It is so nice that we have the eastern sub species of wild turkey here in our backyard. It wasn't too long ago that we had to make plans for a road trip, hunting to southeastern Minnesota or go across the state line to hunt the bearded buggers.
But now, thanks to an awesome Department of Natural Resources/National Wild Turkey Federation success story, we have the birds coming to us. In fact, I had six long beards show up in my backyard in Lake Shore last fall. And barring any of them dying via predator or other causes, there should still be at least six of them in that flock, and that's because my arrow didn't hit the mark that morning in October.
I'm still looking for that first bow kill gobbler! Plenty of misses, and a few feathers, but I really don't care because turkey hunting is way more than going out and whacking one! From getting my three children a crack at a gobbler, to Luke Hansen's birthday hunt and guiding for the Disabled Veteran's hunt at Camp Ripley, I'll certainly have my share of turkey hunting this spring!
I have to laugh at those people who still think shooting a turkey is so easy, it's really funny actually. Obviously those people have either not hunted them for any length of time or haven't hunted them at all. So just remember as you gather all your gear together during these next couple of weeks before opener on April 13-it's not always going to be easy! This is exactly why turkey hunting is so intriguing to so many. It's the unpredictability of each hunt. It's also one of the most beautiful times of the year to be in the woods. After reading this, I'm sure you are about ready to get off your butt and get after them, right? Me too.
Turkey seminars are happening right now around the midwest and Mills Fleet Farm has a whole list of them on their website, look into it. I'll be in Oakdale and Brooklyn Park on Sunday talking turkey at Mills Fleet Farm, so if you are around, come on over and we'll do a little yelpin'!
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Walleyedan
