Several of us turkey hunters have had discussions about what age you are when you become the most effective turkey hunter. What do you guys think?
Turkeys don't know my age ;D
If your talking about an age when you haveturkeys figured out, then I would say atleast 290 years old.
But an age when you are your bestnthen thats totally up to you.
:TooFunny:
It took me about 5 years to learn to call less, be patient, and learn to get on turkeys. I'll never have them figured out though. I suppose it will go downhill when I can walk in that rough terrain.
Somewhere between the age at which you can pretty reliably fill your tag (or multiple tags) each season and the age when your walkin' legs start to fail you.
It varies due to several factors. Starting age, if they had a killer as a mentor, amount of time to hunt, number of tags available and common sense are just handful. A few hunters become pretty lethal turkey killers in their late teens or early 20's. And some never see that day no matter how long they live!
I hit one peak at about age 16 after that I'm pretty much done with peaks. I'm probably better at turkey hunting anyway....
I am 64 and still have not hit my turkey hunting peak. Not sure if it laziness or patience but it seems the older I get the more I to kill. My sits are a lot longer than they used to be. I have to admit some of those mile long walks in and out are getting a lot harder though.
That age does not exist.I dont believe you can really "peak" either.A run n' gun guy can be lethal for most of his young life.That same guy,once age has taken the run out of him,can be just as lethal by sitting and calling.I think its all in what your perspective on what "peak" is.
Youth=fitness, age=experience. Who knows? Depends on each individual.
When we discussed it we kinda came up with 50-60 to be a deadly age range as long as the hunter keeps himself in decent shape. By that time you probably had at least 20 years of turkey hunting experience and have become an effective caller. You have slowed down enough to be patient and yet can still cover the needed terrain to get into some remote areas when needed.
I understand every hunter is different but that is kind of an average...
Quote from: jakesdad on January 11, 2015, 08:06:45 PM
That age does not exist.I dont believe you can really "peak" either.A run n' gun guy can be lethal for most of his young life.That same guy,once age has taken the run out of him,can be just as lethal by sitting and calling.I think its all in what your perspective on what "peak" is.
Well said!
I think you can learn something every trip to the woods and I hope I continue to learn until I can no longer physically do it or the Lord calls me home! Just last year I learned and made a few adjustments to my mouth calling after 24 yrs turkey hunting and about 22 yrs of that using a mouth call and in my humble opinion I was pretty good on a mouth call even before then. The results was amazing and the adjustment was nothing major....it's been many years since I've not bagged a turkey in the spring and this past spring was no different but my success rate went through the roof with the changes I made and I tagged out in two different states. I'm not saying that to brag but I think we can always learn even if we think we're near our peak....learning from the king of spring is just another reason I love turkey hunting so much!!
God bless
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I'm 53 and have been hunting them for 36 years and I am still learning, I don't think I will ever have it completely figured out. That what I love about turkey hunting, always learning!
I'll be 54 before the NY season opens and I hope I never peak as I'm still having to much fun playing the game. I love turkey hunting and for me it's like a big chess match that I get to live every day I'm in the turkey woods.
That's a good topic. I am pushing 60 as is my longtime hunting partner. We both began turkey hunting in the late 1960's. Last season, him and I were hunting together and flubbed up a couple of birds two mornings in a row. Cliff said to me, you know I think I'm past my prime. I had to agree that I too was probably feeling the same way.
It mostly boils down to your senses not being as sharp as before. You do tend to have more patience which definiely helps but I just don't seem to hunt as hard as when I was in my 30's and 40's.
Your energy level also is not the same. Back then, no hill was too steep or no gobbling turkey too far to go after.
I still think of myself as a pretty good turkey hunter and love sharing what I've learned with others. I do feel however, that I'm not quite as deadly to those slick toms as I was 10-20 years ago.
Interestingly, I also saw this in my own dad when he got around my age.
Still, I'll keep after them until 100 if my health could hold out. It's my favorite sport of all time.
This year!
I think you've reached your peak when a) you can't get out of bed, b) can't hold up the gun, and c) lost your "drive" to do what it takes to bag a gobbler. Frankly, I know people 18 years old that that statement applies to! ;) hahaha...
Quote from: bamagtrdude on January 12, 2015, 11:04:28 AM
I think you've reached your peak when a) you can't get out of bed, b) can't hold up the gun, and c) lost your "drive" to do what it takes to bag a gobbler. Frankly, I know people 18 years old that that statement applies to! ;) hahaha...
That's a very true statement! Many loose interest after the first week or first two weekends.
God bless
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Like flyfishing for trout, you turkey hunt your entire life and NEVER reach your peak. Both are lifetime sports and you will NEVER no all there is about either one!
Bout like asking an old man how old you are when you figure out women.
Quote from: Gooserbat on January 12, 2015, 03:10:33 PM
Bout like asking an old man how old you are when you figure out women.
exactly
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Quote from: Gooserbat on January 12, 2015, 03:10:33 PM
Bout like asking an old man how old you are when you figure out women.
That would be the answer.
This will be my 52nd Spring Season. For the last 4 years I've been guiding full time. I'm still learning every year and hope I'm educating those that I take. Will continue to hunt em until I take my last breath. Had two acquaintances draw their last breath with massive heart attacks while gobbler hunting ... not a bad way to go I reckon. Pure excitement!!!!! Yea!!!
Don't think I'll ever peak. I didn't start turkey hunting until about 10 years ago & I'll be 56 next month. The more I learn the more I realize what I don't know. I'm think I'm getting better but my body is deteriorating faster than my learning curve. LOL
I'm 78, been after them gobblers since the 1960s.
Ask me in another 10 years or so.
I am 74 & I have not peaked yet as far as my desire & how much I love & enjoy Turkey hunting. I also do not need to kill a Turkey to have a successful hunt. I can get a thrill just hearing them gobble & seeing them strut, but I reachepeak several years ago as far as my ability to hunt them ( although I still do). My lungs are shot after years of smoking & working with asbestos & both my hips lock up on me after 1/4 mile on flat ground ( reason I hunt Kansas). No longer do I have to stop and wait on my wife & son, now they wait on me, but after saying all that, I am still looking forward to getting back after them this season.
Great post! keep em coming. :popcorn: I've bin scaring em for 25 years now. My hearing isn't the best now. When I'm teamed up with my teenage boy he's able to pick off the gobbling way off. :turkey: He motivates me and has become a great turkey hunter at a young age. I can't wait for this spring. We make a good team ;D
I believe that at my viewing, I will have reached my peak. Many will be gathered around all sad faced, telling one another how great of a turkey hunter I was and remembering our hunts together. They will be telling stories of long spurred turkeys that I fooled,and stories of other great feats of woodsmanship that I may or may not have actually done. I will no longer have anything I can learn about turkeys. Period.
In all seriousness, that will be the day. I will have done everything in my power to teach my children everything I know about turkeys and turkey hunting. I will have given them all the time in the woods that I had to give and I will have created turkey killers to follow in my footsteps. On that day, when I'm planted in the ground. I will have reached the peak of my turkey hunting life.
I'm 40 this year starting my 27th year turkey hunting. I don't think I will ever peak. I play scenarios and what ifs every time I leave the woods and lay my head down on a pillow at night.
That's what I like about the Wild Turkey. He keeps me up at night thinking about what I could have done, what I should have done, what I'll try next time.
I don't think I will ever peak and if I do, I think I will give it all up. If I peak, that means I have it all figured out. If I ever figure out these birds, it won't be fun anymore.
As soon as you think you have it all figured out, a bird will send you back to the chalk board.
Well as many have said I'm not sure if I will ever hit my peak???? This spring will be my 34th season in a row, I'll be 50 on Easter Sunday. I do know without a doubt I'm a much better turkey hunter now than I was half those 33 seasons ago...I've learned to slow down and be much more patient which no doubt has enabled me to kill more birds.....standing rule I now have since learning from my best huntin buddy in the world.....when I sit down, look at the clock and don't get up for a minimum of 45 minutes! Can't tell you how many gobblers have succumbed to lead poisoning from this....many many will show up during this time frame....think about it....gobblers are on the move too.....even with hens they are usually on the move somewhere
May not be to my peak but I'm a lot closer to the top than I used to be
20 ft up in a treestand!
I would say your last hunt before they box you up.
If you are not learning something every time out something is wrong.
I would say that you would have peaked when you can call in a longbeard to a few yards, sit there and admire your adversary, and watch him walk away and never touch your gun. I know a few old timers that do this. I haven't reached this level yet.
They've gotten over the kill but never got over the hunt.
turned 56 this past nov. been chasing these birds for 40+ years, I may have slowed just a little bit, but I certainly have not peaked
The day before you die.
I'm 54 years old and started pursuing turkeys 33 years ago. I understand the game better and have more patience now because experience has taught me what to do and what not to do along the way. I certainly don't have it figured out because I get schooled by turkeys almost every year in one way or another. I'm still working towards that peak, but haven't hit it yet, because it will be downhill once I do.
Jim
Quote from: Bigspurs68 on January 12, 2015, 10:13:37 PM
I believe that at my viewing, I will have reached my peak. Many will be gathered around all sad faced, telling one another how great of a turkey hunter I was and remembering our hunts together. They will be telling stories of long spurred turkeys that I fooled,and stories of other great feats of woodsmanship that I may or may not have actually done. I will no longer have anything I can learn about turkeys. Period.
In all seriousness, that will be the day. I will have done everything in my power to teach my children everything I know about turkeys and turkey hunting. I will have given them all the time in the woods that I had to give and I will have created turkey killers to follow in my footsteps. On that day, when I'm planted in the ground. I will have reached the peak of my turkey hunting life.
Awesome..... Bigspurs every year I am impressed with what you and your girls accomplish. Cant wait to take my little girls out when they are old enough. You my friend seem like a wonderful father and should be complimented on how you are raising your girls. They will never forget the quality time you spend with them.... As for the post, IMO you never reach your peak. I learn something new everytime I venture out. Love it..... When I am dead, I will have reached my peak.....
Awesome..... Bigspurs every year I am impressed with what you and your girls accomplish. Cant wait to take my little girls out when they are old enough. You my friend seem like a wonderful father and should be complimented on how you are raising your girls. They will never forget the quality time you spend with them.... As for the post, IMO you never reach your peak. I learn something new everytime I venture out. Love it..... When I am dead, I will have reached my peak.....
Kind words buddy, thank you! You'll find the most frustrating, stressful, aggervating, satisfying, rewarding and fun times in the woods with your kids. I'm sure you'll feel the same.
As parents of kids that hunt, we aren't allowed to "peak" until our kids know all that we know and can pass it on. Striker, my 3 yr old boy is chomping at the bit. With his wild man attitude, I may have my hands full. I can't wait.
That age in which you go out on your final turkey hunt...
I hope it's age 98 and that I reach my peak before I die. :TooFunny:
Awesome thoughts and thanks for the responses.... My turkey hunting mentor is 74 and still getting it done! He has a big pile of turkeys to his credit but if you ask him he always is quick to say that the ones he has messed up on along the way is way bigger then the pile he has harvested! I asked him this question and he replied much like some of you have. However he said that he won't go after some birds that are really difficult to get to like he would have in his 50's and even 60's. He also says he probably kills a few that he woulda left when he was a little younger.
I am 51 and have been hunting turkeys for about 40 years and i have no doubt that I am way better at getting em killed then i did when i was far more impatient...
I like many of you have a ton to learn and look forward to each lesson that I get from the wild turkey we all love to chase!
When you lose your hearing and can no longer see , I guess you have reached your peak. I'm 61 and hunted turkeys most of my life, I learn something new every year.
What I'm surprised most about this thread is the number of older hunters on the board 50-60+ age group.......awesome to see!!
God bless
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