Turkey Season 2017

[LandDawg]

I hunt Choctaw Co, Holmes Co and Yazoo. Early springs have led to my best seasons. Started turkey hunting in 2012, which was extremely early bloom. Thought I was a master of the woods because I killed 2 in first 3 solo hunts. I have since been humbled. Have been Taught plenty of lessons, which has made me a better caller and hunter. 2015 was another early spring and maybe my best yr yet.

[BB30]

I hunt Choctaw Co, Holmes Co and Yazoo. Early springs have led to my best seasons. Started turkey hunting in 2012, which was extremely early bloom. Thought I was a master of the woods because I killed 2 in first 3 solo hunts. I have since been humbled. Have been Taught plenty of lessons, which has made me a better caller and hunter. 2015 was another early spring and maybe my best yr yet.

Ha ha they have a way of humbling all of us. I wouldn't want it any different. The longer you hunt them it is the birds that have the innate instinct to do exactly what you don't expect them too that will stick with you. I have had several that have stuck with me and am currently dealing with a stubborn one. This year will be year 3 of hunting the same bird, I have missed him twice and got to a point last season when I would just walk past him if there were other birds willing to play the game that day. It is as if he has a halo around him. I was worried he hadn't made it through to season and finally saw him last weekend alive and well.

As for the two misses, I missed him on opening day two years ago at about 20 yds as I managed to kill a nice sapling that I didn't see. Then, I managed to miss him on the last day of the season last year at 30 yds and I still am not sure what happened other then I just blanked. He would always roost within a couple hundred yards of the same place and would gobble once on the limb and once on the ground and that was it for the majority of the day. I missed him at 12 on opening day 2 years ago and missed him at 2:30 last year both times he looped behind and I didn't have a clue he was there until he started drumming. I have gotten to where I will find a couple of nice 2 YOs that are ready and willing and fool with him when there is no other game in town for the day. I'm sure I will get taught a few more lessons this season from him. The unique thing about this bird is he has white almost wing tipped looking colors in the middle of his fan. If I do get another opportunity to harvest him it will almost be hard to pull the trigger with the history I have with him. One of my favorite quotes is by Ben Rodgers Lee " If I could breath life back into him I would hunt him again tomorrow".

Also, If any of yall live in the Starkville area and have a youth you would like to take let me know and we can get together for a hunt I am always looking for a chance to get in the woods early and we have plenty of birds to hunt.

[LandDawg]

I know what you mean about a stubborn bird. This will be my 1st year to really battle with a bird that gave me fits the year before. He occasionally uses one side of my property, but spends 3/4 of his time on my neighbor. Made him difficult to hunt. Finally got permission to hunt my neighbor last weekend of season last year. We battled 3 straight days morning and afternoon, but he walked away the winner. He will be hard to leave for another bird when I hunt that property. Luckily I have other places to hunt.

Your quote "I missed him at 12 on opening day 2 years ago and missed him at 2:30 last year" reminds me of the best lesson Ive learned so far. Middle of the day is prime. In 5 years of hunting Ive killed 10 birds...5 of those were killed 10:30-2:30

Ben Rodgers Lee " If I could breath life back into him I would hunt him again tomorrow". This is a great quote. If it wasnt for the deliciousness of wild turkey, I would probably shoot most with my camera.

[BB30]

I know what you mean about a stubborn bird. This will be my 1st year to really battle with a bird that gave me fits the year before. He occasionally uses one side of my property, but spends 3/4 of his time on my neighbor. Made him difficult to hunt. Finally got permission to hunt my neighbor last weekend of season last year. We battled 3 straight days morning and afternoon, but he walked away the winner. He will be hard to leave for another bird when I hunt that property. Luckily I have other places to hunt.

Your quote "I missed him at 12 on opening day 2 years ago and missed him at 2:30 last year" reminds me of the best lesson Ive learned so far. Middle of the day is prime. In 5 years of hunting Ive killed 10 birds...5 of those were killed 10:30-2:30

Ben Rodgers Lee " If I could breath life back into him I would hunt him again tomorrow". This is a great quote. If it wasnt for the deliciousness of wild turkey, I would probably shoot most with my camera.

Yep, middle of the day has usually been when I have had most of my success. And I know what you mean, definitely my favorite wild game to eat.