So Sunday I went to UH and parked on the highway and burned some boot leather scouting and listening. Its been probably 8 or 9 years since I had been there and have never hunted turkeys there. Well I was lucky enough to locate 2 different gobblers in roughly the same area so I left feeling pretty happy about just hearing some. Today was the first hunt of the year out there and I was in line at 4 and I was about the 10th vehicle in line. When I pulled up to the pull off spot there was a truck there with 2 guys getting there stuff together,so I walked over and asked them which direction they were planning on going as to not crowd them since they were there first. They were basically going in the same direction I had planned, just my luck. One of the guys asked me if I had ever hunted there before and I told him one time along time ago. He told me about a spot that thre is usually a gobbler in down this other firebreak in the other direction. Now Im not a rookie turkey hunter and I was a little skeptical because most guys that know about a gobbler will go to great lengths to keep it a secret. I was completely blind at this point and had no other game in town so I slipped down this firebreak and found the area he talked about sat down and waited until gobbling time. Gobbling time and flydown time came and went and hadnt heard a peep so I decided to walk a little and try to find one. After about an hour walk and not hearing anything I was getting that feeling that I had been hoodwinked by this guy and was mad at myself not him for falling for it,so I headed back the way I came in and was just about to the spot where I was first thing in the morning and then he let loose on his own at about 150 yards. He gobbled 3 more times on his own while I was trying to cut the distance and find a good setup. We had a good duel for about 10 minutes and then I shut up on him and just started scratching leaves. He gobbled once more on his own and shut up so I figured hes coming nowand was on high alert. Well he won this round but it was alot of fun. I guess there are some guys left out there that will help you out and the only reason I think he did is because I approached them and didnt want to crowd them and he appreciated that. When I got back to the car there was a turkey feather stuck on my windshield with a dab of blood so one of those gobblers bit the dust so I didnt leave completely empty handed I had a feather and a smile on my face.
Thanks for putting this up. I was going to Pm you and see if you went. I always heard the first 2 days is packed but thins out after that. I may try to go next wed or thur
How many were checked in?
There was only one gobbler checked in when I left but I heard 3 shots. Pm me if you want to meet up next Wednesday, I still have your number from when you messaged me before. I got a learning experience today,it was filled up with people this morning but when I left at 1 the guy at the check station said most everybody was cleared out by 10 oclock,so even on the opening hunt they clear out early and you pretty much have the place to yourself. There are some pretty woods in there and Im sure it holds a good amount of birds,should just get better as the season progresses.
Yeah my buddy guides on property in wesley Chapel, and they have better success later in the season and after 11AM. I am going to try to hit it next wed. Lets see how the week goes
Did you go to the general area I told you about?
Glad to hear you got out today bud. I checked my phone for a text all day waiting for a " bird down! ". Good luck next week.
