How much space do we need?

[Yoder409]

If I pull up to my spot and another vehicle is there.... it's on my property.  It'll be getting moved somewhere VERY inconvenient by a big orange tractor.   

On a public tract, I'll give another guy all kinds of space.  Been sneaked in on too many times.  "Oh, sorry !!  I thought you were a turkey."    I don't need shot on any given day.

 

[mountainhunter1]

I agree with the mindset of everyone here. But in recent years, I am over and over being the first person there and having folks come in later and walk all over me repeatedly no matter how much I move trying to get away from them that morning. Getting there between 3-4 am and sitting around in the dark on the mtn til fly down time around 7 am and then having folks still crash the scene with regularity that got there two plus hours behind me kind of leaves me scratching my head. I have not had a bad run in in a long time. I know most of the places I hunt well enough that most times I can just drop off the back side of the ridge (I hunt mtns) and move if I hear them closing in (you almost always hear them before seeing them) to try and avoid trouble.

The crazy thing, these guys are not killing turkeys as I have not heard a gun shot anywhere close to me at all in over five years. But they are professionals at flushing turkeys and making it harder for others to be successful even though by the grace of God I have continued to tag out yearly. 

[bigwoodstom]

I've never parked beside another truck turkey huntin' but I can't say that the courtesy has been reciprocated.

[NCL]

The public land that I hunt is 43000 acres but only has a couple of access points. To make matters worse it is a multi-use area so vehicles that are parked may or may not be hunting. I have encountered hikers, geo-cashers and horse riders during hunts in the area. With that said I have avoided walking in because of vehicles parked in the parking area. I enjoy the tranquility of hunting by myself and do not enjoy when others are around. The other land I hunt is private and it I encounter someone I would head down to get the owner, actually one of the reasons I can hunt there as a land monitor. 

[Tail Feathers]

I was "that guy" last year.  Got to a spot and a truck was parked there.  I knew the guy, not real well but turkey camp acquaintances.
I told him where I was going, he questioned whether it would interfere with his spot.  I assured him I would be a mile of so in while  he was going about 3-400 yards in.
My path was convoluted and I was wrong on how far in I would go, so we wound up in the same area.  I guessed way deep, he guessed somewhat shallow.
Three gobblers in there, we didn't get one but I don't think we hurt anything or each other.
After, I apologized and found another spot.
I don't like being "that guy", but I was certain I wouldn't be...until I was.

[silvestris]

How much space do we need?  A lot more space that is out there.

[Tail Feathers]

We need more turkeys!
Room, we have.  A 1 turkey per acre population density would help a lot. 

[Bowguy]

This thread is exactly why id prefer driving 5hrs hunt if need be to actually hunt without interference.
The next part bothers me a little. Way back when no one would  tell you anything.
Most guys would prob sit where they saw them deer season and quit after a short spell of unsuccessful hunting.
Today the old school guys have shared good info in order to pass it down.
Idk if we just havent expressed how valuable the info is and to be respectful and courteous to other hunters or if the newer guys just feel entitled. Theres no reason for a calling contest be it ducks, turkey, etc and the safety factor should be considered.
Fellas we need to relay this info to our mentees even on here.
Most the guys posting about this have been at this a long time.
Id be interested to see some 10yr or less experience hunters thoughts. Its not the old school guys screwing you. And I will say in vast areas i see the reasoning for talking to another guy at a gate. Myself id just never be there late as someone else. I can remember exactly one time in over 40 years someone asked what part of a piece i was going to. It was youth day, thats why i was later. Getting little girls up is tough.
I was walking in to a 50acre piece of federal land that was sandwiched between private property.
He asked "what part i was going to?"
What part of 50 acres?
Told him i didnt wanna have a call contest with him. If he was going in id leave but id not do that to him. I had birds roosted there and another spot. If he decided to go id tell him where other birds were. I did he left. My oldest daughter killed a bird. We prob could had a double. Idk how the other guy made out but ill never get why someone asks "which part of the 50 acres?"

[WV Flopper]

I can tell you the guys that roll up late, don't care!

They have 100% intentions of hunting at that spot regardless.

Our private hunting club is hard. Lots of acreage but lots of ways to get to it. First week or two can be rough as far as interference.

I will say my answer to the question "Where you going" has always been the same. Where the turkey gobbles.

[Dtrkyman]

I rarely keep track but when a friend came out to hunt with me, we hunted two states for 5 days, he tracked us and we covered 79 miles on our feet, and a lot more than that in the vehicle, so I need lots of space!

I have covered over 20 miles in a day on foot many times.