I just can't anymore y'all. Seriously. It's ridiculous out there. Prime examples:
A. Unverified weights of like 27 plus lb birds. Or more 24 lb birds than I have ever seen. I've killed a bunch. Rarely are they over 22 lbs.
B. Spurs 1.5 inches or so with no verification.
C. 4 year olds killing birds at 45 yards on youth weekend.
D. Pics of people in full blaze orange sitting on WMA's calling birds.
E. Thermal scopes shown on birds.
F. Unreal beard lengths with no verification.
G. Some of the most ridiculous posts and questions I have ever seen.
H. Unbelievable distances of kills.
I'm being completely honest when I say I miss Turkey hunting when turkey hunting wasn't cool. When you could walk into a WMA and be alone. Selfish? Yep. But I've been doing this long enough to earn it. I was hunting when all I had was magazines to read. I'm self taught. It took me many years to kill my first one. But I figured it out. Without the internet and people telling me it's okay to kill one at 60 yards. Without people telling me anything actually. It was trial and error for me. I'm the only one in my family to hunt. But I've always been a turkey hunter first. Deer...ehhh. Whatever. Turkeys tho..always been a passion since I was 13.
It makes me sick. No one respects the bird. I saw a photo the other day. It was a blood bath. Shot him in the body at 10 yards. It made me sick. If I see thunder chicken one more time I'm gonna puke. Don't even get me started on states allowing rifles. I live in a state that does and it erks me to the absolute core. I won't even talk about allowing 3 year olds "killing them" cause I don't want to be banned here. But whatever. A 3-6 year old ain't gonna remember it. But it gives the adult a reason to hunt on youth day. So it's all about the adult. If you want to take someone that young..fine..they can sit in your lap or blind during regular season and watch and learn. But I'm not buying a 4 year year old killing one at 45 yards with a .410. Even if true. He ain't gonna remember it.
No one seems to care about the hunt. The thrill. They care about the kill. I don't know what's changed. But I'm sick of it.
I realize this isn't popular preaching maybe. And guess what..that's okay. I need to sleep tonight so I had to get it off my chest. #endrant. Blast me if you want. But it's total facts.
deathfoot just enjoy the hunt.
Agree 100% with everything you just said...i just worry about my self and watch what some truly love disappear year by year..best man at my wedding was killed last season during season with a rifle,at shotgun distance.
My kid is 10 years old and she's been out maybe once..just to walk with dad..I'm sorry but a kid doesn't need a special youth day..I'll stop there
Lastly it makes me sick to see people make money off of a natural resource..I'm sorry but this is not deer hunting..it use to be a cult kind of,there still is but it's harder and harder to find...keep your real ones close and avoid the fakes.
And as old timer said enjoy it while you can for as long as you can
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Deathfoot, you are certainly correct on almost everything you said. But you said, 'No one cares about the hunt,' while true I will add if I may, 'Very few care about the dadgum TRUTH. "
Recently, my Buddy, who is over our youth turkey contest, showed me a beard and asked if I could see what was wrong with it. Immediately, I saw where whoever cut off the beard only left a little bit, maybe an eighth of flesh holding the strands together. All of this is so he could expose a half inch of beard for his grandchild. The same guy also posed three grandchildren each by themselves with the SAME BIRD!!!! I was asked, "What does this teach these children?" My Buddy said that he did the exact same thing last year!!!
Please try to have a good one, and May God bless y'all, Bo
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You forgot Reaping.
C'mon man, don't you know I'm after the slam? I don't have time to learn the birds, I dont have time to respect the animal or other hunters as I blast through these woods, I dont have time to think about fair chase, I don't have time to worry about spooking birds and how it effects their behaviour after I leave. I gotta get that bird killed as fast as possible with whatever means necessary so I can check this state off and move on to the next. Don't you know I've only allotted 3 days for this state in my 5 state 2 week swing? I gotta get it done now!!!!!
I could do the same for a tuber but you get the Idea.
I let you guess what the likely age group is of these types of so called hunters.
I know I'm stereotyping here. Some are not what I've described above but I feel they are the minority.
I think I goes way deeper than YouTube or the quest for the slam. Them outlets just provide a platform that enable the poor behaviour to be highlighted. The people I speak of are a product of society and their upbringing. They've never been told no a day in their lives and raised by people to busy to care or want to be friends instead of being a parent. I'm watching it happen right now with my girlfriend's granddaughter. Spoiled rotten and has a hissy fit whenever she don't get what she wants. She's selfish as all get out. Me, me, me, mine, mine, mine, I want, I want, I want.
They've been taught in school that the only thing that matters is how they feel. They let biological men compete in women's sports because it makes them feel good. They don't keep score in childrens games and everybody gets a trophy because we can't let little Bobby or Susie feel sad because they lost.
I'm sorry if this offends anyone and I'm more than willing to listen to your side of the story if you can tell me where I am wrong. If this labels me as a purist/ elitist so be it.
I just had a chat with a buddy who has some gobblers roosted on public land. It's a ridge point that's about 800yds long by about 400yds wide. Enough room for one man to hunt comfortably. When discussing how to set up to these birds the 1st factor discussed wasn't where to best set up to these gobblers it was where to set up to try and eliminate the possibility of somebody walking in on him or blowing past him and what he should do when it most likely happens.
Pretty sad that it's come down to this. Sorry fellas, I don't see it get any better. I guess we need to "embrace the suck" so to speak if we want to continue with our passion in the future.
Of course I'm speaking from a public land point of view.
I remember the first fish I caught at 4 years old. I remember most of that day. Also carrying venison to my aunt on butcher day when I was 2. Nobody can say what a kid will remember. I have no kids, but love introducing them to the woods and the hunt.
i'm with you deathfoot. also, i hate the word "thunder chicken".
If it bothers you, you probably should stay off the internet.
Exaggerated claims and propaganda are a part of life. I've never seen public ground unless it was very used and I've been doing this 36 years. I've never killed a bird over 24# and I've never killed a bird with spurs oner 1 7/16. I have killed two with a beard 12" or more. Golder nuggets are out there and people like to brag when they find one.
The problem is that people like validation. I personally don't care about what people think. I like the hunt and I do share my success publicly but I don't kiss and tell. It's important to me that there's a future and I'm more than willing to help someone who wants to turkey hunt, but I'd rather see new turkeys than new turkey hunters.
Quote
C'mon man, don't you know I'm after the slam? I don't have time to learn the birds, I dont have time to respect the animal or other hunters as I blast through these woods, I dont have time to think about fair chase, I don't have time to worry about spooking birds and how it effects their behaviour after I leave. I gotta get that bird killed as fast as possible with whatever means necessary so I can check this state off and move on to the next. Don't you know I've only allotted 3 days for this state in my 5 state 2 week swing? I gotta get it done now!!!!!
This is so true and what a great post. I mean, it's impressive what some of these guys are doing in such short windows, but it just seems like so much is lost along the way. They will tell you it's not. To each their own.....just not for me.
Yes it was nice hunting when the woods didn't have so many people in it. The guys that make me laugh are the ones that have kids and complain about to many people and point creep..... No I don't have any, my wife has kids and grandkids that I think of as my own.
As far as kids not remembering . I've been deer hunting and bear hunting with hounds since I was four and I remember those days. So I took my grandson and he shot his first deer at 6 and first turkey at 7. I'm sure he will never forget those days.
I agree with most of what had been said, the love of the game and the passion that most of the pioneers had is mainly gone. I'm 27 years old, will be 28 in a few months, and my dad used to tote me along at 2 years old. I remember squirrel hunting with him, I remember deer hunting with him and if I close my eyes I can still see in plain detail the very first turkey I ever saw up close in the woods at age 5. I'm a first generation turkey hunter and I've learned everything myself from the birds. I don't YouTube, I don't chase states and I don't use decoys or reaping. And I don't use social media other than this site and occasionally the other turkey forum. If I can't kill him by using what I've learned since I was able to walk and position myself in his backyard in the best place possible for me to call him up and get him then that's ok. I'll keep learning and I'll get him tomorrow. But I also practice with several types of callers daily, year round, listen to my real turkey cd's on the way to and from work daily and probably don't help the public land situation any because i generally take 3 or 4 new hunters or hunters that have been at it 5 or 6 years and have yet to be successful, a day or two a season and try to teach them something. Often times than not, each one gets a bird and I get mine every year. And I take my kids with me, I have taken my daughter since she was 2 without a gun and teach her about the woods and everything in them. And I'm doing the same with my son that is now 2. For anyone who says you shouldn't take your kids in the woods must not enjoy their kids much or take this hunting way too seriously to enjoy what truly matters. I took my two year old who is absolutely infatuated with turkeys and turkey calls one day during our youth season with no gun and called him up a gobbler and three hens to within 20 yards with no blind. I told him him he had to sit still and be quiet and he sat better than most adults can. We watched them a while and went home, he still talks about it daily and asks me every day when I get home from work if he can play with my calls. I've given him his own stash.
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For me, my kids were substantially older before it felt right to get them started. But that's solely a parent's decision hopefully based upon each individual kid's maturity, ability, desire and so on. If you're selfishly rushing the timeframe for social media purposes then yes, I agree with you, that's pathetic.
The facebooks groups are ridiculous. I keep Facebook off my phone most of the time these days but sometimes I log on. I hate peoples hashtaghibg #2 or 3 or whatever.
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Great post!! The majority in today's turkey hunting world will disagree, but I think it's ok for some to hear some truths. It's all disheartening to see. Social media, or at least as a platform, has degraded the turkey hunting culture. It has driven the need for instant gratification and validation. I blame society in general, but also a BIG brunt of the blame on hunting industry influencers (including YouTubers) that seek to profit monetarily and in personal notoriety. I personally know several that won't hunt our home state and have never killed a turkey in our home state, but thanks to social media and the desire for validation on social media, travel to hunt these over advertised and often glamorized states where the hunting is much easier. Posting at WMA signs.... No one cares except those searching for a shortcut. It's a free country and most of the information flow is free, it's just amazing that a guy kills a couple of turkeys and then he's a traveling hunter with his own turkey hunting YouTube channel. Many have skipped over the aspect of just enjoying the hunt.
#pasturepimp
#pinechicken
#3%club
#killed@7:03 (I've never seen so many down to the minute times posted... I just find that interesting)
Jealous, elitist, "anti-hunter" hunter..... that's the G-rated labels given to anyone that opposes the direction this is going. Maybe we should just tune out? That's a consideration, except it's having real world ramifications with localized populations and hunting opportunity. So, there needs to be some voices of reason, even if it offends some. The unlimited flow of information and influence is beyond compare to any previous transitions in the turkey hunting culture.
I personally don't have much problems with Facebook, i keep up with my call builders and high school friends and other turkey hunters i have met along the way. I also don't have a problem with YouTube i follow some awesome people on YouTube who share some good information. On both of these sites you have the control of WHO you want to be friends with and WHO you want to follow. I enjoy watching some of the call builders and others playing turkey calls on YouTube and again Facebook. So it's all what you make of it for yourself, we can all complain about something we don't like most of the time.. Anything you watch or participate in is all your choice. So what if a person kills 2/3/4 turkeys, if he hunted and did it legal more power to that person in my opinion that pretty good accomplishment. I tend to worry about this day and time about my family and just hoping to see another sunrise. life is too short guys.... I disagree that Facebook groups are ridiculous, it all depends on which groups you are a part of on Facebook. IMO .... Social is a new or old part of life, it's called computers / Laptops and I Phones etc... I sure wouldn't want to give up my IPhone ... My wife can pretty much track my whereabouts 24/7 as long as i have that phone ... ADD .. How many of you realize Old Gobbler is NOT just on this forum, but it's also on Facebook and a lot of our members post and communicate with all of us using Cell Phones ....
Quote from: Greg Massey on April 14, 2023, 12:10:46 PM
I personally don't have much problems with Facebook, i keep up with my call builders and high school friends and other turkey hunters i have met along the way. I also don't have a problem with YouTube i follow some awesome people on YouTube who share some good information. On both of these sites you have the control of WHO you want to be friends with and WHO you want to follow. I enjoy watching some of the call builders and others playing turkey calls on YouTube and again Facebook. So it's all what you make of it for yourself, we can all complain about something we don't like most of the time.. Anything you watch or participate in is all your choice. So what if a person kills 2/3/4 turkeys, if he hunted and did it legal more power to that person in my opinion that pretty good accomplishment. I tend to worry about this day and time about my family and just hoping to see another sunrise. life is too short guys.... I disagree that Facebook groups are ridiculous, it all depends on which groups you are a part of on Facebook. IMO .... Social is a new or old part of life, it's called computers / Laptops and I Phones etc... I sure wouldn't want to give up my IPhone ... My wife can pretty much track my whereabouts 24/7 as long as i have that phone ... ADD .. How many of you realize Old Gobbler is NOT just on this forum, but it's also on Facebook and a lot of our members post and communicate with all of us using Cell Phones ....
As said, it's a free country and if a new, inexperienced turkey hunter has his own YouTube channel, that's certainly their right. But, it just points out the fact of how much influence social media and YouTube have on the turkey hunting culture. They see the popular ones highlighting states and public land, then they do it. And it just multiples. For validation created by influencers, pictures get posted at WMA signs. That's what we are seeing now, and I'd argue it's just not a very conservative approach for turkey populations and already dwindling hunting opportunities.
That's why I quit duck hunting. It's 100 times worse than turkey hunting. The Duck Dynasty show made it so popular that everyone including their brother duck hunts now it seems. I'm still holding on to a sliver of hope that turkey hunting doesn't get that way. I can still at times draw a permit and slip off to an unpressured part of a wildlife management area. I try not to pay attention to the knuckle heads on social media.
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I saw a guy post a pic of the turkey his 3 year old shot during youth weekend. I highly doubt that kid shot that bird.
Scroll on my OG brother. Most of us know what they're all about. Enjoy the hunt and take it all in. Sit under that shady pine, look at them beautiful dogwoods popping and talk to the big man upstairs and thank him. Maybe ya get lucky and call one up ;D
Good luck, hunt safe and have a great season.
Johnny
:turkey:
Speaking of measuring beards and spurs there's people on here in that contest who can't do it.
3 year old is pushing it but a 4 year old can if the .410 is in some type tripod that holds the shotgun and the 4 year old understands how a scope works. I know of a 4 year old that did.
My kids were 6.. big difference from 4 to 6 but I wonder if all the gripe is temporary in the current time we live? The number of hunting licenses has been in a decline since the 90's. Seems like the most unhappy about the current situation are older than me... I'm 52 but what do you think it will be like if there are half the number of hunters in 20 years? Will there be more game because less people hunt? Do you think the look at me syndrome will subside from social media?
Quote from: RiverBuck on April 14, 2023, 08:09:03 PM
3 year old is pushing it but a 4 year old can if the .410 is in some type tripod that holds the shotgun and the 4 year old understands how a scope works. I know of a 4 year old that did.
My kids were 6.. big difference from 4 to 6 but I wonder if all the gripe is temporary in the current time we live? The number of hunting licenses has been in a decline since the 90's. Seems like the most unhappy about the current situation are older than me... I'm 52 but what do you think it will be like if there are half the number of hunters in 20 years? Will there be more game because less people hunt? Do you think the look at me syndrome will subside from social media?
Overall hunter numbers may have declined, but no way that's the case with turkey hunting. I think the "look at me" attitude will probably only get worse and we will continue to cut corners with the technology and tools used to hunt turkeys with..... not a good recipe for future turkey hunting.
I am the one and only hunter in my family, my father started to deer hunt when I was maybe 13 and I went out one time with him, I did not care about the hunt at the time though, it was about spending time alone with dad and no sisters around.
I got introduced to hunting when I moved to where I live now and have been living for 32 years now. It started with deer hunting as that was what everyone was doing, I guess that was about 92-93 about 96 I had stopped at Dick's and bought a few hunting tapes and one of them was from Primos and they were turkey hunting, I was interested right off. My friends thought I was nuts for going after them but one did finally go with me. I did not get to hunt much with him, he had had a lot of his back and leg muscles cut out and his spine fused because of cancer so I normally carried his stuff in for him. I was so happy for him when he got his first.
Anyway I had my few close encounters but messed them up or they did not pan out right. Then in 2001 I had my car accident and could not really hunt, I tried the Spring after the accident and had one stop perfectly for me but I could not get the front end of the gun up because of the back problems.
You guys all helped me to get my first turkey when I was finally able to return with some wonderful advise. (When they are quiet do not get anxious and over call)
For me it is the hunt, I turned down so many shots last year and the year before, last year because I was after one turkey and the year before because I did not see any til the last day and they were all jakes.
I get upset when I see the decline in the turkey, I had my accident when it was peak times and came back when it was anything but. The truth is if I never shoot another one that is fine by me, I begged God to let me get back to the woods so I could get just one mature tom and he did, that is good enough, I found last year that I got the same rush from photographing them as I do hunting them and to be honest though I would like to take another I always have to measure the amount of my pain to decide if I kill one if I am up to cleaning it.
I find myself using decoys less and less, though I am not at all opposed to normal stick in the ground decoys.
I do not care how long the spurs are so long as they are there. I do not care how long the beard is, so long as there is one.
I do want to see what is best for the turkey and turkey hunting including safety for those hunting them because each incident effects us all. I do not have a problem with only taking 1 a season if that has been shown that it will help the species.
I do not post many hunting related things other than here when I get a turkey. I did on Facebook when I got my first and only to date because I was so happy about it, nothing to do with likes, just a lot of friends and family that knew I had gotten back to hunting and I knew they would want to know how it turned out. I enjoyed the congratulations I got here more than I did there anyway because you are my fellow turkey hunters and have been there.
To go another way with this when it comes to deer hunting when my father hunted and when I started it was congratulations if you got a deer at all let alone a buck, now it is "You should have let him grow more" I hate that mentality, I saw somebody do that to a 13 year old kid, absolutely disgusting.
Would I like to hunt other subspecies? OH yes, but I could care less about getting this slam or that slam, I think Merriam's and Gould's are the prettiest of the lot and would love to get one of either or both, you add to that that they both tend to be in mountainous areas and I have never seen mountains in my life other than pictures and movies and then they are so much more interesting to hunt.
It needs to get away from being such a competition and back to the love of hunting and hunting calls. I lost it for so long and thought I would never have it back, I don't want to see it lost to future generations.
Not a Facebook guy. I signed up at a friend's suggestion, but realized that some people posted stuff to make it appear like they actually had a life. I bailed pretty quick. It was too junior high-ish for my likes. I already have enough friends anyway.
I enjoy watching some YouTube videos, more to learn techniques than find places to hunt. I've never hunted turkeys outside of a 10 county area here in North Carolina, doubt I ever will. It would be fun to hunt somewhere else, maybe one day I'll get the chance. It's already hard enough for me to find good places to hunt around here. Didn't used to be that way. I remember hunting turkeys and not hearing shots in the distance. Can't say that now.
I'm not going to tell anyone how to raise their kids. I believe if you could trust a non-adult in the house with a loaded gun, then they could probably handle it in the woods. With proper supervision in a controlled environment, a single digit aged kid can kill a turkey, but I don't think most of them grasp the concept of firearm safety as well as they should.
Fanning seems like a death wish to me.
I'm also the only hunter in my family, though I gained some hunting wisdom from my grandfathers. I wasn't allowed to tag along on their hunts, because they weren't doing it to entertain me, they were hunting for meat & I would have been in the way. Some of that made me learn my way around the woods on my own. I celebrate those who are successful on forum boards or thank those whose videos have aided my skillset. The need to post for the sake of pounding on my chest has never driven me.
Forum boards are great places to voice an opinion & that's mine.
Be Safe, Be Smart, & Good Hunting!
Jim
Quote from: deathfoot on April 13, 2023, 10:16:40 PM
I just can't anymore y'all. Seriously. It's ridiculous out there. Prime examples:
A. Unverified weights of like 27 plus lb birds. Or more 24 lb birds than I have ever seen. I've killed a bunch. Rarely are they over 22 lbs.
B. Spurs 1.5 inches or so with no verification.
C. 4 year olds killing birds at 45 yards on youth weekend.
D. Pics of people in full blaze orange sitting on WMA's calling birds.
E. Thermal scopes shown on birds.
F. Unreal beard lengths with no verification.
G. Some of the most ridiculous posts and questions I have ever seen.
H. Unbelievable distances of kills.
I'm being completely honest when I say I miss Turkey hunting when turkey hunting wasn't cool. When you could walk into a WMA and be alone. Selfish? Yep. But I've been doing this long enough to earn it. I was hunting when all I had was magazines to read. I'm self taught. It took me many years to kill my first one. But I figured it out. Without the internet and people telling me it's okay to kill one at 60 yards. Without people telling me anything actually. It was trial and error for me. I'm the only one in my family to hunt. But I've always been a turkey hunter first. Deer...ehhh. Whatever. Turkeys tho..always been a passion since I was 13.
It makes me sick. No one respects the bird. I saw a photo the other day. It was a blood bath. Shot him in the body at 10 yards. It made me sick. If I see thunder chicken one more time I'm gonna puke. Don't even get me started on states allowing rifles. I live in a state that does and it erks me to the absolute core. I won't even talk about allowing 3 year olds "killing them" cause I don't want to be banned here. But whatever. A 3-6 year old ain't gonna remember it. But it gives the adult a reason to hunt on youth day. So it's all about the adult. If you want to take someone that young..fine..they can sit in your lap or blind during regular season and watch and learn. But I'm not buying a 4 year year old killing one at 45 yards with a .410. Even if true. He ain't gonna remember it.
No one seems to care about the hunt. The thrill. They care about the kill. I don't know what's changed. But I'm sick of it.
I realize this isn't popular preaching maybe. And guess what..that's okay. I need to sleep tonight so I had to get it off my chest. #endrant. Blast me if you want. But it's total facts.
I agree with you 110%. It's disgusting. You and I along with several others around here are a dying breed. The good old days are forever gone and it's only going to get worse my friend.
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 14, 2023, 02:09:51 AM
C'mon man, don't you know I'm after the slam? I don't have time to learn the birds, I dont have time to respect the animal or other hunters as I blast through these woods, I dont have time to think about fair chase, I don't have time to worry about spooking birds and how it effects their behaviour after I leave. I gotta get that bird killed as fast as possible with whatever means necessary so I can check this state off and move on to the next. Don't you know I've only allotted 3 days for this state in my 5 state 2 week swing? I gotta get it done now!!!!!
I could do the same for a tuber but you get the Idea.
I let you guess what the likely age group is of these types of so called hunters.
I know I'm stereotyping here. Some are not what I've described above but I feel they are the minority.
I think I goes way deeper than YouTube or the quest for the slam. Them outlets just provide a platform that enable the poor behaviour to be highlighted. The people I speak of are a product of society and their upbringing. They've never been told no a day in their lives and raised by people to busy to care or want to be friends instead of being a parent. I'm watching it happen right now with my girlfriend's granddaughter. Spoiled rotten and has a hissy fit whenever she don't get what she wants. She's selfish as all get out. Me, me, me, mine, mine, mine, I want, I want, I want.
They've been taught in school that the only thing that matters is how they feel. They let biological men compete in women's sports because it makes them feel good. They don't keep score in childrens games and everybody gets a trophy because we can't let little Bobby or Susie feel sad because they lost.
I'm sorry if this offends anyone and I'm more than willing to listen to your side of the story if you can tell me where I am wrong. If this labels me as a purist/ elitist so be it.
I just had a chat with a buddy who has some gobblers roosted on public land. It's a ridge point that's about 800yds long by about 400yds wide. Enough room for one man to hunt comfortably. When discussing how to set up to these birds the 1st factor discussed wasn't where to best set up to these gobblers it was where to set up to try and eliminate the possibility of somebody walking in on him or blowing past him and what he should do when it most likely happens.
Pretty sad that it's come down to this. Sorry fellas, I don't see it get any better. I guess we need to "embrace the suck" so to speak if we want to continue with our passion in the future.
Of course I'm speaking from a public land point of view.
Well said and you are spot on. " Embrace the suck". Made me smile. I haven't heard that in many years but we sure used that term when I was over in the Desert , AKA The suck.
Quote from: NCSWAMPFOX on April 14, 2023, 08:16:54 AM
i'm with you deathfoot. also, i hate the word "thunder chicken".
Yep. Every time I hear that I throw up in my mouth. Total lack of respect for a bird that deserves proper respect. There are those that will disagree with me but I really could care less.
Quote from: RiverBuck on April 14, 2023, 08:09:03 PM
3 year old is pushing it but a 4 year old can if the .410 is in some type tripod that holds the shotgun and the 4 year old understands how a scope works. I know of a 4 year old that did.
Yep...I have a friend whose son finished his grand slam at 4 years old....used a .410 with a red dot and one of those field pod type rests.
Quote from: Gooserbat on April 14, 2023, 08:22:41 AM
If it bothers you, you probably should stay off the internet.
Exaggerated claims and propaganda are a part of life. I've never seen public ground unless it was very used and I've been doing this 36 years. I've never killed a bird over 24# and I've never killed a bird with spurs oner 1 7/16. I have killed two with a beard 12" or more. Golder nuggets are out there and people like to brag when they find one.
The problem is that people like validation. I personally don't care about what people think. I like the hunt and I do share my success publicly but I don't kiss and tell. It's important to me that there's a future and I'm more than willing to help someone who wants to turkey hunt, but I'd rather see new turkeys than new turkey hunters.
This pretty much sums up my opinion. I post the success of my daughter's and myself on here not to brag. Instead it is just to share my experience with others as I believe many like to see fellow hunters getting it done. Prime example is the post for "dead turkeys only". When I was younger, I used to worry about others and scores etc. Now I just do me and for the most part could care less what others do. Unless I am in a contest, I don't feel the need to verify every measurement to people on here.
I post how my hunts go and some of them don't follow the script. Everyone wants that perfect scenario where you call the bird from a long distance and he finally puts on the perfect show strutting and gobbling within range and then is taken. It doesn't always work this way. I have been doing this a long time, and sometimes I even mess up and miss judge yardage. I had it happen earlier this season where I took a shot at like 55 yards. It happens. The sport is about patience and learning from your past experiences.
Experiences are what they are. I am not opposed to hunters filling their tags in other ways as long as it is legal. That doesn't always mean that I like it, but if they're doing it legally who am I to tell them how it should be done. At the end of the day we are all trying to accomplish the same goal. I'm sure the native Americans didn't just put their back up to a tree and just call them in. They stalked and got close to the animal before they had to kill it. I for one would prefer to kill him the traditional way that everybody sees fit, but if that way ain't working and I can use unorthodox ways to go get him for example using a hog ditch filled with water to get closer to him to take an ethical shot then I'm going to do it. That is a challenge in itself.
At the end of the day I say follow the rules and regulations and hunt how you want. Life is too short to worry about what other hunters do. Happy hunting and good luck to you all the spring.
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There is currently a larger generational gap than we have ever seen, due to the incredible and rapid development of technology.
You now have several generations of kids who are now adults, that grew up getting trophies for last place, with more and more instant gratification from technology as well. Creating a tremendous sense of (false) entitlement.
Not all, but the majority of college students use "apps" as the primary means of dating (as opposed to personal interaction).
If you are technology minded (which I am not), you can use an app to find every huntable piece of land, with the topography of said land, all while sitting at home.
I grew up wing-shooting, with watefowl being mine, and my friends/family passion. I discovered turkey hunting later in life, and was self-taught... While I enjoy duck hunting alone, I also enjoy hunting with friends and family... Turkey hunting not so much. I enjoy taking a friend, and especially my kids hunting, but when that happens, usually I leave my gun at home.
I thoroughly enjoy the peace and solitude of turkey hunting... I love the woods in the spring, and relish the anticipation of hearing that gobble of a late morning bird! But this for me is a solo enjoyment.
But... It is nice to have someone to share your story with... I enjoy seeing and reading the posts of other like-minded (or at least similar-minded) hunters on the forums... I enjoy reading the tactics of others, and sharing (some) of my own. I can feel the anticipation and excitement of others who share their success here, and enjoy sharing myself...
But, Facebook and Youtube are often dis-heartening. Especially when we see the results of that generation gap mentioned above.
Social media is just that, not a source of info, lol. I used to let stupid things bother me, but there is too much stupid to deal with. It's entertainment pure and simple. I choose to educate younger less experienced hunters rather than let them get to me. My daughter isn't eligible for the youth hunt anymore and isnt interested at getting up at 0300. I usually have one new youth hunter and- a few new adults every year. You cant stop them from hunting, but you can show them " your way", which is hopefully the right way. I am a crabby old man now, but I try to never take it out on others. I am in agreement with most of the gripes, but I'm not going to let it get me down. One of the most useless humans I ever knew told me this, " Al, you not liking me and me not caring is like you drinking acid to punish me". Think about that for a minute. When I do, I get a chuckle and smile. Good luck and God Bless. Z
We have entered the Era of the Turkey Shooter... You can Kill a Gobbler with no Calling and no Woodsmanship skills... TSS, $100+ Gobbler Decoys, Lazy Reapers with 100 percent success,
Took me 5 Springs to Kill my 1st Turkey. No Mentor and self taught. Now New " Shooters" can buy TSS, the best Scopes, the best Shotguns, and sit on a Food Plot Field Edge with the best 2-Man Blind Available with 100 percent success.
A Dwindling Resource/ yet more new " Shooters" every Spring. Like Bees to Honey now- the Lure of Public Lands to emulate their Utube Heroes and post their Bird right away.
Some States with Loopholes that enable some to kill 6,7,8+ Gobblers in a single State.
A Dwindling Resource and a famous quote-- I Have Seen The Enemy- And It Is Us.
Just read through all of this. I agree with almost all of the general sentiments expressed,...ALMOST all of them.
At the risk of offending a few folks that feel otherwise, I will state one opinion about one point made,...and that is very young kids hunting. Not talking about going along with dad for the ride,...talking about actually hunting.
I have two boys (men now in "middle age"). Both were big for their age and "precocious", if you will, in that they were physically bigger and stronger all around than most of their counterparts of the same age. They both came along with me on hunts starting at about five, as I recall, and I was anxious for them to be able to actually start "hunting".
Nonetheless, I made it clear to them that the only way I would allow them to actually carry a gun and hunt was if they could pass the requisite "hunter safety course" by READING the materials themselves, READING AND PASSING the required written test, and demonstrating to me and/or the course instructor (if required) that they were proficient, as well as SAFE with the weapon(s) they would be using to hunt. My "position" on the matter is that EVERY STATE should have the above requirement.
My kids were not able to do that until both of them were nearing their 9th birthday, but they both accomplished the above and I allowed them to start hunting. There was no "youth season" in my state at the time, and quite honestly, I was not confident of their abilities in the excitement of the "moment of truth",...and as such, I sat next to them with my shotgun ready to shoot if they wounded a gobbler and it was likely to get away (never had to do that).
Now, if a three or four-year-old can do the above, more power to them. However, I would bet pretty much every protrusion on my body that there is not a single kid in this country that could do that at age three or four,...and most likely not until at least six or seven years of age,...and that might be being generous.
...And as I always state in these sorts of discussions,...don't nobody need to get their snood in a knot over it. It is just the way I feel,...and at my age, ain't nobody gonna change my opinion about it. :)
I listened to a podcast the other day and one of the guests was talking about a four year old shooting turkeys and that the father could see what the scope was seeing from his phone, and would tell the kid when to shoot. I think that's just to much technology.
Quote from: GobbleNut on April 18, 2023, 09:13:08 AM
Just read through all of this. I agree with almost all of the general sentiments expressed,...ALMOST all of them.
At the risk of offending a few folks that feel otherwise, I will state one opinion about one point made,...and that is very young kids hunting. Not talking about going along with dad for the ride,...talking about actually hunting.
I have two boys (men now in "middle age"). Both were big for their age and "precocious", if you will, in that they were physically bigger and stronger all around than most of their counterparts of the same age. They both came along with me on hunts starting at about five, as I recall, and I was anxious for them to be able to actually start "hunting".
Nonetheless, I made it clear to them that the only way I would allow them to actually carry a gun and hunt was if they could pass the requisite "hunter safety course" by READING the materials themselves, READING AND PASSING the required written test, and demonstrating to me and/or the course instructor (if required) that they were proficient, as well as SAFE with the weapon(s) they would be using to hunt. My "position" on the matter is that EVERY STATE should have the above requirement.
My kids were not able to do that until both of them were nearing their 9th birthday, but they both accomplished the above and I allowed them to start hunting. There was no "youth season" in my state at the time, and quite honestly, I was not confident of their abilities in the excitement of the "moment of truth",...and as such, I sat next to them with my shotgun ready to shoot if they wounded a gobbler and it was likely to get away (never had to do that).
Now, if a three or four-year-old can do the above, more power to them. However, I would bet pretty much every protrusion on my body that there is not a single kid in this country that could do that at age three or four,...and most likely not until at least six or seven years of age,...and that might be being generous.
...And as I always state in these sorts of discussions,...don't nobody need to get their snood in a knot over it. It is just the way I feel,...and at my age, ain't nobody gonna change my opinion about it. :)
:z-winnersmiley: :z-winnersmiley: :z-winnersmiley:
Totally 100% agree. I've had multiple conversations with some of the my best friends and we all agree.
I realize we are living in a different time from when I grew up. But I guarantee if I came from a hunting family, I wouldn't have been allowed to shoot until I could do exactly as you said.
I also realize kids basically get anything they want these days. So if a 3 year old says "dada, hunt". They say. Heck yea.
I also agree this ruffles feathers. But I can't for the life of me take a youth that is that young and I've taken lots of youth and not just on youth day.
Quote from: GobbleNut on April 18, 2023, 09:13:08 AM
Just read through all of this. I agree with almost all of the general sentiments expressed,...ALMOST all of them.
At the risk of offending a few folks that feel otherwise, I will state one opinion about one point made,...and that is very young kids hunting. Not talking about going along with dad for the ride,...talking about actually hunting.
I have two boys (men now in "middle age"). Both were big for their age and "precocious", if you will, in that they were physically bigger and stronger all around than most of their counterparts of the same age. They both came along with me on hunts starting at about five, as I recall, and I was anxious for them to be able to actually start "hunting".
Nonetheless, I made it clear to them that the only way I would allow them to actually carry a gun and hunt was if they could pass the requisite "hunter safety course" by READING the materials themselves, READING AND PASSING the required written test, and demonstrating to me and/or the course instructor (if required) that they were proficient, as well as SAFE with the weapon(s) they would be using to hunt. My "position" on the matter is that EVERY STATE should have the above requirement.
My kids were not able to do that until both of them were nearing their 9th birthday, but they both accomplished the above and I allowed them to start hunting. There was no "youth season" in my state at the time, and quite honestly, I was not confident of their abilities in the excitement of the "moment of truth",...and as such, I sat next to them with my shotgun ready to shoot if they wounded a gobbler and it was likely to get away (never had to do that).
Now, if a three or four-year-old can do the above, more power to them. However, I would bet pretty much every protrusion on my body that there is not a single kid in this country that could do that at age three or four,...and most likely not until at least six or seven years of age,...and that might be being generous.
...And as I always state in these sorts of discussions,...don't nobody need to get their snood in a knot over it. It is just the way I feel,...and at my age, ain't nobody gonna change my opinion about it. :)
I agree. This is what I have done with mine. They've tagged along when younger, but they couldn't be on the trigger until they could:
1. Competently handle and safely fire the particular weapon, and
2. Be able to read and understand the laws and safety course.
My 10 and 7 year olds are both there (though they don't want to hunt that much...and I'm definitely not going to make them). My 3 year old begs to shoot an animal. It ain't happening for a few years.
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Wouldn't doubt us seeing a kid with a super slam by the age of 18 in the future.
Heck, I just read an outdoor story where they said that a 4 year old boy completed a "GRAND SLAM" This year. I don't understand that situation at all.
Have a good one, Bo
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Deathfoot. I think you need to take a step back.if someone is post high numbers on the bird so what. It doesn't effect you. If some one want to take their kid hunting at a early age that's the parents call. I for one took my kids but I wouldn't allow them to shoot until they can take firearm safety course. You just need to hunt they you like, and others will hunt the way they like as long it is legal methods where they hunt. There is no reason to go off like that.Just because you don't agree with it doesn't make it wrong.
You know the old saying? opinions are like back sides, everyone has one.(I used proper term there). I get it...forums are here for discussions. Give your opinion and some agree and some disagree. I would agree with most of what you have to say, but would add this. If it bothers you that bad, and drives you that crazy, then you may want to call the hospital and reserve a bed in the cardiac/stroke unit. Who by worrying can change anything? As some others have said...go sit against that tree and thank the lord for one more day to enjoy his beauty and the sound of that....THUNDER CHICKEN!!!!!
My boy killed his first longbeard on his 3rd hunt at 7 years old and called it in himself with a wingbone made by a friend of mine.
He shot his first deer with a cross bow at 6 years old and shot his second one just a few minutes later. He's put 4 deer in our freezer in 3 years.
I can't imagine any adult having a problem with that. Well, some think it's terrible I teach my kids to kill animals all together, but aside from that I can't understand it. A young kid shooting an animal really bothers you? Are you the guy that gets in the cake and ice cream line ahead of the kids at a birthday party too? I've seen that before.
I run into some dad's who piss and moan about little league baseball, youth wrestling, and even lately a Rube Goldberg competition I had my girls to on the first day of out trout season. Complaining they had to be with their kids, rather than on a stream with their buddies.
Had a guy lean in the dugout and ask me if we could cut the game short the other night because he wasn't having a good time. I told him to ask the 17 girls I was coaching if they wanted to quit? Nope we are undefeated so far. We aren't quitting early.
Me, I'm the guy that coaches both softball and baseball, runs the boy to every wrestling practice, helps my girls set up early for the Rube Goldberg contest, gets them to church each Sunday..........and yep, takes them hunting whenever they ask.
Lord forbid, what is this world coming to! I guess I'm part of your problem. You're just going to have to deal with it.
Maybe I should take that tail fan plaque with his beard, spurs, and wingbone that he proudly keeps in his room and toss it down in the woods because some internet guys says he doesn't deserve it? Would that make you feel better or worse? Honestly.
Quote from: Number17 on April 19, 2023, 10:44:21 AM
My boy killed his first longbeard on his 3rd hunt at 7 years old and called it in himself with a wingbone.
that's awesome Number17. Congrats to the both of you
Quote from: Moore on April 19, 2023, 10:51:59 AM
Quote from: Number17 on April 19, 2023, 10:44:21 AM
My boy killed his first longbeard on his 3rd hunt at 7 years old and called it in himself with a wingbone.
that's awesome Number17. Congrats to the both of you
Thank you. 99.5% of people feel the same way. A year later and we still get a kick out of telling that story.
Next Saturday has been on his calendar since last year.
Youth Day 2023! We're coming for YOUR birds!
Middle age males look out. Deathfoot beware! The KIDS are coming for YOUR birds!
He sat on my lap when I killed this one. 18 months old. Had to change his diaper he got so excited.
Quote from: Number17 on April 19, 2023, 10:44:21 AM
My boy killed his first longbeard on his 3rd hunt at 7 years old and called it in himself with a wingbone made by a friend of mine.
He shot his first deer with a cross bow at 6 years old and shot his second one just a few minutes later. He's put 4 deer in our freezer in 3 years.
I can't imagine any adult having a problem with that. Well, some think it's terrible I teach my kids to kill animals all together, but aside from that I can't understand it. A young kid shooting an animal really bothers you? Are you the guy that gets in the cake and ice cream line ahead of the kids at a birthday party too? I've seen that before.
I run into some dad's who piss and moan about little league baseball, youth wrestling, and even lately a Rube Goldberg competition I had my girls to on the first day of out trout season. Complaining they had to be with their kids, rather than on a stream with their buddies.
Had a guy lean in the dugout and ask me if we could cut the game short the other night because he wasn't having a good time. I told him to ask the 17 girls I was coaching if they wanted to quit? Nope we are undefeated so far. We aren't quitting early.
Me, I'm the guy that coaches both softball and baseball, runs the boy to every wrestling practice, helps my girls set up early for the Rube Goldberg contest, gets them to church each Sunday..........and yep, takes them hunting whenever they ask.
Lord forbid, what is this world coming to! I guess I'm part of your problem. You're just going to have to deal with it.
Maybe I should take that tail fan plaque with his beard, spurs, and wingbone that he proudly keeps in his room and toss it down in the woods because some internet guys says he doesn't deserve it? Would that make you feel better or worse? Honestly.
I agree 100%. My daughter doesn't care much for hunting with dad anymore as her mom in her is coming out more by the day and hunting just doesn't appeal to her anymore but at nearly 6 years old I guarantee that she can use a turkey call, name what deer, turkey, ducks and squirrels are eating, what each track is, and name oak, hickory, hackle berry etc trees, flowers, berries, and what not better than most grown "woodsmen" can. Age has nothing to do with having a passion for wanting to learn. She does like to fish still. And my 2 year old boy is fascinated with turkey calls, turkeys, and ducks and duck calls. Just like I am and have been since his age. I can tell you, with the gods honest truth, that I would rather take my two year old with no gun, call up a gobbler to 15 or 20 yards and sit with him and watch the bird and how excited he gets than to kill a pile of them myself.
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Quote from: Number17 on April 19, 2023, 11:15:02 AM
He sat on my lap when I killed this one. 18 months old. Had to change his diaper he got so excited.
That's awesome!. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230419/73813e885fc8a94ae4198712455d41dd.jpg)
She was a year and 9 months old sitting in my lap when I killed this one, no blind, no decoys.
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Quote from: Number17 on April 19, 2023, 11:15:02 AM
He sat on my lap when I killed this one. 18 months old. Had to change his diaper he got so excited.
I love the photo,
Quote from: ScottTaulbee on April 19, 2023, 12:11:00 PM
Quote from: Number17 on April 19, 2023, 11:15:02 AM
He sat on my lap when I killed this one. 18 months old. Had to change his diaper he got so excited.
That's awesome!. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230419/73813e885fc8a94ae4198712455d41dd.jpg)
She was a year and 9 months old sitting in my lap when I killed this one, no blind, no decoys.
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Yessir, you're a good dad.
Quote from: Moore on April 19, 2023, 12:44:54 PM
Quote from: Number17 on April 19, 2023, 11:15:02 AM
He sat on my lap when I killed this one. 18 months old. Had to change his diaper he got so excited.
I love photo,
That photo will bring a smile to my face for the rest of my day. If I left him home I wouldn't even remember that bird. Just another set of spurs in the spur box.
Quote from: Number17 on April 19, 2023, 01:09:47 PM
Quote from: Moore on April 19, 2023, 12:44:54 PM
Quote from: Number17 on April 19, 2023, 11:15:02 AM
He sat on my lap when I killed this one. 18 months old. Had to change his diaper he got so excited.
I love photo,
That photo will bring a smile to my face for the rest of my day. If I left him home I wouldn't even remember that bird. Just another set of spurs in the spur box.
I get it completely. After awhile the spurs and beards don't mean anything and I couldn't tell you one from the other. But those hunts with the kids sure stand out don't they?.
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I don't know if it is everywhere, but hunter recruitment is low. We should be happy that people are getting out in the woods and supporting it. If someone embellishes of their harvest impress people then it shows low charter. If the means they get done is legal that is what counts. I may not agree with it but I'm not going to tell another hunter how to hunt. That is what the anti want is us battling against each other instead of coming together. Kids are our future if they don't picked up then our passion and knowledge dies with us. There is always going to be ding dongs out there try to impress people so let them, and let's carry on like we should, and support those coming up, kids,teens and even adults, because the future of hunting depends on us.
Hunter recruitment is a high as I've ever seen it on public lands. In facts it's suffocating all across the south
If. If every turkey hunter had three children and two of them became turkey hunters, in twenty years there would be at least twice the number of turkey hunters that we have have today. I wonder where we would put them.
Quote from: arkrem870 on April 19, 2023, 09:41:47 PM
Hunter recruitment is a high as I've ever seen it on public lands. In facts it's suffocating all across the south
And wonder why??? Turkey hunter recruitment in the south is definitely at an all time high. I think many from other regions of the country don't realize to the level that it is.
Up here in New York,I have been seeing alot more Hunters Roaming around on Public since 2020 and the Chinese Virus.
You can still buy your own land and hunt the way you want with who you want you know? I find it amusing hunters being butthurt over other hunters hunting.
It is aggravating for sure, but I love how these conversations always gravitate towards the YT guys when there are so many other factors that created the monster. Take a look at the big names out there that created the idea of killing on every hunt. Primos, Knight and Hale, Realtree...last and LEAST Bone Collector to name a few. Those guys started the whole fist bumping, whooping/hollaring, full strut decoys, 'next best thing'. They staged 90% of their hunts on some TX rios at a private ranch that hasn't seen a hunter in a decade, film themselves smashing 4-5 birds in a few days, and then preaching their products/way of hunting as the ONLY way.
Most (I emphasize most and not all) of the YT guys are pretty dang chill, respectful and seem to want to help people find other ways of hunting. I can honestly say I don't remember a time where a bigger YT channel did anything overly unethical, hunted over the top of another hunter or did anything that I wouldn't do on my own hunt that would otherwise be looked down at by the masses. The only thing most of them have done is follow the market and provide a product that the market wanted.
I guess this is what I am trying to say: YT guys have done FAR FAR FAR less damage than half of the guys over on the Outdoor channel. Prove me wrong. :thanks:
P.S. For the OP. I kinda get a chuckle every time I see someone post some obvious BS on the socials. Especially when I know that person. Reminds me why I have a small hunting friend group and have almost given up on allowing anyone else to enter the 'circle of trust'. :TooFunny:
I always got a kick out of our local river smallmouth tournaments. I was a heck of a good fisherman and placed consistently, but a 4lb smallie was pretty rare to come by.
All week long you'd hear guys talking about catching 4-6lb smallmouth, but come tournament day you would see a sub 4 pound lunker week in week out. 60 of the best local anglers who claimed to catch pigs all week long couldn't put a 4 pounder on the scale. It happened occasionally, but man it was rare and it would cause quite a ruckus when it happened.
Social media/YouTube is directly responsible for this current public land madness. Loose lips sink ships. For profit filming on public lands should be banned. Pimping out a limited resource for profit - killing dozens per year for profit has consequences. Bet it. Glad I got to see it before the it show it's become.
This is why I have for the most part removed any turkey stuff from my Facebook account. I don't want to read a post about how some dude called a gobbler in across a 300 yard field and smoked him at 75 yards cause he hung up. Or some dude posting a photo of 3 dead gobblers and 2 Jakes in a weekend of hunting cause he was gonna scoot and shoot and the Jakes were in wrong place at the wrong time.
Regardless I just got rid of all the FB stuff except for 2 groups that have more respectful Turkey Hunters on there.
As for instagram I follow whoever I like for cool turkey photos and video.
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