Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    
    	Walt,
    
    	Never Putt! a putt is an alarm signal which will send your bird
    scurrying for cover for sure.  Some of the basic calls you  will
    want to master are the cluck, yelp, and cackle.  The cluck is used
    with a purr to imitate a feeding call.  The yelp and especially
    the cackle are good calls during the spring mating season.  The
    cackle is awesome and you should get double and triple gobbles
    with it on a hot bird.  You may choose to not even use it though
    if you have a shy bird that is only partially interested.  At that
    time a cluck or two every half-hour or so is good if you KNOW a
    gobbler is near.  
    	I usually work a ridge early in the AM with a crow call trying
    to drum up a gobble.  If I get one to answer, then I try to position
    myself within 100 yds. of the bird to pull him in for a shot.  The
    only problem with me though, is that I've called in several birds
    (Even called in two at once) but I seem to royally screw things
    up on the shot!  I have gotten a few in the fall, though, but I
    think the spring is more exciting.  When you've got a bird 25 yds
    away and gobbling his fool head off you can feel it go right through
    you.  Kind of like standing next to a loudspeaker.  Turkeys move
    a lot, so If I don't get an answer, I usually move on or I might
    try to use turkey talk to get an answer.  Also, if the gobbler is
    with hens he may not answer and just ignore you.  Then you should
    try again another day because it is hard to get him to come in
    to you when he is with hens.  Bring two calls with you.  If you
    get one started and he hangs up, put the other call in and sound
    like another bird.  This has worked for me before. 
    	The most critical point is when you make the decision to shoot,
    and I will not try to be any kind of an expert here, although, I
    think I've learned a bit in my screwups.  Have your gun positioned
    in such a way that will require minimal movement.  You must wait
    for the bird to go behind a tree, then shoot when he comes out.
      
    Have fun!	- Rob
    

    
    The last article I read in N.E. Out-Of-Doors said that anyone who
    applied for a Turkey permit would get one. This was due to the lack
    of interest throughout the state by hunters. On another note, I caught
    a pretty good show 2-3 saturdays ago on cable about how to call the
    elusive gobbler. I'm sure most video and sport shops have tapes on
    instruction of calling. Also, when praticing go somewhere that you
    won't bother anyone the practicing can get very annoying and cause
    more problems with your wife/girlfriend.
    

    .1 covered it all. The only thing I'd add is when the old tom is
    in close, stop calling. He'll come a looking for you. If he hangs
    up give him a few more clucks.
    
     I only used the cackle first thing in the morning, called the fly
    down cackle, that when they come off the roost. You want to
    be the first hen the old boy hears in the morning, so try to roost
    them in the evening.

    Watch out for the Jakes too. They do not gobble, but they will come
    in.
    
    Mark
    
    Can't wait for April, Missouri's spring season, allow two toms in
    a two week period.

    
    RE.2
    
        I've seen the same  show for the last month. I belive it is
        on ESPN every sat. morning at 7:30. The show is quite interesting
        and very informative. Each week has delt with a different aspect
        of hunting turkey's. I belive the name of the show is
           SPORTSMANS CHALLENGE. There are 3-4 shows on right after
    this one that are also hunting/fishing so i may have the name wrong.
    
               
    My next question on hunting turkeys is this. After the bird is down
    what is the proper way to field dress it? I have a 2 hour ride home
    and would hate to see any spoilage because it was'nt properly cared
    for. 
             thanks
                   Walt

    Have to ask...is/are these birds of yours hard hunted?
    
    if they are be aware that they may be call shy as is the case
    here after 2 weeks of spring gobbler. we try to get in at least
    3-4 days before season and wander around at dawn and again at dusk.
    
    we generally hoot the ridges in the evening and place ourselves in
    the AM if we got answers.
    
    When things get too crowded for me I will leave
    camp about 3am and walk in 5 or more miles and sometimes spend the
    night weather providing.
    
    Best advice though is don't get discouraged, it may take several
    seasons to become even close to accomplished. Try and find an
    old hilljack who makes his own calls and listen to the advice he
    can give.
    
    ...dick

    field dressing? In Missouri you have to wait until you checked
    your bird before field dressing. You guys have to go to check stations?
    
     Cut just below the breast bone to the tail and reach in and grab
    what you can. If you have ice you can then pack the inside of the
    bird.
    
     The hardest part for me the first time skinning one was the gullet
    area on the bird. I tried pulling it out to leave the skin, but
    I've learned. Save yourself the time and just cut the whole thing
    out, skin and all.
    
    Careful of the wing feathers too, they are sharp.

    
    Gordon, you going this year too ?

< Note 339.6 by CSC32::WATERS "The Agony of Delete" >

    >Gordon, you going this year too ?

	Mark,

	I've been trying to decide if I'll go to Missouri or try
	it out here again.  Might do both since our season is longer.
	Where in Missouri do you go?  I know you told me once.  I
	hunt south of Warrensburg and south-east of Sedalia.  If
	you want to get together and go out there to catch the last
	couple of days of the first week and the first couple of
	second week, I might be up to it.  I'm in the same cubicle
	for another week before we move, stop by.  I know of some
	birds on the edge of town here too.

	Gordon

    I go around Kirksville, Mo., my brother hunts deer up around that
    area and said he saw a flock of about 350 turkeys up there last
    fall.
    
    I plan on going the last few day of the first week and first few
    of the second week. Why get 1 when you can get two ? :-)
    
    Do you know if the non-resident tags are still $50 ?
    
    Mark

    >Do you know if the non-resident tags are still $50 ?
    
	I think it will still be $50.  When I was home last year there
	were no mentions of increases in fees.  They let the deer hunters
	shoot two deer last year, 1 doe and 1 buck.  Seems they have too 
	many, and the two for one tags didn't make the dent in the herds
	that the F&G expected.  
	Your right about lots of birds there, the F&G has such an aggressive
	turkey stocking program.  They have turkeys like we have trout.  
	I've usually gone back for opening day, but if I go this year I will
	go like you are planning, over the season split.

	RE. .0
	There is another note on turkey hunting in this file that has some
	good tips in it.  Don't recall the note number, DIR/TITLE="TOMS".  
	As far as hunting goes, there's not many other things as exciting 
	as calling in gobblers in the spring.  If I may, let me caution you
	of one thing about spring turkey hunting.  In most states, the spring
	turkey season records the most hunting accidents of all hunting seasons.
	Reasons being; everyone is in full camo, multiple hunters sometimes
	stalk the same bird (cross fire happens), the excitement of spring
	turkey hunting makes the newcommers a bit jumpy (movement and color
	gets shot at), and the sound of turkeys and hunters walking sound
	the same.  Keep your back to a tree, be aware of your surroundings,
	and have a save and rewarding hunt.  Good luck.
	

    
    Can anyone give me some info on spring turkey hunting in the south
    west part of Vermont.  I use to hunt deer in Rupert/W.Pawlet and
    have seen my share of turkeys around there. It's been 4-5 years
    since the last time I hunted that part of the state.  Is there still
    a lot of posted land ?  Looking at the turkey kill reports, I would
    imagine the area is hunted pretty hard.  I'm planing on spending
    4 or 5 days in that area and was curious if any of you fellow NOTER's
    hunt turkeys in that part of Vermont ?  I more then likely will
    be staying at the Maryville camp ground on Rt. 7 in N.Dorset and
    being unable to find anyone else I know who has been bitten by the
    turkey bug like I have, I may be hunting alone.  Now, I have no
    problem with venturing off alone in the woods, and in fact I like
    it.  But I would feel a little better knowing that someone back
    at camp would notice if for some reason I didn't show up at the
    end of the day. 
     This will be my third season of turkey hunting, and I'm going to
    make every effort to down one of these big birds.  I live in the
    south east part of N.H. and have hunted turkeys here, but would
    like to give VT. a try this spring.
    
    Thanks in advance,
    			Bruce 

    
     My camp is in Wells, just up Rt 30 from Pawlet. The Pawlet/Rupert
    area is posted pretty tight, but there's still plenty of huntable
    land. Many farmers will let you hunt turkeys in the spring. I saw
    plenty of birds in Pawlet this year, all on open land. Ditto for
    Wells.  
    
    Good shooting,
    
    	-jro
    

    re;.11    Thats good to hear.  I'm not surprised about the posted
    land situation.  Fifteen years ago there were plenty of deer and
    plenty of open land.  The last time I hunted over there I didn't
    see a single deer.
     I'm glad to hear that there is still a bird or two running the
    ridges and if I spend a little time in the area before the season
    opens I may get a farmer or two to let me hunt his land.  Thanks
    for the encouraging bit of news, and good luck this spring.
    
    	
    Bruce 
                                   

    I hunt that same area of Vermont, and the turkeys are still
    around. The coyotes are becoming a real hassle, but the deer
    are doing OK (we went 2-for-4 this year). 
    
    I know I asked elsewhere, but do coyotes prey on gobblers ?
    
    Dana
    
    PS Our camp is on a farm where Poultney, Wells, and Middletown
    Springs come together.

    Dana,
    I don't know the effect the coyotes have on mature gobblers but
    I'm sure they can be a problem with the poults.  Fortunately during
    that time of the year there is plenty of other food available for
    the "dogs".  One of the worst predators of the turkey is the fisher.
    A couple of fishers can really wipe out a flock in the winter months.
    
    I watched a two part Wild America? special on the turkey and they
    showed some fantastic footage of a cougar trying to snack on mature
    birds.  Those turkeys made that cougar look like a turtle .....
    I would imagine the hunting skills of a cougar are probably better
    tuned than those of a coyote.  Not to mention that the cougar could
    do more damage with a swinging paw and use its paw to help obtain
    a much better grip than a dog.
    
    While I'm rambling about turkeys...... I read an interesting article
    that dealt with a problem that has developed in Mass (south of Boston)
    where it seems that some domesticated wild turkeys have contaminated
    the wild stock and has created some "pigeon" turkeys.  Some folks
    are complaining because the birds are messing on their cars.  The
    fish and game said that people buy illegal eggs or chicks at country
    fairs and bring them home and then let them go when they become
    a "big" problem.  The officials are concerned that they're stocking
    efforts could be ruined.
    
    Dave
    

    Bruce,
    
    	I went through the Rupert, Pawlett area this weekend and have
    to echo .11 in that there is a lot of posted land. I was coming
    back through there yesterday morning and saw 10 turkeys in Rupert
    and both sides of the road were posted. If I were you I'd get my
    buns up there and try to sweet talk some farmer into letting me
    hunt on his land. You might even find one that would be willing
    to give you room and board. You'd get good food and there would
    be someone there wondering were the hell you were if you didn't
    show up by supper time. 
    
    Good luck 
    John
    
    P.S. If you want to know were I saw the 10 bird flock send me a
    note on KRAPPA::KEYWORTH.

      I just received this post card and I'll repeat its contents here:
    
    "The National Wild Turkey Federation is hosting a fund raising banquet,
    March 18, 1989 at Yoken's Restaurant, Portsmouth N.H.  Door prizes,
    raffles, auction items and much more.  Please contact: Bob Despres
    (603)625-2428 or Ed Cottor (603)893-0606 for more information. Hope
    to see you there!  Deadline for tickets, March 11,1989"
    
                          

    I'm planning to take a try for turkeys in south NH. and have a few
    questions.
    
    Would a hunting licence cover turkeys or do I need a stamp?
    
    General area hints in the Peterborough area.
    
    Type of call needed, what to stay away from.
    
    Type of firearm, shotgun or would my .223 do?
    
    As this is my first time in ten years to do any hunting I find myself
    at a loss on where to start. Any help would be appreciated!

    Richard

      There is a special tag/stamp that ran $5.00 last year (I don't
    know the cost for '89).  You'll need your shotgun with nothing larger
    than #2's.  I can't help you with calls as I'm a "tin-horn" in this
    sport..... I have Lynches calls but I'm not qualified to recommend
    anything.   I stumbled on some birds while jogging a fire road last
    year but they disappeared once the season opened up.  I probably
    scared them away with my calling.  8^)
    
    Good luck, Dave

    Richard,
    	     I think a lot of your questions can be answered if you
    attend a seminar on hunting the wild turkey.  I believe there is
    one scheduled for April 1st. in Walpole N.H. at the town hall. I
    heard this through the grape vine, so I would give the town hall
    or the Fish & Game Dept. (Ted Walski) a call to verify this.
     As for calls, the easier ons to master are the push button yelpers,
    the box calls and the slate calls.  The diaphragm is the most popular
    but is difficult to master.
     I've attended a couple of these seminars and was impressed with
    the amount of info one can gather in just a few hours.  They cover
    hunter safety, game laws, calling, scouting, set-ups and more.
    
    Good luck,
    		Bruce

    So, has anyone bagged this elusive bird this year?  I'm off today
    to try my hand.  Let's hear some success stories like we did with
    our deer note!
    
    Safe hunting,	Keith R>  

    Your nodename tells me y'all are from the South. Up here
    gobbler season generally starts about May 1. Good luck.

    Western Mass. report - last week saw a flock of 12 in Becket -
    10 hens and two young Toms, two weeks ago saw 5 Toms and four 
    hens in Russell. Looks good. (Both flocks spotted from the 
    road.)
    
    Dana

    	6 days and counting. I have located 3 solid locations with birds
    in each. The best has a band of 4 Jakes and 2 Boss Gobblers one
    on each side of the hill. One other has a Jake and one Boss Gobbler
    the last just a Boss Gobbler. I have several other areas that I
    have yet to work and will be doing so this week. My Goal is to have
    6 locations that have Boss Gobblers. I think I'll have a chance
    again this year if I can get 6 locations.
        
    	This turkey scouting is starting to be like work!!??!! Hmmmmmm
    how could anything that puts you into the woods be like work??
    
    	To all you fellow Turkey Hunters___ If I don't write again untill
    after the season___ Good Luck and PLEASE hunt SAFELY!!!!! remember
    that turkey you hear could be your friend!!! And the one he hears
    could be YOU !!!
    
    	Steve 	Who's_hoping_to_write_another_success_story_this_year ;*) :^)

    	Make it Four Boss Goblers located. Things are looking GOOD!!!
    Anybody know how to make time fly???
    
    	Steve Who's_clawing_at_the_door

    
  This is  for all the Mass. turkey hunters. I'm not sure of the definite
    dates but it seems we will have TWO turkey seasons starting in 1990.
    There will be the regular spring hunt with a bag limit of one bearded
    bird, and a fall hunt where a bird of either sex can be taken. I
    don't know if you can hunt both times and get a bird each time or
    not. I guess the birds are getting plentiful and not many people
    are hunting them.(yet).
    
    On a side note. I was driving north on 495 and saw a dead turkey
    on the road where 495+140 cross. I don't know if any have been stocked
    in that area or not. It does'nt seen to be a good place to stock
    them. The hunting area is limited and during pheasent season there
    are guys everywhere.(also unless I'm wrong you cant hunt turkey
    in that particular county.)
    
    If anyone would like to, lets enter in here places we have seen birds or
    know to have been stocked with birds. I'll start by saying the Franklin
    area(may not be huntable for turkey). The Bolton flats in Bolton,
    the Rutland prison camps, Sandersfield state forest and surrounding
    areas. There are also a couple of places on the Cape that have been
    stocked and are supposed to have lots of birds.
    
                                   Walt

    I'll take any and all turkey quills, feathers.....For my summer time
    hobby....
    
    Jim
    

    Just 5 days to the Mass. Turkey season.  Not much talk about the cagey
    critters.
    
    I have my spot all picked out, now I just hope I'm the only one that
    picked my spot!
    
    Some things I would like to know:
    What are the levels of hunter pressure you have found in the past? What
    area do you hunt? (be general, I dont want you to give away the
    location of your favorite spot).  Share your hunt with us, successful
    or not, we can learn a lot from them.  I'll do the same. 
    
    Most of all though I want to know about hunter pressure. I want to know
    because I had an experience with some hunters messing up my hunt last
    spring. I want to find a new area, but am having trouble locating a new
    area, with less hunter pressure.
    
    Don

    Don,
    
    There aren't any spots in Mass. without pressure! The only advice I
    could give, is to try to locate birds away from roads and fields,
    where they are visible to everyone! The deeper in the wood that you
    can find a roosting area...the better.
    
    Good luck, can't wait for Monday!
    
    Barry