Little Creek Calls

I applied for a late Dec. whitetail tag first choice and wanted to apply for the end of Nov tag in the same unit as second choice but couldn't because with only 2 points I would make the bonus pass and not have a chance to draw the December tag. It is not a unit with leftovers so I had to decide before applying if I wanted a chance at drawing the December tag. I gambled and picked a different second choice.

If those were your choices you would make the bonus pass on your second choice 23 October hunt and your first choice wouldn’t matter. If you had a non-bonus pass hunt for second choice your first choice 13B would be just over 1%.

I will be attending with my wife and two boys. I am also donating a call or two that will be auctioned or raffled off at the banquet.

I just finished up a couple of wingbone calls for Couestracker and I thought I would share a few pictures with you. If any of you kill a turkey and would like to have a call like this made from his wing bones keep at least one of your turkeys wings and let me know. The three bones you need are the same bones you throw away when you eat chicken wings.They are a fun way to remember your past hunts and also can work as a good locator call.

Here is my take on this. If you have a lot of points hold out for 13B or 13A. The bonus pass on these hunts are currently sitting at 15 points. The late 12s are also great hunts but will still take around 13 points to make the bonus pass, wait an extra 2 years and hunt in the 13s. 3A3C requires less points but is also earlier before the rut and not the same experience in my opinion. 23 and 27 have rut hunts and would take 8 to 10 points to make the pass. I would say save your points for 13s and archery & leftover hunt until you get the best tag. Just so you know, it took 15 points last year to make the max points pass in unit 27 late mule deer....a couple were drawn with 10 as applicants with 11, 12, 13 points drew their 1st choices. There are 5 bonus pass tags for 27 late hunt. Last year 2 tags went to 15 point holders who hadn't been applying for this hunt in prior years. No one with 14, 13, 12, or 11 points even applied for this hunt last year. The three other bonus tags went to those with 10 points last year. This year the bonus pass will be 11 and 10 bonus point holders for this hunt unless some one who doesn't usually put in for this hunt changes there mind like last years two 15 point holders (probably a group app). On last years 15 point holders maybe they had special deer they were watching and after but they could have had a chance at 13A or 13B bonus tag with some bonus tags given to 15 point holders in both units last year. They would have also been guaranteed late hunt permit tag in 12A East or West or 12B.

I like slicing the breast against the grain of the meat and using Louisiana chicken fry batter or if you like it a little spicier Louisiana Cajun fish fry batter and making fried turkey strips. I also usually soak the cut strips in water with a little of batter mixed in for flavor. Takes a little more work to make it this way but has always been a big hit when I have made it. I also like to do jalapeno poppers with turkey strips with a little cream cheese all wrapped with bacon.

If any of you knew Marvin Robbins or attended any of his seminars you might remember that he wore allot of after shave. It was the same smelly brand that my grandfather used Aqua Velva. In one or two of his seminars that I had attended he told us it was a good way to keep predators from coming in to close to your calling setups. He also taught that turkeys have a great sense of smell but just use it to find food and water and are not smart enough to use it in defense. I have not yet tried his practice of using after shave. I have called in multiple coyotes and 1 bear while trying to call in turkeys.

Here is my take on this. If you have a lot of points hold out for 13B or 13A. The bonus pass on these hunts are currently sitting at 15 points. The late 12’s are also great hunts but will still take around 13 points to make the bonus pass, wait an extra 2 years and hunt in the 13’s. 3A3C requires less points but is also earlier before the rut and not the same experience in my opinion. 23 and 27 have rut hunts and would take 8 to 10 points to make the pass. I would say save your points for 13’s and archery & leftover hunt until you get the best tag.

With all the tough conditions we have had on most weekends I am glad things worked out for you. Congratulations to you and your daughter.

Nice looking bird. I am glad things worked out for you and your daughter. Congratulations.

Here is a picture before the joints were tapered and wrapped. On one call the webbing inside the end of the bone was cleaned out and the other was left in. Both sound the same and the webbing doesn't lessen the volume, it is just for looks. The bones were cleaned out by Cole and his beetles at CMC Skulworks so there is no leftover meat or marrow inside the webbing and bones.

You use the call by kissing the end of the of the call with the cork lip stopper while inhaling slightly.

I have tried several other fiber optic sights including truglo and others and this one by Hi-VIS is the best. Its fully adjustable allowing you to sight in your shotgun and center your aiming point. Also they have great customer service, if you break your sights give them a call or send them an email and they will send you replacement parts free of charge. You can get them locally at Sportsman's, Bass Pro or Cabelas for around the same price as the link below from Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000V2HCI/ref=s9_al_bw_g200_i1

I know NOTHING about turkey hunting, but do you really aim for the head? No you aim for the neck just below the head. If you miss high you hit the head, if you miss low you hit where the neck joins the body. Either way you have a dead turkey on impact. If you aim for the body you will ruin your meat and most likely the bird will run and you will not find your dead turkey.

Yea it is going to be fun. Bought my license online last week and will be headed up Tuesday after work for the opener on Wednesday.

I will be doing a few more turkey hunting and turkey calling seminars again this spring. For those who haven’t attended my seminars in the past there will be general turkey hunting tips and strategies. There will also be breakout trainings with hands on call use training with box calls, pot calls (slate, aluminum, copper, glass and crystal), and mouth calls. Each person in attendance will get instruction and training and get to use and practice with several types of calls. All calls will be supplied by me for the training. Calls will be available for purchase after the training. There will also be a question and answer time so if you have any questions or are looking for help in a particular unit there will be several experienced turkey hunters willing to help. These will be free of charge with no registration required, just show up the day of the seminar. Saturday March 21st 2015, 10:00 AM – 11:30AM at the St George, Utah Sportsman’s Warehouse. Thursday April 9th 2015, 6:00PM – 8PM at the Mesa, Arizona Sportsman’s Warehouse. I might also be doing a shorter 1 hour seminar at Cabelas in Glendale mid-March. I will post details as they become available. I really enjoy teaching these seminars and helping others improve there turkey hunting and calling skills. I look forward to meeting some of you there.

In the last 20 years there have been a lot of study's done and what they have shown is that you are getting maximum velocity out of your turkey shot at around 20 inches of barrel. In fact if you are looking for a shotgun that is made and sold specifically for turkey you will find that the Remington Browning Mossburg Winchester and others are all making their turkey editions mostly in 24" and a few in 22" barrels. I shot and carried a heavy 28" barrel for years but changed to a newer 24" turkey edition 7 or 8 years ago. My pattern results actually improved and I enjoy carrying and swinging the lighter gun much better. Also if you are struggling to get a good pattern I would defiantly shoot #5 or #6 shot to get more shot on target. If it is mass you are concerned with at the farther ranges then use one of the heavier tungsten blends.

It was great meeting some of you last night. I hope you all enjoined it a came away with a few ideas or techniques that you will be trying out and implementing in you hunting this spring. I really enjoy teaching and talking about turkey hunting. Thanks for all who attended.

One last reminder for the seminar tonight Thursday April 9th 2015 starting at 6PM at the Mesa Sportsman's Warehouse. I look forward to meeting some of you there.

My Dad and I both have our first Antelope tag in 13A. We got the 2 bonus pass tags for this hunt permit #'s 1 & 2.

Results are available by phone.

A quick reminder for my last Seminar of the season next Thursday April 9th 2015, 6:00PM – 8PM at the Mesa Sportsman’s Warehouse.

If you are under 18 you can. There is also an over the counter archery tag for adults but it starts a month later in mid May.

The state chapter president Steve Sams will be at the game and fish expo and I am sure he will have tickets for sale. I will be there as well at the NWTF booth on Saturday so if you find me I will get you in touch with someone with tickets. The winner is normally drawn at the Sierra Vista NWTF Banquet witch is Saturday August 1st, you do not need to present to win but I think they call the winner when they are drawn from the Banquet.

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