What stage does this fit into?
 

All I know is........come Saturday morning.....I get to get up early.....and take my bow into the woods to legally hunt. I'm just looking forward to matching wits with an animal that has proven himself to be an extremely worthy adversary. Whatever stage this fits me into.....I accept!

It used to be that this was the ONLY reason I considered turkey hunting with my bow. Now.....I view the Spring gobbler as a much more challenging opponent than any deer I've hunted. That's my personal opinion.......and I know that sentiment won't be popular. No biggie.

I've noticed this change in myself......and wonder if anyone else has.....and how long it took????

RE: What stage does this fit into?
 

That's why there are diffenrent species and seasons. Some don't enjoy hunting bushytails in the dense green canopy, or ducks along the muddy marsh.

In my opinion, it doesn't make you more of, or, less of..anything.

RE: What stage does this fit into?
 

We can't start just yet. When does every one season start?

RE: What stage does this fit into?
 

We start our spring gobbler season on 4/12, here, Jim.

RE: What stage does this fit into?
 

4/26 in PA

RE: What stage does this fit into?
 

That is so interesting GMMAT b/c I am the exact opposite. Now, I will not try to tell you I know much about turkey hunting b/c I don't, but I don't really want to either. It just doesn't interest me that much. I don't think that they are nearly as smart (yes, I said smart;)) or as hard to fool as a weary old deer. I could go on and on and bore you to death, but I will leave it at that for now. I'm not saying you are wrong or I am right. I just think the varying points of vieware very intriguing.

RE: What stage does this fit into?
 

As caveats, Huntingson.....I'm talking about hunting each via archery tackle......and only hunting spring gobblers. Let's just say my success rate with "old" deer is better than my success rate with "old" toms.;)

RE: What stage does this fit into?
 

My opinion is that a turkey is one of the stupidest animas walking the earth. My daughter and I shot 4 of them in one sitting with archery tackle.

I also sat in a ground blind (not a pop up) and shot 3 of them with a .223 single shot and could have shot a 4th but I didn't want to burn my last tag.

So yeah, I think they are pretty stupid.

RE: What stage does this fit into?
 

We've been at it in TN for 2 weeks now. :)

RE: What stage does this fit into?
 

Man I have been turkey hunting twice in my lifetime, both times with my bow andI have this to say; I enjoyed it just as much as deer hunting if not more. I don't have any turkey on my family ranch and there are a few on theranch I started hunting a couple years ago but not enough to allow hunting them and this is the main reason I don't hunt them likeI wishI could and don't get as obsessed as I do about deer hunting. It is a absolute thrill to be doing some calling and to have them tom's come in struttin and drummin, I sure wish I had access to hunt where there were more turkey b/c I too would be feeling the exact same way, Jeff......

RE: What stage does this fit into?
 

Thats because Rios are stupid (compared to easterns anyway)...they gobble like hell, competition is fierce and don't hang up on anything.

GMMAT I'll vouch for you here... as someone who has hunted turkeys in 9 different states, and taken three of the four sub-species.... easterns in VA, NC, and especially the lowcountry of SC are the hardest birds to kill in the country..... I suspect that anyone who has hunted much in these places and several others as well will agree with me.

Of course... a lot of it has to do with hunting pressure, and the very terrain we hunt in... lots of water and blowdowns... Rios will fly creeks and run under cattle to get to you.... easterns will hang up on anything.

But... I still think old deer are more difficult to kill.... killing an old tom is mostly luck... because unless you are field judging his spurs with a 12x spotting scope before you arrow him... you never know what you have until the deed is done... save a few rare circumstances where you know a bird by his habits... and in all my turkey hunting... I've only known three that way.... got two of them... but the biggest one we never did meet up with. That bird would have cleared 25#s....and for a VA turkey it would have been a record... people say I'm crazy... but I swear as I sit here now that he would have topped 25#s easy....(I honestly think, based on his habits, size and color he was at least part if not completely a domestic bird gone feral... long story).

However, I still like turkey hunting better.... I'll be doing physical and psych evaluations for the police department starting at 0830 saturday morning.... opening day will have to wait until Tuesday for me.