Me and my Dad hiked 4 miles into the Gila Wilderness Area in Southwest New Mexico in search of the Merriam turkey. For some reason we developed a case of the "misses" during the trip (he missed twice, I missed once), so we should have tagged out, but it was still a great trip. Birds EVERYWHERE, great weather, beautiful scenery. I will definitely be planning a trip back in a few years. Now I only need the Osceola for the Grand Slam Here are a few pics from the trip. At the trailhead The first 1.5 miles of the trail was all uphill. I thought Dad was going to have a heart attack. We finally reached the top of the mountain at Iron Lake. Euphoria!! Our home for the week Searching... My first Merriam Dad blamed the shotgun for his misses Yumm Hunting a mountain meadow
AWESOME pics!! Reminds me of how we elk hunt in Colorado; our camps look pretty similar. That just looks like a fantastic time -- and to get to share something like that with your Dad... well, I hope you're cherishing it as much as you should! Congratulations!! Those turkeys are the prettiest out of all of them I think; I can't wait to shoot one someday.
Wow Hooker, awesome pics. That looks like it was a great time. Definately looked like you got away from things for a while.
We definitely got away. I was so worried that we would drive the 1,500 miles and we when got there, hunters would be everywhere. Well, we didn't see nor hear another human being the entire time we were out there. It was great. I just wish my Dad would have been able to tag a bird. He isn't that big of a turkey hunter, so it didn't really bother him all that much. He went because he had never done anything like that before. I'm really glad he had a great time. I was worried that he wasn't going to be able to make it up the mountains with the 60lb pack, but he did it.
Amen, Tribal! And big-time congratulations to your Dad for making it with that pack on... it doesn't get any easier the older you get, ya know! :d
ABSOLUTELY gorgeous pix. Glad you guys had a great time, even with the misses, it seems like everything else outweighed them.
Those Merriams are beautiful birds and you had a beautiful spot to hunt them in too. Makes me want to get back out there elk hunting soon. But I have a daughter to put thru college first.
The first evening after we hiked in, we were setting up camp, and I thought I heard a gobble, but I wasn't sure, so Dad hit the hooter once, and the woods absolutely just came alive. We could hear at least 10 different birds from camp. That's when I knew it was going to be an awesome hunt. We also saw plenty of these guys If Mom only knew where we took her car... :d
Awesome Pics. Sounds like a great hunt.I Elk hunt right around where you were at about 10 years ago. It is beautiful country.
Awesome pictures and looks like a really fun trip. Reminds me of my trip to NE NM over spring break. It is some beautiful country. I love me some backpacking
Congrats, you just successfully completed my alltime dream turkey hunt. How many days did you guys go for?
Hook, that has to be one of those trips that will live vividly in the hearts and minds of you and your dad for the rest of your lives .... AWESOME stuff, Bro!!! Great pics and Congrats on your bird!!
It don't get no better then that!! Great pics, camping Is just as much of the hunt as the hunt Itself!!
