Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

First let me say that this is not intended as a whine because NOBODY LIKES A WHINER.. including me! I would merely like to get everyones honest and maybe even brutal opinion on something....

First, let me tell you a little about me. I have been turkey hunting for six years. I have read three books on the subject, watched three or four videos, secured permission on three private properties, served as a NWTF chapter officer, expended a lot of hours, gas, and money on scouting, hunting, and purchasing equipment. There could be more, but I want to try to keep this brief...why do I tell you all of this? Because I have never harvested a turkey in six years of trying...

My question to you is...if you were me would you know when to say when and hang up your shotgun? Or would you keep trying? Sometimes life has a way of telling you that you're not good at something and I'm wondering if this might be one of those times? What do you think?

I hope no one thinks I'm whining because honestly that's not my intention...I just want to find out if maybe not good at this and should quit.

Thanks in advance...

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

Im 2/3 of ya (this is yr #4)! it takes patience, stick to it, for the sake of your confidence and the sake of the team! :D

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

Don't feel so bad Kits,

I was dumped by loser who was suppose to teach me the ropes and then decided to leave me hanging so after buying all the things i needed for this years turkey season im out of the game but i will make sure i scout some places i seen some nice fat toms at & when next years season opens i will be one of the lucky ones who didn't give up and have some nice pics of a full fan of feathers to show off along with a 10 inch beard..

Thats why the good lord gave us a tomorrow ;)

Don't give up kits and stay in there... ;)

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

Keep hunting. I didn't get my first until my 5th year hunting them. You learn more every year and every time you get out there. Just keep at them. You WILL eventually get one and when it happens it will be a very special memory for you. Good luck and dont give up. They are one of the hardest animals to hunt IMO!!

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

Absolutely not KipSapCaller, keep up the hunting, one of these days everything will work like its suppose to and then you will be hooked for good. I have hunted turkey for about 30 years now and I think I learn something new on every trip out, if it was easy to bag a trophy bird like all wild turkeys are then it would'nt be near as exciting and fun, Whatever you do don't quit turkey hunting, keep on keeping on and one of these morning we will be reading your story and how it happened when you tagged your first long beard.

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

I know how you feel I been there took me a few years to get my first bird. I killed 4 this year. I believe the only reason I killed those this year is because of mistakes I made in the past and learned from. Don't quit When you do get your first you will be overcome with joy. IMO turkeys are the hardest animal to hunt in America.

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

Well, that depends on just 2 things:

1) Do you enjoy the hunting, even with the early morning wake-up call and the extra financial expenses?

2) Do you actually see birds, and get them to answer to your calls?

If you enjoy it, why give up? I know it can be frustrating, but that's part of hunting. I was skunked last year for the first time in about 15 years, and honestly, did not enjoy it one bit. But I hunted hard, and had an opportunity on 5 different mornings...I either was facing the wrong way, had obstacles, or just passed on some iffy shots. And I did learn a few new tricks, some I can adopt and others I can use to adjust my hunting techniques.

If you're not seeing birds however, perhaps instead of quitting, try getting more productive spots. I have hunted one property for the last seven years, and have only taken 2 gobblers (the same season to boot) in that time period. I love to hunt the property, because I have to call the birds to me, but I also realize that if I want to tag more birds, I hunt other/more productive parcels of land.

S&R

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

Strut&rut stated it well. If you are still having fun, keep going at it. If you are having action but just not finishing, then definitely stick to it. If you don't see any birds or have any action, maybe either find new places or something else to enjoy in the spring. Heck you may even say your money for a guided hunt.

I actually have similar thoughts regarding my own fox hunting. I am really bad at it. I have gotten one and call a few in every great once in a while. It does get frustrating going out not believing you have a prayer at connecting. I still have fun(sort of) so I am going to try and stick it out.

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

First of all, I commend you for hanging in as long as you have. When things aren't happening your way, it is very easy to get down on yourself and your abilities. Also, when you are new to this sport, there are a lot of situations that cause you to think, "what would be the best thing for me to do now?" I found in my first 2 years that I didn't know what I should do in many situations and ended up doing the wrong thing most times. I had read many books also about turkey behavior in general and also specifically on turkey hunting. I learned a lot from these books, but many of the authors suggested you get with a veteran hunter to pick their brain and hunt with them if you can to see how it's supposed to be done. I contacted my cousin in Pa. last year and accompanied him on a hunt up there and got to see how he was able to locate the birds and then get them to come in. I was also able to ask him a million questions and gave him different scenarios that I had found myself in, and he gave me some options to try when this happened again. The biggest thing I got out of going with him is confidence. I found out the way I was calling and the calls I was using work just fine. I actually called in a long beard for him that day, and he called one in for me. That does wonders for your confidence. I was able to get a little more agressive when I got back to Md. and didn't really worry about making a mistake like I had been before. Sounds to me that you just need to see some success and make sure what you are doing is the correct thing. I would try to find someone who could give you some pointers and maybe even take you out to show you how they call them in. Once you see it happening, you will feel better about what you are doing. Hang in there, I know it is tough, but it will happen!

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

Let me ask you this, Have you had any gobblers gobbling at your calling? Have you seen any maybe out of gun range strutting back and forth and putting on an awesome show? If you have did your HEART feel like it was going to bust out of your chest? If it did then you understand the true meaning of Turkey hunting. Life is too short to hang up the gun, and not do what appears that you enjoy. Pat

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

Well said pat!!! I don't suggest you hang it up either!
It sounds like the issue might be the property your hunting on.
Are you making too much noise setting yourself up in the morning? Are you using a flash light? Are you setting up too close to the roost? Using decoys, if you are....try hunting without, if you aren't try using a couple. Try different calls.....try, try, try and don't give up! Good luck

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

I would say pack up your belongings and move to Missouri. You won't have such a hard time getting your first turkey around here!:D;)

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

Ditto what everyone else has said---lots of good comments. One day you are going to be at the right place at the right time. The first turkey I killed was so hot that I swear I could have called---Here turkey turkey---and he would have come in. Have you been doing the same thing over and over? A change in tactics may be in order.

Also see if you can find a turkey hunting mentor and invite him/her to go with you.

One thing I know for sure---a longbeard will not go strutting through your bedroom!!

Good luck

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

No matter what anybody says you have to make that decision!!!!! One thing I can tell ya was I didn't just stop with 3 books and a couple of video's.... I read every thing I could get my hands on and watched at least a 100 video's. But I'm the type of person that doesen't do things half ---ed!!!! I've been hunting since I was 11 years old. I was self tought bow hunter, turkey hunter and every thing else I do... So I guess what I'm getting at is you'll never be good at anything that your heart isin't in;) Not trying to beat you up just sounds like your heart just aint in it....

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

took me 3 yrs i got one last yr and this
goodluck

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

my sister (huntnma) waited 7 yrs if i'm not mistaken....it was brutal for her but the first time it all came together we agreed that it was wellllllllllllllll worth the wait.
don't give up....you'll never get one if you give up and by the sound of your post it sounds like you really want one.....have patience....it'll be worth it.

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

Yup, hang up your shotty.. And get out your bow...;)

Seriously, I feel your pain, but add 5 years... The last turkey I harvested was in 1994!!!!!! Everyyear I have high hopes only to be shot down in flames... Here in MI our season is only about a week long... So basicly I get 1 maybe 2 weekends out of the year to hunt them... Keep it up man.. You will get one, and when you do it is going to feel so good, you'll wonder how you could have ever thought about quitting... Is your season over for this year already??? if so... Get ready for next year, cause you never know...

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

are you still having fun when you go out.. thats the big question.. if so then yes stick w/ it.. it took me a few years also but, no way i was giving up .. then i got my first and it made it that much better..

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

If you are still enjoying the pursuit then I wouldn't quit. There is so much good advice that has been given it is hard not to repeat what has been said. I don't care how good of a hunter a person is, if that person is hunting in a poor area the success rate will show it. A guy can't kill something that is not there.

It sounds like you have all the gear now so you might as well use it. As long as it is fun I would encourage you to keep trying. I have a couple of buddies that hunt elk with bows. One of the guys has not ever killed an elk in over 25 years of trying. The other got his first last year after something like six or seven years of trying.

Whatever quarry one is pursuing often times the hardest one to get is the first. So much can and does go wrong. But when everything comes together it will seem easy. If you served as an officer in the NWTF you should have some connections with successful veteran turkey hunters. Perhaps you could tag along with one and see if you learn anything new.

Let us know what happens. I wish you well.

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

I believe it's not about the actual turkey hunting, but the passion and anticipation that leads and comes from it. Then again, Im goin on 4 years of Scoreless hunting....:D

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

Don't give up yet.. These birds spend their whole lives being hunted... It can be hard,, I'm really nervous because this is my first year hunting them,, it just takes time,, you'll get one,, don't give up

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

To answer some of the questions asked on some of the post....yes, I have had turkeys respond to my calling, I have even put my son on a bird even before I've had a shot, but his bird did not present a clean kill (but it was exciting for both of us), and I am seeing birds on the properties I get to hunt. I have always been very enthusiastic about turkey hunting. My fiance' says I'm obsessed, but it get tough having your friends send you emails with pictures of their filled tags year after year, and it gets a little embarrassing to admit that after six years of hunting once again "I didn't get one."

I appreciate the encouragement and advice. Somehow I knew that is what I would get from the outstanding friends I have on this board. It is a real testimony to the caliber of people we have on this board. You guys and gals are simply the best!

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

Kitsap...don't quit...you'll get there....I waited four long years til I got my first...one guy in our camp is in the same situation, but keep pluggin. especially if you got private land inColville. I remember the year, and I've told this one before about notching my tag when I found sign. I had reached my goal...getting in the turkey woods. I'd probably pick up any book you can, I don't watch so many videos because they just don't teach like a book does. Get a hold of a copy of Turkey & Turkey Hunting magazine. It's the best by far on info and how to and what to do situations.

Are you going to the State meeting in August? I'm going so hopefully I'l meet you there.

RE: Should I hang up my shotgun?
 

dont give up! took me 6 yrs to get first one my key was getting off public land, have harvested 10 since 3 multiple beards what a rush. Once you get the first one they will start falling.I'm getting ready to go now its 33 degrees outside but to just hear that one gobbble just to get close maybe get lucky its all about patience and soaking up every little thing that happens out their aint it great. givem hell its your turn! ate up with it,Mark