Well, Monday was my first time turkey hunting. Here in Michigan you have to apply for a turkey permit and I was drawn for the second week. My opening day started on Monday and I have until Sunday. It sucks only getting a week to hunt.
Joe (hubby), his dad and I all took Monday off of work and were hoping for success. We definately did our preseason scouting and it worked out for the guys. They each had drawn permits for the first week and came home with a bird opening day. But we had a heck of a time when it came to finding one to roost this past Sunday evening. We had split up to broaden our chances, but the woods were quiet - for all of us. Joe and I finally heard a couple gobbles nearly out of earshot, so at least we had a general location but that was it.
Monday morning rolled around and we up and out EARLY hoping we could pinpoint a roost location that morning. And again, quiet. We knew there were a lot of toms in the area, but luck was just against us. After deciding to move into an area that we hoped would be productive, we got busted by a turkey. lol. Figures. The jury is still out on whether it was a tom or not. It was big, very big. But we didn't see a beard.
We moved again and the guys started calling for me. And boom! Two toms sounded off! Eureka! The birds kept moving closer and then it sounded like they were hung up at the road. We moved down, crossed the road, got set up again and they started moving to us. They were hot. I was all ready, I saw a red head, saw a beard, and took moved my safety off. CLICK! Crap! It was way too loud. The toms went on alert and Joe whispered to take the shot. I pulled the trigger and knew immediately that I had rushed things. I missed clean. They took off and our luck wasn't any better the rest of the day. They called another one in, but he got hung up at some brush and gave up. Of course, we should have known he'd come in from the one direction that we didn't think he would.
I still had a blast though, after the initial frustration, dissappointment, and anger at myself for missing. And I can't wait to get back out. We're going to head out straight after work tomorrow, but will only get a couple hours in before shooting time ends. Hopefully, there are some birds left. I'm stuck hunting public land. And then I'll have to contend with all the other weekend hunters on Saturday.
I'm really jealous of you guys down in states where you can shoot multiple birds and have weeks to hunt. :tongue:
Joe (hubby), his dad and I all took Monday off of work and were hoping for success. We definately did our preseason scouting and it worked out for the guys. They each had drawn permits for the first week and came home with a bird opening day. But we had a heck of a time when it came to finding one to roost this past Sunday evening. We had split up to broaden our chances, but the woods were quiet - for all of us. Joe and I finally heard a couple gobbles nearly out of earshot, so at least we had a general location but that was it.
Monday morning rolled around and we up and out EARLY hoping we could pinpoint a roost location that morning. And again, quiet. We knew there were a lot of toms in the area, but luck was just against us. After deciding to move into an area that we hoped would be productive, we got busted by a turkey. lol. Figures. The jury is still out on whether it was a tom or not. It was big, very big. But we didn't see a beard.
We moved again and the guys started calling for me. And boom! Two toms sounded off! Eureka! The birds kept moving closer and then it sounded like they were hung up at the road. We moved down, crossed the road, got set up again and they started moving to us. They were hot. I was all ready, I saw a red head, saw a beard, and took moved my safety off. CLICK! Crap! It was way too loud. The toms went on alert and Joe whispered to take the shot. I pulled the trigger and knew immediately that I had rushed things. I missed clean. They took off and our luck wasn't any better the rest of the day. They called another one in, but he got hung up at some brush and gave up. Of course, we should have known he'd come in from the one direction that we didn't think he would.
I still had a blast though, after the initial frustration, dissappointment, and anger at myself for missing. And I can't wait to get back out. We're going to head out straight after work tomorrow, but will only get a couple hours in before shooting time ends. Hopefully, there are some birds left. I'm stuck hunting public land. And then I'll have to contend with all the other weekend hunters on Saturday.
I'm really jealous of you guys down in states where you can shoot multiple birds and have weeks to hunt. :tongue: