Gettin' Ready

[petey]

rubicon,

I sure don't miss hunting those public land Metro DC gobblers. Talk about over pressured!!!

Albeit I always got my 2 birds while living down there, it normally took me a while to do it. I can recall the first day I ever hunted down there... I went out and listened every morning for 2 week prior, and had the exact bird I wanted to shoot picked out and pretty much patterned.... never saw another hunter doing any preseason scouting. He always roosted on this one ridge. I never call prior to season, I just don't see the point in calling in a bird just to make him smart before season.... heck anyone can do that.

Anyhow, opening day.....I'm the first guy there since I have him roosted and about 5 mins before go time here comes the first set of flashlights. I had around 5 guys sitting all around me...the bird jumps roost and is gone. I catch up to him a little later on and while working him good get another hunter who jumps right in between him and I.. Of course the brid saw him and shut up right away. I had a nice talk with that "hunter" and said where I come from you don't do that sort of thing. I think he could have cared less. I left very mad, and as I got to where I parked there were 10 cars there!!!

I spent all day looking at maps figuring I needed a new spot and found a place that had limited access...actually I highly doubt many knew of how to get into this place. On the second day I went in and had one gobble right in front of me on the way in. I sat up 80 yards out. It took me 2 hours to call him in because I had another hunter come in on me and start calling. I got real agressive and closed the deal. After the shot, he came up and said "I just knew one of us was going to get it" What?!?...um if you knew I was there, why did you even jump in on me.

Anyhow, 20-30 more birds later in many more states has taugh me that urban Maryland just blows for hunting turkey...Not b/c of the turkey, but because of the idiotic hunters.

Anyhow, I can't wait for this year. I called a bird in for a youth last year. His first hunt ever and it was done in less than 5 mins of hunting. Then I called in a big ol longbeard for his buddy who also was a first timer. He moved at the wrong time and spooked that big ol boy....Oh well, we'll get him this year.