Turkeygirl Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Got up at 5am this morning, drove over to the state land, saw one vehicle parked on the road, turned onto the dirt road I drive up and there's someone with a kid...don't know where he was taking the kid hunting but they were going to have one heck of a hike of they were going after the same bird I heard this morning. Anyway at least probably a mile or so drove up the dirt road in the state land to stop at a trail I know of because of camp, that I take to get onto the ridge where I shot last year's gobbler. What do you know I get into the woods and a bird gobbles right off the ridge! So I sit and listen, there is a field on the state land below this ridge that I think the birds are flying down to in the morning, considering last year. I didn't see the guy and the kid, doesn't mean they weren't around somewhere, but I got on the ridge a little after 5:30 and if they were walking up to this spot, it would have been light by then. Anyway at 6:01am I hear flap flap, then flap flap again, he flew off the roost. I wait, hear a quick couple cutts, he gobbles once and that was all I heard. And it sounds like he flew down towards the field or something. I snuck out, drove down to camp, walked around over there, found a few areas with scratchings. Saw and heard no one being youth season. Drove back through at 8am, van still there...don't know where they went. So now I'm trying to figure out should I focus on finding out what this bird is doing in the morning or should I be listening at different areas to pinpoint other birds? Or should I focus on by home here...I have found sign a gobbler is around by home, but only been up there in the morning once. Anyway any suggestions or tips on what/where I should place my focus on? I might try going up back tonight, see if I hear anything, and then tomorrow morning go over to the state land, but I don't know if I should go back to see if I can pattern that bird or hit a different area. By the way, he's theo nly one I definitely heard this morning, there was a slight breeze and I thought I may have heard some very muffled gobbles elsewhere, maybe where the guy and kid where, but I can't be sure. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 I'm thinking that sometime between now and your opener, I'd slip in to the area you figure the bird you heard this morning is flying down to. See where it is he's hitting the ground and be there 0-dark-30 on the first day ready to shoot him in the face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyfarmer Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 whens opening day for you btw? One thing to worry about are the others that my be setting up on that bird. If you dont think its safe hunting there then dont. I like to find a bird thats pretty vocal. Its about the show for me now. Plus, if he's vocal you know where its at all the time. If he's heading to a field, then you need to be there well before light and set your decoys up. Let him gobble some, then call lightly. If all goes right, he should come right to that field to strut. Open ridges are good places to setup also. I wouldnt push into that area to much so keep a distance before opening day. Ive seen people spook bird after bird because they roam through the woods or drive through the area they want to hunt scouting. The less he sees the safer he feels coming in the open. if you can, go back and listen for his gobbles and just see what direction he likes to head. Find that out and get there before he does on opening day;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted April 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 My season opens May 1...coming up quick. I think in the morning I'll go over to the state land but a different spot where I heard birds gobble from last year...I want to have options. Went up back tonight, nothing....there's a bird somewhere up there but he's not showing himself... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 I'm thinking that sometime between now and your opener, I'd slip in to the area you figure the bird you heard this morning is flying down to. See where it is he's hitting the ground and be there 0-dark-30 on the first day ready to shoot him in the face. That sounds like a plan to me. Season starts in only a handful of days. Meanwhile I'd check out other options. Being on state land he may get whacked then you're out of options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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