The other teams are kind of lame if you ask me. They start "introduce yourself" posts. Boring!
I thought we could introduce ourselves buy posting what you'll be hunting with..your gun, shells and the first call (or two) you will grab on that long awaited first morning.
Im hunting with the same old Remington 870 with fiber optic sight, that I have used for the past 25 seasons. It's a 12g, it's heavy, it kicks and it's ugly but I'm used to it and it shoots dead nuts.
I'm also behind the times with my Win. Longbeard #5. They suit me fine and I need to use up my stash before I change(if at all) to tss.
I will have a trumpet, wingbone, short box, longbox, slate and aluminum pot on me opening morning. The first call I will go for will probably be my trusty Randy Clark slate or if I need to be loud a Watkins maccasar/persimmon fiddlebox.
BTW:Randy Clark took first place scratchbox at NWTF call maker competition this year. I was happy for him because he's been making calls a long time but is not very well known.
Went out yesterday for a few hours with an SX3 20-ga using Federal 3"-TSS-#9 where I'm only using a fiber bead and a Carlson .585 choke. I took the red dot off a few years ago and never put it back on.
For calls I'm using wingbone, copper pot, and ceramic pot that I made. A cheap slate pot, cheap box call and another slate call made by Ray Mallory.
Carried an Alps chair, thermocell, Vortex binos, funky chicken, hen decoy and used palm fronds for cover.
Didn't see or hear a thing and only found a few old sets of tracks. Public land non-permitted WMAs in S Florida are very challenging.
I will be using a stoeger 3020 20 gauge, my hand load 1 5/8 ounce of tss 9s, ghost cut mouth call, and a DES trumpet when I start hunting on March 22nd. That will remain the same all season unless I carry the .410 or the muzzleloader a little bit during the home season in Kentucky.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I expect that I will pack my Mossberg 835 (yeah, it kills on one end and maims on the other) with some Foxtrot #9's. Probably start off trying to seduce one with either a Woodhaven pot call..crystal in a cherry pot. Or maybe a Lights Out aluminum in canarywood. Of course, that might change if my Buster's Old Hen gets here soon enough.
I will be carrying my Retay Gordion Turkey 20 ga this spring. I'll be shooting my 3" 1-5/8 oz of #9s. I enjoy the personal satisfaction of killing an old gobbler with my own loads which to me is like catching a trout with a fly that i have tied or killing a buck with an arrow in which i have built. As far as calls, i'll be running Black Label mouth calls, Caden Roberts glass pot which I acquired through the NWTF auction this year, Nathan Taylor slate call, Derrick Stuckey strikers and Jeff White box call. Like everyone else, i should leave a few calls out of my vest to make room for snacks lol
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'll be shooting (hopefully!) my 870 compact 20ga. Using Apex 9's and a Burris Fast fire red dot. Although last year it poured rain on the opener so I carried my trusty old 870 super express magnum 12 ga with some Winchester Longbeard XR's and I was fortunate enough to shoot a turkey with it. It's the shotgun I really killed most of my first turkeys with. I turned that gobbler around and called him in with an Irving Whitt ABW trumpet. I have a few trumpets I will rotate and for mouth calls I am using the Pinhoti purple ghost cut. I've been through a pile of mouth yelpers and I really like that one. Don't give me no crap about it. It's a good mouth call! I usually start out carrying too much stuff in my vest but it's fun to start that way. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250307/56c63919a0302cc536ee2cb8429b137c.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This year I'll be shooting my Yildiz 28ga O/U with Sumtoy chokes. Run a Trijicon dual illumination RMR on a meadow creek mount.
I shoot hand loads. Hal TSS and a lead pheasant load
Calls I will be using opening day will probably be Buice 5.5 ironwood and a Cody WC slate
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: wvhoyt19 on March 07, 2025, 04:46:51 AMI enjoy the personal satisfaction of killing an old gobbler with my own loads which to me is like catching a trout with a fly that i have tied or killing a buck with an arrow in which i have built.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I love this sentiment.
I used to duck hunt over my own decoys and still hunt doves with decoys I carved as a teenager
I've shot quite a few over these guys. They're about 35 years old
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: Clif Owen on March 06, 2025, 10:28:39 PMOf course, that might change if my Buster's Old Hen gets here soon enough.
Yes I can see that happening. I have a Buster ceramic that can't be beat 👍
I will be using my CZ Over and Under Turkey Reaper. I used my old BPS until about 6 years ago and switched to this one. I will be shooting 3" Federal #7/9 tss blends. I love having the ability to have 2 different chokes to adjust to the turkeys range.
I will more than likely start with my Damon Blakely red slate and Houndstooth mouth calls. If needed, my Lynch box will be available.
Quote from: birdman67 on March 07, 2025, 03:19:09 PMI will be using my CZ Over and Under Turkey Reaper. I used my old BPS until about 6 years ago and switched to this one. I will be shooting 3" Federal #7/9 tss blends. I love having the ability to have 2 different chokes
A doublegun turkey hunter, nice!
Been using the same 870 for the last 15 years . 12 guage . 21" barrel . Sumtoy choke. It's been modded quite a bit over the years . I handload. But I did pattern test the new win lb tss. And they shot better than any commercial tss I've personally shot. I may slip one of them in the tube since I got them , but will be using my hand loads as well. I use all calls. Have always been a big box call user . Most being calls made by a friend of mine . I let the situation dictate the calls I use. I only carry 2 pots ... a magnolia game calls glass , a magnolia game calls green aluminum. They'll be in my vest all season . I don't use slate calls ...... I've owned many and have yet to play one that I like ...... I do use a trumpet quite a bit . Especially in the last 7 years . Have 3 , but use the same one for the most part , it's a Turpin. I have so many box calls , I basically continuously rotate them throughout the season through my 2 box call pockets . As far as diaphragms.... I've been using gooserbat for 10 years now , and the last several years I only buy the Tom swatter bat wing . I buy 3-6 every year. Keep 2 on me at all times , and throw a new one in as they wear out . That's pretty much it ...... gear is nice ...but to kill a turkey you gotta have a turkey... the rest don't matter .
Quote from: wchadw on March 07, 2025, 12:51:10 PMThis year I'll be shooting my Yildiz 28ga O/U with Sumtoy chokes. Run a Trijicon dual illumination RMR on a meadow creek mount.
I shoot hand loads. Hal TSS and a lead pheasant load
Calls I will be using opening day will probably be Buice 5.5 ironwood and a Cody WC slate
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That gun sounds like a sweet set up. I really like some of the o/u setups I've seen
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Running a 12 gauge Tristar Viper G2 - placed a 1x PA microprism on this year, the burst front the red dot kept growing on the FF3. Was a bummer not really seeing the target behind the gun. Will shoot some 2oz overkill loads...maybe some over kill 2 3/4 inch loads if I am feeling spicy.
My bad luck gun is a 301 .410 with a romeo 5. That for some reason does not burst as bad as the ff3. But unfortunately the gun is bad luck and turkeys always walk away from it...or I don't shoot them in range. really, just a terrible gun.
Gooserbat Bacon has been money for me last few years. I'll start with that and a Crystal Mistress for sure.
I am excited to try out my new tetras in the turkey woods, also.
I need a break from work so I am taking ample time. Hopefully I can get lucky at least once.
Good luck to everyone!
Quote from: aclawrence on March 08, 2025, 09:54:50 PMQuote from: wchadw on March 07, 2025, 12:51:10 PMThis year I'll be shooting my Yildiz 28ga O/U with Sumtoy chokes. Run a Trijicon dual illumination RMR on a meadow creek mount.
I shoot hand loads. Hal TSS and a lead pheasant load
Calls I will be using opening day will probably be Buice 5.5 ironwood and a Cody WC slate
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That gun sounds like a sweet set up. I really like some of the o/u setups I've seen
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Here is a pic of it and the youth 20 with pretty much same setup
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250314/6065f30ea109944b7f2b1481b35d04f7.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Saw one hen and a nice kitty cat this morning!
Quote from: squidd on March 15, 2025, 02:04:23 PMSaw one hen and a nice kitty cat this morning!
FIRE!!!!
(Meant in both the gen z sense and the baby boomer sense)
Lucky for the bobcat the WMA is turkey only.
Quote from: wchadw on March 14, 2025, 07:50:53 AMQuote from: aclawrence on March 08, 2025, 09:54:50 PMQuote from: wchadw on March 07, 2025, 12:51:10 PMThis year I'll be shooting my Yildiz 28ga O/U with Sumtoy chokes. Run a Trijicon dual illumination RMR on a meadow creek mount.
I shoot hand loads. Hal TSS and a lead pheasant load
Calls I will be using opening day will probably be Buice 5.5 ironwood and a Cody WC slate
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That gun sounds like a sweet set up. I really like some of the o/u setups I've seen
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Here is a pic of it and the youth 20 with pretty much same setup
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250314/6065f30ea109944b7f2b1481b35d04f7.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Those are sweet! Is the youth a Yildiz also?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: aclawrence on March 17, 2025, 12:40:27 PMQuote from: wchadw on March 14, 2025, 07:50:53 AMQuote from: aclawrence on March 08, 2025, 09:54:50 PMQuote from: wchadw on March 07, 2025, 12:51:10 PMThis year I'll be shooting my Yildiz 28ga O/U with Sumtoy chokes. Run a Trijicon dual illumination RMR on a meadow creek mount.
I shoot hand loads. Hal TSS and a lead pheasant load
Calls I will be using opening day will probably be Buice 5.5 ironwood and a Cody WC slate
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That gun sounds like a sweet set up. I really like some of the o/u setups I've seen
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Here is a pic of it and the youth 20 with pretty much same setup
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250314/6065f30ea109944b7f2b1481b35d04f7.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Those are sweet! Is the youth a Yildiz also?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes. Left is Yildiz 28ga. I don't think they do a youth 28. I did have about an inch and a half cut off the stock though
Right is Yildiz youth 20
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk