The following story goes way back to 2006 at Stewart State Forest in New York State. It involves a smaller, older Spring turkey hunter not from NY. I have had 5+ Spring turkey hunts totally busted by this same man. My Brother-In -Law has had at least 4 hunts ruined, and in talking to 2 Spring hunters in one of the parking lots---I learned of more busted hunts.
One fine Spring morning, I was 40 yards off a field edge. I had my decoy set out in the field and 5 to 6 jakes were gobbling hard in the corner of this field.I made up my mind to take one and fill my 1st tag. Wetlands surrounded the field and I had no choice but to hide and stand just inside the field line. The jakes already were seeing my decoy. I would only have to wait. I heard some slow sloshing coming my way in the wetlands---raccoon,deer, coyote?---I waited and moved not 1 inch. Soon the sloshing was directly behind me--no more then 10 yards in fact. I knew it was another hunter. My decoy was in full view as was I. A perfect half-jake gobble came from right behind me--How does he not see me or my decoy as it was not fully leafed out yet?! One jake flew down and landed right next to my decoy. I nailed him. The hunter never came out- but I knew who it was from the way he moved and the smaller build. The Spring before- I was in the next field over and set-up on a field line with a tom going. This same hunter appeared in the field just before sunrise. It was now too bright to do that- but the tom gobbled and he race-walked in. I had to whistle. He left slowly- but 5 minutes later, I heard loud yelping from behind the gobbler the tom went silent-spooked for sure. I have other stories as does my Brother-in- Law and probably other Spring hunters I am not aware of. So- this Spring Stewart State Forest Hunters- beware of the worlds greatest turkey hunter. If he parks next to you---you will know if you look close.
lol I think I would find a different spot
Ya I was thinking the same thing.
Price you pay to hunt public. You are not experiencing nothing all of us public land hunters deal with yearly. Too bad but that's just the way it is. Shoot , I run into that foolishness on my lease also. Feel for you as I know what it's like. Can't count on 2 hands the number of hunts I have had jacked up because of goof balls.
Just par for the course, nothing new.
Very frustrating part of the game. Tv taught turkey hunting at it's finest. Run and gun on public land =run into another gun.
My dad had a guy that parked in the middle of a field, proceeded to walk 100 yards from the truck (still in full view), and hold a gobbler fan up....while calling....with no hat, face mask, or gloves.
I figured the guy was mad because he was heat to his spot....nope. Came back and did it the next day.....just earlier
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I enjoyed all the replys here! I always have a plan c on public ground -lol.
It's easy to get away from people for the most part. Guys aren't exactly lining up to go where I was this morning.
Quote from: Happy on April 24, 2016, 12:23:46 PM
It's easy to get away from people for the most part. Guys aren't exactly lining up to go where I was this morning.
I would have no problem going down in there .
Quote from: owlhoot on April 24, 2016, 12:32:37 PM
Quote from: Happy on April 24, 2016, 12:23:46 PM
It's easy to get away from people for the most part. Guys aren't exactly lining up to go where I was this morning.
I would have no problem going down in there .
Good gosh,but getting back up would be another story ;D
I actually know this guys full name. He is just super agressive in getting on a tom. He is probably also on this site.
That's the problem. I came up it. After a mile and a half walk in.
Sounds like Mr. Magoo still exists!