A tradition like no other?

[Brillo]

I am late to turkey hunting.  Never was interested enough to make time for it though I had precious little time before I retired.  Even then, I started because I thought it was a way to maximize my effort while spring scouting new deer areas.  Good thing I was clueless about turkeys because I might have spent my life alone and in poverty due to my turkey problem. I still might!   One of the things I am surprised to discover about turkey hunting is the rich tradition and history.   I love that aspect.  It is not a rich man's sport but it traditionally seems to have been gentleman's sport.  I see a lot of that embedded in this forum.  I wonder if you appreciate that and what aspects of turkey hunting you observe that reinforce the tradition for you.

[GobbleNut]

Besides turkey hunting, I am also an avid big game hunter. Over the decades I have had many acquaintances that hunt a variety of big game species, but don't turkey hunt, ask me why I am so passionate about spring gobbler hunting?   I just tell them that if they ever hunted spring gobblers (and did it the right way), that they would know for themselves.  If they are long-time hunters, I also tell them not to start spring gobbler hunting in that, If they do, they will be kicking themselves the rest of their lives for not starting years or decades ago.   

Oh,...and welcome to the addiction!   

[Happy]

As a kid I was always fascinated with turkeys and turkey hunting. I was raised around deer hunting and very few were dedicated turkey hunters. As I got older I met a few and immediately noticed that they were a different breed. Not only were they stand up people but they were also some of the best hunters and woodsmen I had ever run into. I hope there always continues to be fellows like that.

[HookedonHooks]

Welcome to the dark side. You're gonna be on stand in the fall more excited to see a flock of fall gobblers quarreling with each other in anticipation of spring than you would a big buck stepping out onto your trail at 25 yards broadside.

Classic Archibald Rutledge quote, "There are hunters, and then there are turkey hunters."

Turkey hunters are a different breed. We let this precarious bird dictate the way we live our lives, and in ways it's quite silly. I know which side of it I'm on and I don't see any help for me in the near future. Western big game hunting might exceed the thrill of turkeys, but if turkey hunting wasn't expensive enough, western big game hunts tag's alone will really lighten your wallet, let alone leave you with money for good glass, proper gear for the rough terrain, and the gas to haul around them mountains.

[guesswho]

I went on my first turkey hunt in 1965 as a kid in Florida.   My traditions run deep.   Some understand it, some don't.   Some may seem silly, but to me they are part of who I am and where I came from.   Example, anytime I kill a gobbler with a different gun I take a breast feather from that bird and put under the butt plate of that gun wether it's my gun or a friends.   I have an old Winchester 37 20 gauge that has a Brest feather that is 54 years old.   I also have a lot of hunting strategies that are traditional.   Some call it being a crazy ole coot, some call it being an elitist, I can live with either title.   I don't expect people to follow my traditions, just your own.   The main take away is be yourself and respect the wild turkey.     

[Tail Feathers]

Well thanks to our own firedup, I don't think I can hunt turkeys without a miniature PayDay candy bar or two in my vest.  I know of some who mark the kill site in various ways, shell brass nailed into the tree, tiny shrines, etc.  I don't do anything real cool, I do take time to give thanks to the Almighty for each bird he lets me take.

[g8rvet]

My dad and all his friends deer and dove hunted.  I remember a guy that used to come in my dad's gunshop and when he would leave the guys would "He is a turkey hunter" in slightly a better tone than if it had been "He is a wife beater", more like if they had said "He is a few eggs short of a dozen". 

So I grew up deer hunting, but somewhere along the way it became boring.  I duck and turkey hunt now.  I love a good dove shoot, but I don't sit in a field for 4 hours to kill 3 birds - only if they are flying I am in. 

Along the way I have made friends with some hardcore turkey hunters and have enjoyed the tales of old hunts and odd techniques. 

[MISSISSIPPI Double beard]

I went on my first turkey hunt in 1965 as a kid in Florida.   My traditions run deep.   Some understand it, some don't.   Some may seem silly, but to me they are part of who I am and where I came from.   Example, anytime I kill a gobbler with a different gun I take a breast feather from that bird and put under the butt plate of that gun wether it's my gun or a friends.   I have an old Winchester 37 20 gauge that has a Brest feather that is 54 years old.   I also have a lot of hunting strategies that are traditional.   Some call it being a crazy ole coot, some call it being an elitist, I can live with either title.   I don't expect people to follow my traditions, just your own.   The main take away is be yourself and respect the wild turkey.   

The main take away for me, be yourself and respect the wild turkey, damn right!

[mikejd]

To regular folks its just a bird.

Turkey hunting is just different in so many ways. The trophy is not really the quarry at all. I mean how many
8" beards can you have. The trophy is actually the story that every bird brings and none of them are the same.
This is why most turkey hunters don't care to shoot birds at 6o yrds because leaving him go until tomorrow brings another story/memory.

[Zobo]

To regular folks its just a bird.

Turkey hunting is just different in so many ways. The trophy is not really the quarry at all. I mean how many
8" beards can you have. The trophy is actually the story that every bird brings and none of them are the same.
This is why most turkey hunters don't care to shoot birds at 6o yrds because leaving him go until tomorrow brings another story/memory.

I love what mikejd wrote. I would add that turkey hunting requires an interaction with the quarry that is unique, engaging and constantly rewarding. Turkey calling and call making/collecting is a huge part of the appeal for most of us. Its a unique American tradition that is steeped in craftsmanship and art. Calling a fired up gobbler to the gun never gets old regardless of trophy value. The real trophy is the memory of the hunt.