Indiana Turkey Quest

[Tim Bertram]

Hello to all. I am a long time follower of TradGang but this is my first post. I apologize now as I am not the best story teller and my grammer skills...well lets just say I am not an English teacher. I have also been told I am old fashioned and politically incorrect...but I wear those descriptions as a badge of honor. Not a lot of particulars to share other than I have a couple bows one of which always accompanies me on my hunting and outdoor adventures. I have a Widow and a Mahaska. Anyway a couple years ago I went on a bear hunt with Jerry Russell. During that hunt I met fellow TradGanger, Mike Davenport. Those of you that know Mike already know what a wonderful person Mike is. Anyway Mike inspired me to put my shotgun up and get after these turkeys with my recurve. He showed me some pictures of his successful turkey hunts and was even generous enough to share a few tips. Fast forward to Indiana 2016 Turkey season which started yesterday April 27th.....I am all in. The shotgun is staying in the cabinet. It is me and my Widow for the entire season. I have put my practice time in shooting out of the blind now all I need is some cooperation from the weather and the turkeys. I did not go out opening morning as it was a monsoon. I did make it out this morning but things were pretty quiet. I am not sure why...we had thunderstorms and heavy rain up until about 2:00AM, maybe that was the issue. I have also always questioned how late our season starts here. I heard 2 gobbles off in the distance and had a hen venture by my spread at about 75 yards. I took a few pictures of my set up, I just have to figure out how to post them. I will keep you all apprised of how my quest goes for my first traditional turkey. I am not hunting tomorrow as I am heading down for the Twin Oaks Traditional 3D shoot in Clarksville, TN. I am sure I will see some of you there. More to Come.

[23feetupandhappy]

Go get um Tim  

[dnurk]

Good luck Tim.  Also an Indiana resident here and I agree...I think they moved the season back WAY too late a number of years ago.  We hunt Monroe and Brown Counties and I can tell you the number of birds we hear is done each and every year from what it was 9 or 10 years ago.  They're still around but just not nearly as vocal or responsive.

Have a great season.

[maineac]

Tim, Good Luck.  We start Monday, and our toms our winter flocks have just started to break up and spread out the toms.  Still recovering from the winter of 14/15.

[Petrichor]

Welcome to the fire side. Good to have you and Good luck.

[tecum-tha]

Friend of mine got hs this morning. Being retired is nice when it comes to hunting time. He shot it with the shotgun but was within bow range and out of a blind. Have no idea why he did not use his bow. Probably because we miss the weekend because of the classic. Gobblers are less responsive because there are more hens. They don't have to lure them in with much gobbling as they now sit a lot of times right in the neighboring tree. Less hens, more gobbler competition and thus more gobbling is easy to explain when the numbers were lower a few years back.

[tecum-tha]

Double post,sorry.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Welcome to Trad Gang and good luck with the Turk.

[Tim Bertram]

Update : I have to say Wow !! My quest so far has been about battling bad weather, thunderstorms and soaking rains.....not good turkey hunting weather. The season started on Wednesday April 27th. I have made it out three mornings. I have seen a couple hens from the blind but as of yet no gobbler sightings. The Tom's for the most part have been quiet except for a couple gobbles at sunrise. Saturday afternoon I decided to do some scouting. It had been raining for almost 24 hours straight. I figured I would drive the country as I was almost certain the birds would be out in the fields trying to dry off. I was correct as I spied 3 Toms and a flock of ladies hanging around out in the middle of a field doing what turkeys do. I watched them for an hour or so trying to determine where they were going to roost. Needless to say I didn't sleep much Saturday night as I thought Sunday morning looked very favorable. As alluded to earlier Sunday morning dawned wet, cloudy and windy.....and ended with zero bird sightings and MAYBE I heard one gobble. My widow is itching to launch an arrow. But as the old saying goes this is a marathon not a sprint. I just need to keep doing things right, stay patient then hopefully the stars will align like they should and if they don't well I can tell you from experience that the greatest pleasure comes from the effort and the journey.....the harvest is just icing on the cake. Stay tuned.

[Hickrylb]

Good luck to you Indiana neighbor.

[Nole]

Good Luck to you Tim!

[wapiti792]

Tim, my brother!!!

Keep after it! The weather has stunk for you guys but maybe there is a break. I am so excited for you to give it a go. You will never regret it. They are still demonic avian tormentors from hell but you will be so fired up when you make it happen!

Call me if I can do anything to help. The first one is the hardest!!! Good luck    

Good luck!

Bisch

[dbd870]

Yeah the weather has not been very kind to us so far; I've only been out twice this season and that was Youth Weekend calling for a young man. Had good action both days, he missed one on Sunday. Going out the first time for me this Sunday and I too am leaving the 12GA in the safe. This will be my first time out turkey hunting with traditional gear (Bear Grizzly) hopefully we both can pick one up this spring.

And I see it is supposed to rain Sunday morning now.........