isnt just a public land problem...ive had it happen on private land as well.

gets old....but really, theres not much that can be done. i dont own the birds...they have as much right as me to be there...

i think the problem is everyone wanting to be a turkey hunter...but not many take the time to learn the ropes of the game before jumping in. they can goto walmart and grab some calls and a shotgun and all the sudden they are turkey hunters.

the only thing that ive found that helps is hunting birds that others most likely wont find or wont walk to. yes..that means getting up even earlier...hiking even farther...my favorite spot is probably dang near close to 2 miles from the truck. sad thing is i STILL find slobs!! one year dad had a longbeard about to shake hands with me...i could hear him scratching and strutting just around the bend 45yds out on a logging road gobbling his head off. then he shut up...dad and i couldnt figure it out...then we saw the sillouete of a hunter, no requiered orange on, sneaking across the logging road..

another time back there, i had a bird going BONKERS..closed the distance in NO time..he had to be running through the woods to me..it was late..probably after 10am..i was pumped...one of those times you just almost KNOW hes gunna be on your lap quick...then i heard a gun shot..so close i could hear the pump action on the guys gun!!! i put on my orange and stood up and walked to the edge of the hill..the guy had to be there somewhere...i wanted to see the bird and talk to him and either congradulate him and appologize to him or chew him out...im almost 10000% sure he snuck in and whacked the bird out from under me...but wanted to make sure i didnt sneak into his setup...i never heard him call and was setup 15-20 minutes or more...he HEARD me calling. he knew what he did...he had to be hiding down there till i left...

i can go on for days....but no sense in it...just makes something tough even tougher....