Opening day 2018

[Ketchup]

Who all has birds scouted, and is going to make it out?  I have been seeing several on the back side here, and on the neighbors. Im hoping i can sneak out a few hours in the morning, but its not looking the best work wise. 

[BilletHead]

          I will be out in the AM Ketchup and the take the Mrs. out Tuesday. Saying wind chills close to 20 here in BilletHeadVille. Going to dress warm and not walk too far so as to not sweat and make me feel even colder. See what happens . Got some jakes behind the house. If I get a chance may even shoot one of those so I can go back to fishing,

   BilletHead

[Seth]

It's going to be cold and windy in the morning so I think I am going to pass and wait till Tuesday before I venture to the woods. Three weeks is plenty of time to get on some birds so I'm not in a big hurry just yet.

[moturkey]

Three weeks is plenty of time to get on some birds so I'm not in a big hurry just yet.

 

Im with you on that Seth. For the first time in many years, I think opening day is ahead of the peak mating season due to the slow spring. That’s just fine with me. I’m going to ride out the first week, since a hunt for me isn’t as easy as stepping out my back door.  I really hate suburban life this time of year. 

[fishinwrench]

There are 3 areas near my place where I always see birds in the spring.  So far this year....nothing. Not even a feather or a pile of poop.     I don't hunt them anymore because I'd rather eat a store bought bird, but I still like calling them in and playing with them, and scavenging a few feathers off the ground.  

[Gavin]

Their locked up in a thicket somewhere. Have not seen the Old Warson CC flock since it got cold, but they were strutting all over the big yards in Ladue & Frontenac when it was warm last week. 

[Seth]

Tomorrow morning is going to be chilly, but the wind will be calm. A guy should at least hear a bird if he gobbles.

[David Unnerstall]

I applied for my first land-owners tag.  But my wife fell and broke her hip and now we are told the first surgery failed and she needs a hip replacement.

[BilletHead]

3 minutes ago, David Unnerstall said:

I applied for my first land-owners tag.  But my wife fell and broke her hip and now we are told the first surgery failed and she needs a hip replacement.

          Sorry to hear this David.  Prayers sent your way from BilletHeadVille for good results and a speedy recovery,

the BilletHeads

[BilletHead]

        Yes people it was a cold opener,

A little windy also. No real scouting this season. Just knowing what I have learned hunting in BilletHeadVille for many, many moons. Where they typically roost, fly down and feed. Really fortunate to have lived in one place and be able to do this. First off I bought one of these and think it may of helped. I know it could be dicey using it to some of you here. i would never try on public ground. I am not a crawler and with a bad shoulder  sneaking is pretty much out of the picture,

  Set up behind the house. As I set down I could pick out four hens silhouetted in the trees. Put the decoy in front out of me. I was told to keep it within arms length in case I needed to grab it. I did not and it was maybe five yards from me. I heard two toms, one close and the other pretty far off. Hens talking and even seen one picking buds or small leaves off the tree she was in. Soon the close tom pitched out. Not to the place I wanted in the field cut but straight down to the ground under his tree in the really thick timber. I mean thick with multiflora rose. The most nasty timber I have ever been in. All the other hens followed except for two that pitched in front of me. Soon they went into the timber with all the others. He gobbled a bit more and seemed to fade farther and farther away. Hummm I thought. After a long wait or so it seemed long to me I heard another gobble and decided to move where I was in the timber where i could watch a pretty clean fence line. I grabbed the decoy, made the move to a more comfortable tree to put my back to. This time I put the decoy right in front of me. Had not been there for five minutes and I seen a head bobbing up and down a Tom head I turned the decoy towards the coming bird and got behind it. Then he seen it and instantly went into a full strut. This was my cue and I lowered the gun and that was that. Bang your dead. Hens I had no idea were there went berserk going everywhere. That was just how thick it is in there,

   Nice pair of spurs too, Hung the scales and weighed him,   Longest beard fibers going slightly over 10.5 inches long and spurs 1.25,

      By far the toughest turkey i have ever skinned. That or I am getting weaker, That or I am old, maybe a combination of both .   

BilletHead