Me and a buddy are thinking about heading up to north central kansas and hitting some WIHA around may 15 (that's the only time we can take off and get yard passes).
Just wondering if we will be too late to the game? Or do yall think they will still be fired up around that time? Never hunted kansas just got back from southeast oklahoma and we got our birds but had to work for them. Just dying to to hunt Rios and from what I hear kansas is a good place to do it.
Don't know until ya go.
Pack your stuff and hit the road, there will be plenty of birds around and you will still find some willing participants.
You right if nothing else we can get the lay of the land and stuff like that for an earlier trip next year. Hell we might even have a shot at a couple of long beards how could we go wrong :turkey2:
It's anybody's guess if the birds will still be hot or not. I've seen it both ways in the last half of May. Just remember to bring good binoculars. ;)
With my luck it will probably be a "should have been here yesterday deal" but wont know till we get up there. Another question do yall think I am on the right track going to north central KS? All I really have to go on is a buddy that was doing land work up there a few years ago made some hunts and had a good experience.
Quote from: spoonbill on April 23, 2016, 07:35:07 PM
With my luck it will probably be a "should have been here yesterday deal" but wont know till we get up there. Another question do yall think I am on the right track going to north central KS? All I really have to go on is a buddy that was doing land work up there a few years ago made some hunts and had a good experience.
I'll let you know 1 week from today....
Getting ready to head that way.
I have been out there the last 3 years. I have never been out there before May 15. Some years have been better than others. The first year we went out there was some of the best hunting I have ever seen. Weather will be the biggest factor and how bad the property you are hunting has been beat up.
Quote from: BowBendr on April 23, 2016, 08:47:32 PM
Quote from: spoonbill on April 23, 2016, 07:35:07 PM
With my luck it will probably be a "should have been here yesterday deal" but wont know till we get up there. Another question do yall think I am on the right track going to north central KS? All I really have to go on is a buddy that was doing land work up there a few years ago made some hunts and had a good experience.
I'll let you know 1 week from today....
Getting ready to head that way.
10 4 keep me posted
Quote from: dirtnap on April 23, 2016, 08:53:42 PM
I have been out there the last 3 years. I have never been out there before May 15. Some years have been better than others. The first year we went out there was some of the best hunting I have ever seen. Weather will be the biggest factor and how bad the property you are hunting has been beat up.
Nice you getting me fired up. Will be nice to get out the swamp and piney woods for a change of scenery. You going this year?
Even an unsuccessful road trip is better than no road trip. As the Stinkpickle said, take a good pair of binoculars. Spotting birds at a distance plays into most successful hunts. Good luck!
season closes may 1
nevermind that thought i read arkansas
Thanks for the reply's. Cant wait to get out there. Hopefully the weather and birds cooperate. Anyone ever hunt around OSBORN COUNTY?
Quote from: spoonbill on April 24, 2016, 07:16:09 PM
Thanks for the reply's. Cant wait to get out there. Hopefully the weather and birds cooperate. Anyone ever hunt around OSBORN COUNTY?
I haven't hunted in Osbourne county, but I know the hunting is decent in Jewell and Mitchell counties just east of there. You can visit the world's largest ball of twine in Cawker City while you're out there. ;)
(http://www.kansastravel.org/05twine2.JPG)
:TooFunny: :TooFunny:
If you're there you got a chance. Can't shoot 'em from the couch. Good luck!!
Quote from: stinkpickle on April 24, 2016, 08:30:28 PM
Quote from: spoonbill on April 24, 2016, 07:16:09 PM
Thanks for the reply's. Cant wait to get out there. Hopefully the weather and birds cooperate. Anyone ever hunt around OSBORN COUNTY?
I haven't hunted in Osbourne county, but I know the hunting is decent in Jewell and Mitchell counties just east of there. You can visit the world's largest ball of twine in Cawker City while you're out there. ;)
(http://www.kansastravel.org/05twine2.JPG)
LOL might have to check that out. Excuse my ignorance is that part of Kansas RIO country or can I expect Hybrids?
You got that right!!!!!
I don't even have a "one that got away" story from the couch lol.
May 15th is getting a bit late...
I've hunted KS for 20 or so years..used to go in May, now we hunt closer to gun opening day...
It could be hot, buggy, stormy...
High grass/crops could be an issue...
But, if I could only hunt May 15th, north central KS is an area I would not hesitate to try...
Get on them early, and going back to roost...look for secluded bottomland areas...cattle keeping the grass down could be good...feedlot type properties with ponds could produce...
Conditions right now are early-spring like, not many leaves on the trees....mid-May could be good...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: mudhen on April 25, 2016, 12:50:24 AM
May 15th is getting a bit late...
I've hunted KS for 20 or so years..used to go in May, now we hunt closer to gun opening day...
It could be hot, buggy, stormy...
High grass/crops could be an issue...
But, if I could only hunt May 15th, north central KS is an area I would not hesitate to try...
Get on them early, and going back to roost...look for secluded bottomland areas...cattle keeping the grass down could be good...feedlot type properties with ponds could produce...
Conditions right now are early-spring like, not many leaves on the trees....mid-May could be good...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
[/quot
Thanks for the info. Kinda going in blind never hunted anything but easterns in Louisiana and Mississippi(OTHER THAN one trip this year to south east OK). If nothing else get a lay of the land and get an honest chance on a couple. Would like to move my vacation up but its last min and my partner needs a little more notice to get away.
We were planning to hunt South Central Nebraska (so just north of where you are going) this weekend, but it is gonna be 50, rainy and cold for all 4 days so we are re-scheduling for May 12th.
Birds in our area of NE are quiet all day right now, leading me to believe they are breeding but the hens aren't on the nest yet. 2 weeks from now should be much better.
Quote from: spoonbill on April 24, 2016, 08:43:21 PM
LOL might have to check that out. Excuse my ignorance is that part of Kansas RIO country or can I expect Hybrids?
That far west, you're going to see 80-90% Rio-looking birds. I was hunting a flock in Mitchell county a few years ago that had two longbeards, four jakes, and about ten, or so, hens. One of the longbeards looked like an Eastern, but the other birds all looked like Rios.
The birds in this pic were from Republic county, a couple of counties east of Osborne...
(Photobucket is acting up on me today. I hope you can see the image. I currently can't.)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/stinkpickle/IMG_3010_zpsp1cxt77c.jpg)
Quote from: spoonbill on April 23, 2016, 10:01:54 PM
Quote from: dirtnap on April 23, 2016, 08:53:42 PM
I have been out there the last 3 years. I have never been out there before May 15. Some years have been better than others. The first year we went out there was some of the best hunting I have ever seen. Weather will be the biggest factor and how bad the property you are hunting has been beat up.
Nice you getting me fired up. Will be nice to get out the swamp and piney woods for a change of scenery. You going this year?
Yes sir. Hitting KS, NE, and SD.
I done a similar trip couple years ago. One of the best trips I ever had.
Quote from: spaightlabs on April 25, 2016, 11:26:00 AM
Birds in our area of NE are quiet all day right now, leading me to believe they are breeding but the hens aren't on the nest yet. 2 weeks from now should be much better.
that's what I'm thinking/hoping.
Anything in particular I should look out for in that area? Snakes,ticks that kind of stuff.
Freaking Gnats!!! I've been to that area once, on a whim like you and got pounded by monster gnats. Thermacell and Deet and Permethrine do nothing against them. If there is something that repels them, buy it, even if you have to sell a kidney.
True dat! Gnats, clouds of skeeters, and ticks can be thick that time of year.
If you are trying for a true , pure blood Rio you can and will encounter hybrid birds in north Central, KS. I have a friend with a family farm in Washington, CO and they have the hybrids there...I am guessing the further west you go from there the better chance of finding pure Rios.
I regularly hunt pure Rios and Easterns so I wasn't hung up on the hybrid thing...I found the birds I shot there to be quite tasty!
Just a heads up.
Honcho
I'll save you half the cost, you'll have no risk, and ill provide maps to the birds my boys and I kill so you'll have them for next year............you just send me half the cost for your trip and I'll go then report back. ;D
It's a win win. Limited investment for you and all the scouting into you'll need for next year.
If you have good weather you'll be able to kill birds. You may need to cover more ground to find willing birds but you can kill birds then.
Our group of 4 Indiana guys just got back from North Central Kansas and South Central Nebraska last week. There are 14 less birds out there to chase around now. Very Good trip. We covered a lot of different public ground including WIHA and the birds worked great. An hour either side of 12 Noon was our magic hours and we killed a bunch during that time frame. Ticks were not bad but we all had Sawyers treated clothing before we went. I did have 2 latched on that I found. Lots of different color variations on birds from Almost pure eastern looking ( Riley, Pottawottamie counties) to dang near bone white tips over in Republic county and everything in between. If you haven't been out there before and you see a sign that says " Rough Road or Unimproved Road" keep off of it after a rain! ;) Good luck
Quote from: honker22 on April 26, 2016, 02:35:47 PM
Freaking Gnats!!! I've been to that area once, on a whim like you and got pounded by monster gnats. Thermacell and Deet and Permethrine do nothing against them. If there is something that repels them, buy it, even if you have to sell a kidney.
Idk if we have different gnats here in Louisiana or not but at times they can be down right suffocating. I know it sounds crazy but we use a vanilla scented body spray from Victoria secret called amber romance and it absolutely works. Just make your ol lady buy it so you don't have any explaining to do lol.
Quote from: Copper1 on April 26, 2016, 09:41:12 PM
... If you haven't been out there before and you see a sign that says " Rough Road or Unimproved Road" keep off of it after a rain!...
THIS ^^^ can't be emphasized enough. If a dirt road has no gravel, make sure it's dry before driving on it. And don't leave your truck on one, if you think it's going to rain. It takes just one rotation to pack the tire treads, and that stuff won't spin off.
Quote from: stinkpickle on April 27, 2016, 12:11:00 PM
Quote from: Copper1 on April 26, 2016, 09:41:12 PM
... If you haven't been out there before and you see a sign that says " Rough Road or Unimproved Road" keep off of it after a rain!...
THIS ^^^ can't be emphasized enough. If a dirt road has no gravel, make sure it's dry before driving on it. And don't leave your truck on one, if you think it's going to rain. It takes just one rotation to pack the tire treads, and that stuff won't spin off.
OK yeah, I forgot about that. We weren't there 45 minutes, waited out a rain storm and tried that out. I mean c'mon, I live in the south and drive through nasty stuff and dirt roads all the time... Ended up in the ditch after about 100 yards and completely buried in 4wd. Sure glad the only guy that lived within a mile of there had a big tractor.
Quote from: honker22 on April 27, 2016, 01:51:50 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on April 27, 2016, 12:11:00 PM
Quote from: Copper1 on April 26, 2016, 09:41:12 PM
... If you haven't been out there before and you see a sign that says " Rough Road or Unimproved Road" keep off of it after a rain!...
THIS ^^^ can't be emphasized enough. If a dirt road has no gravel, make sure it's dry before driving on it. And don't leave your truck on one, if you think it's going to rain. It takes just one rotation to pack the tire treads, and that stuff won't spin off.
OK yeah, I forgot about that. We weren't there 45 minutes, waited out a rain storm and tried that out. I mean c'mon, I live in the south and drive through nasty stuff and dirt roads all the time... Ended up in the ditch after about 100 yards and completely buried in 4wd. Sure glad the only guy that lived within a mile of there had a big tractor.
Haha. Yeah those farmers that live out that way don't particularly care for folks tearing their roads up either......Was he nice about it, or did he offer ya some advice??
Quote from: spoonbill on April 26, 2016, 02:31:42 PM
Anything in particular I should look out for in that area? Snakes,ticks that kind of stuff.
Ticks are worse than home there. We spray our clothes down with Permethrin when we head that way.
Quote from: Hooksfan on April 27, 2016, 02:24:39 PM
Quote from: honker22 on April 27, 2016, 01:51:50 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on April 27, 2016, 12:11:00 PM
Quote from: Copper1 on April 26, 2016, 09:41:12 PM
... If you haven't been out there before and you see a sign that says " Rough Road or Unimproved Road" keep off of it after a rain!...
THIS ^^^ can't be emphasized enough. If a dirt road has no gravel, make sure it's dry before driving on it. And don't leave your truck on one, if you think it's going to rain. It takes just one rotation to pack the tire treads, and that stuff won't spin off.
OK yeah, I forgot about that. We weren't there 45 minutes, waited out a rain storm and tried that out. I mean c'mon, I live in the south and drive through nasty stuff and dirt roads all the time... Ended up in the ditch after about 100 yards and completely buried in 4wd. Sure glad the only guy that lived within a mile of there had a big tractor.
Haha. Yeah those farmers that live out that way don't particularly care for folks tearing their roads up either......Was he nice about it, or did he offer ya some advice??
He didn't say much, it was obvious we woke him up. He didn't seem upset, showed little emotion. He tore the hell out of his field and ditch in the process of getting me out... it was a big (probably 100 horse) 2wd tractor. We were SUPER grateful, thanked him 100 times, and offered money and gifts but he did not accept it. I felt awful about it, but we had no other options and he was kinda obligated bc I don't know where else we would've walked. It was 3/4 mile from my truck and no other house in sight. The definition of BFE
Quote from: honker22 on April 27, 2016, 02:55:35 PM
Quote from: Hooksfan on April 27, 2016, 02:24:39 PM
Quote from: honker22 on April 27, 2016, 01:51:50 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on April 27, 2016, 12:11:00 PM
Quote from: Copper1 on April 26, 2016, 09:41:12 PM
... If you haven't been out there before and you see a sign that says " Rough Road or Unimproved Road" keep off of it after a rain!...
THIS ^^^ can't be emphasized enough. If a dirt road has no gravel, make sure it's dry before driving on it. And don't leave your truck on one, if you think it's going to rain. It takes just one rotation to pack the tire treads, and that stuff won't spin off.
OK yeah, I forgot about that. We weren't there 45 minutes, waited out a rain storm and tried that out. I mean c'mon, I live in the south and drive through nasty stuff and dirt roads all the time... Ended up in the ditch after about 100 yards and completely buried in 4wd. Sure glad the only guy that lived within a mile of there had a big tractor.
Haha. Yeah those farmers that live out that way don't particularly care for folks tearing their roads up either......Was he nice about it, or did he offer ya some advice??
He didn't say much, it was obvious we woke him up. He didn't seem upset, showed little emotion. He tore the hell out of his field and ditch in the process of getting me out... it was a big (probably 100 horse) 2wd tractor. We were SUPER grateful, thanked him 100 times, and offered money and gifts but he did not accept it. I felt awful about it, but we had no other options and he was kinda obligated bc I don't know where else we would've walked. It was 3/4 mile from my truck and no other house in sight. The definition of BFE
LOL! It certainly is that. My first day hunting out there, I tried to leave one evening after a storm...couldn't even keep my truck from doglegging towards the ditch. I spent the night in the truck in the middle of the road. I couldn't even remember the last occupied house I saw, or even another vehicle out there.
Thanks for the heads up guys definitely don't want to stick the truck in a ditch in the middle of nowhere.
Been there, done that, made the walk, took the butt chewing...
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t169/spaightlabs/P1010881.jpg) (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/spaightlabs/media/P1010881.jpg.html)
I dug up some old pics from my first trip out there and the road conditions, just for fun...
This is was after a morning hunt when a storm rolled out. Once I hit gravel, I took this pic. That's ONE set of tracks with the truck doglegging on flat ground. LOL!
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/stinkpickle/Kansas%20Mess/IMG_0129_zpsnt4mwzyd.jpg)
Here's another on a different road. Again, it's just one set of tracks...
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/stinkpickle/Kansas%20Mess/IMG_0126_zps47ril9s4.jpg)
Even grassy roads are a treat. $20 at a car wash is just a start...
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/stinkpickle/Kansas%20Mess/IMG_0116_zpszmp0la6h.jpg)
These are the grassy roads in Kansas. Some of the signposts appear out of nowhere...
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/stinkpickle/Kansas%20Mess/IMG_0150_zps2dkb8ruk.jpg)
3 ton bridge, eh? Appears reasonable. I wonder how old the sign is...
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/stinkpickle/Kansas%20Mess/IMG_0152_zps2i8xz7hu.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/stinkpickle/Kansas%20Mess/IMG_0153_zpsbhsaghlx.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/stinkpickle/Kansas%20Mess/IMG_0154_zps16cl7yuc.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/stinkpickle/Kansas%20Mess/IMG_0155_zpsceffstid.jpg)
BUT it's beautiful country and there are birds to be found...
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/stinkpickle/Kansas%20Mess/IMG_0162_zpsiyfexgz4.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b209/stinkpickle/Kansas%20Mess/IMG_0164_zpslbrhbeng.jpg)
Got myself in a bad situation up there pheasant hunting one year. Still don't know how I got out. Makes my stomach knot up just thinking about it. It was cold and sleeting and there wasn't a house in sight.
note to self- dont get caught slipping on one of these unimproved roads. lol
Im leaving to go out there tomorrow and y'all done got me freaked out ! Ive heard stories...but them pics make you worry. Its supposed to rain....
2015 Old Gobbler contest Champions
Three locations that have "gravel" roads that I can assure you will put you in the ditch fast if wet.........Eastern Montana, Northwestern Nebraska, and Northcentral Kansas. If you've never experienced it, it's hard to appreciate the importance of this warning.
While hunting take note of the roads that have a decent amount of gravel in them. If you have rain coming, you'll need to know areas you can hunt that have decent roads. If you note a lot of dried up ruts, the road will not be fun after a rain.
We got stuck BAD last year on our trip in Kansas and spent 4 hours in that mess on a road we had no business being on. Local Farmer was not happy but he brought his 4x4 payloader and got us out. This year we had a few hairy moments but were a whole lot wiser about what roads to stay off of and what to look for. There are some WIHA areas that probably don't see much pressure because you can't hardly get to em because of the roads.
BowBendr, you will be fine as long as you have a 4x4 and watch what you are doing. Good luck out there!
It only took me one time getting stuck in NW KS to only stay on county roads after a rain. Rain has cut short my hunting time more than once.
I hunted Osbourn County Kansas about two weeks ago on the opening three days of season. Many birds in this area on some of the public lands. Just locate the walk in areas with creeks and you will find the turkeys. As for the roads in this county, most were covered with limestone screenings and it really will help with slippery roads and there are a lot of ticks there.
I can also say that I heard more gobblers at sun up standing in one spot than I have heard all the last three seasons in Georgia put together. I have no idea how many birds were gobbling at one time. I am used to hearing one, two or maybe three birds on a hunt if any and this was amazing. It was worth the trip just to hear that. I will go back and it took me 20 hours one way to get there. Just go.
It does pick the heart beat up a bit and is good for the soul to hear that many gobblers going off at first light, for sure.
I haven't heard THAT many birds out there, but I've definitely heard enough to fill the tags. ;)
Thanks fellas we are goin to get there on may 11 and stay till may 16. Just booked a cabin at a state park. Super pumped about getting up there. Should be a fun trip either way.
On road north now from Louisiana. ETA 1 hour before fly down.
Looks like today will be a little chilly with a shower but the weather looks fantastic for the next few days. I like your chances.
Be safe.
Quote from: Crawl79 on April 30, 2016, 08:13:21 PM
On road north now from Louisiana. ETA 1 hour before fly down.
GOOD LUCK. Weather looks decent for yall. We had one hell of a storm come through Carencro LA last early sunday morning. They had to close down I49.
weather is perfect...let's get an update.
I've got pics of 4 birds from 2 buddies for yesterday and today - expect some hero shots from y'all.
We flying into witchita next thursday morning( 5/12.) Scouting that afternoon. Will keep yall updated
My experience on late season WIHA was not good. We killed birds but they were spread out and most of the WIHA were small tracts little to no trees and the birds would either no be there or roost there and move to private. Any birds we saw in the fields would run for cover if you even slowed down to look at them from the road. That was just our experience, but we are pretty much dullards.
Good luck!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: larry9988 on April 29, 2016, 06:17:05 PM
I hunted Osbourn County Kansas about two weeks ago on the opening three days of season. Many birds in this area on some of the public lands. Just locate the walk in areas with creeks and you will find the turkeys. As for the roads in this county, most were covered with limestone screenings and it really will help with slippery roads and there are a lot of ticks there.
I really wish that people would leave post like this off the dang internet. Its post like this that caused me to drive 3,000 miles in 8 days looking for gobblers. Place is shot out like the angel of death swept thru that whole area....between 3 of us, we killed 2 birds.
Spoonbill - I dont know what state park you are staying in but I will go ahead and tell you the truth. You better have a pocket full of gas money because you will be driving, and I mean driving alot to find birds. In the state park we stayed in, we were having to drive 2 hours minimum to find gobblers. Oh, you'll hear 357 jakes in a day but to get on gobblers you will have to work hard. If you need more specific info please pm me and I will tell you what it was like the past 8 days. I will publicly tell you on this forum that we never heard or saw a mature gobbler in Jewell Co., we were very disappointed in what we saw. These guys get out there, have a good hunt then tell the whole world about it on the internet and every cyber-scouter in the world goes and hits these areas hard. My constant comment for 8 days was that it was literally like the angel of death came thru and took every gobbler, and it is not because of pressure, it is because they are dead.
Same way for duck hunting ???? Internet has ruined a lot of things
Quote from: BowBendr on May 07, 2016, 12:34:02 PM
Quote from: larry9988 on April 29, 2016, 06:17:05 PM
I hunted Osbourn County Kansas about two weeks ago on the opening three days of season. Many birds in this area on some of the public lands. Just locate the walk in areas with creeks and you will find the turkeys. As for the roads in this county, most were covered with limestone screenings and it really will help with slippery roads and there are a lot of ticks there.
I really wish that people would leave post like this off the dang internet. Its post like this that caused me to drive 3,000 miles in 8 days looking for gobblers. Place is shot out like the angel of death swept thru that whole area....between 3 of us, we killed 2 birds.
Spoonbill - I dont know what state park you are staying in but I will go ahead and tell you the truth. You better have a pocket full of gas money because you will be driving, and I mean driving alot to find birds. In the state park we stayed in, we were having to drive 2 hours minimum to find gobblers. Oh, you'll hear 357 jakes in a day but to get on gobblers you will have to work hard. If you need more specific info please pm me and I will tell you what it was like the past 8 days. I will publicly tell you on this forum that we never heard or saw a mature gobbler in Jewell Co., we were very disappointed in what we saw. These guys get out there, have a good hunt then tell the whole world about it on the internet and every cyber-scouter in the world goes and hits these areas hard. My constant comment for 8 days was that it was literally like the angel of death came thru and took every gobbler, and it is not because of pressure, it is because they are dead.
Yeah, I've had a trip, or two, to Kansas like that, also. :/
Talked to my friend Sterling from Logan Kansas yesterday and he says it's the toughest season he's seen. Birds are down by 50% and he hunts private land...I decided not to go this year.
You know that just the amount of people who went on this site it isn't any wonder why it seems like the angel of death swept through . You can only imagine how many people go who just read and not post on the net.
^^ My exact thoughts ^^
Wonder how many people read this site, yet never post a word. Gleaning info and hitting it fast.
2015 Old Gobbler contest Champions
It's already common knowledge. The nwtf has been pimping it for a while.
lets not get negative right before I leave boys....lol
Odds are that people posting "x's" are either not going back or lying. Heck why not post this or that county is awesome all the while hunting somewhere totally different.
I hunt hard for easterns in the pine woods and swamps of Louisiana. Mostly public land. I'm definitely not scared to go and not hear a bird. Been there done that, hunted till dark and was back the next day. I'm finally financially able to make some out of state hunts. Believe me this coonass will give it hell. If I come back with tags so be it. If nothing else I will see some new country and spend some time with a buddy that I don't get to hunt with a lot with anymore. I good time WILL be had don't worry.
Quote from: spoonbill on May 07, 2016, 09:51:29 PM
I hunt hard for easterns in the pine woods and swamps of Louisiana. Mostly public land. I'm definitely not scared to go and not hear a bird. Been there done that, hunted till dark and was back the next day. I'm finally financially able to make some out of state hunts. Believe me this coonass will give it hell. If I come back with tags so be it. If nothing else I will see some new country and spend some time with a buddy that I don't get to hunt with a lot with anymore. I good time WILL be had don't worry.
It's beautiful country. You'll have a good time, regardless. ;)
I hunted (more like hiked) in North Central Kansas May 4-7th. Only found one gobbler in those days on the multiple WIHAs in 6 different counties. Definitely the worst hunt I have ever been on. I did hear and see a few birds on private ground but NOTHING was on any of the WIHAs. Sort of nice to hear everyone saying the same thing as it was not just me. The only birds I know of that were killed were by sneak attack and none were on WIHAs. People I talked to said when they called to birds they would turn and walk or run away. I believe it's obvious they have been pressured to death. And btw, none of the 4 turkeys I looked at that were dead were true Rios.
welllllllllll? How'd your trip go?
I'm leaving tonight at Midnight from eastern Missouri to get to my public spot by daybreak. If they are acting anything like they are in Missouri, they are really killable right now.
Sorry for taking so long on the update been trying to catch up on honey do's and work. Me and my buddy both ended up taking nice mature birds (one each). We had to work for them. Traveled to a few different property's and ran into a lot of jakes. We got lucky and got permission to hunt some private land and took a bird from it the other was taken on public. We didn't tag out but had chances to do so. We were blessed with great weather until Monday (the day we were leaving) and I was glad to be able to sleep in. Up at 4am and leaving the woods at 9pm will wear you out. All in all a great trip in some of the most beautiful country I have ever stepped foot on. It would have been worth it if I never pulled the trigger. Hearing those rios gobble their brains out didn't hurt my feelings either lol.
Excellent! Glad you guys had a good time.
That's great! Post up some photos from the trip.