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MFF US Midwest => Indiana => Topic started by: Teacherpreacher on Apr 28, 2020, 08:27 AM

Title: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Teacherpreacher on Apr 28, 2020, 08:27 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/cvWHZK7w/4-C7-AFB06-1-E37-409-D-9-FB4-7-C0-F7-B1-D4330.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cvWHZK7w)

(https://i.postimg.cc/7JqswnLj/9-B4-D2-C71-7627-4-F80-987-C-11-C603-CF2-ACE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7JqswnLj)

Off topic. Turkey down. Late hunt yesterday. Got in woods at 9:00am. Beautiful day. Heard him gobble at 10:45. Worked him until 11:30. Shot him in the beak.  24 lbs. 11 " beard. Great to get out. NO VIRUS! :D
Teach
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: bigr on Apr 28, 2020, 08:35 AM
Can't eat the beak anyway. Nice bird.
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: hounds on Apr 28, 2020, 12:19 PM
Nice Job........Makes me rethink sleeping in.  I don't go unless I get up at Oh Dark thirty......waiting til 9 d**n....still teaching!!!!
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Spooled85 on Apr 28, 2020, 01:39 PM
Nice job ! Must have been in the air birds everywhere and gobblin like crazy ! I ended up with one as well and my 10 year old step son missed one at 20 ft . Now he is hooked and won't stop asking to go again lol


(https://i.postimg.cc/dDshm5Bk/Screenshot-20200428-133824.png) (https://postimg.cc/dDshm5Bk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/3yh8rwf4/Screenshot-20200428-133804.png) (https://postimg.cc/3yh8rwf4)

Mine was 20 lbs 1 inch spurs and 10 beard
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Teacherpreacher on Apr 29, 2020, 07:49 AM
Good show ! Keep that ten year old in the woods . Tell him I missed one at ten yards a few years ago as he was sneaking past my hide. Killed him on second shot running down a corn row at about 20 yards. First shot that went past his head was probably the size of a softball. :laugh: Great that you are starting him young. Life time of memories!!!
Teach
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Spooled85 on Apr 29, 2020, 08:24 AM
It happens to the best of us that's part of the sport . Wouldn't trade it for nothing ! Ya I've learned first hand that a kid that is involved in the out doors is less likely to get them selves involved with the wrong crowd . I don't know where i would have ended up if my grandfather hadn't Ben taking me out since is was old enough to walk . So I hope it has the same effect on my kids
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Teacherpreacher on Apr 29, 2020, 08:43 AM
Hounds,
I use to always hunt at day light, and I've shot a couple right off the roost. But most of the time, the hens go the opposite way with old Tom in tow. Then about 9:30 or so, he's done with the romance and starts looking for some action. How many times around 9:30- noon have you heard them start to gobble again. Those are the ones that want to die!
Plus at 4:30am up here in NW Indiana it is dang cold and I'm old don'tcha know! :laugh: :laugh: I've shot a good number of birds from 9-noon.
Teach
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: hounds on Apr 29, 2020, 11:38 AM
I used to hunt all day for em, on private land, now I'm relegated to public land, but its still nice to be out in the woods.  I've been hearing a couple early morning, but haven't seen a thing.
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: redjones on Apr 29, 2020, 12:28 PM
Nice birds guys,Teacher who did the stuffers, they seem to get the job done.


       Greg
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Teacherpreacher on Apr 29, 2020, 01:08 PM
Those are regular decoys with "Turkey Skins" wrapped around them. I used fan and beard off of other birds I've killed for the Jake, I painted head. They still sell them because I bought new ones last year. About $40. They are real turkey skins with real feathers with liner sewn on underside with Velcro strips to attach around decoy. I staple here and there for extra attachment. I'll PM you as to where I purchased them.
Teach

Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: hounds on Apr 30, 2020, 11:57 AM
Teach what kind of a call do you use?
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Hexagenia51 on Apr 30, 2020, 11:11 PM
Had to hunt hard for 8 days straight before getting a bird in range. My friend killed his Tom April 29Wed. afternoon 27 lbs and 10 1/4" beard. I killed mine the next morning April 30. Mine was 25 lbs and 11 1/4" beard. Probably my personal best! Birds talked on the roost but zipped their lips when they hit the ground. These came in silent to our Avian Zink Deeks(hens) but in eight days of hunting we only had two birds gobble back to our calls and didn't have any work for us. Toughest season in awhile! I guess we earned these trophies! Here's a couple pictures. It was fun but tiring, guess I'm getting old. Hex
(https://i.postimg.cc/BtwsrdkZ/IMG-2047.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BtwsrdkZ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/xJ8jHYh7/IMG-2065.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xJ8jHYh7)
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Teacherpreacher on May 01, 2020, 07:53 AM
Hex,
Big Boys!!! Hunting 8 days in a row is a killer!!! I can't do it any more, even if I go to bed at 8:00pm!!! 4-5 of my buddies have all shot birds 24-25 lbs this year! Everyone I talked to has been dealing with henned up birds. Weather hasn't helped for sure. I refuse to hunt in rain anymore unless it"s just a light drizzle. Use to hunt Hoosier Nat'l Forrest around Paoli and French Lick but doubt if I could handle those hills anymore? This flat land up here suits this old 81 year old just fine!!! :laugh: :laugh:
Congrats Hex!
Teach
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Teacherpreacher on May 01, 2020, 08:11 AM
Hounds,
I use all three calls. Mouth, Pot (Glass and Aluminum) and Box call. I usually wait 10-15 minutes between series. But I do "peep" VERY softly a lot with aluminum. I had a hen behind me last year that was very content and peeped non- stop as she was feeding for 15-20 minutes. She never stopped! Ever so soft! Those gobblers can hear that, for sure! :laugh:

Here's what I've learned over the years. Turkeys are UNPREDICTABLE !!! You can read all the articles, listen to all the experts, watch all the videos! Turkeys are UNPREDICTABLE !!!! Sometime they follow the script. Usually they don't. You can be the greatest caller in the world, but often, usually,  it doesn't matter!
My theory --- "You just need to find a Tom that has his guy thingy in his hand and wants to die!!" Beyond that, "They are UNPREDICTABLE" !!!
But that's why I love to chase them! I'd hunt them every week if I could!!!
Best of luck!!!
Teach






Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: hounds on May 01, 2020, 09:45 AM
I know I enjoy hunting Turkeys regardless of the outcome too.  Thanks Teach, I got pulled for a Hunt at Reynolds Creek from the 3rd to the 5th, hoping it works out here soon.  Been other places between the rain drops with no luck.
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Hexagenia51 on May 01, 2020, 05:05 PM
Thanks and Congrats to you too Teach! I totally agree with the unpredictability of Turkeys, proved over and over thru the years. We Hunted the Hoosier forest once but the ticks were unbearable.
Congrats nice bird Fishhogger!
Hex
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: taxid on May 01, 2020, 07:20 PM
10" beard and 1-1/4" spurs.  didn't put him on scale.


(https://i.postimg.cc/RN9ghZ3C/turk2020.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RN9ghZ3C)

(https://i.postimg.cc/944pK4kb/turk1-2020.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/944pK4kb)

(https://i.postimg.cc/WtmQXKg3/turk2-2020.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WtmQXKg3)

You or the turkey?  :rotflol:
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: taxid on May 01, 2020, 07:20 PM
Oh and congrats!
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: hounds on May 01, 2020, 08:44 PM
Nice Tom, FH
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Teacherpreacher on May 02, 2020, 07:45 AM
Good job Fish,
Enjoyed your hunt details! They are a Hoot to hunt!
You done good! Often times they like that long purr. I've had luck with just a single, "Donk" Sounds almost like a PUTT. But have had  Tom gobble at it more then once.
Teach
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: taxid on May 02, 2020, 08:27 AM
Amazing there weren't any to be found growing up here. Now they are everywhere. I've even had them walk three feet past my shop door!
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: hunts2long on May 02, 2020, 08:30 AM
Congrats on a nice Tom...h2l
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: fishinator on May 02, 2020, 06:21 PM
they are planted taxi.  our farm was planted too many years ago to recall.  we never shot them and numbers grew to 70 birds at one time.  poachers got wind or sight of them and slaughtered them off the roost several years ago. we still don't shoot them off the farm.
Ya none around here growing up either but dnr released some and they really took off. Everywhere now. They scare the crap out of me when mushroom hunting.
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: taxid on May 02, 2020, 06:35 PM
Drove past a nature preserve south of Topeka Indiana and the mushroom hunters were really out. Parking lot was almost full!
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Spooled85 on May 10, 2020, 09:17 AM
Round two ! Got my oldest boy out today and managed to pull it off one last time till next spring
(https://i.postimg.cc/Q9dGJdjn/IMG-20200510-061057930-BURST001.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Q9dGJdjn)

24.2 lbs 10.5 beard and 1.1/8 spurs ! Awesome hunt and awsome memories made with my son
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: abishop on May 10, 2020, 09:54 AM
Round two ! Got my oldest boy out today and managed to pull it off one last time till next spring
(https://i.postimg.cc/Q9dGJdjn/IMG-20200510-061057930-BURST001.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Q9dGJdjn)

24.2 lbs 10.5 beard and 1.1/8 spurs ! Awesome hunt and awsome memories made with my son
[/quote Way to go dad, congrats.
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: hunts2long on May 10, 2020, 10:04 AM
Congrats to you both. Nice bird..h2l
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Spooled85 on May 10, 2020, 10:49 AM
Thanks fellas
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: taxid on May 10, 2020, 11:35 AM
Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: charlys1954 on May 11, 2020, 06:52 AM
Congrates on your Trky, wtg :thumbup_smilie: :clapping: :thumbup_smilie:. Even thou I started hunting in the mid 60's I've never hunted or ate wild trky. Is there a taste difference between wild and domestic or pen raised. I would think the wild would be a little leaner, do they have a strong taste during mating season like bucks.
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Spooled85 on May 11, 2020, 08:12 AM
Thanks guy , as for taste me personally I prefer wild turkey. I live the taste of it and live the skin even more . I've never cooked it in the oven but I have smoked it and deep fried it and it is awsome . Especially fried with some Cajun seasoning . Here is  some that I smoked with a pota pit chicken recipe and it turned out amazing
(https://i.postimg.cc/vc8xnGKK/IMG-20200425-104416503.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vc8xnGKK)
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Teacherpreacher on May 11, 2020, 08:43 AM
Good for the both of you! Way to go! Put that one in your memory bank! Life is good!
Teach
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Hexagenia51 on May 12, 2020, 09:34 AM
I agree Fishogger, never throw dark turkey meat away, it has more flavor than the white meat. I smoked some legs using the "Disney Recipe " off utube and man were they good. They cost about ten bucks there and they use tame turkey legs, I'm sure the wild legs are better! After smoking I put them in the crock pot with alittle water and drizzled some honey over them and steamed them for about an hour. Like I said never throw them out, not only wasteful but you're missing out on some great tasting meat! Hex
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: Spooled85 on May 12, 2020, 01:57 PM
I always take the whole bird alot of meat wasted if you only take the breast and legs
Title: Re: Off Topic Turkey Hunt
Post by: RoeBoat on May 13, 2020, 09:52 PM
I noticed the same thing with the legs off of geese in the past, really good smoked.  Like to smoke the breast and thighs, then shred and barbecue.   Better than barbecue beef!