You know I was sitting here thinking back about the season. I made soem new firends this year and have talked to some more that I would hope to meet some day. I hope that the rest of you took the time to meet someone new this year and hopefully got a chance to hunt with them.

I think we all had a mistake or two that we would like to be able to take back, but that is what makes turkey hunting so much fun. I was talking to a guy today that I hunted with and we were laughing about how we both refused to shoot at 5 gobblers that came in. The conversation was kinda like NO you shoot, No I'm not shooting you shoot that lasted for about 3 minutes the whole while a pretty decent tom was strutting and drumming in front of us, along with four other decent toms watching him. We eventually just sat back and watched them walk away. I think that is a better memory than actually harvesting one of those birds. The next day we hunted I called in another group of five gobblers. I was hunting with a different partner ( who was hunting with a bow) we had made the agreement that he would shoot first. When the birds came in I could hear him drawl, So I took my safety off and picked the bird I wanted to shoot and waited and waited and waited some more. I kept saying to him go ahead I'm ready but nothing. Finally I heard him say I don't have a shot go ahead. I could see that they were getting neervous and started to move off so I picked the biggest one and shot. When we got to that bird he said I am glad you shot but Don't make em run in that fast again, They caught me at 1/4 drawl.
AFter that hunt I traveled to Idaho to meet another friend. I was given a grand tour of the area and let me tell you Idaho is an awesome looking state. Well we go out for the first day and met by a cow elk ( i was awestruck by the size and majestic look they have). We walked close to 4 miles adn got one to fire off. I kinda hunched down and said we need to set up, He laughed and said that bird is close to 1500 yards away ( now I know what they mean by thin air). I did end up getting that bird which I did post pics of both the birds I have spoken about so far. After that we both went back and were going to go bear hunting but fell asleep. (ooh well we must have needed it [8D]). We set up on two gobblers that we heard the next day and what a show one of them put on for us ( think I hooked a new turkey hunter,, even went out and bought a new turkey gun). I saw more wildlife than I have in one place at one time in my life. Even got to name a mountain 9 Goobler ridge because when we were going in on a spring bear hunt area there were 9 Toms blocking the road.
Back home to hunt PA season. I had an awesome time with the guys I hunt with here. I called in a gobbler for a first time hunter, I was pretty excited for him, ( I know he was excited when he got it because they could hear him hooping and hollering in California)

Over all my season was filled with alot of new memories and good times. I just hope that you all can reflect back and look at the positive hunting experiences you had this spring and maybe you didn't harvest a bird but just look at what was around you and be thankful you had that. Sorry for rambling but I needed to share with you all. Pat

sounds like you had an awesome season.....well i didnt get to hunt with any of em, but i did get to meet some of the fellers from the wild turkey zone......i learned not to stress last year about other hunters, so this year , i just went out there and hunted, relaxed, i enjoyed it, like it should be.......i wasnt worried if i got a bird or not, but i did, thank God.....he totally suprised me, lol.....gave me 2 of his beauties.....i got to hunt with friends and family more this year, i got to share my permits......it was a good season all around, maybe even my best....maybe not for the bird's, but the overall hunts, oh yeah, this year kicked butt

Well, although I didn't get to meet anyone new or hunt with anyone new, I think I've seen and learned more this season about the turkeys I hunt and the property I hunt them on than I have any other season.

The birds on my property are easy to pattern when you can find them lower on the mountain, before they head up and over into Idaho to breed. Well, after I had bagged my first bird of the season I decided to head out and try and get my second. (I had already helped my dad get both of his for this side of the state) I decided that i wanted to try and take one with my bow, no big deal, right? I know these birds. I know what they do, I know how they act, I know where they'll be. Wrong.

Sure enough, the morning we head out I know exactely wich field they're in, I know where I want to set up, and wouldn't you know it by 6:30 I have a flock of 5 toms in front of me at about 80 yards gobbling like their lives depend on it. I'm set up at the top of a hill. This hill is an alfalfa field that is owned by the brother of the farmer I work for. This is the first time I've set up here. As the sun starts to rise over the hill (over our backs) we're wondering why the turkeys aren't comming up to our set up. Well, turns out the turkeys couldn't see us due to the glare of the sun. They headed for a trail just off of the field and circled up behind us, decided they really didn't want to hook up with the hens and took off up a logging road.

Earlier that morning we had debated setting up on the logging road because it was in the trees, shaded, and had a bit more cover for me to draw my bow in. I said "No, i think the field will be safe, besides we might be able to see a good show." I was right, we did see a good show, and it lasted for about 45 minutes. I wasn't dissapointed at all.

Turns out these birds decided they didn't want to be patterned this year. One morning they were in the field. The next morning they were across the creek. The next morning they were across the field to our left. And the last day we found them back in the field again.

The last morning we were out I was lucky enough to watch 3 nice toms fighting. Boy, they really cause a racket when they fight!

Just a few of the things I learned this year, I hope everyone was as fortunate as I was to not only harvest a bird, but to learn about the birds they've been hunting as well.

Good post Pat!!Spring turkey season puts a charge into us all in our own special ways!Success is measured many ways in the turkey woods!The sites,sounds,smells,the challenge,the friendships spent afield,and the harvest make spending time in the spring turkey woods an exciting time of year!!!!

Bro that must have been some big IDIOT you were hunting with!!!!!!!!!! Not many people would have argued with you over a bird like that. I can honestly say that is the most memorable hunt I have ever been on. The only thing that would top it would be another one that ended the same way. I learned more this year hunting with you than I have the entire time I have been turkey hunting. I hope you are willing to consider another hunt here next year. I got my trophy that morning; and never fired a shot. I must say though next time I AIN'T ARGUING WITH YOU!!!!!!!! I also hope that we are allowed back in PA next year. I hope you had as much fun as NC Hunter and myself did. Anyway bro I am glad you made it down here and I look forward to many more hunts with you. Oh yeah one more thing YOU SHOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO

That is what it is all about!!!!