Been hunting the same flock in western Kansas for 20+ years. In the beginning I once saw what seemed to be the whole flock, about 140 birds. The farmer of the land said there were about 300. My, how times have changed. Last year we saw 12. Not that many years ago, between the spring and fall seasons the limit was eight, two of which had to be spring toms. Now just one tom in the spring; no fall season.
We know where they roost so we set up our decoys predawn and then hide. Once they start gobbling while still in the trees we start calling. We keep calling and they usually come in to our decoys.
I shoot a no. 5 or 6 lead 2 3/4" 12 gauge shell, same thing I use on pheasants, but thru a .680 choke. That's extra extra full which adds range and big knock down power. Shoot them in the head. The breast usually has no wounds.
Big fun and good eating.
. I went in the woods and walked about a quarter mile to a nice spot overlooking a creek. Called and got response from about 200 yards. pulled back some so I could bop him when or if he poked his head up coming up the hill. Started calling but he only responded once. Then all hell broke loose directly behind me with two big blowdowns between us. Low pitched clucks and one gobble. I rolled off the tree and lay in a prone position and had clucking match for what seemed like an hour but was probably just a few minutes. I figured they were jakes, but I've been fooled before. All the while I'm thinking that the original Tom was probably standing behind me now. Finally, they wondered off without ever walking into the open. My neck was about to break off so i rolled onto my back and raised up and there stood the first Tom looking at me at 30 yards. He was gone in a flash. And that my friends is why I turkey hunt. Heading out now to a different place to try my luck.
