16 replies to this topic

[turkeyman85]

Has anyone shot a bird down here in the south? Few guys on my other forum are putting beaks in the ground up north. Just wondering if everyone is having a tough season like I have this year down in the south.

[mackeralboy]

Turkeyman,I did an unscheduled camping trip with the girlfriend a couple of weeks ago in SD county. I was kicking myself in the @$$ because there were wild turkeys walking all though our campsite. There must have been at least 50 birds with at least 10 large toms in the mix. Mc

[turkeyman85]

By any chance would you want to share the campground that you were in? There isnt many you can hunt by but there is some out there that you can.

[bowlfrogg]

Ive got 2 birds this season. both in SD area. I also calles in a 24 pound tom for my pops

[turkeyman85]

Nice bowlfrog! Were they private or public land birds? And please tell the story.

[bowlfrogg]

Public land. my dad, uncle and myself where out hunting pigs in SD area 2 weeks before turkey opened and of course did not see any but we turned the corner and saw two giant toms and a couple hens. we dropped to the ground and watched them and saw where they moved. I GPS'ed the location and we backed out slowly. Opening day we hiked in early and got to our spot and around 5:30 we heard the best sound in the world... GOBBLE< GOBBLE! heart beat peaked... and i started some slow putts and chirps. the big boy called back with some LONG Gobbles and well.. 2 hours later he was a floppin!!! 40 yard shot with my bow! second bird was from my dad 30 mins later with his 12 gauge... as we got back to the truck we saw two guys telling us there are no birds down there.. we threw two birds at their feet and said.. yup your right!

[turkeyman85]

HAHAHA Yes I love that story!! lots of guys road hunt and road scout. I had kinda the same thing last year told to me by some guys. They said the area was to thick and the birds they heard gobble wouldnt come in. So three days later I shot the loud mouth in thick timber! SO you like pig hunting huh?Are you willing to trade areas,I know where there is some pig I've just havent seen them but I find fresh poop and tracks and rooting almost everytime I go out. I really dont care for hunting them but I will,I would just rather hunt turkey tho.But its up to you if you want to trade, I keep telling myself to look for new areas but I havent had the time and my lil honey hole does have birds but there not to vocal 80 to 90 percent of the time. Well pm me if you want.Great story man I love hearing about guys taking big birds on public land.

[stevoe0970]

Bowlfrogg - Was that you parked in front of me opening day in SD that shot one around 7:30-8am. I have a Camo 4runner so I figured you'd remember if you were in the same area.

[bowlfrogg]

Stevoe, no we took our tom later in the day and the guys were in a red Trd

[stevoe0970]

Thanks for the reply. I was just curious because I heard a shot, and then shortly after that the person parked in front of me left for the day. My co-worker who showed up around that time crossed paths with him, and said that the guy got one. As that was the only shot I heard all day in the area, I figured it might be you. Anyhow, nice job on your part for getting two so far this season.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

I too have gone out a couple of times this season. I can't find anything yet. Of course, I'm still learning about Turkey hunting and trying to find turkey spots (even though a really cool guy helped me in the past with some spots ) I haven't been able to bring one down yet. I hope to soon...

[turkeyman85]

I cant even buy a turkey this year ARH,its been really tough.The draw hunts we got I shot and missed at one and the other two hunts i didnt get to go due to money and time. But I did go into the areas we talked about last fall and saw some sign and birds(hen) just no gobblers. I even sat down right in the middle of some fresh scratchings(like hours old) and nothing. Its been really tough this season and I hope this new area pays off.

[grant.ray]

Went scouting this weekend (fri-sun) for the first time in Cleveland NF around Boulder Creek Rd. Saw hens all 3 days. First day stayed near the road and meadows with a few ponds. No gobbler, just a hen, a big doe and young spike, then 2 more doe right at twilight.Next morning I hiked north from camp a couple of ridges at a little over a mile and a half to scout what should have been a good-sized pond, But I saw nothing thanks to finding a dried up dust bowl instead. To top that off, I got within 2ft of a 5ft rattler that damn near bit me, almost scared the poop out of me too. Saw a fresh dropping (within 30 minutes) on the way back, but couldn't get a response from him.Headed back to the meadows for the last morning and heard a gobble around 150-300yds off, but I knew other hunters were in the area and didn't dare gobble back.The frustrating part was that both the dropping and the gobble were on ambiguous edges of a poorly marked stretch of private property, and I knew the rangers were out. While packing up the car, I had another hunter pull up, and he told me he'd just been popped by a ranger for being on that very same stretch of property.I didn't hear a single shot till late Sunday morning. And while I didn't see a single tom, that area is beautiful.

[couesdeer77]

I was able to harvest two longbeard from the Cleveland National Forest. One of my buddies was able to harvest a hefty Jake from the same area. It was a good season and I can't wait until fall.




Later
couesdeer77

[Air Rifle Hunter]

I cant even buy a turkey this year ARH,its been really tough.The draw hunts we got I shot and missed at one and the other two hunts i didnt get to go due to money and time. But I did go into the areas we talked about last fall and saw some sign and birds(hen) just no gobblers. I even sat down right in the middle of some fresh scratchings(like hours old) and nothing. Its been really tough this season and I hope this new area pays off.

If I happen to see any this year when I'm out I'll PM you with the location Turkeyman85 and let you know since you were nice and did what you could to help me out last season. I did appreciate it even though I didn't bring anything home. I hoping to change that this year (2012-2013).

[MonkeyChunks]

AirRifleHunter: Hey man I had no luck this spring season either and i was all over Cleveland. The only time i ran into turkeys was when i was driving and they were walking across the road. I have some places scouted for fall and since its either sex i think i will bag one.

Iam in SoCal and if you need a hunting partner hit me up.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

I know what you mean. I see them when it's not turkey season where I camp and in a few other spots, but when the season rolls around they seem to head onto private property where I can't get to them. I too am hoping this fall to harvest my first turkey. I know my wife is hoping for one. I'm not to far from Vista, maybe 45 minutes to an hour, so I'll definitely contact you if I need an hunting partner. Thanks!