Wish I had a mentor and mine was the school of hard knocks! Finally took my first tom at the very end of my 5th Spring. Almost gave up- but up to 113 turkeys now and hitting into gear.
No mentor here. Wish I could say I was up to 113 turkeys or even remotely close. That is impressive.
Thanks--just boot leather and hiking on back between 1--2 miles on public ground.
I learned to turkey hunt on my own. Dad started me hunting, but growing up back then we didn't have turkeys to hunt.
I have mentored many kids and adults, taught classes, given seminars, Learn to Hunt Programs, youth hunts and such over the last 20 years and even more in the last 10 years and well over 200 birds.
MK M GOBL
Can't beat seeing a smile like this!!
No real mentor. Everyone in my family was a deer hunter. I was fortunate enough to have a competition caller kinda take me under his wing and teach me to call. He took me on one hunt and we never heard a bird. Once I actually started hunting areas that had birds it didn't take to long to start getting some success. The 9 years I spent as a kid trying to call in turkeys that weren't there didn't work out to well though.
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I had a older gentleman who i deer hunted with that got me into turkey hunting back in the 70's he was a great guy and taught me a lot on deer hunting and turkey hunting..He took me to my first MWTF meeting and after that i was hook..My friend is long gone now and i still miss his wisdom.. After several years as a NWTF member of our local chapter i became president for 4 years and still a member till this day... I will always support NWTF, WHY is because they help in getting huntable birds all over our state...
No mentor here. I started the same day My Dad did back in 66 and it was learn as you go. I killed a long beard that year with the help of my Dad and got to see him kill one as well. And I killed one last year so I'm up to 2. 3 if I count my Dads.
I had one. He was actually about 5 years younger than me, but I came to the game later in life. When I talked to him about turkey hunting, I was an avid duck hunter. He advised me not to start spring turkey hunting. He warned it was more addictive than duck hunting. Being hardheaded, I wanted to find out for myself. He was right, and I am. He took me on my first spring hunt. Called a bird in within 10 minutes of flydown. After the high fives were over, he told me to enjoy it, that it would be a while before I would do that again. He was right. But I was determined to learn with advise from him and the school of hard knocks as the best teacher. I blundered around for a few years, messed up more than I care to admit, but learned a lot (still am, still will be till I hang up the vest). But my first solo bird called in was such unadulterated joy/adrenaline rush I will never forget it. I have killed a mess since that day and still get that rush when he is hammering in the spring woods. When that stops, I will stop hunting them. I have had a hand now in mentoring my son, 2 nephews and now my daughter. The son and nephews are killing them on their own now. Have not yet scored with the daughter (she is 23, so not a kid), but we will soon.
No mentor, self taught. Although had two friends who I'd deer hunted with for years told me I should come turkey hunting with them. I followed them for two years...run and gun. Never got a bird. Third year, I decided it was a one man game. I killed a nice gobbler on opening day, and been putting them in the dirt ever since.... I credit my buddies for getting my addicted.....or curse them sometimes
Quote from: guesswho on December 16, 2016, 04:10:12 PM
No mentor here. I started the same day My Dad did back in 66 and it was learn as you go. I killed a long beard that year with the help of my Dad and got to see him kill one as well. And I killed one last year so I'm up to 2. 3 if I count my Dads.
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: I'm right there with ya bud...'cepting I can't count my dad's since he's never killed one!!!!
My father was/is my mentor and idol.I will be 37 in a few months and could not ask for a better person to be my father and friend.
Great replys here! I have a feeling that many new people getting into turkey hunting have a mentor to help them.
My family has always been a hunting family but no body ever turkey hunted. Back in the early 90,s my dad retired and him and a friend of his decided to give turkey hunting a go just to add some woods time. Believe it or not back then there where very few turkey hunters around. There first day out they did not even know what was supposed to happen. Well story goes my dad was going to call and our friend Jim was the shooter.
I was not there for this. They set up on a field edge and my dad made some calls at daylight. Well they get a gobble, They both looked at each other and said well i guess thats what we are looking for. Well they managed to call this big ol tom into the field. Right into shooting distance. Well in all the exitement jim started calling and totally forgot to shoot. Then when it dawned on jim " oh $h%t i am supposed to shot.
He reached for his gun and we all know what happens then. Bird took flight hunt over,and they where hooked. My dad was mad at jim for forgetting to do his job and threw his hat down on the ground. Well that hat story was told around turkey camp for the next 20 years. Needless to say when I saw them they said you need to turkey hunt next year. So I took 3 days off and hunted 5 days. Managed to shoot myself a jake. Haven't missed a season since. Jim has since passed on but me, Dad my brother and many other friends that we have gotten into it spend the first 10 days of May every year at turkey camp.
My Dad and I started hunting turkeys together. There were no turkeys when he was a kid so he was just as lost as I was. Never had a mentor just learned through trial and error, lots of error.
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No mentor here. Dad was a deer hunter, and a good one, but we really didn't have many birds to hunt locally. If you did go into an area of the mtns. that may have held birds the old timers were so tight-lipped that you couldn't get a word of advice. Period. Self taught since 1977ish, still learning something every day.
The first 10 years almost made me give up, so now I'll help anybody that's dang serious about it. Gotta' pay it forward. It's easier now, the birds are more plentiful and expanding, and the once great deer hunting now sucks...
Wish I still had the first Lynch box call I bought to learn on in '77....
My mentor was/is my brother. Not my birth brother though. Some of y'all have figured out that I've spent some time hunting with Happy. I'd killed turkeys before he and I started but they were mainly targets of opportunity. I was about 19 when I killed my first spring tom. It was with a coworker at the time. He was knowledgable but our friendship quickly waned when he left college. A year or two later, Happy and I started hunting turkeys together. There's been several flopping birds at the end of those hunts. Taking what he's shown me over the years has made me a better hunter when it comes to turkeys for sure. Not every hunt (or every season) has been successful as far as dead birds are concerned but I've thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in the woods with him. Looking forward to another hunt as soon as the last one ends. I've become what I'd consider a proficient turkey hunter (last season told a different story though) while on my own but I still enjoy spending time with a good hunting partner in the end.
Not me. Self taught. Those first 2 years were awful. Every turkey I saw was running in the other direction!! ;D :TooFunny:
Year #3 I got my first turkey, a jake, on opening day. Been steadily improving since then! :icon_thumright:
I was extremely lucky. An ole timely turkey hunter taught me how to hunt them and Kenny Morgan taught me how to call them.
No mentor here either. I came from a family of mostly deer hunters. Luckily i had an awesome piece of property to get started on though. Took a few years of trial and error before I started killing turkeys consistently. I probably could have learned more in a couple of hunts with a mentor then i did in 3 years hunting by myself, but I wouldn't want it any other way.
When New Mexico had its first spring turkey season back in the mid-1960's, people that knew anything about turkey hunting were as rare as hens teeth. As I recall, I only remember three old timers that had even hunted turkeys with a turkey call. There were no mentors to be had. We either learned on our own,...or learned through reading about it in the few publications that carried stories on turkey hunting.
For me, the individual that shaped my long-time passion for spring gobbler hunting was a gentleman by the name of Dave Harbour. Some of you older guys might remember him,...and his stories in Sports Afield. He also wrote some books on the subject,...and came up with the turkey records system that is still in use today.
Dave has been gone a long time now, but I will always remember his tales of his "duels" with spring gobblers and the lessons I learned, and the mentoring I received, just from reading his accounts.
My mentor....Old Moe, an old black farmer we knew, took me under his wing when his own son got to old and all knowing to go out with him. Dad wouldn't handle a gun, a WWII Silver Star winning vet who said he did enough killing to last him a lifetime, man or beast.
I'm sure Old Moe's spirit is still out there on those New York hills. Thank you Moe!
Quote from: MK M GOBL on December 16, 2016, 03:11:27 PM
I learned to turkey hunt on my own. Dad started me hunting, but growing up back then we didn't have turkeys to hunt.
I have mentored many kids and adults, taught classes, given seminars, Learn to Hunt Programs, youth hunts and such over the last 20 years and even more in the last 10 years and well over 200 birds.
MK M GOBL
Can't beat seeing a smile like this!!
Great pic! Great memories. I also had no true mentor exactly. When I started no one would tell you anything.
A fellow Jimmy D from my archery club didn't exactly take me under his wing but in time allowed me a little picking his brain. I'd call him after my hunts n tell him what happened. I could tell by his excitement when I was getting closer.
I'm still thankful for that n still remember my first gobbler tip toeing down the hill in the Catskills.
Full fan n great beard but to me I actually enjoy mentoring even more.
Years ago a dif buddy asked how many birds I'd killed n I truly don't know.
He mentioned all the gas spent, late nights roosting birds, miles on my truck, etc n that I prob shouldn't be "giving" birds I called away.
I went home n tried to recount on a paper birds id remembered calling for others n that alone was over 50 n it was a buncha years ago.
I don't regret one ounce of any of it.
Being a mentor is more fufilling than doing it all alone. It's all thanks to Jimmy.
So if you had a mentor pass it down as a sign of your appreciation, if you didn't pass it down anyway. It'll change your life
Quote from: Bowguy on December 19, 2016, 04:56:08 PM
Great pic! Great memories. I also had no true mentor exactly. When I started no one would tell you anything.
A fellow Jimmy D from my archery club didn't exactly take me under his wing but in time allowed me a little picking his brain. I'd call him after my hunts n tell him what happened. I could tell by his excitement when I was getting closer.
I'm still thankful for that n still remember my first gobbler tip toeing down the hill in the Catskills.
Full fan n great beard but to me I actually enjoy mentoring even more.
Years ago a dif buddy asked how many birds I'd killed n I truly don't know.
He mentioned all the gas spent, late nights roosting birds, miles on my truck, etc n that I prob shouldn't be "giving" birds I called away.
I went home n tried to recount on a paper birds id remembered calling for others n that alone was over 50 n it was a buncha years ago.
I don't regret one ounce of any of it.
Being a mentor is more fufilling than doing it all alone. It's all thanks to Jimmy.
So if you had a mentor pass it down as a sign of your appreciation, if you didn't pass it down anyway. It'll change your life
Thanks, I will say I have been very fortunate when it comes to turkey hunting and not talking about the luck I've had knocking them down. I have met some great people, shared hunts with them, introduced even more to love of the hunt. I have watched those I have mentored grow into young adults now mentoring others as I explained to them why I do this. Seen them become stewards of the land and respect for our natural world and the same respect for others. I will continue down this road for as long as I can and share my passion with those who I am able to share it with, as I say I am very fortunate :)
God Bless
MK M GOBL
Quote from: MK M GOBL on December 19, 2016, 08:02:46 PM
Quote from: Bowguy on December 19, 2016, 04:56:08 PM
Great pic! Great memories. I also had no true mentor exactly. When I started no one would tell you anything.
A fellow Jimmy D from my archery club didn't exactly take me under his wing but in time allowed me a little picking his brain. I'd call him after my hunts n tell him what happened. I could tell by his excitement when I was getting closer.
I'm still thankful for that n still remember my first gobbler tip toeing down the hill in the Catskills.
Full fan n great beard but to me I actually enjoy mentoring even more.
Years ago a dif buddy asked how many birds I'd killed n I truly don't know.
He mentioned all the gas spent, late nights roosting birds, miles on my truck, etc n that I prob shouldn't be "giving" birds I called away.
I went home n tried to recount on a paper birds id remembered calling for others n that alone was over 50 n it was a buncha years ago.
I don't regret one ounce of any of it.
Being a mentor is more fufilling than doing it all alone. It's all thanks to Jimmy.
So if you had a mentor pass it down as a sign of your appreciation, if you didn't pass it down anyway. It'll change your life
Thanks, I will say I have been very fortunate when it comes to turkey hunting and not talking about the luck I've had knocking them down. I have met some great people, shared hunts with them, introduced even more to love of the hunt. I have watched those I have mentored grow into young adults now mentoring others as I explained to them why I do this. Seen them become stewards of the land and respect for our natural world and the same respect for others. I will continue down this road for as long as I can and share my passion with those who I am able to share it with, as I say I am very fortunate :)
God Bless
MK M GOBL
I also believe strongly in explaining the whys. Calling a bird or setting them up on a first deer is nothing compared to giving them the ability to go it on their own if need be.
Even simple things like how to approach a dog on point or how deep to work ice fishing rigs n explaining what we're targeting today or why we're there n being successful is a great thing to be a part of once it comes together for them.
Giving them the hunt is a big part of passing it down. Prob the best part, next to the smiles.
No mentor here. That is another reason I love this forum. I feel like I have learned so much, reading and listening to sound files. A lot of turkey killers on here to pick their brain.
My dad taught me a lot about hunting deer. Turkey, we pretty much learned together. When I was old enough to start small game hunting, he had only hunted turkey a handful of times. He had been deer hunting for over 20 years before I was old enough to start.
No mentor when I started heck I didn't even own a turkey call for years just old cheap single shot Winchester 12 gauge that would kick like mule with 3 inch shell and pattern something awful. It was slow going then finally got to learn to call a little did have good friend from PA that moved down here later on that taught me some things. Mostly trial and error
No mentor here.
Growing up my dad was a big duck hunter, but didn't hunt deer or turkeys. I wanted to get into turkey hunting because
1) it would increase my time in the woods and make me a better hunter and outdoorsman
2) it is more challenging than duck hunting or chasing whitetails
3) it is something that I can do with my wife, who will duck or deer hunt with me but isn't too hardy in the cold
So I have two turkey seasons under my belt so far. The first year, I struck out. I hunted probably a dozen times, got on a gobbling bird half of those, only laid eyes on one a single time but it was 100 yards out. The second year (2016), I managed 2 kills in Kansas and 2 in Nebraska, 1 in Arkansas. I feel rather certain it was beginners luck because I could write a full-fledged book of mistakes that I made. One turkey
It's been a real challenge. The birds that I've managed to get on have all been public land birds. I've put in hundreds, literally, of hours scouting, researching, patterning my gun, trying to gain some proficiency in calling. Turkey hunting is rapidly becoming my only hobby and I can't wait to keep learning and honing the craft. Fortunately, I have my wife to share it with who is really growing to love the sport also.
My mentors where the birds. They are still teaching me things after 30+ seasons.
Quote from: ferocious calls on December 22, 2016, 08:32:56 AM
My mentors where the birds. They are still teaching me things after 30+ seasons.
True statement right here.
I have the best mentor anyone could ask for. My mentor has not just taken me hunting he is teaching me HOW to hunt. I am very thankful for him. If you can mentor please do. It makes a big difference in the life of a new hunter
Quote from: GlockGirl on December 22, 2016, 07:49:51 PM
I have the best mentor anyone could ask for. My mentor has not just taken me hunting he is teaching me HOW to hunt. I am very thankful for him. If you can mentor please do. It makes a big difference in the life of a new hunter
This is what this is about!
I have mentored for a long time and have had every kind of "student" with me. Some were in it for the short term goal (I killed a turkey), some wanted to experience this once, and others were truly interested in learning "how to hunt". I had one father/son team that hunted with me a number of years and were very successful in killing a bird while they were with me, I extended the invite on "let's go scouting, learn the call, visit the farmer... " and those invites were never met. In the short term yes they did kill quite a few birds but never learned it, once they were on there own, finding land to hunt, scouting and hunting their success went to zero. They kept in touch with me for a few years, never scored another bird and eventually seemed to give up. Then I have run into those who truly wanted to learn the game, this is what it is all about for me! I am more than willing and take the time to teach them what I have learned and have spent years teaching every bit of what I do to them and then have seen them take that knowledge and pass it along (also part of what I mentor, become the mentor). Wish they were all like this.
MK M GOBL
I killed one Tom after about 8 years of trying in my youth, met a hunting buddy who showed me the ropes of how to collect ropes. I wouldn't have it any other way, it's great having a hunting buddy and we hunt everything together always nice to have someone else to share the good hunts, the bad hunts, and the funny moments in-between.
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No mentor for me. My whole family was and still is into deer hunting, but no one ever turkey hunted.
My first year I called in a ton of turkeys, misjudged yardage on a nice tom and missed and then was picky and didn't shoot because I was calling so many in. My second year I couldn't get one to come in no matter what. Finally connected on a tom with an 11" beard on the last day.
Have been hooked ever since....still haven't gotten responses like that first year though.
Esse quam videri
Hunted deer with my dad. Did not learn too much before he passed. Hunted public land in the mountains and had a hard time. Finally started killing deer with a bow and then got invited to hunt with my cousin on his land. Never knew how much I did not know. Learned to listen and analyze everything he said about deer and turkey hunting. He taught me to think for myself: much better than showing me everything.