I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

[catman529]

But I might be getting a grudge against this one bird.

I watched him strut with hens early Saturday morning, then caught him alone later, called him in and missed him at 20 yards.

I struck him today in the same spot. He hangs out around the line between 3 properties. 1 I have permission to hunt, the other is public property, the third I can't hunt.

Well he fired up the same way he did on Saturday. Wanted to hang up till I got aggressive, then he came drumming in and showed his face at 15 yards. He didn't give me enough time to aim and shoot before he went back behind a bush and strutter around and then eased off.

For the next couple hours it was like he got stuck to the ground in the same spot. I repositioned on him, I played aggressive, I played hard to get, he gobbled a whole lot within 60 yards but wouldn't come up the hill to me.

Finally he eased off and I thought I heard him off on the land I can not hunt. So then I proceeded to bump him out of the middle of a field on public while walking back to the truck. Dang it! Might have to go after him again.


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[REN]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

hahah i know the feeling, those freaking field birds gave me fits all season but eventually they will mess up and you will get him! I actually love when I get a single one that is driving me nuts, it actually makes it a personal mission to focus on.

 

[catman529]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

hahah i know the feeling, those freaking field birds gave me fits all season but eventually they will mess up and you will get him! I actually love when I get a single one that is driving me nuts, it actually makes it a personal mission to focus on.

he's actually not much of a field bird, he hangs out in one spot in the woods during the day but will use the fields too. I've called him in twice and he gobbles like crazy but likes to hang up in his comfy spot in the woods


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[PalsPal]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

Season wreckers will drive you crazy. You may find other birds to play with but the SW will always be in your mind.

I'd advise, for sanity sake, to not devote 100% of your time on him, but hunting him in moderation won't hurt. Good luck. You're gonna need it !

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[Boll Weevil]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

Beware the season wrecker. :bash:

 

[scn]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

Cat,
Those are the birds you remember. I had one a couple of years ago where it took me five trips walking down into a hole to finally kill him. He was the biggest turkey I have ever killed (weight-wise), and an old bird as well. But, I will remember him more for beating me four times in a row.
Good luck with this one!

Steve

 

[Mike Belt]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

Sounds like a fun bird to hunt. I might consider taking someone with me next trip. It sounds like he comes in but hangs up just beyond shooting range. If you had someone else calling while you set up 20 yards or so in front of them then you might be close enough for the shot while he did his thing.

 

[Spurhunter]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

Season wreckers will drive you crazy.

Indeed they will. I had one a few years back that consumed my whole season. I never killed him. The place sold and we lost our lease. I still wonder if he died of old age.

 

[Gravey]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

Unless there's something dinstinctive about them I have a hard time telling the difference between birds. Had 3 longbeards behind my house Sunday morning as I left for church and I'll be fanged if I could tell a difference in them. Good luck!

 

[muddyboots]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

I wish I had one to drive me nuts. Now you have a goal. Hunt him.

 

[poorhunter]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

At this point, I'd love to have a season wrecker to deal with! Haven't worked a bird since last Monday, and have only heard one bird gobble after fly down since April 9.

I'd stick with him Cat, and make him pay for daring you to kill him!

 

[catman529]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

Sounds like a fun bird to hunt. I might consider taking someone with me next trip. It sounds like he comes in but hangs up just beyond shooting range. If you had someone else calling while you set up 20 yards or so in front of them then you might be close enough for the shot while he did his thing.

He doesn't come in and hang up, he comes in and just shows his head... he should have died the first time, but I missed. The second time he was real close and turned around when he saw my camera, but he never spooked.

When he's hung up it's because I set up within maybe 60 yards of him over the rise and he just stands there and gobbles his fool head off.

 

[catman529]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

Unless there's something dinstinctive about them I have a hard time telling the difference between birds. Had 3 longbeards behind my house Sunday morning as I left for church and I'll be fanged if I could tell a difference in them. Good luck!

I recognize this bird by his behavior, not looks... he just looks like any other longbeard to me. But hangs out in a certain area, gobbles like crazy when I cut at him, and hangs up on the same logging road. It's only been two times I've chased him, he could move or be killed by another hunter, but I hope he will be there for me next time

 

[megalomaniac]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

I actually enjoy hunting one bird. I will eat my last tag because the bird I hunted all season is more stupid than me. But it was fun comparing intellects while it lasted!

We as hunters give turkeys too much credit. They deserve to be respected, but it never ceases to amaze me how different they can be behavior-wise from one another. But they are still turkeys. I am higher on the food chain

 

[Roost 1]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

I wouldn't call this bird a season wrecker, Cat should have killed him twice. Better setup and he's dead.

 

[PalsPal]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

I wouldn't call this bird a season wrecker, Cat should have killed him twice. Better setup and he's dead.

But he's not. Sounds like he's wrecking his season to me :rotf: !

 

[catman529]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

I wouldn't call this bird a season wrecker, Cat should have killed him twice. Better setup and he's dead.

But he's not. Sounds like he's wrecking his season to me :rotf: !

he could be if I wanted, but I like other turkeys too, I'll leave this one if he doesn't want to play anymore [emoji1]


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[PalsPal]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

he could be if I wanted, but I like other turkeys too, I'll leave this one if he doesn't want to play anymore

That's what we all say. You'll go back. You won't be able to stand it.

 

[catman529]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

He dead

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[ImThere]

Re: I don't usually hunt one specific turkey

Congrats! Sweet looking gun to boot!


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