Great Weekend Turkey Hunting

[standman]

Had the priviledge to spend two days helping on three junior turkey hunts. Birds were very vocal on the roosts but nearly silent once they hit the ground. We could get them to shock gobble on the ground but not gobble at the turkey calls, but that didn't mean they wouldn't come in silent. .

 

Here is Sam. He is the son of my brother's business partner with his third tom. My brother and I were able to get this tom into about twenty yards at 11 a.m. opening moring. Sam smoked him for his third bird.

 

 

 

 

 

My uncle and two cousins were not supposed to be up until Friday night so we spent the rest of the day scouting and roosting birds.

 

The next morning Sam and I took my cousin Bryant out, while my uncle and brother took out my other cousin Tyler. Sam and I were able to call two toms in at 8:15 a.m. for Bryant. Bryant made a heck of a shot as the birds hung up at 53 yards and he put him down right there.

 

 

 

 

My uncle and brother were able the call a tom in for Tyler the same morning and he made a great shot on him. I don't have pictures of him as all the pics are on my uncle's camera. What a great weekend!! Three for three the first two days of the season. Everyone had a great time, and all of us can't wait till we get to do it again.

 

Brian

[bonecollector]

Congrats on all the success and way to help out the youth. Thanks for sharing

[CouesWhitetail]

Woo-hoo!! Nice job with the youth hunts! Tough hunting when the birds aren't talking!

 

Amanda

 

[billrquimby]

Great job! Congratulations!

 

If you were in unit 1 or 27, what was the situation with the snow? Is there much of it left in the higher elevations?

 

I'm concerned about my driveway in Greer. It's in a shaded canyon and the road-scrapers make a big pile at my gate during the winter.

 

If it's not gone when I drive up in a couple of weeks, I won't be able to reach my cabin.

 

Bill Quimby

[standman]

Great job! Congratulations!

 

If you were in unit 1 or 27, what was the situation with the snow? Is there much of it left in the higher elevations?

 

I'm concerned about my driveway in Greer. It's in a shaded canyon and the road-scrapers make a big pile at my gate during the winter.

 

If it's not gone when I drive up in a couple of weeks, I won't be able to reach my cabin.

 

Bill Quimby

 

Yeah we were. There is still a lot of snow on the north sides. South sides I would say were 90+% clear except for some shady areas. Any roads that would cut a north side would drift out. Could not get to Big Lake from the Buffalo Crossing Side. Above 8000ft there is still a lot of snow. It is melting fast though. Only thing I know about Greer is at the junction there is no snow. In a couple weeks I would think you would make it.

 

Brian

[elkster9]

Nice work. Great looking birds.

[ehunt]

Great job!

[AZP&Y]

Very,very nice job! 3 for 3 is OUTSTANDING! Can't wait to get up there in a few weeks and Hunt as wells as fish @ Big lake!

 

 

Doug

[billrquimby]

Great job! Congratulations!

 

If you were in unit 1 or 27, what was the situation with the snow? Is there much of it left in the higher elevations?

 

I'm concerned about my driveway in Greer. It's in a shaded canyon and the road-scrapers make a big pile at my gate during the winter.

 

If it's not gone when I drive up in a couple of weeks, I won't be able to reach my cabin.

 

Bill Quimby

 

Yeah we were. There is still a lot of snow on the north sides. South sides I would say were 90+% clear except for some shady areas. Any roads that would cut a north side would drift out. Could not get to Big Lake from the Buffalo Crossing Side. Above 8000ft there is still a lot of snow. It is melting fast though. Only thing I know about Greer is at the junction there is no snow. In a couple weeks I would think you would make it.

 

Brian

 

Thanks, Brian. Congratulations again.

 

Bill Quimby

 

[Coach]

Awesome job, Brian! I love to see those youth hunters tagging birds.

 

Took my oldest out Friday to 3C. Had some gobbling early on and it really sounded like they were going to come in but they never showed up. In the evening we went to the same general area and tried to set up closer to the roost. Heard one gobble as we were hiking in but after setting up - nada. I have to wonder if we got busted setting the deeks and blind 'cause the gobble was really close and we had to hurry to set up. I can just picture the bird watching us scramble around wondering what in the heck we were doing under "his" tree.

 

 

Had baseball obligations Saturday, but got out again today - this time in Unit 1, mostly trying to find where the snow line was and what areas were accessible. First setup was a good location with some tracks and a decent roost tree, but the snow runoff had an absolute river boiling through the area, so calling was limited by the noise. Moved over to the Poncho Spring area and took a little hike, and all 5 of us stuffed into the double bull again. This time I was able to bring in a group of hens with two small jakes but there was some confusion as to which son's turn it was for a shot. After quite a bit of "whispering" debate the birds got real nervous and started moving out fast. Close, but no dice. Hopefully I'll get them out one more day this week and maybe one or both can seal the deal. It's tough this year because all of 3C S. of 260 is still closed to vehicles, which I can't understand - the roads seem very dry - especially on the Eastern portion. On the N. side of 260, there just aren't many birds in places I've always found them before and the ones that are in there are not vocal at all once they leave the roost.

[tjhunt2]

Brian, be sure and tell Sam, Bryant, and Tyler one of the cwt members said congratulations on their birds. That was nice of you to take a break from fishing to assist them on their hunts. Thanks for sharing.

 

TJ

[standman]

Everyone thanks you for the kind comments and the congrats. The boys had a great time but now that it is over so quickly they are wishing the hunt last longer. LOL.

 

Jason, I think the bird hunting is only going to get better in the days to come. I feel they that they are just starting to get with the program and things are going to really start to heat up in the days to come. We saw several big groups of hens with no toms and groups of toms with no hens.

 

Thanks TJ, now I have some fishing rumors to go chase down at Apache Lake next weekend.

 

Brian

[Lance]

Sweet! Nice Bird! Way to keep at it and get it done!

 

Lance

[tjhunt2]

Everyone thanks you for the kind comments and the congrats. The boys had a great time but now that it is over so quickly they are wishing the hunt last longer. LOL.

 

Jason, I think the bird hunting is only going to get better in the days to come. I feel they that they are just starting to get with the program and things are going to really start to heat up in the days to come. We saw several big groups of hens with no toms and groups of toms with no hens.

 

Thanks TJ, now I have some fishing rumors to go chase down at Apache Lake next weekend.

 

Brian

 

Good luck on Apache next weekend. My wife and I spent many of weekends there. Hope you do good and I'll be looking for a fishing report.

I think you're right about the bird hunting going to get better in the days to come. Spent Monday & Tuesday up under the rim and they were talking up a storm. Can't wait for Friday to get here. My main goal is to help get Dad and my wife a turkey. I'll take what's left.

Thanks again for sharing your turkey hunt with us.

 

TJ

 

[Coues Archer]

Nice gobbler...