Three Strikes and your OUT!

Well I showed up, gun in hand, bowcamtreecam in hand, nice and early, and I got fooled again. I did learn a lesson though. The turkeys did not make a peep. Completely quiet. So quiet that I assumed they weren't around. Was I wrong? My dad was set up along the edge of the field, and he had two hens come out to the east of him. He then had a gobbler walk out to his west, not making a sound once, and not responding to his calls or my calls. He was not interested in responding, period. What I learned was that, weather permitting, the first two weeks of the season are likely more productive than the last two weeks, as the Tom's response to calling diminishes as the season goes on. Looking back, this is consistent with past years aswell. Result...note to oneself...put the time into the first two weeks of the season, don't wait around thinking "I have more time to get out". The spot I picked out was great turkey habitat, a perfect spot to set up for next year, with wide open woods, short mossy grass, perfect for seeing a long ways inside the bush. It really is a great turkey spot, but I do have to admit defeat. Yes, I lost the war. But next year...I WILL come out on top!!

Final Try

Well - Saturday is the big day. The gloves are off, the cage is set up, and its a battle! It's me versus them, winner take all. I plan on heading out with my dad. My idea is to be fully camo'd and sit by a tree in the middle of the bush this time. The past few times I have hunted this bush I set up at the edge, beside a field, in a ground blind, the same spot that I killed a nice Tom four years ago with my muzzeloader. The turkeys came through the woods each time, but held up well before the field. So this time, I plan to go in and get em. My bow is staying at home, the 12 gauge is going to be dusted off. I will use my crossbow adaptor to mount my BowcamTreecam to my gun. If it has a beard, its going down. For the past two years I have seen bearded hens. I shot one last year with my bow on camera, and this year I passed up one, so its time to burn some powder. I'll keep you posted.

Turkeys 2, BowcamTreecam 0

Well, I went out on Saturday, and had a 2 1/2 hour dogfight with a pissed off Gobbler. We must have exchanged 300 Gobbles. He would come closer (50 yards) and then move farther away (150 yards). This routine went from 6am to 8:30am. My calling was getting a reaction from him every time, but something was keeping him distant. He didn't want to close the distance. Just as I was about to leave, I decided to go for a walk, fully aware that I would very likely spook this Tom. And thats exactly what I did. I got within 40 yards, and he shut up and left the building! That is the second Tom this year that has left me hungry. It was a great battle though, certainly worth waking up at 4am for! I am going to try and get out again next week. I'll keep you posted. I also want to wish BowcamTreecam Prostaffer Corey Friesen an enjoyable and safe bowhunt in South Africa, as he leaves this Thursday!! There will be many stories I'm sure. Good luck Corey.

Gobble Gobble

I am getting fired up, only three days to go until I try and have apple pie with my turkey! I plan on heading out this Saturday morning with my BowcamTreecam in hand to get some new footage for BowcamTreecam.com. I was able to get out a week and a half ago, and got some great footage of a bearded hen with white wings. She came in to 45 yards but I passed on the shot as my brother Tony was about 100 yards away with his bow, and I was hoping she would go towards him, but she didn't get the email! This Saturday I won't be so picky. Whats even more exciting to me is the upcoming African Bowhunt that Corey Freisen is going on. Corey is a BowcamTreecam Prostaffer and is headed to South Africa on a 10 day bowhunt. He leaves in a week. I will be back soon to give you the turkey update and details on Corey's African adventure!