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The Game Hoggs Celebrity Views Archives |
Erik Nilsson's 2008 Turkey Journal
Spring turkey hunting is one of my favorite outdoor past times. Spending numerous hours hiking in the woods and fields across Western PA in search of that trophy gobbler, I can certainly appreciate what mother nature has given us. With the passage of Winter, warmer temperatures, new buds on the trees and the return of the songbirds greet me everyday that I have been out. Along with this passage, Winter flocks have separated and the hills in PA come alive with thunderous sounds of Gobblers establishing their territories. The hens search out nesting areas across the country side with gobblers in tow often strutting and gobbling as they go. February - Preseason scouting I have taken note to several large wintering flocks of birds, highest count has been roughly 30 in one area. Several long beards were noted. Mild temperatures and no real accumulating snowfall has given the birds plenty of food through out the winter months. March Late March I began serious scouting for birds, the weather has been good and I have noted gobblers sounding off already, reports from the field have indicated dominant toms sparing . Bird movement is still slow but they are starting to separate into distinct groups.
April Scouting reports have yielded several gobblers in areas having plenty of food and cover. Youth Day is April 19th. It will be my sons first day turkey hunting as a licensed Jr hunter. My goal is to find a good spot where he has a good opportunity at his first bearded bird. After spending several days scouting I have located gobblers in six different locations. April 11th Area 1- After a 15 minute walk into the edge of a field, I decided to arrive early and listen to the birds coming of the roost. Pre dawn gobbling was sporadic. Once off the roost the birds became vocal and 3 toms and 1 hen entered into an old cornfield . They strutted back and forth around the hen and slow worked their way through a small hollow to a different part of the field. April 12th- No scouting it is the first day of trout and I am taking Mat and his friend Ian April 13th- No scouting still fishing April 14th- No scouting April 15th- No scouting April 16th- Evening scout Area 6 Scouting walk indicated turkey signs and possible roost area. 3 gobblers seen at dusk in an adjacent field. April 17th- Evening scout Area 1 all turkeys were feeding randomly in an old cornfield, not far from where we would like to set up, this will be a great spot for Mat! April 18th- Evening scout in Area 1 to get position ready for the morning for Mat, cleaned areas around 2 different trees one on each side of field. We are planning to film the hunt for him. April 19th- 2008 Youth Spring Turkey Opener Today was a very special day for me because it was my sons, Mat, first spring gobbler hunt as a licensed jr hunter. I scouted several areas holding birds and my hopes was to find an area that held multiple birds and not so much for long beards but something that would give him an enjoyable hunt regardless the out come. I had invited friend, Dave Rearick on the hunt to share the day with us and knowing that he like promoting youth involvment in the sports, I asked him to film the hunt so we all could remember Mats day. We met early in the moring and loaded up the truck with our gear we set out to the area Dave and I scouted the night before. We arrived and headed out to the position I thought would be the best place to encounter the birds quickly Having set a custom decoy that I airbushed to give it more realism at 25 yds, we gave Mat a good shooting distance with his 20 ga. As daylight approached the woods became alive with songbirds and the sound of a distanct train whistle filed the air with a calming moment. Soon, we were alerted by a couple of gobbles to our left and deeper in the woods than I had anticipated. No worries I thought to myself as I felt confident the birds would make a show . We patiently waited for about 45 minutes and no birds were seen. I tried a few excited clucks on the call and still nothing. I began to think that the birds had gone somewhere else for the morning and again I tried some excited yelps and then they answered back. The birds had come out into the field but had entered in a part of the field we couldn’t see because of a small valley. Quickly I responded back repeatedly and the birds all were gobbling sometimes overstepping each other. Soon we had one break away from the group and starting to make its way up the small hill I got Mat into position for possibly his first bird. The tom took his time gobbling and strutting the whole way. I called softly but just enough to keep its attention. The other birds also started to make their way to our location. Tiring quickly Mat had trouble holding the gun in position, so I made a quick but cautious move with my arm across his knees to give him a rest for the gun. Our tom now appeared out in front of us and we both were ready, as the bird approached I told Mat that I would tell him when to shoot and he responded “ I trust you Dad” What a moment together! Still filming Dave sets himself up for the shot and also patiently waited as a true sportsman would. The tom worked its way closer and let out a gobble while coming out of strut and went back into strut again. The bird was now into gun range and I whispered to Mat once he comes out of strut shoot him in the head. The bird circled and as I came out of strut Mat pulled the trigger and the bird rolled over dead! A clean shot to the head and Mat had his first Spring Gobbler! With plenty of high fives, congrats and admiring his first bird we set off for our hero shots and show off Mats trophy! It was the most exciting hunt I think I have ever been on, To see my son get his first bird was special for me and having my hunting partner along made for the eventful day.
 ©David Rearick, Game Hogg Hunt Club
 ©Erik Nilsson, Game Hogg Hunt Club
April 20th- Scouted area 5 Today I noted the second long beard in the area. They have indicated working the same area as years before. Later in the day they had moved to a different area. The farmer is spreading manure now getting ready for planting crops. April 24th- Arriving at area 5 I sat down in good viewing area of the birds coming off the roost to attentively watch which way they want to go in the morning. Appearing were 5 hens and they all dusted in the trail, a very cool sight. Shortly a jake appeared and following were the 2 long beards. They all headed out across the field to the strut zone. Looking good for the opener. April 25th- Arriving at the place I determined would be my opening day spot I sat patiently waiting for the birds to gobble to the sunrise. As the day went on, multiple gobbles were heard and the birds came off the roost and headed out across the field following the hens as the day before. Once clear of sight, I left the area to get ready for tomorrows hunt.  ©Erik Nilsson, Game Hogg Hunt Club
April 26th- 2008 PA Spring Turkey Season Opener Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy w/ temps near 63. South wind 3-5 mph Spring turkey hunting is one of my favorite outdoor past times. Spending numerous hours hiking in the woods and fields across Western PA in search of that trophy gobbler, I can certainly appreciate what mother nature has given us. With the passage of Winter, warmer temperatures, new buds on the trees and the return of the songbirds greet me everyday that I have been out. Along with this passage, Winter flocks have separated and the hills in PA come alive with thunderous sounds of Gobblers establishing their territories. The hens search out nesting areas across the country side with gobblers in tow often strutting and gobbling as they go. Today was no different. I located these gobblers several days before working their way out of the roosting area crossing a field to go to their morning strut area. My close friend Dave Rearick, having located several birds was planning to go out in the morning himself so I invited him along this hunt hoping to do a very challenging feat of doubling up on these birds. The area that we hunted had little cover to hide so Dave suggested that we use his double bull blind, something that I had never done. The birds never used the same route everyday so made it tough to decide where to set up, so the use of 2 decoys was decided to attract these wary birds and hope that they would work the same path as they did the day before. Dave met me very early in the morning so we could get to our spot in plenty of time to get set up. Anxiously we drove to our destination pre planning the hunt and I enjoyed a good cup of coffee. We arrived, unloaded the truck of our gear and set out to the place we determined would be our best opportunity. Quietly we got everything ready to go knowing that soon the sun would begin to make its appearance. Prior to legal shooting time, the Kings gobbled out with authority on their roost almost countless times, letting every bird in the area know that they were all business. Anticipating legal time, minutes seemed like days and finally it was game on for us. Having reached the ground the Kings continued to answer the soft yelps and clucks of the Queens of the woods. We were greeted soon by a pair of hens making their way down a dirt trail, following the same path as they did before so we knew we were in the right position. They continued across the area we were in watching attentively for danger. One more hen appeared and started to loaf on the trail as if waiting for something. A few minutes went by, Dave spotted the two Kings slowly cresting a small rise, they appeared in all their glory . They were true kings of the woods, majestically displaying their fans as if wearing crowns of jewels on parade. Slowly these birds worked their way down the trail heading to the hen still there waiting. Suddenly, the Kings spotted our strategically placed decoys and made a move in our direction. Guns ready, all we had to do was wait for them to reach within effective gunning range. Minutes seemed like hours as the birds approached showing off for our deceivers. I slowly shifted my diaphragm call to the corner of my mouth to get ready to call the shot. The lead bird was father out and that was the bird I had planned to take. Softly whispering to Dave that I was going to take the back bird not thinking about the gobbler trailing behind was really the back bird! I whispered that I was going to take him and Dave said go for it. My gun sent a lethal dose of nickel to its mark, dropping one of the kings right in his tracks. Having his bead on the same bird, Dave made a quick adjustment to the other bird who remained steady not knowing what had happened and sent his volume of lead across the terrain to meet its mark as well. Hours went from minutes and minutes to seconds and we were done. With high fives and excited conversations , We set out to pick up the two Kings who lay motionless on the ground. Admiring the greater glory of these birds we recapped the hunt, laughing about our, my, miscommunication and decided it was time to pack up and head on down the road ending our 2007-2008 hunting seasons.  ©Erik Nilsson, Game Hogg Hunt Club
 ©David Rearick, Game Hogg Hunt Club
 ©David Rearick, Game Hogg Hunt Club
May 3rd Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy light rain w/ temps near 66. South wind 3-5 mph Gear in hand and the anticipation of another gobbler off we went. We worked our way down the logging road passing the meadow he had mentioned on our right. No sooner did we get about 75 yds away, the tree tops became alive with gobbles. We were about 200 yds from the roost and multiple gobblers were heard. Through the mist of jakes gobbling we could hear definite older toms commanding the jakes to remain at bay. Hens tree yelped causing more sporadic gobbles. Quickly we set up on the path we were on ,making a quick adjustment to the hen decoy I brought along. Calling softly with a few yelps and clucks we received a reply from one of the gobblers and the hens became more active. Once on the ground the boss gobblers gathered their hens and became silent for a moment while a passing band of light rain worked its way through the area. As the rain let up the boss gobblers became active again. They had worked about 100 yds away from us and were coming in our direction. We were getting pumped for we now knew we were in the correct position. All we had to do now was wait. Patience is key in spring turkey hunting and even for seasoned vets, the anticipation of a nice gobbler can get the blood flowing and we were no different. Minutes went by and we gave soft yelps on the calls, sounding like multiple hens we were answered by a flurry of gobbles now about 75 yards away! Don made a quick adjustment on his shooting position and I leaned as hard as I could against the same tree so as not to give away our position. About 5 minutes went by and a lone hen appeared coming up the trail. She made her way closer but started to quarter into the woods. Through the newly sprouted leaves in the woods I noticed something else, A Fan! We had one on the way! But wait there are two! Strutting and drumming these two birds were courting this one hen. Slowly they worked their way into plain sight and both were trophy birds. The hen now waiting for the gobblers to catch up noticed our decoy and started to work her way right to us. This was the do or be busted moment for us, thinking the whole time I hope she doesn’t see us and alert the two gobblers now making their way into effective gun range. As she approached the decoy she started to purr and cluck softly causing the toms to let out a ground shaking double gobble. Inquisitive about the competition this hen began to pace back and forth between us and the decoy as if trying to intimidate the impostor. She became aggravated and ruffled her feathers and pecked the decoy, not once but twice! As the decoy held it ground, I thought to myself I hope she doesn’t knock it over and at that moment she reared up and tried to give it a spar with one one quick sweep of her legs. It held fast. The toms now in position , Don had picked out the bird he was going to shoot but the hen continued to pace back and forth trying to figure out why this hen wont leave. Having multiple opportunities to pull the trigger, he was thwarted by the hen being in the way. Don remained steady and extremely patient as he waited for a clear shot. The hen now frustrated and starting to get leary of the whole situation at hand, the toms now became attentive of the situation started to move away but still in good shooting distance. The hen worked her way to our right giving Don a shot to one of the toms. I told Don, now or never and the woods ignited with the sound of his gun going off and Don had rolled one of the toms, quickly it made a recovery and ran into the woods about 10 yds and stopped. He had hit it solid and the bird was dead but didn’t know it yet. Quickly we jumped up, flushing the other two birds and went down to Dons bird and he made a quick dispatch of the bird with one more shot. High fives, hand shakes, and congratulations were in order for Don scored on a trophy of a bird! We recapped the hen and her contesting the decoy and the toms looming in the background. We gathered Dons bird up and while he tagged is trophy, I went for my camera to end the day with hero shots of Dons bird. 19# / 9 3/4" beard / 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 spurs  ©Erik Nilsson, Game Hogg Hunt Club
 ©Erik Nilsson, Game Hogg Hunt Club
May 5th- With friend Mike Bard coming down later in the week, I hoped to see if there were birds still in the area. Slowly I worked my way back to a good viewing point but I did not hear any gobbles Cooler temps came in over night may have quieted them down and I noticed an adult fox working its way along the woods line so that may have shut the birds down as well. May 6th- I went back to the same area as yesterday, In the midst of morning songbirds I thought I could hear 2 gobbles deep into the woods. The woods was very loud today. I will scout it again in the evening to try to roost the birds and glass the area better. May 7th- Went to area 3 and an evening scout, Reports are that there are multiple long beards in the area and one with a “paint brush” of a beard. Mike Bard is coming down on the 9th and 10th. Fresh signs of turkeys were found including tail feathers, droppings and tracks in the spot I like to hunt. I did not see any birds that night except for one long beard about 10” near the area by the road. May 8th- Went to area 3 for a quick morning scout. Several gobbles were heard adjacent to the property. This must be the same birds I found signs of. We are good to go if we choose to hunt here. May 9th- Hunted with friends Mike Bard and Dave Rearick. It was Mikes opportunity at his first Gobbler and also in Pa. Dave had scouted the area out, mentioning multiple birds. I also had scouted out birds but mine was a late morning spot so we opted to start here giving Mike a better opportunity for a bird. We hunted a small pasture area and having no real place to sit because of an electric fence, we chose to sit in amongst two thorn bush clusters. We set out 3 hen decoys for the start. Several gobbles were heard at the other end of the pasture and one came from behind us. The birds out in front of us came off the roost and landed in the pasture. Watching the birds gather up and what appeared to be two older jakes chasing each other around and facing off to set the days dominance status. Slowly these birds worked their way the pasture to our location. We gave out some yelps on the calls to get their attention and hopefully they would notice our decoys. Several minutes went by and two hens split off and went to our right, I did not see where they went, probably off to nest somewhere undisturbed.
We were soon greeted by a jake cautiously showing his immature red heard just over the roll in the field. As the jake made it way up the hill he was followed by three more amigos. The birds approached cautiously at first and then started to run to our location. The all let out a comical gobble, one that almost made me laugh. Mike having chose to shoot the biggest one was ready and waiting. In the background, I picked up on a hen that made her way in behind us. As she started to purr she made her way to us and she was close, I softly whispered to Mike to be still because of the hen and I caught out of the corner of my eye a nice tom in full strut about 20 yds to our left who also worked in from behind us! We were covered up in birds!!!!!!
With the Jakes hurrying their way to us, a hen almost on top of us and a tom looming well with in gunning range, I made Mike aware of the tom and the same moment he noticed the bird, “You better get him now” I suggested and Mike made a quick adjustment to the bird, still not knowing we were there. How we were not made still puzzles me. Mike cut one loose at the birds head, cleanly missing over top, thinking he hit it, lowered the gun. The bird dazed by the momentum of the blast, regained its composure and took off to make a quick get away. Mike tried 2 more times but the bird still. lives. We tried to relocate at the other end where the birds we were after had ran off into the woods but the farm had shut down for the moment. Later we heard a gobble and went off after it, we found the four amigos but decided to make our way to another location. Upon arriving a spot #2 four toms were feeding in a newly planted field and we worked our way along the woods line to give these birds a run for the money. We found a good location, sat down and commenced to calling, instantly we got a response from the birds and they now made their way to our location. With gun ready, Mike held fast patiently as the birds got closer. They came within about 50 yards of us and had stopped at a high grown wheat field but would not go any further. Dave made a quick move into the woods simulating a hen going away while I remained silent to let him work the birds.The gobblers lost interest and moved back to their location and we silently worked our way through the woods to try to get ahead of the birds and get a good position on them. We found a corner of the field with some higher grass and it was just off a power line clear cut, a great area for the birds. Mike sat down to get ready as did Dave and I set my things down and went to pull up my face mask when the birds who basically followed us along, showed all their heads at 30 yards. Seeing me they quickly made air and a very nice bird quartered past. Mike making a spectacular wing shot downed his first turkey.
Mikes Journey into Spring Gobbler season was completed today, a great day shared by all....
 ©David Rearick, Game Hogg Hunt Club
May
17th, 2008
End of
Season notes- This completed the Season for me with a Total of 6 birds taken on 5 hunts in
Pa.
Certainly a season to remember! Now off to get that fall bird lined up! Good
Hunting! Erik |
