Tony. That just plain "sucks"!!! Sounds like a typical opening morning on public land. You'll appreciate the lease that much more in the morning? Did you hear any gobbling this morning? What about shots? Good luck tomorrow.

Any luck Tony???

1st day in the woods, I heard lots of gobbling but could not get close enough. I know I am in the right area, so tomorrow I am going to try and sneak in a little closer.
I am on public land so If I heard them somebody else probably did too, and hopefully nobody else messes me up.

John

That's awesome John. Did you see anybody today?? You must be hunting on a quota permit. I had a rough year on the quota hunts and didn't get drawn. I'm going to work out a swap with somebody next year. Western Ky. Trophy Whitetails for some private land hunting here in the state.

Goldeneagle, it looks like I'm a hour south of you. We'll see how the season goes maybe we can get together for a hunt. I hunt mainly south Tillsonburg on private land.
Dean

Went out yesterday and got close. The birds fly down 100 yds from me, Tom and 5 hens, I watched him strut 80yds from me for an hour and then the hens take him away.
Today I sat up where they flew down yesterday, and if they do everything the same I will have a 20yd shot. They flew to the other side of the field and went in the other direction.
Had one come out later in the day, after running and gunning a little, when I was taking a break and eating lunch, but could not get him any closer than 80yds. On the way out on the road we had a nice gobbler 30yds from the truck walking in the road.
It was a fun 3 day hunt, heard more gobbles than ever.
Next Monday is my special Oppurtunity hunt, hopefully I can keep getting closer.

John

Sounds like a plan
 

Sounds good to me drop me a pm when your set and well make a plan .
GE

Did a bit of scouting up north weekend. Had one come strutting through on his way up the ridge to roost. Saw another 3 on the ridge the next morning. I know where the roost, where they go in the mid morning, and where they come from at the end of the day to head back to roost. They are gobbling in the mornings and I am pumped! I just have to wait until the 11th to get out there!!!!

Trail cam pic below.
Pines

I get to take a 15 yr old boy out Sunday. It's the Illinois youth season and will be his last year to hunt as a youth. His dad and I listened to some birds on the roost yesterday morning. I'm hoping for the weather to hold out and for the birds to cooperate. One morning (can only hunt til 1 in Ill) isn't much to work with!
rw

Bird Down
 

I shot an Osceola this morning.
Not a monster, but I needed to get 1 on the board.

16.6 lbs
7 1/2 beard
lft spur 1/4
rt spur 1/8
Score =35.35





I am going to try and upgrade now. John