Enjoy the outdoors with Gary Finch
The Thirty Minute Drill for Turkeys
By Steve Layton, Vice President, Finch Enterprises
Through science and mathematics, humans have constantly worked to measure, record, and predict the world around them. Fortunately, turkey hunting does not succumb to such rigid guidelines. Maybe that is the attraction of this "uniquely American" outdoor hunting sport.
Turkey hunting grew out of the methods and calls, used by American Indians and has grown to become a nationwide sport. For a few weeks, in the spring of the year, hunters will get up, travel, and stand in the woods well before the sun rises. It's all done with the hopes that they might hear, locate and call the south's most prized game bird into shotgun range. Volumes have been written about the aesthetics of the sport, and tons of "how to" books and videos have followed.
After having hunted them for the past thirty-years, the one rule of thumb that has constantly stayed with me is based on a quote from the late Pat Moore of Brewton, Alabama. It is so simplistic in nature but has made the difference in many of my personal hunts over the years.
Pat said, "I've killed a lot of turkeys but I've never seen one wearing a wristwatch or carrying a pocket calendar. Before you do anything stupid, take at least thirty minutes to consider the mistake you are about to make."
That quote pretty much sums up how well turkeys cooperate with hunters. For some reason modern hunters have come to believe that by following a given recipe, the expected results will always be granted. Besides, it always works in the video. The truth is turkeys don't follow anyone's recipes or rules. If you are one of those turkey hunters who can't resist allowing his decisions to be directed by a wristwatch, here are some good ways to use one.
When the sun comes up and there are no turkeys being heard where you saw them the day before. Do you: (a.) Immediately jump back into the truck and race to another spot, or (b.) give it the "thirty-minute" rule? There are many instances where being patient and planted could allow the birds to warm up and become crucial to the day's hunt.
The gobbler has been located, he has answered your call, is coming and gobbling hard. Suddenly, he shuts up. Do you: (a.) get up and go to him, (b.) call more to get a response, or (c.) wait him out for the "thirty-minute" rule?
It's been said that turkeys can hear a hen's call from a distance of 200 yards and pinpoint its location to within 3 feet. He knows where the hen should be located and closing the final distance is always the gobbler's most cautious part of the approach. He didn't become an old gobbler by rushing into unseen, sweet-talking, hens. The rash decisions of an impatient hunter to move or call too much has ruined many a hunt during the final approach stage.
The turkey suddenly appears. But, he's on the wrong side for your right-handed shot and making a circle behind your right shoulder. Do you: (a.) attempt to move and make the shot or (b.) institute the extremely painful "thirty-minute" rule?
Go ahead and admit it. You've tried either twisting or jumping up and making the shot on a running or flying turkey before. You may also remember the ones that didn't turn out so well. Could those thirty extra minutes have made the difference?
There are times when the adage about the "bird in hand" comes to mind and I would gladly have traded thirty minutes to have him in mine.
No, there is no way this sport will ever be listed as one of the recognized sciences, but one thing is predictable when it comes to turkey hunting. Some of the most successful hunters are the ones who let go of the "wristwatch" and "pocket calendar" methods of hunting. The wild turkey has his own agenda and the sooner we allow ourselves to become a willing partner to his schedule, the more we'll see of this wary bird.
Enjoy Gary Finch Outdoors on WTVY Channel 4 in Dothan Ala., each Sunday at 6 a.m, sponsored by Your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative. Visit Gary's Web site at www.garyfinchoutdoors.com
By Steve Layton, Vice President, Finch Enterprises
Through science and mathematics, humans have constantly worked to measure, record, and predict the world around them. Fortunately, turkey hunting does not succumb to such rigid guidelines. Maybe that is the attraction of this "uniquely American" outdoor hunting sport.
Turkey hunting grew out of the methods and calls, used by American Indians and has grown to become a nationwide sport. For a few weeks, in the spring of the year, hunters will get up, travel, and stand in the woods well before the sun rises. It's all done with the hopes that they might hear, locate and call the south's most prized game bird into shotgun range. Volumes have been written about the aesthetics of the sport, and tons of "how to" books and videos have followed.
After having hunted them for the past thirty-years, the one rule of thumb that has constantly stayed with me is based on a quote from the late Pat Moore of Brewton, Alabama. It is so simplistic in nature but has made the difference in many of my personal hunts over the years.
Pat said, "I've killed a lot of turkeys but I've never seen one wearing a wristwatch or carrying a pocket calendar. Before you do anything stupid, take at least thirty minutes to consider the mistake you are about to make."
That quote pretty much sums up how well turkeys cooperate with hunters. For some reason modern hunters have come to believe that by following a given recipe, the expected results will always be granted. Besides, it always works in the video. The truth is turkeys don't follow anyone's recipes or rules. If you are one of those turkey hunters who can't resist allowing his decisions to be directed by a wristwatch, here are some good ways to use one.
When the sun comes up and there are no turkeys being heard where you saw them the day before. Do you: (a.) Immediately jump back into the truck and race to another spot, or (b.) give it the "thirty-minute" rule? There are many instances where being patient and planted could allow the birds to warm up and become crucial to the day's hunt.
The gobbler has been located, he has answered your call, is coming and gobbling hard. Suddenly, he shuts up. Do you: (a.) get up and go to him, (b.) call more to get a response, or (c.) wait him out for the "thirty-minute" rule?
It's been said that turkeys can hear a hen's call from a distance of 200 yards and pinpoint its location to within 3 feet. He knows where the hen should be located and closing the final distance is always the gobbler's most cautious part of the approach. He didn't become an old gobbler by rushing into unseen, sweet-talking, hens. The rash decisions of an impatient hunter to move or call too much has ruined many a hunt during the final approach stage.
The turkey suddenly appears. But, he's on the wrong side for your right-handed shot and making a circle behind your right shoulder. Do you: (a.) attempt to move and make the shot or (b.) institute the extremely painful "thirty-minute" rule?
Go ahead and admit it. You've tried either twisting or jumping up and making the shot on a running or flying turkey before. You may also remember the ones that didn't turn out so well. Could those thirty extra minutes have made the difference?
There are times when the adage about the "bird in hand" comes to mind and I would gladly have traded thirty minutes to have him in mine.
No, there is no way this sport will ever be listed as one of the recognized sciences, but one thing is predictable when it comes to turkey hunting. Some of the most successful hunters are the ones who let go of the "wristwatch" and "pocket calendar" methods of hunting. The wild turkey has his own agenda and the sooner we allow ourselves to become a willing partner to his schedule, the more we'll see of this wary bird.
Enjoy Gary Finch Outdoors on WTVY Channel 4 in Dothan Ala., each Sunday at 6 a.m, sponsored by Your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative. Visit Gary's Web site at www.garyfinchoutdoors.com
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