Contest

[Jay]

We are going to make a serious run at this in 2011. We need to score 10/15 hunters, which shouldn't be a problem. Last years team that won averaged around 67 per Turkey, so that was pretty dang impressive. I don't think they can average that this year, but who knows. The more birds we put down, the better chance of scoring some big ones. I'm going to have 5 tags, and should fill at least 3 of those with a good possibility of a high scorer. huntdux is very confident of putting down 4-6 with definitely a high scorer in that group. How's everyone else feeling right now about their chances, and how many tags are you going to have? As you should now, we can only count 1 per hunter, so that means 10 guys have to put down some pretty good scorers.
Change to my schedule is I'm hunting Forida, so I'll have 2 tags there, 2 in Iowa, 2 in Kansas and an outside chance of hunting Nebraska, if time allows in May.

[sugarray]

I feel pretty good.  I am going with some good turkey killers to SD and so far have had great luck in WV.  Hope to fill all 4 tags, but going to get my boy one here in WV before I kill one.  My merriams will hopefully put up big numbers.  We'll see.

[northms]

We can kill 3 gobblers in MS during the season that ends on May 1st.  The best hunting rolls around in April so we'll see what I can do in the early season that's usually pretty tough here.

Before everything starts to green up on our land these birds can see 3 ridges over anything that moves.  Makes it tough.  Having said that I know we've got some older birds so hopefully I can throw some big scores up.

[socalturkeyman]

well As of right now, the four birds I saw are good old toms. BUt they are still a mile or so away from public land. Plus Im sure other hunters have seen them too. So I have to go and ask the land owner to see if I can get to them before they move down that way. But I hope I get some of these drawn hunts in california. If I get a certain one I know I'll put two down in two days for sure. ITs that good,and those boys are really really big!

[Jay]

For me putting down birds early is a priority. I'm on a tight schedule, and I can't be jumping around or back trying to fill tags. I wasted too much time last year doing that, and way too much time scouting new ground. This year unless something changes, I shouldn't have to do any scouting, and I know where I'm hunting.

[TrackeySauresRex]

Hopefully I win the lottery permit in my honey hole zone. If not I have other options. I will have 2 Jersey tags 1 Pa. and 2 in NY. That's 5 tags.  I'm not greedy and I don't have to fill them. All I need is one good contest bird. 

[Jay]

Hopefully I win the lottery permit in my honey hole zone. If not I have other options. I will have 2 Jersey tags 1 Pa. and 2 in NY. That's 5 tags.  I'm not greedy and I don't have to fill them. All I need is one good contest bird. 

More tags the better. 

[cuttinAR]

I've got 4 tags this year.  2 here in AR and 2 in KS.  I will fill my KS tags (knock on wood) and will be delighted to put one down in AR.  The AR birds are like any southern bird and not very heavy.  Some can have some nice hooks though.   

My big score will come from KS.  Those hybrids and corn fed birds just get big up that a way.   

[CSAW]

I hope to whack a Missouri Bird on the first few days so he doesn't lose too much weight chasing the ladies.  I won't be up in Wisconsin till mid-May, so hopefully a 1 1/2 incher, will be waiting!

[huntdux1]

I will have 3 tags for Ne., My first chance will be on March 25th with my bow, if I kill 1 then I will try for another, otherwisewill be chasing them with my shotgun until the end of may.  My 2 CO. birds will both be down on April 9th, both are mountain merriams. I then hope to be in Ks for gun opener with 2 tags in hand, that is where my hunting gets alittle tougher, but am still confident in downing two.

[Muskie03]

I'm super confident, gonna put down another bird that scores in the 70's this year.

[Jay]

I'm super confident, gonna put down another bird that scores in the 70's this year.

Nice sharp spurs that you don't see on a midwest bird very often. That's pretty close to mine last year, but sharp vs rounded spurs.

[BigGobbler]

You must be hunting private land to be that confident to say you have 5 tags and will tag out and get 5 gobblers. Them osceolas are tough,Lots of pressure, most are happy to get 1.

[Jay]

You must be hunting private land to be that confident to say you have 5 tags and will tag out and get 5 gobblers. Them osceolas are tough,Lots of pressure, most are happy to get 1.

On the 2 Osceolas have a local, long time hunter who fills every year, is positive I can put down at least 1, and he will be guiding for me. Kansas have another local buddy, who is scouting his butt off for me, and between that and what I found there last year, 2 should go down. My home state is tougher, but have private to hunt there, and know where they roost as well as what direction they go after flydown. 1 should be a given ,but a strong shot at 2. Nebraska can buy 3, but my weakest land, and the less time I will have. Figuring 0 there, unless I find land to hunt. Still working on that. 4 is very realistic. huntdux runs a guide business, and him putting down 4 is even better odds than me, especially since he has a lot more time to hunt for himself this year. My main issue is a very tight schedule of 3-4 days per hunt, but got the land to get it done, so hopefully I get some cooperation from the birds.

[Jay]

Well, got plane tickets, and Florida license purchased, so I'm all set. Flyen down March 30th, scout 31st with my guides, and hunt April 1-2-3. Hopefully can put down a nice Osceola. Irregardless, it's going to be a lot of fun hangen with some internet friends, and seeing the back areas of Florida. I'm looken forward to my first air boat ride. We don't have those suckers in Iowa, and they look like a blast.