WI: New Turkey Technique Yields Dynamic Results and Trophy Turkey

Ammoland ^ | 14 April, 2016 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

My brother, who is a superb hunter, tried out a new turkey technique this morning.  I got his call at 8:30.

Turkey populations in Wisconsin have boomed in the last 15 years.  There were none in the state when I was growing up in the 60’s.   When I was taking care of my mother, I saw a flock of two dozen of them wander about the house.  The property borders the St Croix/Namekagon wild river national park.  I recall reading articles about how hard wild turkeys were to hunt, but my brother has had excellent success.

This year he decided to try a technique he had seen on YouTube.  With this technique.  The video shows how effective a strutting gobbler decoy can be.

Link to video

Early this morning, on April 14, 2016, he was out in full gillie suit, with his Bennelli and the full strut decoy that he had purchased on sale (half price, our family tends to frugality).  The gillie suit is the most effective camouflage that he has used. See the item coming out of his hat on the right? That is the end of barrel of his Bennelli 12 gauge.  If you look a little closer, you can see the forend above the turkey’s tail and to his right of his chin; to the right of that is the black sling.

He started the hunt in a mixed woods and open area with a traditional call.  A large tom came off the roost from behind him, flew over his head, and disappeared into the trees before he could get a shot off.  Turkeys are some of the largest flying birds.  When they pass close by you in flight, they make an impression!

[Mercat]

Mr. M and I have a small farm and one night we slept out in the pond house (tight fit) and listened to the turkeys, the coyotes, and the cattle talk to each other as we fell asleep. Good times.

[bert]

In east tennessee, 18 wheelers are turkey predators

They don’t fly high enough to get out of the way

[beebuster2000]

how do you prepare your turk?

the ones we have cooked, and we have tried everything, frankly last like an old boot. tried deep frying, roasting, breasting, etc etc.

even took one with black powder 10g, you know, just to get that authentic flavor. no joy.

gimme a butterball anyday. flame on !!

[beebuster2000]

make that: taste like an old boot.....

[Daffynition]

A convection oven. Great for wild turk, duck [especially] and goose.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Turkey populations in Wisconsin have boomed in the last 15 years.”

I can testify! They are freakin’ EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK these days. And they’re big. And mean. And aggressive as heck!

Shoot at will! :)

A friends 10 year old daughter got one during our Spring Youth Hunt. She was proud-to-bursting, though he was a little bit smaller than, ‘Tomzilla’ who was hanging out with the one she got, LOL!

Little girls who hunt will have NO problems making it through life. :)

[SJackson]

Outdoors/Rural/wildlife/hunting/hiking/backpacking/National Parks/animals list please FR mail me to be on or off . And ping me is you see articles of interest.

[SJackson]

Whip o wills declining too. Lots of nest predators to blame egg consumption on, not sure I’d blame it on turkeys.

[SJackson]

“When they pass close by you in flight, they make an impression!”

Flying bowling balls, low trajectory. On the rare occasion you break one in the woods close by, it's scary.

[5th MEB]

I am already on you ping list, if not please add me.
Your articles have been great, and of great interest to an old retired Marine, hunter, fisherman, farmer, and outdoorsman like me.