Patience?

[Old Gobbler]

I found that hunting in a place with a whole butt load of turkeys is #1

[El Pavo Grande]

I found that hunting in a place with a whole butt load of turkeys is #1

Yep.  I would agree this is a great #1.

I think patience is important, but also think being aggressive and pushing the limit can be just as effective.  If it makes sense I think you can be aggressive and patient often at the same time.  I'd argue that having the instinct to make quick decisions on the fly is as important as any.

[Tail Feathers]

Patience is a virtue.


In turkey hunting too.

[redleg06]

Patience is all relative to the situation....

When I've found one then I'll hang with him until I see my chance to do what I need to do to kill him. That might mean hanging with one while I wait for his hens to go to nest etc...  then trying to engage him when he's ready.   

If you mean "patience" as in sitting around blind calling or waiting on a bird to come to me for hours on end, that's not my game.

A lot of guys will "patience" their way out of killing one.

[Spring_Woods]

A good friend once told me- "I know I bust (spook) more birds than I kill, but I still kill birds hunting more aggressively."

[GobbleNut]

I think the key is reaching the point where you can tell when patience will pay off and when you have to make something happen.  I started having more and more success on those quick hunts and eventually came to realize that spooking turkeys will happen and it ain't the end of the world if it happens.  I even joke now and say that when I get done with a turkey, he is either gonna be scared or dead.

Well stated. 
Patience can be a virtue,...or a vice, depending on the situation.  The situation often changes from bird to bird, day to day, ...or sometimes even hour to hour.  The key is having enough knowledge of the birds you are hunting and the area you are hunting in to know when to apply patience and when not to.  ...But when in doubt, it is generally better to be patient than not. 

[Tail Feathers]

Yep, it's a virtue.  One I don't have tho...

Well said Hooksfan.

[BrowningGuy88]

I believe in patience when you know you are where he wants to be - say you know where his strut zone is and you get there before him - wait him out. However, when conditions are right - and it is something I can't explain but I can feel - getting after a bird and pushing my luck pays off.

At best I will get to hunt 13 days this year so I will push pretty aggressive.

[flintlock]

Patience has its place for sure but sometimes I leave it in the truck.   

I became a little more patient when I limited my range to 30 yards and went to bow or black powder.  I have had gobblers in range for 30 minutes before and just had to wait for that extra 15 yards.   But I don't mind waiting when they are close and you can watch them.   Good times fo sho!

Wess

[Neill_Prater]

Ronnie, I think patience ranks close to, if not, number one. I also think it has a lot to do with one's individual personality. If you tend to be impatient, you will probably carry that over into your hunting, and can still be successful. There is a time for patience, and there are times you need to make something happen.

[barry]

Let me put it this way...
I'm in a wheelchair and I've killed more birds and killed them more frequently over the last 17 years from my chair than I did Runnin' & Gunnin' in the 17 years prior to my accident.
Being in a chair I don't have the choice of relocating so I get in a place where I'm sure turkeys are and make sure they know where I'm at. Sooner or later one will come lookin' and guess who's waitin' on him