and "nobody wants to be outside they all just play video games all day long".

Then that generation does what the old timers wanted (got out into the woods) and now they just complain. It's comical. Do you really think all the YouTube hunters are the reason for your bad hunting? It's just like the news, just because we see more doom and gloom now doesn't mean there's anymore of it than there was before. Quit your bitchin!

Sincerely, a YouTube hunter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Year after year, thread after thread, it's the same argument. Do you guys ever get bored of it?

Before this thread gets locked, I suppose I have to add in my two sense like I do every year around this time.

Down to the very core, these arguments are hypocritical, just like most things in this world anymore. "It's okay to do things as long as you do it MY WAY" has been a disturbing increase in hunting for as long as I can remember.

I mean there are members who are on an INTERNET forum bashing technology and cutting down others. Saying it's all for likes and all for ego when those same people enter a contest on AN INTERNET forum that has no prizes, and you all get to post pics and tell your hunting stories. Is it all about ego!? Or is it all about sharing this addiction we all love? Are we seeing the hypocrisy in this now? If not, sell your modern shotgun, keep your turkey vest, binoculars, and calls at home, maybe send a smoke signal to your Amish neighbor down the street so he can give you a ride to your hunting spot and most of all, disable your account on this forum because none of us want to see all your bragging about that gobbler you shot and read your story! Things like that is what's ruining turkey hunting!!!! ;)

For the record, I'm "only" 31 years old but have had many a spots burned by the use of mobile mapping. I became a great map reader when I was younger just to find public land spots, and now that skill isn't needed. Now everyone knows. Those hidden gems aren't hidden and are marked off the list. I now have new spots...thanks to mapping, that I never knew about. Trade offs? Maybe. Does it suck? Sure does!

Now, I will pirely  speak for me. I have a YouTube channel. I can't stand the term "YouTuber". I can't stand many buzzwords anyone uses. Owasays. Turkey hunting draws the least amount of viewers as anything I put out, which in turn is the least a mount of money. I make $7-$10 per 1,000 views. I think you can use that math on about anybody's videos to find what they make. The vast majority aren't making a living, however I get between $100-$200 per month from YouTube. That's $100 I wouldn't have before. It's a tag in another state, it's 1-2 tanks of fuel to have fun, etc. but usually it's nothing more than another GoPro, or battery, or microphone because I screwed one up.

So, it's not about the money. It's because 20 years ago I was so disgusted about the depiction of what hunting was that I wanted to change it. Others do that a whole lot better than I do, but I'd like to think I'm helping to change that depiction of hunting and outdoor adventures for the better! I don't put any state names in my turkey videos and never will. I don't want to be blamed for bringing unneeded pressure to anyone's spot, and I sure as hell don't want them finding out about my spots! The only people that would know are people who have been there before and I hope if they stumble across the video they tip their cap and enjoy watching something that's entertaining and not trying to sell them anything. I simply want to share my adventures and hope people get some enjoyment out of that

Oh, and if I ever get in a position where I can quit my job and go hunting everyday...I'm going to!  :smiley-patriotic-flagwaver-an

Oh, one last jab about being mad at those making money off of our natural resources, where should we start. Oil? Mines? Logging? Farmers? Ranchers? Banks? Gun companies? Ammo companies? Any company at all that relates to hunting and fishing? Cabelas? Basspro? Oh Banks! They really rake it in!

Hopefully I've made my point....

Yeah, but more importantly, are you tall or short???

Quote from: Zobo on February 21, 2023, 04:34:22 PM
Yeah, but are you tall or short???

Oh I should've added that in too! I'm 6'1" . Maybe that's why I don't make any money  :character0029:

Quote from: POk3s on February 21, 2023, 04:37:11 PM

Quote from: Zobo on February 21, 2023, 04:34:22 PM
Yeah, but are you tall or short???

Oh I should've added that in too! I'm 6'1" . Maybe that's why I don't make any money  :character0029:

:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Wait, that's not short!!! :TooFunny:

Quote from: Leadchunker on February 18, 2023, 09:54:38 AM
What's getting ridiculous? Is people leaving a vehicle at the gate going back home going to bed. Come back the next morning. Trying to claim THERE  spot. If it's a good size piece of property I don't care  what time you camped out I'm going in. Try and stop me.

Catalytic converter theft must not be as bad in your neck of the woods as it is mine. Im half afraid just leaving my truck on public in the daytime.

And don't forget, Does your wife play tennis??? LOL if she don't,  DO NOT LET HER START!!!

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

I would start filming my hunts and trying to get paid for them, but I am currently really enjoying my job as a tennis instuctor.

Quote from: POk3s on February 21, 2023, 04:20:54 PM
Year after year, thread after thread, it's the same argument. Do you guys ever get bored of it?

Before this thread gets locked, I suppose I have to add in my two sense like I do every year around this time.

Down to the very core, these arguments are hypocritical, just like most things in this world anymore. "It's okay to do things as long as you do it MY WAY" has been a disturbing increase in hunting for as long as I can remember.

I mean there are members who are on an INTERNET forum bashing technology and cutting down others. Saying it's all for likes and all for ego when those same people enter a contest on AN INTERNET forum that has no prizes, and you all get to post pics and tell your hunting stories. Is it all about ego!? Or is it all about sharing this addiction we all love? Are we seeing the hypocrisy in this now? If not, sell your modern shotgun, keep your turkey vest, binoculars, and calls at home, maybe send a smoke signal to your Amish neighbor down the street so he can give you a ride to your hunting spot and most of all, disable your account on this forum because none of us want to see all your bragging about that gobbler you shot and read your story! Things like that is what's ruining turkey hunting!!!! ;)

For the record, I'm "only" 31 years old but have had many a spots burned by the use of mobile mapping. I became a great map reader when I was younger just to find public land spots, and now that skill isn't needed. Now everyone knows. Those hidden gems aren't hidden and are marked off the list. I now have new spots...thanks to mapping, that I never knew about. Trade offs? Maybe. Does it suck? Sure does!

Now, I will pirely  speak for me. I have a YouTube channel. I can't stand the term "YouTuber". I can't stand many buzzwords anyone uses. Owasays. Turkey hunting draws the least amount of viewers as anything I put out, which in turn is the least a mount of money. I make $7-$10 per 1,000 views. I think you can use that math on about anybody's videos to find what they make. The vast majority aren't making a living, however I get between $100-$200 per month from YouTube. That's $100 I wouldn't have before. It's a tag in another state, it's 1-2 tanks of fuel to have fun, etc. but usually it's nothing more than another GoPro, or battery, or microphone because I screwed one up.

So, it's not about the money. It's because 20 years ago I was so disgusted about the depiction of what hunting was that I wanted to change it. Others do that a whole lot better than I do, but I'd like to think I'm helping to change that depiction of hunting and outdoor adventures for the better! I don't put any state names in my turkey videos and never will. I don't want to be blamed for bringing unneeded pressure to anyone's spot, and I sure as hell don't want them finding out about my spots! The only people that would know are people who have been there before and I hope if they stumble across the video they tip their cap and enjoy watching something that's entertaining and not trying to sell them anything. I simply want to share my adventures and hope people get some enjoyment out of that

Oh, and if I ever get in a position where I can quit my job and go hunting everyday...I'm going to!  :smiley-patriotic-flagwaver-an

Oh, one last jab about being mad at those making money off of our natural resources, where should we start. Oil? Mines? Logging? Farmers? Ranchers? Banks? Gun companies? Ammo companies? Any company at all that relates to hunting and fishing? Cabelas? Basspro? Oh Banks! They really rake it in!

Hopefully I've made my point....

Damn bro. Hell of a post, refreshing to see.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good post POk3s and most folks are of the live and let live variety.  I would like to know your channel to give it a peak.  I am 60 and I watch a couple of the youtubers sometimes.  It is entertainment, meant to entertain.  99.9% of turkey hunters are hunting for sport, not for support.  That is still just a form of entertainment. 

I do not like the spot naming or being obvious.  One of the Youtubers literally killed a bird about a mile from where I did and where I hunt regularly.  I knew instantly where they were.  The vast majority of folks would have no clue unless they have been there before. 

Siman, sometimes you've just heard enough!  :mycross:

G8rvet, I'd hate to start advertising YouTube channels on this post  :TooFunny: . I'll message you!

 I'll never play doubles tennis again.   :TooFunny: 

One of the benefits of this forum is we all get to bitch some. It's good therapy to unload among like minded people. I appreciate your view POK3, but I will keep my hypocrite status and still refrain from subscribing to any turkey hunting channels. As for this forum, I think it's more like a local community where a little bragging among friends is accepted and with that a few disagreements. Come opening day we all put on the gear, grab the gun and go turkey hunting.

we're a long way from youtube. There are 17,000+ members here and from what I gather from the members list around 3,000 active. That's a grain of sand compared to youtube. After realizing that, I am even more grateful to Shannon for this site. I have made some good friends here and I consider them just as valued as those in my hometown.

when you talk about old skills like map reading and also getting spots burned, those of us here with all the gray hair can write you a book. At 31 your just starting to build that list. When your 65+ and been at this game for 50+ years it won't even matter about all those incidents anymore, because you got over it about 100 incidents into your hunting days. We still bitch about every one of them though just for therapy, so have at it my friend. 

 " I don't put any state names in my turkey videos and never will."

Good for you. This is the biggest problem I have with YouTube. Send me a link, I'll check it out.

Quote from: eggshell on February 22, 2023, 06:49:05 AM
One of the benefits of this forum is we all get to bitch some. It's good therapy to unload among like minded people. I appreciate your view POK3, but I will keep my hypocrite status and still refrain from subscribing to any turkey hunting channels. As for this forum, I think it's more like a local community where a little bragging among friends is accepted and with that a few disagreements. Come opening day we all put on the gear, grab the gun and go turkey hunting.

we're a long way from youtube. There are 17,000+ members here and from what I gather from the members list around 3,000 active. That's a grain of sand compared to youtube. After realizing that, I am even more grateful to Shannon for this site. I have made some good friends here and I consider them just as valued as those in my hometown.

when you talk about old skills like map reading and also getting spots burned, those of us here with all the gray hair can write you a book. At 31 your just starting to build that list. When your 65+ and been at this game for 50+ years it won't even matter about all those incidents anymore, because you got over it about 100 incidents into your hunting days. We still bitch about every one of them though just for therapy, so have at it my friend.

And I understand all that. I don't want to show anybody my spots. I don't want to show anybody anybody else's spots. I just want to show turkey hunting (or elk hunting or fishing) for what it truly is for the average Joe and what you can accomplish if you work hard enough. The videos are there for entertainment and for memories further down the road.

I was a member of no less than 10 forums growing up. Facebook was obviously a huge hit but from what I've seen, forums die because the crowd gets hostile. People aren't welcome. Do it this way or you're not allowed here. This is the best forum going. Don't let it die a slow death too.

Shannon, we all appreciate all you do. Other forums have made excuses as to why they can't operate. Not this one!

I do agree, hostility has killed some really good forums. I'm not sure what killed it but turkey and turkey hunting forum was where I first met gobblenut and it was a really cool crowd just like this. I recently withfrew from a fishing forum because of political hate.

Jesus, said it best "Blessed are the peacemakers" Let work hard at being kind and friendly

Quote from: eggshell on February 22, 2023, 05:36:19 PM
I do agree, hostility has killed some really good forums. I'm not sure what killed it but turkey and turkey hunting forum was where I first met gobblenut and it was a really cool crowd just like this. I recently withfrew from a fishing forum because of political hate.

Jesus, said it best "Blessed are the peacemakers" Let work hard at being kind and friendly

I think turkey and turkey went down because the magazine folded. I hate that they shut it down, it was the only good one around.

Quote from: Sir-diealot on February 22, 2023, 05:46:30 PM

Quote from: eggshell on February 22, 2023, 05:36:19 PM
I do agree, hostility has killed some really good forums. I'm not sure what killed it but turkey and turkey hunting forum was where I first met gobblenut and it was a really cool crowd just like this. I recently withfrew from a fishing forum because of political hate.

Jesus, said it best "Blessed are the peacemakers" Let work hard at being kind and friendly

I think turkey and turkey went down because the magazine folded. I hate that they shut it down, it was the only good one around.

The T&TH forum, the NWTF forum, and a couple of others all seemed to shut down around the same time.  I know a lot of us ended up here.  The resultant group of folks here has turned out well (except for maybe a few of us...  ;D :angel9: )

Quote from: GobbleNut on February 22, 2023, 07:36:24 PM

Quote from: Sir-diealot on February 22, 2023, 05:46:30 PM

Quote from: eggshell on February 22, 2023, 05:36:19 PM
I do agree, hostility has killed some really good forums. I'm not sure what killed it but turkey and turkey hunting forum was where I first met gobblenut and it was a really cool crowd just like this. I recently withfrew from a fishing forum because of political hate.

Jesus, said it best "Blessed are the peacemakers" Let work hard at being kind and friendly

I think turkey and turkey went down because the magazine folded. I hate that they shut it down, it was the only good one around.

The T&TH forum, the NWTF forum, and a couple of others all seemed to shut down around the same time.  I know a lot of us ended up here.  The resultant group of folks here has turned out well (except for maybe a few of us...  ;D :angel9: )

At least you can get T&TH once a year now. Wish it would come back. Anyway, enough of that.

I think the current culture of turkey hunting in general would be in much better shape without 90% of social media and technology.  In my opinion, the usual claims of jealousy or "learn to adapt" fall short of a sound argument in addressing the negatives that accompany the practices of many on social media, as well as clearly miss the point.  Not even close!!  Share away as long as responsibly doing so, with no hot spotting or name dropping states, National Forests, WMAs, or regions within states, etc.  Those that refuse to be responsible earn zero respect and are selfish.   

And please.... A prerequisite for a turkey hunting channel or show should be to at least sound somewhat like a turkey.  Sure, you don't have to sound very good to kill turkeys, but some are just to painful to watch (listen to).  It might up your viewership. 

Quote from: El Pavo Grande on February 26, 2023, 01:51:19 AM
I think the current culture of turkey hunting in general would be in much better shape without 90% of social media and technology.  In my opinion, the usual claims of jealousy or "learn to adapt" fall short of a sound argument in addressing the negatives that accompany the practices of many on social media, as well as clearly miss the point.  Not even close!!  Share away as long as responsibly doing so, with no hot spotting or name dropping states, National Forests, WMAs, or regions within states, etc.  Those that refuse to be responsible earn zero respect and are selfish.   

And please.... A prerequisite for a turkey hunting channel or show should be to at least sound somewhat like a turkey.  Sure, you don't have to sound very good to kill turkeys, but some are just to painful to watch (listen to).  It might up your viewership.

I agree with you. THe problem has always been there. Social media just blew it up bigger. Way back in the dark ages we had those hunters who made sure that every bait shop and gun store had their picture hanging up and they'd sit around the camps at the state park and the restaurants and blow. I had a certain crowd that would check their turkeys at the check station and then lay them on the tail gate and sit there while other hunters came in. Magazines would do their anual article and burn spots/regions as well. It's the same attitude just a bigger audience.

If you are going to do it ditch the stupid music, if I am watching it is to see/hear the sounds of nature, not a concert. This is a major reason I only like the older videos.

The best thing you can do is not watch period. The majority wouldn't even hunt without likes

Quote from: arkrem870 on February 26, 2023, 08:38:08 AM
The best thing you can do is not watch period. The majority wouldn't even hunt without likes

I don't and mainly for the reason above. That and the fake attempts at humor. If humor happens it happens, don't push to make it seemed like it happens, just looks pathetic and stupid.

Quote from: eggshell on February 26, 2023, 06:49:21 AM

Quote from: El Pavo Grande on February 26, 2023, 01:51:19 AM
I think the current culture of turkey hunting in general would be in much better shape without 90% of social media and technology.  In my opinion, the usual claims of jealousy or "learn to adapt" fall short of a sound argument in addressing the negatives that accompany the practices of many on social media, as well as clearly miss the point.  Not even close!!  Share away as long as responsibly doing so, with no hot spotting or name dropping states, National Forests, WMAs, or regions within states, etc.  Those that refuse to be responsible earn zero respect and are selfish.   

And please.... A prerequisite for a turkey hunting channel or show should be to at least sound somewhat like a turkey.  Sure, you don't have to sound very good to kill turkeys, but some are just to painful to watch (listen to).  It might up your viewership.

I agree with you. THe problem has always been there. Social media just blew it up bigger. Way back in the dark ages we had those hunters who made sure that every bait shop and gun store had their picture hanging up and they'd sit around the camps at the state park and the restaurants and blow. I had a certain crowd that would check their turkeys at the check station and then lay them on the tail gate and sit there while other hunters came in. Magazines would do their anual article and burn spots/regions as well. It's the same attitude just a bigger audience.

A few observations based on the above:
i think part of the problem we have is that newer hunters that frequent social media sites will willingly talk about certain locations, and even give away hotspots, because they don't understand the repercussions of doing that.  I believe at least part of that is because they equate turkey hunting with how they hunt other game species,...that is, find a spot in the woods, wander around, and hope they see a turkey.  They don't understand that gobblers often willingly let EVERYBODY know where they are, which results in hunters concentrating around those vocal birds.  These newer hunters spilling their guts about the great turkey hunting spot they have, I believe, is a function of their inexperience as spring gobbler hunters.  Those that give away their hunting spots will eventually learn,...but there is also a steady stream of newbies that continue to do the same thing. 

The point about magazines and media other than internet "social media" being to blame long before the advent of the internet is also right on target.  I started spring gobbler hunting back in the 1960's, and from day one, stories have appeared annually about where to go hunting,...even to the point of giving away specific locations to hunt.

An example:  Fifty years ago a national magazine pointed out a specific canyon in the country I hunt.  Since that time, that canyon,...which was one I hunted regularly at the time,...has annually become a circus during the spring gobbler season.  I haven't hunted there in decades now, but once in a while I will drive through just to see that circus in action. 

Unfortunately, the internet/YouTube has just exaggerated the problem exponentially,...and, quite honestly, there is no end in sight. 

YouTube and social media turned hunting upside down. Nothing else compares. I've hunted for a long time and it's rocked the south east like dropping a bomb. I saw pinhoti /THP and others all together in my usual camp ground. Usually the opener was pretty low pressure and picked up into April in this location. Fast forward to the next year and we had to camp in the overflow and trucks at nearly every pull in at 3am. I'd never seen anything like it.

Then they put in major restrictions the next year/delayed season opener. Lowered limit. and basically made it not worth traveling to hunt there due to all the pressure. Then the hashtag crews went on to the next state and dropped a bomb on it. And I can't hunt it til April because I didnt draw a new non resident permit. So that leaves one state for me to hunt early and it's already turned into a nut show and has been pimped to the max.

I refuse to except it's all a big coincidence.....F your entertainment

Gobblenut, we have a ridge we call "THe ZOO". , that was burned 40 years ago.  If you ever come here that's where I plan on taking you.... :goofball: :TooFunny:

    I like the Matt Dale Educational  videos. Even a ol veteran like me has interest in them. And he is mostly on Private Land. And it is just him.
   I watched - is it The Hunted Public? It was ok . A Guy named Ted missed . I think a Fiber optic  would probably  result in fewer misses. He got one hours later in the Heat. Those 2 guys looked like long distance  runners. I give them that. Ted looks all of 120lbs. That circular  hat seems to stand out rather then a baseball type. Wear what you want- but,I think a old Gobbler would really give a Circular Hat a once over.
    I am hoping this Spring is not crowded to the Gills again. Been super crowded since 2020 and the Chinese Virus kept people  home

Quote from: quavers59 on February 26, 2023, 08:20:44 PM
    I like the Matt Dale Educational  videos. Even a ol veteran like me has interest in them. And he is mostly on Private Land. And it is just him.
   I watched - is it The Hunted Public? It was ok . A Guy named Ted missed . I think a Fiber optic  would probably  result in fewer misses. He got one hours later in the Heat. Those 2 guys looked like long distance  runners. I give them that. Ted looks all of 120lbs. That circular  hat seems to stand out rather then a baseball type. Wear what you want- but,I think a old Gobbler would really give a Circular Hat a once over.
    I am hoping this Spring is not crowded to the Gills again. Been super crowded since 2020 and the Chinese Virus kept people  home

You talking a circular hat like this? If so. I been using this one or one like it for the last 20 yrs. The turkeys don't bother with it.

I will say it does a decent job of keeping the gnats off the back of my neck and around my ears. Don't what it is but the gnats seem to stay above the brim and don't get onto those areas near as much. Also, the hat does a great job of keeping moisture from seeping into your collar and getting your upper torso wet when it's raining.

I tried a hat like that, love them for fishing, but I kept bumping it off my head when leaning against a tree!   :cowboy:

Nope- not like the Hat above

Quote from: g8rvet on February 27, 2023, 01:40:05 PM
I tried a hat like that, love them for fishing, but I kept bumping it off my head when leaning against a tree!   :cowboy:

Haha! I did the exact same thing. Tried wearing one and went nuts hitting it against the back of the tree too. Drove me crazy!

Quote from: Archivist13 on February 27, 2023, 06:23:25 PM

Quote from: g8rvet on February 27, 2023, 01:40:05 PM
I tried a hat like that, love them for fishing, but I kept bumping it off my head when leaning against a tree!   :cowboy:

Haha! I did the exact same thing. Tried wearing one and went nuts hitting it against the back of the tree too. Drove me crazy!

You both need to work the brim more, they stop doing that as they get worked in more. I am wearing one in my profile but prefer the old on I had made of saddlecloth is was much softer and fit my big ol' noggin' better.