Just curious. I would think the best guys are those that have extensively hunted all the sub species in several different states on public land and find ways to be successful, even under less than ideal conditions.
I consider a "good" turkey hunter to be the hunter that can consistently call in and kill turkeys, they seem to know how a turkey thinks and what he wants to hear and how to best go about killing them.
In my Dad's prime, he was a terror to the turkeys, he could kill them in the swamps of south GA and the next week kill them in the mountains of North GA and everywhere in between.
A hunter that travels to hunt all the species might be a good hunter but they might also have the money to hunt the best places. Money can kill all the turkeys a man wants to kill as long as he goes to the best areas. Not saying that out of jealousy, just stating my opinion.
The best turkey hunters are those who consistently kill birds on public land.
I wouldn't know...I am still trying to get the hunter part down first.... :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Patience.....
Amen!
having a whole lot of patience
One that understands a great hunt does not always result in a killed bird.
Quote from: Divenut2 on May 01, 2018, 02:38:18 PM
One that understands a great hunt does not always result in a killed bird.
I agree if it were all about killing a bird I would have quit a long time ago! It is an unexplained sickness like no other.
Along the lines of the two preceding posts, my impression of the truly great turkey hunters is that they let a fair number of legal killable birds walk.
A good hunter is a combination of multiple aspects that involve turkey hunting...
*A good understanding of the biology of turkeys and breeding to better understand the behavior of
the game being sought.
*Ability to learn and adapt. Understanding that from place to place, bird to bird, and year to year
can change, and being able to learn and adapt to changing situations, birds, and locations. Also
being able to implement what is learned to multiple situations with success.
*Woodsmanship, and the ability to read sign and to understand what the woods are telling us. The
ability to utilize the woods to our advantage.
*Calling ability. The ability to use calls and sound like a turkey. The ability to read birds &
knowing when to call, and when not to call (and being able to utilize self-control when we
should not call).
*Tenacity... Sticking with it. Not only as far as staying in the field, but continuing to learn and
adapt. Never give up...
*Patience... Not only to stay in one spot long enough to kill a bird, but to remain quiet and still
while waiting.
*Proficiency with the means of take. Being proficient with the weapon of choice, and being able to
judge range, and make the easy, as well as more challenging (but still ethical) shots.
Marc has it dead on, especially in my opinion on woodsmanship. Woodsmanship kills turkeys, and what he calls tenacity I call persistence. I say persistence where most say patience, because sometimes you need to be persistently patient. But persistence can describe all types of actions in the turkey woods. I would say some of the deadliest men out there have only killed one sub species, just never went elsewhere to hunt them. Lonnie Mabry told me any man that can kill Easterns regularly can kill the others with ease, I believe him though I've only tested the Osceola. I always think this...can a man be dropped out of a truck and kill in places he's never been? I know many that can, and many that have killed all sub species that couldn't.
Quote from: merriamsman on May 01, 2018, 12:56:22 PM
The best turkey hunters are those who consistently kill birds on public land.
this x1000
I guess you would need to describe by what you mean by "good" are you just talking success?
The ability to adapt to Hunting Conditions + Understanding Biology and Social Structure of the Wild Turkey + Calling Skills = SUCCESS!!
MK M GOBL
A good turkey hunter is more than someone who kills tons birds in tons places. Its a person who has respect for the bird takes ethical shots won't break the law or compromise ethics to kill a bird has good woodsmanship and takes time to understand each part of changing season and has no problem sharing his abundant knowledge passing on to next generation. There is way more to good hunter than just killing.
It's someone who has fun and makes sure anyone around him has a fun and memorable hunt. And if a turkey dies in the process that's a bonus.
time and access to multiple spots
Someone that shares his knowledge of hunting with others. Someone that does not judge a day in the field by the kill.
Quote from: guesswho on May 01, 2018, 07:04:25 PM
It's someone who has fun and makes sure anyone around him has a fun and memorable hunt. And if a turkey dies in the process that's a bonus.
Dammit,...I hate to have to keep agreeing with Gobbler Goober, but he just keeps sayin' stuff I agree with! ;D
...Learn the basics of turkey hunting and calling,...throw in an understanding of hunting ethics and good sportsmanship,...and go have FUN chasing these magnificent birds. Do that enough, and any of us will eventually find one or two of them that wants to get "harvested". :angel9:
Someone who hunts in an area that doesn't hold a lot of birds but they are consistant about killing a bird anualy.
Quote from: GobbleNut on May 01, 2018, 10:32:22 PMDammit,...I hate to have to keep agreeing with Gobbler Goober, but he just keeps sayin' stuff I agree with! ;D
One of us must be going through the change ;D
Quote from: Marc on May 01, 2018, 04:14:21 PM
A good hunter is a combination of multiple aspects that involve turkey hunting...
*A good understanding of the biology of turkeys and breeding to better understand the behavior of
the game being sought.
*Ability to learn and adapt. Understanding that from place to place, bird to bird, and year to year
can change, and being able to learn and adapt to changing situations, birds, and locations. Also
being able to implement what is learned to multiple situations with success.
*Woodsmanship, and the ability to read sign and to understand what the woods are telling us. The
ability to utilize the woods to our advantage.
*Calling ability. The ability to use calls and sound like a turkey. The ability to read birds &
knowing when to call, and when not to call (and being able to utilize self-control when we
should not call).
*Tenacity... Sticking with it. Not only as far as staying in the field, but continuing to learn and
adapt. Never give up...
*Patience... Not only to stay in one spot long enough to kill a bird, but to remain quiet and still
while waiting.
*Proficiency with the means of take. Being proficient with the weapon of choice, and being able to
judge range, and make the easy, as well as more challenging (but still ethical) shots.
A really good summary, Marc. I would add another point. That is, a good turkey hunter is one who recognizes there are lots of other good turkey hunters out there, and can learn from them if he takes the time to listen and observe.
Quote from: guesswho on May 01, 2018, 07:04:25 PM
It's someone who has fun and makes sure anyone around him has a fun and memorable hunt. And if a turkey dies in the process that's a bonus.
Well dang, I am an awesome turkey hunter then. I have that first part down... the part about a turkey dying is where I fall short.
A good wife....
Someone who, after hunting with them once, you would do it again given the opportunity.
Quote from: Ranger on May 01, 2018, 04:48:58 PM
Marc has it dead on, especially in my opinion on woodsmanship. Woodsmanship kills turkeys, and what he calls tenacity I call persistence. I say persistence where most say patience, because sometimes you need to be persistently patient. But persistence can describe all types of actions in the turkey woods. I would say some of the deadliest men out there have only killed one sub species, just never went elsewhere to hunt them. Lonnie Mabry told me any man that can kill Easterns regularly can kill the others with ease, I believe him though I've only tested the Osceola. I always think this...can a man be dropped out of a truck and kill in places he's never been? I know many that can, and many that have killed all sub species that couldn't.
I find it rare with the people I've seen, clients I have taken and just others I hear talk that you can drop someone off in a new place and they can kill birds. I imagine those of us on this site are definitely in the minority when it comes to that. There are more straight up killers on here than not.
I say a good hunter is many things, but you have to define good. I could kill 20 birds a year illegaly, but we all know that doesn't make you "good". I can and know people who can call in and kill birds regularly, but I don't always shoot just because I call one in and neither do they.
I will say this, to me, a good hunter is one who cares more about the game being sought and the ones they share the moments with and most importantly the Creator of this magnificent bird than any number of kills. I enjoy hunting and part of hunting is killing, but if I never pull the trigger again and still could spend time in the turkey woods mentoring others and simply watching the world wake up that would be ok with me.
Good turkey hunters eat fried turkey breast. Less than good turkey hunters eat Mor Chikn.
:TooFunny:
Quote from: dublelung on May 02, 2018, 12:09:00 PM
Good turkey hunters eat fried turkey breast. Less than good turkey hunters eat Mor Chikn.
:TooFunny: :TooFunny:
A good turkey hunter cares about the sport and not just the harvest. The sport being the process in which you kill him. Fair Chase!
Quote from: GobbleNut on May 02, 2018, 09:04:29 AM
Quote from: Marc on May 01, 2018, 04:14:21 PM
A good hunter is a combination of multiple aspects that involve turkey hunting...
*A good understanding of the biology of turkeys and breeding to better understand the behavior of
the game being sought.
*Ability to learn and adapt. Understanding that from place to place, bird to bird, and year to year
can change, and being able to learn and adapt to changing situations, birds, and locations. Also
being able to implement what is learned to multiple situations with success.
*Woodsmanship, and the ability to read sign and to understand what the woods are telling us. The
ability to utilize the woods to our advantage.
*Calling ability. The ability to use calls and sound like a turkey. The ability to read birds &
knowing when to call, and when not to call (and being able to utilize self-control when we
should not call).
*Tenacity... Sticking with it. Not only as far as staying in the field, but continuing to learn and
adapt. Never give up...
*Patience... Not only to stay in one spot long enough to kill a bird, but to remain quiet and still
while waiting.
*Proficiency with the means of take. Being proficient with the weapon of choice, and being able to
judge range, and make the easy, as well as more challenging (but still ethical) shots.
A really good summary, Marc. I would add another point. That is, a good turkey hunter is one who recognizes there are lots of other good turkey hunters out there, and can learn from them if he takes the time to listen and observe.
Learning and observing is why I joined the forums... I am far from a good turkey hunter... I am all too often scratching my head at a bird that will not come in.
Perhaps one of the greatest appealing aspects of turkey hunting to me, is that I am still learning and trying to figure it out... One thing I did learn this year (and last) is that it is far easier to be a "good" turkey hunter with lots of turkeys around....
Have you read THE OLD PRO TURKEY HUNTER by: Nunnery? It's a good read if you're ole school. ;)
Quote from: guesswho on May 01, 2018, 07:04:25 PM
It's someone who has fun and makes sure anyone around him has a fun and memorable hunt. And if a turkey dies in the process that's a bonus.
This. I've come home empty handed from some of my best most memorable hunts.
1 . Someone who follows the regulations.
2. Someone who has a sense of ethics and self control.
3. Someone who does not rely on much other than himself, camo, his shotgun and a turkey call.
4. Someone to whom the process means more than the kill.
5. Someone who takes the time to make sure they portray turkey hunting in the best light possible.
6. Someone who can take a wuppin from these great birds and look forward to challenging them again.
7. A sense of humor and a desire to become as proficient a hunter as they can.
8. Someone willing to teach others and strives to make their experience memorable.
Numbers don't mean much to me. Character, attitude and determination do.
This is my opinion of the who are the good turkey hunters.
One that can spend a lot of time with the turkeys
Someone that enjoys turkey hunting and understands turkey behavior on the next level. I think it's too complicated to say "someone who consistently kills without decoys" or "someone that doesn't sit in a blind". Not all hunters have access to the same resources. Not all good hunters are physically able to go everywhere a healthy young man can. Not all good hunters can afford to spend the money or time it takes to kill lots of birds, but they take advantage of the limited hunts they are afforded.
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Ethics and respect for the game
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Patience, patience, and more patience. That thing has for some strange reason just not been my strong point this year and I just do not know why... I have been known to sit like a stone for hours waiting and watching for birds I was working or knew would be where I was. This year I feel like a rank amateur. Moving on birds I just KNEW would come and getting busted by a bird sneaking in. Over calling when I know the hens are only going to take the toms in the opposite direction with the first note. It IS a slow year here though. Everything seems to be a week and a half two weeks behind schedule, and the weather has simply heen bipolar-30° one day, 80° the next. Hopefully next week weeks will be better...and I'll settle down...
"One thing I did learn this year (and last) is that it is far easier to be a "good" turkey hunter with lots of turkeys around...."
This might be the most important one of all!
Quote from: merriamsman on May 10, 2018, 10:23:21 AM
"One thing I did learn this year (and last) is that it is far easier to be a "good" turkey hunter with lots of turkeys around...."
This might be the most important one of all!
As an old friend of mine once said "abundance of game has made a many an expert"
Quote from: warrent423 on May 01, 2018, 11:35:12 PM
To me, a "good" turkey hunter is one who can sit down against a tree and call a heavily pressured Gobbler to within 40 yards of the gun and kill him consistently, without the use of decoys. A "great" turkey hunter is one who can do the same even when they are not gobbling ;)
This
Quote from: Happy on May 02, 2018, 08:01:02 PM
1 . Someone who follows the regulations.
2. Someone who has a sense of ethics and self control.
3. Someone who does not rely on much other than himself, camo, his shotgun and a turkey call.
4. Someone to whom the process means more than the kill.
5. Someone who takes the time to make sure they portray turkey hunting in the best light possible.
6. Someone who can take a wuppin from these great birds and look forward to challenging them again.
7. A sense of humor and a desire to become as proficient a hunter as they can.
8. Someone willing to teach others and strives to make their experience memorable.
Numbers don't mean much to me. Character, attitude and determination do.
This is my opinion of the who are the good turkey hunters.
. I agree, hunting legally, and ethically is a trait of a good Hunter.Montana has a lot of hicks, and rednecks, who drive around poaching with 22's.These people are scum, and a lot of them are in their 50's, and 60's.White trash!!
Some great points on this thread. It's interesting to me that for most of us "good hunter" doesn't mean "skilled and prolific killer". It doesn't take long in the field to truly respect and love these birds. I think we want to emulate those of us who also respect and love the wild turkey, so to most is us "good hunter" means "hunter who loves and respects turkeys".
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A "good" turkey hunter never stops learning from the bird itself, both gobbler and hen, and then applies that knowledge to his advantage, realizing that nothing always works and that turkeys will do what turkeys want to do. If it did not present an ever-changing challenge, we'd soon get bored with it and venture on to something else.
The sitting for hours on end in one spot just doesn't fit with my style of hunting. I couldn't imagine deer hunting a turkey. To each their own.
Someone who can consistently kill mature birds on public land, more than 10 years running.
A good turkey hunter is someone who knows they can be proven a bad turkey hunter the very next day ;D
A good turkey hunter always brings extra beer for me.
It helps to have good land to hunt with lots of turkeys to make a good turkey hunter ,,
To me someone that has great respect for the turkeys they hunt. Someone that does it the right way.
To me it's the guy that comes into the ole store, never says a word, eats his biscuit and leaves with a 1" and a half spurs bird! That's me when I grow up!
A good turkey hunter is one who abides by the laws & regulations & has the utmost respect for other hunters. Killing turkeys is only a small part of it.
Quote from: stinkpickle on May 11, 2018, 09:23:06 PM
A good turkey hunter always brings extra beer for me.
? And saves you those loud gobbling 2 year olds!