Now and Then

[zelmo1]

I was thinking last night about my first turkey hunt and this past years hunts. I have come a long ways since then. Not saying it was a straight or easy path, but is has been long, lol. That first hunt was with no vest, a quaker boy pushpin and an HS Strut triple glass pot, which I still have. No clue about turkey behavior or what to do. When the farmer started up his tractor at zero dark thirty and that magnificent jake gobbled his head off, I was hooked. I called and called and he answered and answered, lol. I wish I had a tape of it. He flew down and I started dancing all over that little hill. I chased, I retreated and I finally got him to break and come up the hill to see the ridiculous creature that was so intent on talking to him. 20 yards away and a load of #4's did him in and I was a " Professional Turkey Hunter" now. I have been through hundreds of calls, dozens of guns and tens of thousands of $$, that gobble still makes me glassy eyed when I hear it.So I think the long hours scouting and preparing is well worth it. What a wonderful journey I am on. Best part is all the people I have met along the way and having my wife and kids with me. Just a thought from an old man looking back wishing I didnt waste my first 35 years not hunting turkeys. Well, we all have regrets. Biding my time, till it is time. God Bless, Z

[sswv]

good story Friend. my first turkey hunt was in the mid '70s and I went home with my feelings hurt several times until I killed my first one and I (like you) have been hooked ever since. it's been a very exciting ride with lot's of great memories. from back then with a 37 Winchester, a Lynch Jet Slate and no camo to now the game has really changed as far as equipment goes but turkeys are still turkeys. 

[callmakerman]

Man, this brings back memories. My first year on my own I found a bunch of gobbling birds while scouting. Opening day came and with all my eggs in the same basket I found myself over waist deep in flood waters in the swamp I scouted from the previous days of rain. Fast forward three quarters into the season and I'm tired and beat up from chasing birds. I heard a bird at first light. we played for a while then nothing. Being tired I closed my eyes for a bit when a crow flew over and called out and my bird gobbled. Inside of a half hour of that gobble I had my first gobbler. Beautiful bird that was 18 lbs. 10 1/2" beard and 3/4" spurs. I tossed him over my shoulder and hiked the mile out of the swamp swearing I would never carry a bird that way again being the vest had a game pouch and made it much easier. As has already been said, thousands of dollars, boatload of calls bought and so many miles walked and sleep lost all to chase the best game bird there is. I wouldn't change a thing.

[Greg Massey]

My first one made me want to get the second one and from there it has been one heck of a journey with lots of money spent on gas, calls, shells and guns. But what I have learned and still learning I would trade it for anything. Along this journey I have met some awesome people and call builders. I remember my first turkey a Jake like it was yesterday, killing him with homemade calls, I still have these in a safe place. Good Luck This Spring Everyone.


I carried that Jake around all day showing him off... man he was a trophy ...Little did I know JUST how much this turkey was going to cost me ... A BUNCH... LOL     

[Tom007]

I was thinking last night about my first turkey hunt and this past years hunts. I have come a long ways since then. Not saying it was a straight or easy path, but is has been long, lol. That first hunt was with no vest, a quaker boy pushpin and an HS Strut triple glass pot, which I still have. No clue about turkey behavior or what to do. When the farmer started up his tractor at zero dark thirty and that magnificent jake gobbled his head off, I was hooked. I called and called and he answered and answered, lol. I wish I had a tape of it. He flew down and I started dancing all over that little hill. I chased, I retreated and I finally got him to break and come up the hill to see the ridiculous creature that was so intent on talking to him. 20 yards away and a load of #4's did him in and I was a " Professional Turkey Hunter" now. I have been through hundreds of calls, dozens of guns and tens of thousands of $$, that gobble still makes me glassy eyed when I hear it.So I think the long hours scouting and preparing is well worth it. What a wonderful journey I am on. Best part is all the people I have met along the way and having my wife and kids with me. Just a thought from an old man looking back wishing I didnt waste my first 35 years not hunting turkeys. Well, we all have regrets. Biding my time, till it is time. God Bless, Z

Z, great post. I remember my first bird like it happened yesterday. I can bring you right to the same spot I was lucky enough to harvest him at. I have no regrets about this great passion we all enjoy. Maybe there is just one, I wish I could put all these phenomenal creatures back in the woods for someone else to do battle with. Each and every one I had the pleasure to "Play Chess with" will be etched in my memory for ever. God bless all of us, Be safe and enjoy every minute in the turkey woods!

[Notsoyoungturk]

My first bird came in my second year of hunting.  I had permission to hunt a farm not far from my house.  It had a lot of open fields with interspersed tree lines; it was probably not the easiest property on which to learn.  I had read and watched everything I could get my hands on but in retrospect, I knew nothing about hunting turkeys. I constantly chased a dominant gobbler that controlled that area. He never seemed to be without hens, even midday and into the afternoon.  Though I never came home with a bird, my first year was an incredible learning experience. I made mistakes with scouting, setup, calling, lack of patience, too much patience.  You name the mistake and I probably made it but with every hunt, I learned something practical and new.  In my second year, I scouted better and patterned the old bird. I knew the areas of the farm he was using and when he liked to go there.  The first morning was a bust.  I could get him to answer but he would not leave his hens.  I tried to move to him but he was in a position that I couldn't effectively close the gap.  I snuck out, had some lunch and went very early to an area I knew he liked in the afternoons.  I setup around 1pm in an area that I thought would give me the best chance at him and patiently waited.  I would call about every 20-30 minutes.  Finally at 4:30pm, he responded.  This time he was hot and interested.  I shot him at 15 yards approximately 10 minutes later.  I have seldom been that happy in the outdoors.  I still had a lot to learn but I had finally been rewarded for the effort.  There have been many other hunts since that time that required more skill but it is one that I will never forget.

[Kypossum]

This brings back a lot of memories of years gone by. The first year I hunted was 1998 and I struck out. I killed my first tom in 1999 on the farm I grew up on. I have chased them every year since. Many memories hunting with my dad and son. Dad is gone now but my son loves to hunt them also. I have two grandkids I hope to introduce to the sport when they get old enough.

[Tail Feathers]

My first one made me want to get the second one and from there it has been one heck of a journey with lots of money spent on gas, calls, shells and guns. But what I have learned and still learning I would trade it for anything. Along this journey I have met some awesome people and call builders. I remember my first turkey a Jake like it was yesterday, killing him with homemade calls, I still have these in a safe place. Good Luck This Spring Everyone.


I carried that Jake around all day showing him off... man he was a trophy ...Little did I know JUST how much this turkey was going to cost me ... A BUNCH... LOL     

So very similar to my experience.
My first bird was a Jake.  Had no idea what I was doing, just bought a couple of calls and figured out where the birds were.  Calling way too loud and too much, two Jake's came in quiet and I took the bigger one.  I was hooked, doubly so the next year when I got my first long beard.  THAT was an epic hunt.