Chasing 49, where's it going

[callmakerman]

I don't understand why we find the need to make it more than what it is and that's hunting turkeys.  I wait all winter long for the snow to go and I can get back into the woods to scout and then hunt my favorite game bird. More day's hunting is always a plus and I get to enjoy that now that I'm retired. I find no need to pressure myself into thinking that I need to hopscotch around the country to hunt as many states as I can in a season. To each their own but I enjoy keeping it simple and respectful of the bird I love so much. It's not about the numbers but the thrill of the hunt and enjoyment of the time in the spring woods.

[Tom007]

I don't understand why we find the need to make it more than what it is and that's hunting turkeys.  I wait all winter long for the snow to go and I can get back into the woods to scout and then hunt my favorite game bird. More day's hunting is always a plus and I get to enjoy that now that I'm retired. I find no need to pressure myself into thinking that I need to hopscotch around the country to hunt as many states as I can in a season. To each their own but I enjoy keeping it simple and respectful of the bird I love so much. It's not about the numbers but the thrill of the hunt and enjoyment of the time in the spring woods.

Amen brother, well said!

[arkrem870]

This topic will be relevant as long as we are losing our hunting opportunities. Missouri sent a email this morning asking about non resident pressure etc. appears they will be the next domino to fall.

[deerhunt1988]

Started it before 99% of hunters even knew it was even a thing. Finished it last year and couldn't be more relieved. I had just been pecking away at a couple new states a year, but saw the writing on the wall in 2020 and knew I better speed up if I wanted to finish. It is ridiculous what its turned into and not good for the sport at all. I have several buds that are finished or about to finish and we all share the same mindset. We don't talk about 49 except with each other. Its easy to spot the newly influenced 49ers on the road because they will tell you within a couple of minutes of talking they are a Super Slammer. It went from residents in other states asking "YOU TRAVELED ALL THE WAY OUT HERE FOR A TURKEY?!?!?" To "Oh, you must be another one of those trying to kill in all the states.".

It really is a bit embarrassing at this point. When the cops in Hawaii or lady farmer in Connecticut know about the Super Slam, things have gone a bit too far.

It wouldn't be so bad if everyone would behave, but that is not the case. I've witnessed and know of plenty of others who've witnessed ridiculous, desperate actions in order to "check" that state off. Roost shooting (where illegal), driving back and forth "herding turkeys" to keep someone else from maybe killing them, throwing ethics and etiquette out the window, you name it.

I said a few years ago that Nevada would eventually outprice Osceolas as the most expensive turkey in the nation. What I never dreamed is how quickly that would happen. Theres an outfitter now selling hunts for $4500 and is sold out for at least two years.

Which brings me to another point, buying your slam rather than earning it. Me and my buds are the type who want to EARN IT. Not spending thousands on hunts flying from state to state in a private jet (yes, that is really happening). There is one "guide" in the northeast charging a few hundred bucks for OnX pins and hunters are hopping all over it to avoid doing the legwork themselves. We were in Rhode Island last year and met a dude who paid for one of those pins and ended up poaching a bird off posted private land. Like what the heck dude?!?! You saw the posted sign and still went because the "guide" said it was OK to?!

And then, the imminent non-resident restrictions. This is more of a function of states reducing opportunity, but the Slam Craze does not help at all.

By the way, one of the original founders of the "Chasing 49" brand has actually left the brand due to the damage and ridiculousness of it all now.

Yes, I believe folks will quit it. But another poster above was correct in saying that we are recruiting so many young turkey hunters that there will be someone in line to take their place.

Personally, I'm not quite done yet. I'm over halfway through my 2nd slam and only need a couple states to have my entire 49 on public. One of those states may take another decade to draw a public tag, and thats cool with me. I'm pumped to go back to some of my favorite states this year with no pressure on myself at all. Just me, the turkey, and bunch of new non-resident restrictions which will hopefully improve the hunting quality!

[MStrky]

I wish those who are chasing 49 would just keep it to themselves for the most part. Post a pic or 2 with no location and be done with it. Was in S. Florida this year and ran into quite a few people and was asked more than once, very early in the conversation, if me and my buddy were chasing 49.

[Gooserbat]

I've by working on it for a few years.  I don't try to "tag out"  but rather most of the time just take one bird per state.  I've come to enjoy the experience of the local people culture, the different terrain, wildlife and the local food and so on.

[Ihuntoldschool]

I agree. Easterns are tough anywhere particularly in their native areas where they've been hunted longer.

Osceola,  same thing. 

When you get down to Rios it drops off considerably.

Merriams are another step down.

I agree about stroking their ego. All about the kill and numbers to them

[Jbird22]

This is what I think of when I think of people who are "Chasing 49"... It probably wasn't bad for the ones who got started early.

[Ranger]

Time to bring back the Confederate Slam

[kytrkyhntr]

Don't care anything about traveling, or those who do. Would not bat an eye if all non residents were band from hunting 1rst week of every state season. Hope it comes to that. They are a clown show, and get no respect from me.

Idk how they're going to sleep at night in the back of their tacomas without the respect of the old swamper


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HookedonHooks]

We're in the stage of this thing now for those that don't indulge think those that do indulge are all just gluttons for glory. Social media has tarnished something that should be admired  but at the same time must be understood that while it's attainable, it's not for everyone.

Those doing it for the wrong reasons will be weeded out or drop out. It's less about killing turkeys than it is about the people and the places. Anyone that's in the process or thinking about taking up the process, re-read the previous sentence and think long and hard about why you want to accomplish the goal.

[Marc]

Chasing the 49 has zero appeal to me...

I enjoy traveling to hunt and fish, but not everywhere... 

But, for someone who enjoys the traveling aspect, this might be very appealing...  Especially with a spouse that likes to travel, but not hunt.

[BBR12]

We're in the stage of this thing now for those that don't indulge think those that do indulge are all just gluttons for glory. Social media has tarnished something that should be admired  but at the same time must be understood that while it's attainable, it's not for everyone.

Those doing it for the wrong reasons will be weeded out or drop out. It's less about killing turkeys than it is about the people and the places. Anyone that's in the process or thinking about taking up the process, re-read the previous sentence and think long and hard about why you want to accomplish the goal.

I want to see what is over the next hill. Whether that is turkey hunting or on a hike on vacation. That is my main driver. I love seeing new country and meeting new people. My favorite memory in 40+ states of hunting was sitting in an old guys yard 1500 miles from home and him telling me about all his hunting memories. I went several hours out of my way a few years later just to go see him again.
 I post very little to social. The only reason I do any posting is because of the folks that can't go and do like I still can. Many have thanked me many times for sharing the memories.

[Tom007]

We all share the woods with hunters that share our passion for the Wild Turkey. Most of us on this great forum are in this for the thrill of the chase, and to wake-up in the the spring woods to a gobbling turkey. I personally have no animosity for others that share this passion for different reasons, ie; numbers, social media fame, self recognition. Is this platform affecting our sport, of course. I have had very, very few encounters with competing hunters in the turkey woods, so my experiences I am sure differ from those who hunt large tracts of public. The moral of our story is we all have to get along for one common goal IMO, the preservation of this great resource we all have come to love....Be safe, I wish you all the best of luck!

[Happy]

Well said,Tom. I agree with you on many points. And I am sure some are doing it for the experiences and seeing new places.. However, social media has ruined many aspects of life, and we, as a society, have helped feed it. I am pretty simple. I just want to hunt turkeys, no counting, no Instagram, no Facebook, no YouTube.  A few friends here and there make it a perfect spring. When I am dead, no one is gonna care about how many I killed anyways.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk