Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

2020 Spring Turkey


gimruis

Recommended Posts

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Congrats MN BassFisher! What a great hunt for your first bird!  It's definitely addicting and fun.  Looks like great turkey land there. These birds will force you to learn what will work.   Every one is different and learning to read a bird in the moment will help your success.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Season C was a different hunt than season B.  My 14 yr old son and I each got a turkey in season B.  I went with my other son and his girlfriend for season C to help call and to just get out of the house.  The Tom's were about impossible to call.  They wouldn't hardly gobble back while roosting.  On average, we would see 2-4 Tom's everytime we went out but they would have anywhere from 3-6 hens with them which made it impossible to get them to come close to us.  Yesterday morning we saw a total of 17 turkey's,  4 Toms and the rest were hens.  Still a blast seeing all the birds and after reading that around 22% of turkey tags get filled each year I have to feel happy that we got 2 out of 4 tags.  Maybe we will get another chance come season F.  

Edited by CLPDB
  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You will probably wonder why you waited so long to hunt them.  They are a great, worthy foe.  

Glad you were able to have success you first time, Congratulations.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awesome story. I love it! As a non resident i've applied for the first few seasons of turkey hunting  in wisconsin with no luck. After 10 years of nothing but surplus tags the last 2 seasons i gave up. So basically i'm jealous!

I LOVE the pictures. It's so fun when it comes together. The fact that you got to watch him walk across the whole field to you is so awesome. it's what makes them so fun to hunt. The interactive portion of calling and responding. Their strutting and body language. So cool. Congrats!

Edited by Barbelboy
  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 hours ago, Borch said:

Congrats MN BassFisher! What a great hunt for your first bird!  It's definitely addicting and fun.  Looks like great turkey land there. These birds will force you to learn what will work.   Every one is different and learning to read a bird in the moment will help your success.

Thanks! We have so much left to learn in regards to reading birds as this was the only interaction we had but that makes me excited for more encounters - a lot of unsuccessful ones I'm sure! We got lucky this Tom was alone and came down in a good spot to see our decoys and the rest was history.

 

18 hours ago, Barbelboy said:

Awesome story. I love it! As a non resident i've applied for the first few seasons of turkey hunting  in wisconsin with no luck. After 10 years of nothing but surplus tags the last 2 seasons i gave up. So basically i'm jealous!

I LOVE the pictures. It's so fun when it comes together. The fact that you got to watch him walk across the whole field to you is so awesome. it's what makes them so fun to hunt. The interactive portion of calling and responding. Their strutting and body language. So cool. Congrats!

Is that right? I was unsure on if we'd get tags or not being that we were non-residents but that was my first time submitting. Maybe it helped that I was a "first time buyer"? What Zone were you submitting applications for? We were in Zone 4. Him walking across the field for 220 yards was awesome and nerve wracking at the same time!  It felt like it took 15 minutes but realistically it was probably 5-6.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

21 hours ago, CLPDB said:

Still a blast seeing all the birds and after reading that around 22% of turkey tags get filled each year I have to feel happy that we got 2 out of 4 tags. 

 

This is absolutely true.  Everyone thinks that they're going to fill a tag every spring and that is just not the reality of it.  22% is less than 1 out of 4.  If you're harvesting one every other year or even every third or fourth year, you're still ahead of the average.  Your group went 2 for 4 so 50% is still better than twice the average.  Just seeing turkeys when you're hunting them should be considered a good hunt.

Edited by gimruis
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was applying in Zone 4. Hmm. Maybe first time buyer was the ticket. Either way you got one! I tend to have bad luck with tags. Like last fall my niece drew an antelope rifle tag on her first application in Montana, me with 2 bonus points. Nope, had to get a surplus archery tag. 

Yeah, watching a bird work across a field is nerve wracking. You should have one silently work up right next to your blind and gobble. Makes a feller jump just a little. Or like Anyfish have the silly thing brush your blind. it's addicting. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 It took until my 3rd year to harvest a bird.  I would take off of work and hunt the entire 5 days only taking a mid day break or a break to attend a kids program.  

I had a lot of failure, alot of mistakes made(still make a lot), and a lot of being real tired of waking up 4 am.

Then, things I saw in the field and learned on here from Borch and DonBo, started to really go together.  I then went on 7 year stretch of success.  That ended last year, and this year has been a challenge.  

The funny thing is, I do truly enjoy the tough seasons, the struggle to succeed, and the chess match with a darn bird!  The quick success now can be a little bitter sweet.  At least I have a boy that wants to hunt them as well, so If we have success quick like this year for him, I can still struggle for the next month, best if both worlds.

MnBassfisher, I hope you enjoy your struggles as much as I have over the years.  It really strengthens the addiction of turkey hunting.

Edited by ANYFISH2
  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, ANYFISH2 said:

MnBassfisher, I hope you enjoy your struggles as much as I have over the years.  It really strengthens the addiction of turkey hunting.

 

I can totally see that and am expecting a similar thing to happen on my future hunts! From each struggle will come one or multiple learning experiences.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I heard a lot of birds but didn't see much. The weather made it tough hunting. So did our visitor to the turkey blind.

 

 

20200510_091208.jpg

  • Thumbs Up 2
  • Wow, ❤ 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Probably should be hunting and not working today.  Saw no less than 40 birds on my way to work this morning.  They were everywhere!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

We've done really well in what we now refer to as the "Pity Season".  That last season that you can hunt if you don't fill your tag has been really good for several of us and most birds have been killed in the afternoon/evening.  Just remember the bug repellant as the skeeters can be really bad.

  • l Love It 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

oh i know. i've got a spot or two i've been saving for this season. Been concentrating on building brownie points with the wife for the last push of turkey season and the beginning of fishing. And what i love about afternoon turkey hunting is at this time of year sunrise is so early that a feller can sleep in and still have a good chance at a bird!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hope ya'll can tolerate the heat when hunting turkeys next week.  They're talking close to 90 degrees a couple days.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
14 hours ago, gimruis said:

Hope ya'll can tolerate the heat when hunting turkeys next week.  They're talking close to 90 degrees a couple days.

I killed one when it was 96 degrees a few years ago.  Bring water and look for shade to sit in.  Turkeys don't mind it all that much.  Although, the walk back to the truck carrying that thing wasn't a lot of fun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 5/12/2020 at 7:52 AM, ANYFISH2 said:

Probably should be hunting and not working today.  Saw no less than 40 birds on my way to work this morning.  They were everywhere!


I was fishing Tuesday but after the weekend and Monday’s weather, waking up on Tuesday screamed turkey time!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 hours ago, Barbelboy said:

And what i love about afternoon turkey hunting is at this time of year sunrise is so early that a feller can sleep in and still have a good chance at a bird!


Starting around 9 am can be pretty effective too.  At least for us in bluff country if we didn’t get the bird close to fly down he’d swing by for a visit between 9-10 if we had a good chat earlier - and stayed put.  My assumption was they stuck with the hens they knew they had and the hens would go up or down the bluff away from us (competition) and do their morning thing.  Once that was over and the hens drifted off to their nesting areas the Toms went looking for that anxious gal they were talking to earlier.

 

It played out pretty consistently that way for several birds.  Actually predictably well.

 

So my tip to someone who wants to sleep in is get into the roosting area by 9 and see if he’ll swing back through.  Or at least troll with some yelping to see if you can get a late gobble to set up on.

 

Edited by Wanderer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, Borch said:

I killed one when it was 96 degrees a few years ago.  Bring water and look for shade to sit in.  Turkeys don't mind it all that much.  Although, the walk back to the truck carrying that thing wasn't a lot of fun.

 

Ummmm, ya I don't do a whole lotta anything when its 96 out to be honest.  Maybe sit in my AC basement until the heat wave subsides.  I don't need to hunt turkeys THAT bad.

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Yayyyy 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Similar Content

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Kettle
      Walked today and yesterday, flushed 9, shot at two and got two. Hopefully next year I'll have a dog to hunt with. Still warm up here, skim of ice on ponds. Weather has been nice. Hopefully walk a bit more the next few weeks. Been pretty cautious walking for birds to not interfere with deer hunters. There sure are not the deer hunters there used to be 
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.