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Turkey Hunters


Rick

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From one of my earlier posts.....

quote:


After not getting drawn for the Spring 2002 hunt, I went after a surplus tag & got one for the "H" season(22-26 May). That's a little later than I had wanted. We are going after the Toms in a 3 man team.
Since 2 of my hunting/fishing buddies got surplus tags also.



Just to make things clear, in case there was some confusion. wink.gif

Now for something that kind of "ticks" me off about some of the regs that MnDNR has.... mad.gif
I , personally, after hunting turkeys in Minn. & Virginia ; Don't think it is wrong to have a "caller & a "hunter". (Unless it violates the laws/regs. of the state you're hunting in. It shouldn't matter..It would make ya wonder??...How did they get some of the videos of turkey hunting. Do ya think the camera-man always has a license too? What about "guided trips", for turkey, or deer, et-al?....Who usually does the calling then? Not always the hunter.the hunter might not be a good caller, but he/she can shoot one if it's in adequate range for his/her abilities.)

I understand what Sarge is saying, & I understand what Borch is saying.

It's a pity that the laws in Minn. don't allow for a turkey hunter to have an "assist" from someone. They have "Youth waterfowl days", "Take a Kid" & a "Take a Mom" fishing days . But, try & do what Borch is trying to do, take a kid "hunting", (after passing the Firearms safety course, I assume.) & trying to be a good parent. His daughter qualifies for, & gets a surplus tag for the Spring turkey hunt, But she's at the age(13) where she has to have a parent or guardian present while hunting by law. Is Borch wrong for going along?? I hope not...& I doubt not.
But, to have him do the calling.... Well, He's not supposed to do it & shouldn't...if it's breaking the law of the state where hunting. But I think he should be able to. He's taking a "youth", turkey hunting. Trying to pass on a tradition, and a "right to hunt" .(as passed by the great State of Mn.)

So, yes, I think Sarge is right about not "assisting" by calling. (Borch..Teach her how to use a call,hopefully before you go out hunting.)
And, Yes, Borch, You should go with her.. I think that's Great! & the right thing to do!

Some of these rules need to be changed... "Nuff said, Eh?

Time for me ta get off this stump. wink.gif


See ya out there!
& Good Luck!
wink.gif

[This message has been edited by MnSportsman (edited 04-11-2002).]

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  • Borch

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Well I sent off an email to the DNR in regards to the calling for a youth who has another season than yourself. Usually I get a response the same day or the next at the latest for questions I have posed to them in the past. As of this morning no response from them yet. Either Jim Abernathy is out of the office or he's taking some time to draft a response. Soon as I hear from him I'll pass on the info. I'll be teaching her to use a box call and a slate before her season. I certainly don't want to break the law. And I know that I just can't follow the laws I agree with. So I'll follow their interpretation of the law. Just to let you know I was just a bit peeved by the situation when I responded(To be honest I'm still not happy about it).

Let me add that the rule as stated in the regulations is very vague as to this. It only state that unliscensed hunters(or those liscensed for a different season) may not assist the taking of a turkey in any way. So taken to the extreme, I wouldn't be able to say, "Let's sit here" "When he gets to here he's in range". Or even set out the dekes. Am I even allowed to scout for her, buy her shells, buy her liscense or drive her to her spot? All these things assist her in taking her turkey. She couldn't take one without these things. As you can see it become pretty ridiculus when to take the situation to the extreme. On top of that the legal requirment that I be there is actually a detriment to her chance for success. As I can't help her in any way and one more person makes it that more likely that a turkey will see movement and spook.

I asked for clarification to the rule and stated that if calling in this situation is not currently legal that I'd be contacting my legislator to address this in upcoming sessions. Because it's really quite ridiculus. It's not like I'm a guide(who aren't required to be liscensed/certified in any way in MN)who profits from the situation. Rather just a dad trying to help his daughter harvest a bird during the toughest season to do so.
And Sarge you're right. Sorry about my earlier post. I've stressed hunting legally with my kids all along. My older daughter who sit's within 15 yards of a park boundry(no hunting) while she deer hunts watch 4 different bucks(one was a big 10 point) which never crossed the boundry into our land. She never shot because she knew it was wrong. I wonder how many hun

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Please post the info you hear back from the DNR. I am very interested to see what they have say. Just because I mentioned the info regarding the assisiting rule, doesn't mean that I support it... I just didn't want to see someone cross a line if they didn't know it was there.
Enough with the rules... the toms I've been watching on my way to work are hot-to-trot! Hens don't seem too willing yet, but the toms have been running (literally) after them every morning. Early season hunters should have a blast! What's everyone else been seeing? I've only been watching, haven't done any listening yet. Are they doing a lot of gobbling too?

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They were gobbling real hard sunday morning down my way, even had one gobble once before dusk, that I heard while finishing up my yard work.

Only 26 more days until I finally get to go.
Have been seeing quite afew big toms the last couple weeks, hope they stick around!!

Greg

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Borch,Huskminn-I also stay in Hill City and hunt about a 20 mi. diameter.Planning a quick trip out April 25-28 then possibly May 8-12 if needed.May not make Wyoming again this year.Well I'm packed and ready to sit under a tree on Wed. Wonder if I'll need sunscreen?

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Creekkid,

Heard back from the DNR and I can't call for her. Still waiting on clarification as to what I can do as I am required(and want to)go with her as she is only 13. She's practicing with a box call and a slate. I'm also waiting to get the DNR's reasoning behind this regulation. I'm just curious.

I did find out that they are working towards a youth hunt for turkey for the spring of 2003. During this season adults would be able to call for their youth hunters. I don't have any other details yet.

Fighting Toms,

Where in Hill City are you staying? We'll be out there at the same time(April 24-28). We'll be staying a Crooked Creek. In Cabin 2&3. Hey..... your not the guy who got cabin #1 are you? [ wink.gif]

If so we'll see you out there.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Ok, Anyone get a bird today? I ready need a good turkey hunting story.

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I finally got my turkey on Thursday. Boy did I have a good time. I was hunting around St. Joesph, MN. I shot my first turkey after about seeing about twenty different toms. I shot my turkey then my father-in-law shot his while it was jumping up and down when mine was doing the crappie flopp. Mine weighed 23lbs with 9inch beard. My father-in0-laws weighed 25lbs with 10inch beard. If interested tons more to disclose. Happy hunting!!!! Boy I wish I would have waited to the last day to shot one. Sure is fun!!!

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Way to go MAddog!

Those are some very nice birds!

I'm heading out tomorrow for the Black Hills. Then hunting in MN(Same permit area)May 7-11.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Any more reports on success?
Great job Maddog! grin.gif

& Good Luck Borch!
wink.gif

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  • 9 months later...
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Time for this to start up.

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Brian,
I'm afraid you're about 3 months late. Applications were due in early Dec. for this spring season. Also only people that did not get a license (but who applied) are eligible for the surplus tags towards the end of the season. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Good Luck to everyone that got tags. I'm in the 3rd season in zone 349. Can't wait. I've missed the past two seasons.
Fivebucks.

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hey Borch, get her one of them calls that hooks up to the gun, I haven't been turkey hunting and dont know alot about it, just watch it on t.v. every once in awhile and i thought that type of call was pretty convenient.

Can anyone point me in the right direction on how to get going Turkey hunten?
i wouldn't have a clue were to go, i guess I've seen alot in ND when out pheasant hunting,.
I'm from Moorhead, I remeber someone telling me they released a bunch out by Rolag a few years ago.
I think there is some turkey hunten club or organization too, American turkey , something or other, any info. would be great, ofcourse its obvious I cant go this year, but with any luck maybe next year.

Isn't there 2 seasons?
or am I thinking geese?

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wow, this is my first visit to this site, and I was amazed that the first reply is still on this site, 2 and 1/2 years ago, I would think there would be more people than that on here.
I just got my first permit this spring, after applying for three years, its about time. since I hunt in sherburne county, and hunt private land with unhunted birds, I am hoping for a big sucker. was woundering whats the best shot size and the best chokes to use for turkeys. what is the average shot distants. I heard extra full, and I heard full chokes are best, any info would be greatly apreciated.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

knoppers You'll have to experiment with different loads and chokes with your gun till you find the best combination.
Your choke choices are Full, Extra Full and Turkey. With my setup I'm using Extra Full. The Turkey choke was over choking my shot. I reload all my hunting loads and some extra light weight loads. I'm using a 1 3/8 oz. #5 copper plated, 2 3/4 @ 4 drams eqv. Ive tested dozens of combinations and this is the best Ive come up with for my gun and choke. You may wonder why the 2 3/4 instead of 3"? With out going into all the details It all comes down to shot weight vr speed. The more weight the slower it goes.
Plus like I said Ive got this load tuned to my gun/choke.
You can buy factory loads in a #5 buffered copper plated shot with 4 drams eqv (Max load) I know most guys aren't going to or cant buy a dozen different loads and try them all out with different chokes. So buy a good Load and a Extra Full and Turkey choke. Then get out and pattern your gun. Get an idea where the shot is hitting and what type of count you have the kill zone.


I have to add that all this preperation and time Ive put in testing and reloading, patterning. Every turkey Ive killed I could have done so with a 410. smile.gif I think my longest shot was 20 yards. Oh well if theres a 45 yard shot I know I can take it.

[This message has been edited by Surface Tension (edited 03-08-2003).]

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  • 1 month later...

I sure wish I was hunting tomorrow, although the weather might suck. I was drawn for the fourth season in the Redwood Falls area and can't wait. I live in Stearns county and I have seen a lot of Turkeys in the past week just driving around this area. On Sunday I saw about 20 in a group at the edge of a field and half of them were Toms. The Toms were strutting there stuff to each other and chasing each other around. It was awesome to watch. Of course no camera.

Grand River Zip- did you get drawn this year?

Nels

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Im waiting till the last season.
Talked to the farmer a few days ago and there were 20 turkeys in the field.
More sleepless nights!
Im banned from turkey calling in the house, not even a putt or purr!

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I had my first turkey hunting dream of the year last night. Boy did I have fun. Can't wait for the 3rd season.

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Ugly day for the turkey. Parked truck at a spot I always open at and two gobbles right away. Then silence for the next 3 hours. Had a blind so rain didn't bother me. Turkeys did NOT want to talk though- So decided to pack up and get some sleep. On way out almost spooked 5 toms walking up ridge towards me- must have been coming to my calling- but never gobbled-or I did not hear with the wind and rain slapping the blind. So set up again and waited- 30 minutes later- 1 by 1 the head start peering over the ridge. Bang! I feel very fortunate to have scored on such a lousy turkey hunting opener! How is everyone else doing?

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Congratulations Seamonster1, smile.gif
Not the kind of hunt you dream about with the crappy weather. Good thing you had a blind. What part of the state were you hunting?

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I did get drawn. This season too! I haven't been down yet, I am pissed, can't seem to get away hopefully I can hunt tomorrow, have to have a productive afternoon today. Sarge, did you get your plot book back? I assume you found it...

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Yep, got the book. Man, I can't believe you haven't been out yet. That would be driving me crazy! smile.gif

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Well went turkey hunting in Houston, Mn. 3 of us filled out 2 toms and 1 jake. 24, 20, & 18 pounders. Left St. Cloud tuesday and it was 90 degrees when we got to Houston. Wednesday, thursday, rain all day long. Friday windy and cold. Finished up on saturday in a light rain with fog rolling in.
I got the jake on saturday and when he came into the decoys there was 9 other jakes with it. Nice to see a group like that. Got packed up and it downpoured all the way to Rochester. Good luck to anyone else heading out these next few weeks.

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Congratulations to the lucky hunters who have filled out their 2003-first season tags. I was hoping that the weather wouldn't hamper your hunts too much. My wife and I were lucky enough to get tags for 338G and I CAN'T WAIT!! but I'm gonna have to! I scouted 2 weeks ago and got within 60 yards of a 20-bird flock with 6 gobblers, strutting and following the hens around. Great to see the birds. Hope you all get a chance to get out. To the unfortunate hunter who "(hadn't) been out yet", Where are your priorities, man? I had my time-off scheduled the day I found out we had tags for this year! Can't wait for the big rush of adrenalin, when we're sitting next to a tree and hear that almighty "Gobble-lobble-lobble"! Ain't much better than that! Best of Luck and keep those stories comin'!! Watch out where you practice your calling though, I heard a hen flew into a window at the DNR building a few weeks ago and there's been a few suicide-turkeys on the highway!!

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Talked to a guy at my fav-o-rite store in the whole wide world, Fleet Farm. (Wife's threatening banning me from checkbook possession soon!) He and 3 buds just got done, east of Rochester, somewhere's near the river, they went 4 for 4, gobbler's still grouped up. Seems to be a little later than usual this year. 18 days left for me. Aww, I think the clock is SLOW!!

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I hunted season 2 (347). We went two for two including a 25lb bird. I shot mine at 15 yards with my bow, great fun. We had great weather and lots of morning gobbling. The birds were real quiet during mid day but the toms were out and looking. We hunted mobil in the mornings and hunted with decoys near food sources during mid day. Saw a lot of birds and had a great time. Good Luck guys. GF

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