Turkeys suck

Are the numbers down? Or did you just not see any?

Maybe you need your GD with you for good luck.

I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.

All the above. Actual in regen 4 where I live and hunt the turkeys have expanded, but there densidy is quite low. The bird flu I feel has them on the ropes, there is little natural food here in the winter. They have to live near AG to make it. Hunting presser has nothing to do with it, when a flock get going 100 hunters find them and wipe out the flock. A lot of private land will not let you hunt them, we don't have a fall season anymore. Merriam Turkey are the norm but there has been some Rio Grand turkeys introduced also. The boy and I and maybe his wife are heading in to the South Belts in the AM with the wheelers snow permitting. There are turkeys there and a good chance for a bear. Big smile

Edited by d4570 - 18 April 2025 at 09:44

Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

Thanks

Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

Looks like someone shot the fail of the bird on the right???

any story with that hunt???

Like to be hunting today, instead driving to DC

Edited by BEAR - 19 April 2025 at 07:46

“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”

Story? That's asking a lot.

It was 20 years ago, But I do remember a few facts.

Back then turkey were even farther apart then now.

They planted turkey back in the late 40's I think. In the lewistown area, the Judith mountains. They gradually spread in to the river brakes, what's now the Missouri River monument. The brakes are VERY rugged country, and with only a few flocks of turkey a person was very unlikely to even see them. It's more of a spot and stock hunt, drive a little walk a little and a lot of glassing. We lucked out and spotted a string of turkey walking on a deer trail. Hunting out there every thing is on the other side of BIG brakes. The boy and I started to head them off, back then I could walk the brakes fairly fast, and more or les grasefull. They behaves as we hoped and stopped in a natural pasture. If I remember right the hens were busy finding food and the toms where showing off. they headed right in to us, we had no calls or decoys just some luck. I was sporting my Marlin goose gun and Kristopher had his 1100 he got with paper route money, from many years earlier. No hand loads back then some kind of off the shelf turkey loads. We picked out our bird and I fired first and he dumped his a foot off the ground. First ever turkeys for us.The tail feathers got broke off "packing" the birds out. The Paper had an out door section, I submitted them and we got front page. Turkey were seldom pictured and it was a BIG deal back then. Great Memories! Big smile

Edited by d4570 - 19 April 2025 at 17:59

Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

good story of early turkey hunt with a young hunter!!!!

Irish Bird Dog

NRA Life/Endowment

2nd Amendment Supporter

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d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Turkeys suck Posted: 17 April 2025 at 17:02
	Opening day 04/15/25 the boy was working my other hunting buddy was down in bead and the GD was in school. That left me. Montana on the right side of the big pile of rocks can be very challenging to hunt turkeys. I went out the night before to see what I could see. What I saw was no turkeys but, a bunch of turkey hunters out looking too. So I thought if I get out WAY before the rest maybe I could locate a tom. Probably not but I thought I could do some "Pass" shooting or some running by. Again nope nothing. But on the way home along the river road to my house. Just to poke me in the eye.
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

Wing master Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA StraightShooter Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 8029	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wing master Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 April 2025 at 20:12
	Are the numbers down? Or did you just not see any? Maybe you need your GD with you for good luck.
	I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.

BEAR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 07 September 2013 Location: Appalachian Mtn Status: Offline Points: 14390	Post Options Post Reply Quote BEAR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 April 2025 at 09:29
	Possibly the climate (cold/snow) but turkeys are not native to Montana. Our eastern birds are down since the coyote population exploded. Heavy wet enow followed by a cold night can give the birds a ice ball on their tail; makes fast take-off difficult upon attack. I think most are Merriams???? Eastern turkey hunter drive a long way to get a Merriam bird.
	“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 April 2025 at 09:42
	All the above. Actual in regen 4 where I live and hunt the turkeys have expanded, but there densidy is quite low. The bird flu I feel has them on the ropes, there is little natural food here in the winter. They have to live near AG to make it. Hunting presser has nothing to do with it, when a flock get going 100 hunters find them and wipe out the flock. A lot of private land will not let you hunt them, we don't have a fall season anymore. Merriam Turkey are the norm but there has been some Rio Grand turkeys introduced also. The boy and I and maybe his wife are heading in to the South Belts in the AM with the wheelers snow permitting. There are turkeys there and a good chance for a bear. Edited by d4570 - 18 April 2025 at 09:44
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

BEAR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 07 September 2013 Location: Appalachian Mtn Status: Offline Points: 14390	Post Options Post Reply Quote BEAR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 April 2025 at 12:21
	"snow permitting" ouch. Latitude here is 41o, I think you are about 47o north. But temp as I type is 85 oF and sunny! snow long gone. Going out to spray weeds now. Turkeys open early may. Good luck in the South belts.
	“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 April 2025 at 16:03
	Thanks
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

Wing master Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA StraightShooter Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 8029	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wing master Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 April 2025 at 17:45
	Typically there is a lot of turkeys over by Devils Tower in the Wyoming Black Hills. I haven't been over there in several years so I don't know if they are still there in good numbers. Good Luck D.
	I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 April 2025 at 18:29

	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 April 2025 at 18:52
	I have a pic that was in our GF tribune back when we had a paper and an out door reporter. My son and I where hunting turkey in the river brakes some 20 years ago. At the time they were very large montana turkeys, In the news paper worthey anyway. I remember the shot, the hunt, and with my boy.
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

BEAR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 07 September 2013 Location: Appalachian Mtn Status: Offline Points: 14390	Post Options Post Reply Quote BEAR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 April 2025 at 07:46
	Looks like someone shot the fail of the bird on the right??? any story with that hunt??? Like to be hunting today, instead driving to DC Edited by BEAR - 19 April 2025 at 07:46
	“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”

BEAR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 07 September 2013 Location: Appalachian Mtn Status: Offline Points: 14390	Post Options Post Reply Quote BEAR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 April 2025 at 17:17
	OK, I'm back from DC, a mere 9.5 hour drive. But, all that time I was expecting to see pics of bearded birds. where da birdies??????
	“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 April 2025 at 17:58
	Story? That's asking a lot. It was 20 years ago, But I do remember a few facts. Back then turkey were even farther apart then now. They planted turkey back in the late 40's I think. In the lewistown area, the Judith mountains. They gradually spread in to the river brakes, what's now the Missouri River monument. The brakes are VERY rugged country, and with only a few flocks of turkey a person was very unlikely to even see them. It's more of a spot and stock hunt, drive a little walk a little and a lot of glassing. We lucked out and spotted a string of turkey walking on a deer trail. Hunting out there every thing is on the other side of BIG brakes. The boy and I started to head them off, back then I could walk the brakes fairly fast, and more or les grasefull. They behaves as we hoped and stopped in a natural pasture. If I remember right the hens were busy finding food and the toms where showing off. they headed right in to us, we had no calls or decoys just some luck. I was sporting my Marlin goose gun and Kristopher had his 1100 he got with paper route money, from many years earlier. No hand loads back then some kind of off the shelf turkey loads. We picked out our bird and I fired first and he dumped his a foot off the ground. First ever turkeys for us.The tail feathers got broke off "packing" the birds out. The Paper had an out door section, I submitted them and we got front page. Turkey were seldom pictured and it was a BIG deal back then. Great Memories! Edited by d4570 - 19 April 2025 at 17:59
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

Wing master Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA StraightShooter Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 8029	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wing master Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 April 2025 at 20:36
	great story D. Memories like that are priceless. Do you still have time to hunt?
	I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.

Irish Bird Dog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Too many Joined: 01 March 2009 Location: Midwest Status: Offline Points: 5574	Post Options Post Reply Quote Irish Bird Dog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 April 2025 at 23:24
	good story of early turkey hunt with a young hunter!!!!
	Irish Bird Dog NRA Life/Endowment 2nd Amendment Supporter