Despite the dry weather, our hills and valleys exploded in a riot of bright color, the reds, oranges and yellows of fall so breathtaking, often set against the intense bright blue of the fall sky.
One morning as I drove to work the very first smoothly filtered sun rays beamed upon the dew moistened leaves of the maples on the hill above, their stunningly rich and vibrant colors framed in the still dark green leaves of the oaks on either side. I stopped and stared, drinking in the absolute, glorious, beaming spectacle, incredibly beautiful and soul touching. The picture was so vibrant, gleaming and simply awesome. God’s gifts so freely given are hard to comprehend, such genius in shape, form and color.
However, two weeks have passed and most foliage has changed and already fallen. Saturday’s hills will have far fewer leaves. Now it’s the oaks turn to change, their rich browns, reds and ochre colors more subdued, but still beautiful in their own humble way. Time swiftly passes.
Amazingly, turkey season is once again upon us and those of us who love to chase these elusive birds are puzzling over where to go and what to use. In the good old days of stable populations and feeding you could pretty well plan on hunting the same location the first day every year.
Favorite spots around the county were Little Miam, Shep Run, Burger Hollow and The Gut between Smethport and Port Allegany to name just a few. These locations always held good numbers of turkeys because families feed them every winter. Once upon a time the game Commission feed them as well, but they stopped and as fate would have it, we had several unusually mild winters in the northern counties making it appear winter feeding was unnecessary. Seems a cruel fate doesn’t it? Now, without winter feeding turkeys are where you find them making it necessary to scout and move around.
To me half the fun of turkey season’s the preparation, feeling the anticipation, planning, talking to your buddies and comparing information, what to bring to camp to eat and drink.
I don’t know about you, but I attempt to be organized from year to year. Notice the word attempt. I have drawers under the workbench. The top, left hand most drawer used to hold a couple box calls, a slate call or two, mouth calls, chalk, sandpaper and the choke tubes for various shotguns.
Now, however, one drawer doesn’t seem to be enough. The number of box calls I have seems to have doubled or tripled, slates calls abound and their round shapes make them difficult to store, they take up too much room. Their many different strikers are varying lengths and awkward to fit in confined spaces as well. Add the crow calls and now two drawers are stuffed to overflowing and occasionally something pops up in the mess and prevents you from opening the drawer; most frustrating!
Despite this plethora of calls and their many different and varied sounds, tones, keys and volume I don’t believe I shoot any more turkeys now than I did with just a few of the old basics, but I sure have a good selection! Another problem is trying to decide which call to carry; it’s difficult to make a choice.
A memory cell just exploded causing me to jerk and jump halfway out of my chair; immediately gnawing a fingernail or two from sheer nervousness. You know what I mean, the electric shock type of memory fire that makes you hunch the shoulders, your stomach contracting when you suddenly remember you haven’t done something you know very well you should have attended too long ago.
I changed the sights on my shotgun in June and haven’t zeroed it back in! Oh, good golly and gobs of goose grease; I only had all summer to do this, sighted in the rifles, but somehow never got around to gather the necessary sheets of cardboard needed for the scattergun. Looks like I better figure out a way to get this done immediately, tomorrow’s Saturday!
I prefer Winchester Long Beard 3- or 3.5-inch shells with No. 5 shot for turkeys. Aim for the head-neck area only.
As far as rifles go I’m pretty well set. The 17 HMR, .22 magnum and .243 are sighted in and ready to rumble. With so many leaves on the trees the rifle may not be the best bet unless you’re working fields or more open woods. It’s always a guessing game which to take, rifle or shotgun.
However, hunting methods vary according to your choice of firearm. To carry a shotgun down a wide open ridge may not be the best bet. Likewise, working through thicker cover with brush and limited visibility with a rifle isn’t the wisest choice either. Your rifle’s capable of reaching out there so the areas you stalk or call from should allow you to see some distance depending on caliber.
The 17 HMR and .22 mags are good out to 100 or 150 yards, but either lets me switch quarry and shoot a squirrel or two if the turkeys are being uncooperative. I use solids on squirrels in both calibers and the older, standard .22 Magnum Winchester Hollow Points in the gray box. They are less likely to blow your turkey to pieces if you hit bone. Don’t use the higher velocity .22 magnum ammo unless the turkey is past 80 yards or so, they are very explosive until they slow down a little.
Turkeys are always a challenge and very rewarding to harvest, plus being great eating as well. Good luck this year and be safe.
