ORIGINAL: TEmbry
Well I guess there is always more than one way to skin a cat. It sounds as if you've tried it all, and agree that all ways can be successful. I guess the reason I couldn't understand how people thought aggressive was so bad, is because they had a far worse definition of it.
I haven't tried it all.... but I've tried just about everything I know of at some point. Before I finally killed my first bird....those ten long years.... I messed up birds everyway possible...what helped was that I was conscious enough to learn from it later and I still look back now and try not to make the same mistakes twice. I was stubborn as a mule when it came to turkey hunting.... I wouldn't let anyone help me in any way, no one is calling, no one is advising.... I had to do it alone.... and it took ten years.... but that first bird.... I doubt I'll ever taste anything sweeter than that victory/accomplishment.
Carrying around alot of stuff such as a pop up blind can be alot of work, which is why I usually have the blind set in a good area the night before with decoys and stools waiting inside. I show up, set out decoys, climb in and wait for daybreak. I only do this when I hunt the afternoon before though and have an idea of where the birds are. If the birds positions have changed, I climb from the blind and hunt on foot.
I don't have to luxury anymore of living near my hunting grounds. 77 miles from my doorstep...although... this year I do have a farmhouse to stay in and I take advantage of that to the fullest. Our state only allows hunting afternoons the final two weeks of the season. Personally, I try and avoid being where I want to hunt the next morning the evening before... I might sit somewhere and listen for a late gobble or a flyup.... but usually I know where they SHOULD be or USUALLY are already.
I realized something last spring about the enjoyment part though. Calling in a bird for someone else is just as thrilling for me as killing a bird I didnt call in. I called in a tom for my buddy last year, 22 lbs i think, 1 inch+ hooks, 10" beard. We hunted that particular bird for three days straight, nearly all day. Called him in to be blasted at a whole 9 yards on the last day of season. I honestly think I was more excited than he was. If all goes as planned this year, I hope to be calling in a tom for my dads first hunt.
I couldn't agree more. I honestly don't care if I ever shoot another one... just so long as I can go and work'em. I don't exactly feel the same way about ducks... although as long as its my dog thats picking them up I really don't care. But so far as turkeys go... I don't care if I even carry a gun.... infact I'd prefer not to.... less to tote.