Hey Ladies - Look at me!

[mjs1973]

I tried to call some turkeys in tonight to get some more pics, but I didn't have any luck. Then on my way home, I saw these. The spot that I was set up and calling from, is only a couple hundred hards over the hill and down in the valley from where all these birds were. These were shot from my truck at ISO 800.

[Knight]

Our wild Turkey population is growing very fast here, im still trying to get a big male picture but only small females for now . Good Captures Michael

[Copy_Kot]

Nice images Michael! I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but if someone else gets an idea do the same thing... Make sure you know when turkey season is in your area, you do not want to do this during that time! More hunting accidents happen during turkey season than all other hunting seasons combined. If you hear something that sounds like a turkey, do not go looking for it! And, do not wear clothing with red, blue, or white coloring in it around areas where turkey hunting is permitted.

Hope that doesn't seem preachy, I just want everyone to stay safe

[mjs1973]

Thanks for the advice Paul. I'm not much of a stalker, so most of my wildlife shots come from hours of sitting, and waiting. I don't go exploring sounds, I wait for them to come to me. Hunting isn't allowed on the property that I'm shooting at, but that doesn't mean there aren't risks. I'm sure people sneak onto this land to hunt, but I haven't seen them yet. I think the land needs to be hunted. The place is so over run with deer and turkey that it can't be healthy for the animals.

I wanna go back and set up in this feild, but it looks like it's going to rain most of the week.

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment Knight. I had a couple of males right in front of me last spring, but I blew the shots. I have yet to get them that close, and strutting since then, but I'm still trying.

[Copy_Kot]

Hunting isn't allowed on the property that I'm shooting at, but that doesn't mean there aren't risks. I'm sure people sneak onto this land to hunt, but I haven't seen them yet.

I found the remains of a deer this past weekend at area I was going to during deer season specifically because hunting was not allowed. The deer was obviously taken by a hunter...l'll wear a lot of blaze orange if I ever go back around that time of year.

My advice really wasn't for you Michael, from what I've read in your posts, you really seem to know what you are doing. I was just a little worried about someone who might not know how dangerous stocking can be. For those that don't know, stocking means hearing something that sounds like an animal, and then trying to follow the sound to find the animal... a lot of times the sound is coming from a hunter who is trying to lure an animal to him or her (perfectly legal as it should be).

What kind of call are you using? I've got a ton of them A cherry wood box call seems to work the best.

[mjs1973]

I know what your talking about Paul! As much as it killed me to stay away from this property during gun deer season, I wasn't about to take the chance. A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine found a nice buck that had been shot on this property. Since the deer was shot in the gut, and wasn't recovered, I'm guessing it was shot on a neighbors property, and fled to this place where it ended up, but it's hard to tell. Either way, I won't be our during gun deer season, unless I'm wearing blaze orange.

I'm using an HS Strut Lil Duce slate call. I have 4 different strikers for it that all make a slightly different sound. It's easy to use, and seems to get the job done. I have looked at the box calls, but haven't purchased one yet. A friend of mine makes them (same guy who found the dead deer) and said he has one he would sell me for $10, but he hasn't brought it to work yet. That same guy is teaching a class on how to make them later this month. I'm thinking about signing up so I can make my own. I don't know if I want to spend the $, and the time on the class yet tho.