How long did it take you to down your first bird?
#11
I busted my first during my 2nd season. I bumped one my first season, and the sight of him flying off haunted me for a year. I went back to the same general area the following year...it was a huge rush when I shot him.
#13
Spike
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 37
I hunted for years on heavily hunted public land in a heavily populated state without tagging one. I could always call birds in to within 100 yards or so, then they would just hang up. I got hooked on that alone, even though I never got one. Years later I started hunting Rio's on private property and now I can't seem to do anything to stop them from coming in. So I think it has to do with the bird and the pressure. Calling skill is also a factor, but in some places it is definitely harder than others to get that first bird.
#15
Self taught, first year I tried I only went a couple of times. Got close once, no luck though. I moved the following year from VA to RI and didn't get out hunting for several more years, but I did score my first season back in the woods. There has only been one season since then that I did not score, and I did have some close calls that year.
#17
Spike
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Miami FL / Clemson SC
Posts: 13
I bagged my first bird (birds actually, 2 in 1 shot) last weekend on my first time ever going, but I too was with a very experienced turkey hunter and we were on some of his land that he'd been hunting for 35+ years.
#19
Self taught trial and error,Is gonna take longer if not a couple seasons.
Unless ur lucky.
But to be taught by a seasoned turkey hunter it could take less then a hr!
It took me 3yrs.back in the day,25yrs ago.To finally catch on to what i was doing wrong .Over calling,not setting up right,Moving,
Now i fill my turkey tags every year,
Sometimes without calling,
just by getting in close,
& using my hat to simulate a bird flying down by hitting it against my leg,And brought toms in by just scratching the leaves like a turkey raking the ground for food while im sitting there with a stick or my hand..
Unless ur lucky.
But to be taught by a seasoned turkey hunter it could take less then a hr!
It took me 3yrs.back in the day,25yrs ago.To finally catch on to what i was doing wrong .Over calling,not setting up right,Moving,
Now i fill my turkey tags every year,
Sometimes without calling,
just by getting in close,
& using my hat to simulate a bird flying down by hitting it against my leg,And brought toms in by just scratching the leaves like a turkey raking the ground for food while im sitting there with a stick or my hand..