2024 Spring Turkey Hunt

It's not really my preference either.

But I do what I have to do to try and be successful.
Im very different than most. I do what I have to do to be successful but its about accomplishment and doing it the way I like. For instance rabbit hunting I never shoot rabbits the dogs didn’t jump and run 1-2 circles first. Dog don’t point and hold an upland bird i ain’t shooting it. Don’t bait deer. Don’t like bass fishing unless it’s top water. Won’t bonefish unless I can see the fish to cast a fly to it. Turkeys don’t work to calling I’m not interested, etc etc but understand I don’t care what others do I just always opt for harder. For instance, I had a brain tumor 10 years ago. My optic nerve was hit in surgery. It was my dominant eye. Can’t see through a peep or sights clearly. Legally I can use a crossbow in every state around me.
Ive shot stykbows over 50 years too. All I hunt and shoot w now is a longbow. I shoot split vision and if you understand that its like wingshooting . You can see the bead/arrow tip in your perphirory but you concentrate on the target. I can shoot like that so thats what i do. It also made me deaf in one ear. Cant tell sound direction. Still ain’t doing anything I see as myself easier or taking me out of the action if that makes sense and Id bet not many in the area are as successful and they use easier methods. For this reason I’m so adamant about teaching my mentees what others dont understand . Hope that made sense
 
I've been very fortunate hunting turkeys. I did some bragging last year when we discussed turkey hunting, so I'll save you guys that bluster. There are numerous ways to hunt them, and I've tried most of them except hunting from a blind. But the thought is looking better, especially in the rain, and with a bow. I used to be a run and gun guy but age, shrinking permission and falling bird numbers have changed my tactics considerable. Most of my bird were taken from the National Forrest and I still get over there a few times a year and sometimes a little truck camping. But It's an hour's drive, and I have birds out the back door so that drive is getting harder to do. I'd like to think I'm a better hunter or a better caller than most, but the truth is I love to be in the woods in the spring. I love the sound of a gobble and the woods waking up. Therefore, I'm probably there more than most. So, my chances of finding that one Tom at the right time with the right call with no screw ups are higher. As for calls there are no wonder calls that bring them in every time. I know very successful guys who do nothing but cluck. Decoys will sometimes work and sometimes scare them off. I usually use one when bow hunting with the idea that if one comes in he might be concentrating on the decoy, giving me a chance to draw. I never touched a bow for 40 years but started shooting reflex deflect long bows about 10 years ago right before I retired. It's the most challenging form of shooting I've ever tried. I know there are 2 maybe 3 birds in the freezer, So I'm thinking about committing to the bow for the entire season instead of just the 1st week. Good luck to all who hunt them this year. And please be safe, It's a dangerous sport.
 
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