Lots of lessons learned!

[brettgerhart]

For the guys I am calling for, there have been lots of lessons learned this year so far. I have three guys who are first time turkey hunters and they have learned many lessons this year. Went to a new property and had one bird just going nuts about 200 or so yards into the woods. Had a blind set up on the field just like in my newest turkey video. (I HAVE SEEN THOSE GUYS PUT OUT A BLIND IN THE OPEN FIELD AND HAD BIRDS AT 10 YARDS) My bind was sitting near a small dead tree up against a fence row. I called around 620 and by 6:45 I could hear the bird behind us. I had asked my one buddy to get ready but he did not turn so he could shoot out the window to his right. (He is right handed). It jumped onto the fence 20 yards away ( I could not see it cause I was in the opposite corner with no window open) and it seemed to peer into the blind. It hopped off the fence and into the field, putted and walked down the hill away from us. I was whispering SHOOT SHOOT! No one could get a shot. I was so bumbed. Heard nothing the rest of the morning! I hope you guys have some better luck! I have set my one friend up three different occasions and he has not been able to seal the deal. DRIVING ME NUTS!

[hunter]

Everyday I spend in the turkey woods I learn something new Brett and awesome your getting your friends out to try and get them a tom. I have much respect for you and don't worry turkey hunting drives me nuts too. I'm taking Big Fox out tomorrow at my Charles County property and hopefully we will get it done on two nice toms.

[nybuckstalker]

I feel your pain. Last Thursday I was with a friend on the edge of an open field in a blind. I had my full strut decoy out with a hen in a breeding position. I knew it was going to start raining around 9:00 a.m. but would let up by 10. I could hear a bird behind us a few hundred yards gobbling all morning but I knew my set up was good. I continued to call softly every ten minutes. I only used soft purrs, clucks and the occasional yelp.

At 10:15 I about jumped out of my skin when a full strut monster appeared from nowhere on the field edge about 7 yards outside of the blind. He walked up to B-mobile, chest bumped him and circled him. My buddy eased the gun out of the window but was complaining about one little branch. I whispered to him to be patient because I knew we had plenty of time. No sooner did I give the OK to shoot and the gun roared. I saw a poof of feather and a quick flop followed by a flight out of the field. The look on his face was pure terror.

He literally shot the beard off! I collected enough strands to make up 90% of a 10” rope. The bird was 20 yards. We searched the woods for an hour with negative results. To top it off, I was trying to film this hunt. I had turned on the camera and hit record so quickly the camera did not have time accept my command and failed to record. Two failures in one day!

[brettgerhart]

Been bouncing back and fourth to two diff properties all week trying to get a bird before work. Had one close Tuesday but he shut up as the rain and thunder came in. Got wet and saw nothing! Still hunting hard the rest of the week as I have to do grad work next week! Good luck everyone!

[osprey]

Keep after 'em. I've been trying to get a boy on a bird and they're giving us a heck of a time. Last weekend we were in the woods and they went to the field, today we hunted the field edge and they stayed in the woods. Half a dozen birds, gobbling all the time, but won't come in right. Back after 'em tomorrow morning though. Last kid I took all the time had a golden horseshoe, but this boy has had a tough time on both deer and turkey, always close but no cigar.

[brettgerhart]

I hear ya Osprey! Today I called in two birds for the boy I have been taking and for my friend who just started turkey hunting. Got set up on this open ridge and made a call with the trusty slate. Got one gobble about 200 yards. Waited 5 minutes and heard nothing. Purred... nothing. All of a sudden these 2 jakes came walking in. The boy shot before the second one could get to the decoys. He rushed the shot and missed. The bird flew outta there but the second did two circles and started to walk away. I purred with my mouth call to stop him long enough for my buddy to drop him. Later in the same spot I had a bird gobble to the left and we set up again. Once set up I called and he gobbled again but this time a louder, deeper gobble came from the right. I know this is the bird that no one could get a shot at last week. He is the dominant bird and he scares the other ones! Below is the pic of my buddies bird!