Gangs of jakes.....

[BowBendr]

What are you guys thoughts on this ?
I went to a new spot today that I scouted on Sunday. I saw lots of birds, but didn't hear much gobbling action.
Went back to hunt this morning to hunt and did finally manage to get a bird going but he seemed timid.

He hit the ground and started working toward my dekes very slowly. 10 minutes later a big gang of jakes came onto the scene and started toward the tom. He didn't stay around long and went back from the way he came. I guess they've whipped him before ?

I let the jakes walk off and pulled a big loop around the tom to set up on him again. I get set up in a spot I think he'll come to and make some calls, he answers and starts my way. 5 minutes later, here comes the jake gang again.

What would you do ? I don't like cutting into next years gobblin' stock, but I think it's time to smoke some jakes ?

[new2turkey]

Man that's a toughy, Scott.


How much longer do you have in the woods?

[DMP]

Since your season just started id wait it out for another week but if it continues then id bust one.  Have all your birds broken up yet?

[Duke0002]

Tough question!

Sounds like you're doing the right thing.  I'd keep doing what you're doing.  Maybe the tom will learn to come in silent.   If not, you might have to burn a tag on a jake.  Jake tastes good!

[BowBendr]

Man that's a toughy, Scott.


How much longer do you have in the woods?

We've got about 3 weeks left to go in NC and they're still not completely busted up. Where I hunt it is way up in the mountains and green-up is just starting. You can still see 3-400 yds down thru the woods.

Bad part is that we only get 2 tags. I'm off for the next 14 days. Going to Ohio for a few days next week and i'm going to spend the rest of the time in NC. If I do good in Ohio, I might just bust a few jakes out of that pack of rogues.

Like Basser69 said in another thread.....gobble and strut like the man....die like the man. If you're gonna' run up to the end of the gun barrel a gobblin' you might get popped.

[new2turkey]

Man that's a toughy, Scott.


How much longer do you have in the woods?

We've got about 3 weeks left to go in NC and they're still not completely busted up. Where I hunt it is way up in the mountains and green-up is just starting. You can still see 3-400 yds down thru the woods.

Bad part is that we only get 2 tags. I'm off for the next 14 days. Going to Ohio for a few days next week and i'm going to spend the rest of the time in NC. If I do good in Ohio, I might just bust a few jakes out of that pack of rogues.

Like Basser69 said in another thread.....gobble and strut like the man....die like the man. If you're gonna' run up to the end of the gun barrel a gobblin' you might get popped.

good luck, man.


At the end of the day, seein a ton of jakes chasin around a big gobbler is frustrating but I'd take it over not seein any birds 

[pappy]

yep, give those young uns a chnace to grow up....hang in there for the Old Boy...plenty of time, patience is a virtue worthy of the reward...pappy