Went out on porch just as first crack of light hit the horizon. I let out a few calls with a far away down hill response. Just looked out and 2 lone hens popped out above one of my ground blinds. ZERO Toms but there must be some around. Opener is Thursday.
Saw they were still out there and decided to check growth on plot behind the house . Hens were close to wood line so I called as I walked. The plot is popping, though so arent the billions of maple seed. Circled around calling behind the house to the porch. Hens moved into the woods. Hopefully in this direction. It too thick to see. I Have zero issues calling hens to me, as I showed last year. Getting the Toms to follow is a whole other problem...The hens usually come in looking for a fight....lol.
Well the birds came back and I watched walk right down to roost in my woods not far from the ground blind. Going out in the morning to see what their fly down pattern is. Also to see just how close they are. They normally roost above the raised blind that 2oo yards farther in and right on the edge of the ridge.
I had a 400-500lb on camera the last few years that was hit and killed by a car a few weeks ago... That thing is easily comparable.
So the turkeys flew down from behind the blind and then fed back to the blind on the trail plot. The horrendous very, very scarey, bad storm never showed up. The heat did though windy and mid 80's. That popped the tree leaf. The other birds that showed ,momma Gos. And the babies. Holy moly they were a blast to watch .the turkey payed them no mind. I have tonight and tomorrow to decide how to hunt them.
the farmer would love for him to be gone, he (the bear) has been around a while, other hunters have seen him and told the farmer / property owner. ive seen other bears around but that was the first time ive seen or had a pic of him. we can swamp out a bear/ deer hunt hunt for a NC deer hunt.
If you ever want the frustration of coming down here, can be arranged. The nice parts, 1) in my area,the season opens 2nd Sat of Sept and is open till Jan 1 (they have ML and Rifle dates in Nov and Dec that require orange on public, but can always bow hunt). 2) a cold day here is likely still warmer than PA/NY.
Been on the deep dive with online scouting/boundary checks. This area lends itself to much confusion based on state lands and federal lands managed by multiple entities. Those that know the rules and boundary lines gain an advantage. I found two spots over the past two days that look dynamite and are really off the grid for most people that look at OnX and other mapping tools. Can't wait to check them out.
Messed up, I have several toms where they usually are, directly over my ridge blind. They just went quiet so hens got them or they are down and quiet.
Just spotted a big ole fan in the bino's. Yep they dropped downright at the blind.. lol Sounds like the hens took them down over the ridge...or NOT....
