FSU_Seminole Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 Yes I'm a turkey harvest virgin. I've never shot a bird before BUT I only started turkey hunting last year here in South Carolina & I LOVED IT. A friend encouraged me last January to take up turkey hunting. I never gave turkey hunting a thought because I love to deer hunt so much. I started watching programs & when I would go to wal mart I'd see all the turkey calls DVDs, camo ect ect. Something inside me clicked & it felt like waiting for deer season to open. Last year I read this board a ton picking up tips & pointers from you guys, I didn't post anything because I didn't want to ask any dumb questions being that I was a complete novice. But I'm going to ask this year when I need the info. The season here starts at the begining of April until May 1st. I taught myself to use a box & friction call & I called a few hens into myself last year & I spooked a huge globbler trying to sneak my way into another field. That bird was coming to my call but I guess I wasn't patient enough & I didn't see him, he saw me. Oh well beginers mistake, it was alot of fun. I plan on buying a new shotgun this March & hopefully I can take a tom down this season. I love my new spring hobby. Somebody should have put me on to this sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 About all I got to say is... You'll never forget your first!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 About all I got to say is... You'll never forget your first!:D Now that's funny, right there!! I don't care who ya are......that's funny!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Seminole Posted January 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Now that's funny, right there!! I don't care who ya are......that's funny!! Yeah that was hilarious. LOL!!!!!! I didn't know how else to describe my turkey hunting experience. I just picked up a shotgun, taught myself to call & went to the woods. I know its a lot more to it than that. I certainly love the sport of it. Some people say they love turkey hunting more than deer. I won't say that but it darn sure is close. Maybe that will change when I get a tom standing 35 yards from me for the first time & I'm shaking like a leaf on a tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Despite my screen name, I've only killed one bird. Really don't have too much time to hunt as you are restricted to morning hours in Ohio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Some people say they love turkey hunting more than deer. I would be one of those people. I can't remember of any deer ever that gave me the rush that a big old longbeard in close gives me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ambuscher Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 If I had to choose between deer and turkey, it would be turkey hunting. There's nothing like the sound of a spring gobbler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 I would be one of those people. I can't remember of any deer ever that gave me the rush that a big old longbeard in close gives me. Gotta 2nd that! I'm one of those people too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_RIDGE_RUNNER Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 You are in for a real treat when that adrenelin thrill hits you when that old tom sounds off on the roost. Every time he gobbles on the way in you get hit with another shot of adrenelin. I have been sitting all pumped up for nearly two hours on a turkey. You get the same thrill on a deer but most times it lasts only for a moment. Oh yes the sound of that tom coming in, there is nothing like it. Hey sometimes you even get to shoot one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 I certainly love the sport of it. Some people say they love turkey hunting more than deer. I won't say that but it darn sure is close. Maybe that will change when I get a tom standing 35 yards from me for the first time & I'm shaking like a leaf on a tree. This April will be five years that I have been spring turkey hunting! I wanted something to hunt in the spring and gave it a shot! I fell in love with it immediately! I hooked with thebigone (Chad), and he invited me to his camp. The last day I was there it was still raining. By mid-morning it cleared up! Chad woke me up by saying he heard a gobbler! I gather my stuff, and headed out! I wasn't 100 yards from the cabin when I hit the slate, GOBBLE!!!!!!!!! I went about another 30 yards and sat down. Didn't even have enough time to put up a decoy! Hit the slate again, GOBBLE!!!!!!!!! Then I seen him coming down the mountain! His tail fan was big and full, along with a long beard! I seen him open that fan about three or four times in the 70-80 yards he traveled! I touched the slate very lightly this time, GOBBLE!!!!!!!!! I dropped the call and raised the gun, waiting! He hung up about 40-50 yards. I wanted him closer, but he just knew there was something wrong! At the last second he started walking away. I fired three shots, missed him clean. Spent quite a while looking, never seen anything from him again! I was hooked for life! There I knew I needed to be really serious about patterning my gun, and making sure from now on the bird has to be within 40 yards! I know I shouldn't have fired, but it amazed me that I called this bird in. I thought my heart was about to explode! So yeah, I know what your talking about! I just wish now like archery, I would have started this a lot sooner in my life! I too have learned a ton in here! Don't ever not ask any questions! There are a bunch of people in here that will always answer! :cool: Oh and BTW, I have not shot a gobbler yet too! But I sure love getting out there and trying too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest spurcollector Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Last year was a tough season in SC. Whereabouts in SC do you hunt? Turkey hunting does get in your blood. I'm an avid deer hunter but deer hunting is just something I do to pass time between Turkey Seasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HoppeMan Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 I would be one of those people. Me too My first year deer hunting was awesome, but after that it almost became work. I actually considered not going for deer shotgun this year, but ended up going and having a great hunt anyway :rolleyes: Good luck on the bird hunting this spring. I came to this forum last year not knowing the beard from a spur on a wild gobbler, but some great guys here gave me great tips and really helped me a lot Practice with your calls, always practice, and in the words of Chris Ashley, always, "Shoot the puffy one" :D Take care, Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Seminole Posted January 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 Last year was a tough season in SC. Whereabouts in SC do you hunt? Turkey hunting does get in your blood. I'm an avid deer hunter but deer hunting is just something I do to pass time between Turkey Seasons. I hunt Turkeys in Clarendon & Sumter counties. Mostly down in Clarendon near Manning SC. Yeah I know the season was tough here last year. Or so I was told. I heard several birds gobble & I saw 2 big toms while actually hunting. Turkey seem to be like deer right before the season opens. In late March I can take you down a few hwys near Manning SC about 11 am & you will see flocks of turkeys up & down that road about mid day. Its almost automatic, but when the season starts they vanish except for this 1 field off the road. I don't think anyone is hunting there because turkeys hang out in this field like people in Miami beach. Even when I didn't turkey hunt years prior I use to always see turkeys in this 1 particular spot almost year round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 Turkey hunting is a BLAST!!! Nothing better than a big ol gobbler gobbling his head off as you give him those seductive clucks and purrs.....Then there he is full strut....spitting drumming....and your there to enjoy the beauty of it all.....Then you realize its time to LAY THE SMACK DOWN!!!! Yeah I love turkey hunting :D:D Is it that time of year yet......:(:D Hope you smoke a tom this year.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 About all I got to say is... You'll never forget your first!:DROFLMBO!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest spurcollector Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 I hunt Turkeys in Clarendon & Sumter counties. Mostly down in Clarendon near Manning SC. Yeah I know the season was tough here last year. I do some hunting in Florence County. And some in Darlington. I do some Deer Hunting in Lynchburg. That's near Sumter. Florence isn't far from Sumter at all. If you ever get over this way let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest spurcollector Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Do you ever go to Florence. There's a nice sporting goods place called South's Finest on Hwy 76. And one of the malls has a Dick's Sporting Goods. If you're ever over that way, let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_RIDGE_RUNNER Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Here is a little tip. Get a good mouth call and practice with it till you are able to imitate a hen real good. Then eat a saltine cracker and try again. This is what I have found when a real gobbler is in view and needs just a little pursuasion to move closer. The only problem I have is at that time I am struck with a sever case of dry mouth. It is amazing that I actually got the tom to come closer with what came out of my mouth in its dry condition. It only sounded remotely like a turkey but thankfully enough like a turkey to entice the bird closer. Most likely it was curiosity on the toms part. I recall last year of laughing outloud after the shot at my dry mouth attempts to use the mouth call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Seminole Posted January 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 Do you ever go to Florence. There's a nice sporting goods place called South's Finest on Hwy 76. And one of the malls has a Dick's Sporting Goods. If you're ever over that way, let me know. Ok sure thing. Florence is 35 minutes from me. I'm not sure of where that Dick's Sporting Goods is, but I do know where ACE Scofield hardware is. They also carry some very nice hunting equipment. Bows, guns ammo clothing ect ect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Good luck. In the 5 or so years I have been hunting them, I have gotten close to closing the deal several times, but only killed one bird to date. I stink at calling them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 this will sounds kinda silly but honestly the EASIEST way to call in a bird is get in between where he is coming from and wanting to go.... If he his heading to a field to strut and your along that path he will be 1000 times easier to call in. But if your still in the woods wanting him to come back towards you calling him back will be harder. This is where scouting really comes into play. And another thing....the nature breading process of turkeys is the gobbler struts and gobbles and the HEN GOES TO the gobbler..... We as hunters are trying to do it backwards by calling the gobbler into the hen ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest turkeynutz64 Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 I was lucky, my first time out I got one with my bro-in-law and two days later got one with my bow and we havent missed a season sense! going on 20 years now!! We take alot of doubles and sometimes we include a bud and get a triple! It consumes your sole, and eats away at your brain! Like being a alchy looken for a bottle or a junky looken for a fix! Its so bad that the ol ladies will threaten devorce by the end of season! When we go to other states the women just cant fantem what the obbsession is to make us spend 6-8 hundred dollars a year for something they get at the grocery store for 10-20 dollars!!! So yeah, you could say Im a turkaholic!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest butchholladay Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Seminole, I live here in Manning, I have a Remington Model 870 Wingmaster 12 ga coming my way in a few days, I was wanting to know if you perhaps knew if someone would like to swap a 20 for a 12, same shotgun, just different gauge. ANyone you might think of in the area who wants to swap or trade, let me know, be glad to give you my number. I could sell it to, but would have to get what i paid for itwhich is gonna be $335.00 Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Horton4life Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Its all good, this will be my first time killing a bird if i get one this spring. I live in ohio so its pretty tough to find them, especially since i live in central ohio. But hey ill just have to get er done right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 I killed my first 20years ago this spring. The turkey hunting in the Lowcountry of South Carolina is WORLD CLASS. Your time will come. Just a huge dose a patience and sit your butt still and shut up will really help. I figure it takes 18hrs of sitting still per bird down here, unless you get real lucky and take two at once. Any daylight hour is fair game. Throw your deer hunting notions away. Turkeys move ALL DAY LONG! Here's the reality almost no one believes. You can't make them do anything! But you can pretty much count on them repeating the same behavior day after day, if they are not spooked. That's why "run and gunners" never get a second chance to hunt with me, ever. They are IMHO just wasting time, and changing the birds patterns. Yes, you can call them, yes you can decoy them but those things are only secondary to actually patterning them in the first place. Good luck this spring! Start doing your homework now. I've already found six candidates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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