How many birdless in 2003?
 

Just wondering if I was the only one on the forum that didn' t throw one up on my shoulder this spring:(

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

I got skunked myself. Hunted eight days this season and saw a turkey (at least a hen) on six of the eight days but only had one opportunity for a shot and my own stupidity caused me not to get that one (only 15 feet away right in front of me). Our season started a week later this year and it was generally cold and wet. While I have access to some prime private turkey habitat, the birds decided to spend their time on the adjoining public land and the preasure there was much heavier than I have seen in the past. Lastly, we have had a poor hatch the past two years and I think there were not as many young stupid turkeys around that a guy like me can pick on. No excuses here I am just more determined to get two next year to bring my average back up. I also plan to do a little more fall hunting this year to see if I can thin the hen population a bit.

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

There are reasons for everything Mr.Longbeard

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

I also went birdless. I had a really good season though, I got to hunt 17 days. I was into turkeys, just couldn' t put it all together.

Tyler

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

I am so far, but hopefully that will change, season ends Saturday.

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

good luck filling a tag those left with time to hunt.......those of you that are done..sorry to hear that...it took me 5 years to get my first....i was in your boat for 4 years until now...hang in there youll get him sooner or later.....bird or not i still enjoed all my other seasons and closed them with a smile and couldnt wait for next year.....im planning my fall hunt already! lol....

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

Ken, after lucking out opening day here in NY, that was it for me ever since!!
This sure has been one heck of a season, probably the worst I seen in quite some time!! Tomorow and friday are my last attempts trying for a second bird!!
Ever since the first of May, I haven' t had another gobbler in my gun sights!! One last try and then the " Fat Lady" can sing her song!!

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

Ken, I had my share of empty mornins too!!:(Sounds cliche-ic cause throwin one over your shoulder is what were tryin to do,but I did have alot of fun and some good hunts even though I didn' t put one in the bag!!I like Buckeye' s enthusiasm in that it will make him more determined next year.To go along with that comment hopefully we learn a thing or two from those birdless mornins whether it be from the bird,our own bonehead mistakes,or that its time to look to greener pastures!!At least thats what I try and do when ole gobbler kicks my butt!!Kicken the dog helps too!!!!!:D:D

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

I too got skunked this spring... had only three days last weekend in NY and on top of it all it rained all three days!!! I hunted hard and came close on Monday... but no cigar!!! Fall is on the way so.... ya never know!!;)

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

Birdless here too, season ended this past Monday with monsoon-like weather. I got out six times during the season, only heard birds gobble on two days. The local paper here said alot of birds were taken, but they also said not much gobbling going on this season probably due to weather. Passed up a shot on a great bird on opening day cuz I thought the shot would be too difficult, I' ll never second guess myself like that again. Last week I set up in a roost area and had a gobbler explode to my first tree call right at first light, couldn' t have been more than 50-60 yards. I thought it would be an early morning, but I couldn' t get him to take another step. I still had a great time out in the woods, and I look forward to next year. Time to concentrate on fishing and getting ready for whitetails.

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

Well I always love being out in the great outdoors. That goes with out saying. But when I get up at 4:00am for 20 something days (rain on prob 15 of them) and have some !@#!@#$ shoot from his car at a gobbler I was working. That pretty much took the air out of my sails...

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

You all know what ! just because you didn' t use a Tag on a bird ,, don' t by any means mean that you are not good turkey hunters, it just means you didn' t get the luck of the draw. You all can hunt these birds and more then likely can very well. Your exsperience shows here on the board. Keep your chin up ,, your every bit as good as the rest of us....BT

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

Very well stated BT, and I agree wholeheartedly as well!! If it wasn' t for being lucky on the first of May, I' d still be birdless myself!!
I was out again this morning, and not one gobble was heard!! Even went to three different spots!! Very strange season for sure, I don' t think I ever heard the woods so dang quiet for so long!! I believe the word were looking for here is......" Frustration" !!

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

;)I agree BT!!!!

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

Thank BT for the word of encouragement.:)

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

Third year hunting turkeys and ate tag soup again

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

another season, another hungery boy.

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

My son and I went out every day for two weeks.. Let' s just say it' s a good thing I can buy from the store.

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

i was skunked.....tough year, i didnt get out as much as i would have liked and when i did i didnt have to many " vocal" birds. Guess ill have to fish to get my mind off of it.;)

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

I was out 9 mornings . . . and went 0 for 9. I almost had to skip Opening Day because of the impossibly dense fog that made driving to my hunting spot extreemly dangerous--got there late and jumped two off the roost on the way in anyway. It was cold most of the time--snowed TWICE and temps in the 20' s--with wind! It rained several times. I jumped turkeys in unexpected roost locations SEVERAL TIMES! Most of the birds were on the other side of the stream from me--property I can' t hunt. I had a fox try to attack my decoy one morning when bird was working at about 50 yards--that ended that! I had beavers behind me slapping the water another day, so I moved. The move scared off the gobbler that HAD been coming in. I relocated to a field and scared off the 2 big gobblers there--chased them to the other side of the stream where they stayed the rest of the time I was there. But I had fun!

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

:( Well guys & gals, I was able to hunt 18 days this year but still ended up birdless..:(..saw many, many birds, hens & longbeards, but no longbeards close enough to harvest...now if you could harvest hens here in Ontario, i' d have a freezer full!!!!!!!! [:o] Oh well, had a great time & was able to learn some new tactics & calling technics but still no bird!!! Already looking forward to next year! Hey Bosstom...maybe we can get out together a few more times next year when the weather is good! :D Take care everyone & good luck to those who are still able to hunt!!!!!!!!! Bye the way...SORRY TEAM 2!...Brampton Mike [8D]

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

By the replies so far, I gather you already realize that you aren' t alone. Well, I also harvested no bird this past spring. Nothing big enough ever stepped into range during the early to mid season and nothing of any size stepped into range during the last week other than hens.

It wasn' t my first birdless season and I would venture to say it will not be my last.

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

I didn' t get one either, but I guess it would have been good to get in the woods first! LOL

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

Worse, missed a trophy bird at 30yds. Combination of a miscomunication with my calling partner and having the wrong gun for the job. And No, nerves had nothing to do with it...;) There' s always next year...

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

*raises hand* birdless:(
but I had fun:D

RE: How many birdless in 2003?
 

Sure is exciting to get out ;)