First Turkey Stories

[BODCAW JACK]

I just got into turkey hunting over the last few years and have yet to take one but I'm really looking forward to it this year.  I went on a guided hunt (what a joke) in Mena last year with no luck.  Got close to one but a coyote decided to interrupt so, game over.  I did however hit 2 with my 1991 Toyota Tacoma in high school.  One had a 10 1/2 in. beard, the other 11".  I'll prolly never kill another one that big, but I gotta try.  Anyway, just wanted to hear some cool stories to see how this kinda thing generally plays out. 

[Kevin]

I can say that it's really all about patience. When I first started there is no telling how many birds I screwed myself out of because I was inpatient. Either scaring them off the roost, over-calling, trying to sneak too close while calling, not waiting long enough after calling and not hearing anything, etc.

I've lost a good bird in every one of those situations. The biggest turkey I ever came across never made a sound his whole way in. I called for about an hour, said hell with it, started to get up and to my surprise he was no more than 30 yards away on the other side of some brush.

Moral of the story, patience, patience, patience.

[jncviper]

Ive been at it for 5 years now without a kill.  I get closer every year though.  I am constantly learning something every time I go into the woods.  I love it and I really dont think I will ever stop.  Even if I go my whole life without getting one.

It is an intense balance of patients and aggressiveness.  I have messed up many times trying to get to close and many times hanging back to much.  Its like trying to make a woman happy but harder, because turkeys dont care about diamonds!

[BODCAW JACK]

AAAhhhh, if it were only that easy!!!  On the bright side, at least the turkeys don't complain!  ( I might be headed for trouble with this one)

[Fly Tier]

The first turkey I killed was with my father inlaw in the Ozark Moutains.It does take alot of patience he finally took me showed me how it was done.Because the few years before I was calling to much moving to much he was begining to think I had walker blood in me.