Braved the rain this morning and set up on a field with a hen and jake decoy. It was pouring pretty good, but my poncho kept me dry enough. I kept quiet since I figured the rain would keep the birds in the roost later than normal. Sure enough at about 7 I had two hens make there way into the field. About 15 minutes later I saw 1 maybe 2 red heads come into the field about 75 yards away. They were checking out the decoys and seemed interested but instead followed the hens to the far side of the field and into the woods. There I could see one strut every time I called but he continued to follow the hens out of site. Never heard a word out of any of them. I made the decision to head into the woods about 100 yards back and at a 90 degree angle from where the birds went in. I set up at the top of a ridge and gave a few soft clicks and yelps.......nothing. I went into some excited cutting and boom, a gobble. But it sounded like it was coming from the adjacent ridge. I cut again and the same thing. So I got up to move further down the ridge and get into position for the bird I just heard gobble. I didn't make it 15 yards and putt, putt, putt. There was a gobbler no less than 50 yards below me that I never knew was there. Once he putted and took off I heard the birds on the far ridge do the same. He was close enough to shoot but it happened so quicklyi wasn't ready. Even if I was I don't think I would have shot him since I wouldn't feel right about shooting a turkey I happened to stumbled across. Maybe I should have been more patient and sat still, i don't know. Sucks either way. At least I got on some birds and had some fun. I'm now on the other side of the property with my tail between my legs trying to get another bird fired up.
It happens to the best of us, stay after them and I'm sure you'll knock one down soon
Stay after him Derek, today he got lucky, tomorrow he might not be so lucky.
Keep after them and don't move.
Don't give up and it will happen. I am getting these birds patterned on this new piece of property I can hunt and hopefully score soon. Scoot
Bud I have been there many times......... I have almost quit turkey hunting many times because of stuff like this. Just keep after them, is the only good advice I can give.
Here is a little something to make you feel not so alone with bad luck..........
The weather has been crappy so I was only able to get out three times this week, and I have to work weekends.
I hunted my in-laws property Thursday. I called in a hen and she was by herself and that was the only turkey I got to see.
Today they sent me pictures of a strutter with 5 hens with him right where I had my blind set up the day before.............. ::)
I will be back in there first thing Monday, with the hope they will show back up.
Thanks for the encourgament guys. I'm going to head back out to the same field on Saturday. Calling for a nice day so I'm hoping it's not just a hangout for the birds during the rain, but a struting area. I'll find out in a few days!! I'm planning on leaving the Jake decoy in the truck and only going with a single hen in case the Jake made them a bit nervous last time. I'm also going to set up on the opposite side of the field were I saw them enter it last time.
Keep after em :anim_25:
Quote from: turkey slayer on April 25, 2011, 04:32:38 PM
Keep after em :anim_25:
I have been busted by more birds than I've killed, and I have missed an equal number of them.
For some reason I keep going back for more punishment. :bike2: