Turkey Journal #1

Thursday - April 26, 2012 - Evening Hunt

Sitting & Waiting

Wade and I headed out Thursday evening.  We first went to the property where we deer hunt the most.  Wade harvested a nice tom on this property last year, but we're unsure of the presence of turkeys at all this year.  We moved along a powerline grass median in the middle of the woods.  We got to the main ridge (the same place where Wade harvested his bird last year) and set up our jake and hen decoys.  We decided we'd just sit and call for awhile .We heard something coming from the right. I slowly turned my head to see a doe headed right for us.  Luckily she avoided us, and headed up along the ridge in front of us.  Behind her a smaller doe. The main doe got directly in front of us and started eyeballing the decoys. She came to a dead stop, and started doing the one-foot stomp.  She couldn't quite figure out what our decoys were.  Soon enough she let out a loud BLOW, and with that she spooked.  She stopped about 30 yards further, and blew again, and again, and again.  I looked at Wade and said "she either didn't like the smells, or she's scared of the turkey".  If she's scared of the turkey it may mean that she doesn't see too many of them. I may be wrong, but to me that was a bad sign.  With the blowing, all the ruckus, and no turkey sign we decided to head elsewhere.  We still had a good 2 hours to hunt.

Entering into the pine thicket.

Just down the road is some property my family owns. This is the only place I've shot turkeys.  The adjoining property is a club, and they always have lots of guys hunting. Since it was one day after opening day, I figured the woods would be rattled on edge.  We decided to try it anyway. We headed to the back of the woods to a pine thicket. The pine thicket is surrounded by woods on the South, East, and West sides.  To the North is a cornfield.  As soon as we stepped foot into the pines we see a big tom in the cornfield. We decided to try to get around him by cutting across the South Side of the pines.  The pine needle forest floor made for a quieter walk. We get to the West Side of the thicket, and we can no longer see the bird in the field.  He has either caught us, or just simply moved on.  I do however know where the turkeys used to roost on this property, and we decided to try and catch him headed back to the roost.  We again set up our decoys, and called a little.  We've tried to lean away from the yelping, but instead of stuck with purrs. When the toms aren't cooperating we try to just call lightly, and just enough for him to locate us.


The evening turned into night, and we learned the birds aren't roosting in the same place they used to. We packed up our gear, and headed out. I told Wade that we have lots of time left, and that we at least know there are birds here. As soon as we get back through the pines and into the cornfield we see 8 deer run out of the woods. It's good to see some made it through the deer season. Day #1 was a bust, but it was a great feeling being back in the woods.  


(Joey W. Buttram - Willowpine Outdoors)

Nate Jordan - April 27, 2012

Opening week wasn't a bust for everyone! Congrats to Nate Jordan of Lanesville,IN on his 2012 Turkey Harvest. Hopefully I can talk Nate into telling the story for an article. Nate shot his tom on Friday April 27th. The bird came in at 25lbs, with a 10.5'' Beard, and 27mm Spurs. Send us your pics, and we'll feature your trophies. willowpine@live.com.