Turkey hunting and BS welcome!

Nice! Congrats!

 

Way to go!

 

The gun is clean and put away
New vest should be here today sometime. Blocker Finisher Pro II ,my vest is at least 30 years old . It’s time . The buckle on the bird bag has pulled of (torn) https://youtu.be/IgJm3646Slo?si=trWec1YWMl9_8C2D

 

Been using an old Tom easy rider for the last 5 years or so. Most comfortable vest I’ve ever owned.

 

I use an Knight and Hale rng 300. Instead of a back pouch it has a small back pack with a water bladder a necessity for the long hot hikes. As I get older I put less and less stuff in my vest a couple of mouth calls a few protein bars a pot call and a small first aid kit and a few other things like toilet paper a small bag for mushrooms and that's about it. Now and again I carry binos depending where I'm hunting. First thing I do when I get a new vest is take the seat off they drive me crazy.

 

I always say I am in search of a vest with smaller and less pockets. Lol

Not that anyone cares but… I walk an average of 140 miles a season, 6 miles a day isn’t uncommon. On one low country trip in early April me and my son covered 29.5 miles in 2 1/2 days. Hunt the blue ridge mountains here some too and have made a couple 11 mile day treks up there. A hunt in the piedmont is a walk in the park after a day in the mountains rubbing blisters on the sides of your feet from walking ridges. I know folks hunt rougher and harder conditions but it’s still carrying a loaded vest and shotgun, sometimes a turkey too. Have had some treks with 2 20lb Toms (when 2 a day was still allowed here) where we all laid down to rest a few times on the walk out. Don’t know about y’all but I am in the best shape of the year right after turkey season, usually drop 10lbs.

 

So what do your mounted look like when they are done

 

So 2021 was the year I did the most hiking at least since I have worn a watch and tracked it. That year I did 191 miles and 37000 feet in elevation gained. I called in 16 birds that got truck rides home that year. This year I am at 94 miles and 14k in elevation with another hunt or two left. This year feels pretty average.

 

Most I’ve done was 160 miles. No idea on elevation but doubt anywhere near 37k’! When the limit was 5 here I had a few 11-12 bird years, my 5 and called for others. Usually call in a dozen or more birds a year but they don’t all get shot. I can only shoot my 3 so my other hunters will have to answer why they don’t always connect. Never hunted out of state since my first Tom in ‘86. Am hearing the limit will probably be reduced to 2 next season and season shortened. If that’s the case I will probably start doing some traveling out of state. Come get you an eastern.

 

You don't do all your birds like that do you. They look really cool in just thinking of space. I have a 60x40 shop and I'm running out of room for just fans.

 

Come get you an Merriams

 

I have a spot that is pretty good for pure Merriam full white which is getting harder and harder to find in our area most what we find are Rio Merriam hybrids

 

These birds were taken about half a mile from each other but it shows the contrast.

 

No, I’ve got a few mounts like that. Usually do a couple every year for others kids first turkeys, one for a friend here and there. Got several in from a taxidermist this year so trying to wet my feet a bit more. I mostly save beards and spurs these days.

 

I keep my spurs beards and fans now but I didn't used to. I shot my first bird in 93. What I do have from every bird I have ever shot is the strutting feather from the wing.

 

I’ve got most of the beards. Didn’t save spurs for the first 10-12 years. Got a couple full mounts, a half dozen fans and a few fan wing mounts.

 

It's funny neither of us kept the spurs and to me that's the real trophy. I mean the fans and beard all pretty much look the same.