Montana Spring Toms 2014

[Hem]

Took the past five days to hunt some turkeys.Despite some crappy weather, insane wind- shield time, a South Dakota hunt which evaporated by a new gate with "no trespassing", I still had some epic Montana hunting. The action was simply berserk two mornings and one evening.A first for me was calling a flock from the other side of the river to my side,and then did it a second time two days later.One evening I was in a cross fire of gobblers and got busted by all of them.To me walking out on a calm night,with roosted toms gobbling up and down a given area is pretty darn cool,whether i have a bird on my shoulder,or not.I named these two toms, Powder River Tommy, and the other one Dunes.Both birds solid two year olds,one lighter at 17 lbs.,the other a 20lb.er. Beards 8 3/4" and 9 1/2".

 

[JohnCushman]

Congrats!

 

[JCS]

Nice birds. I still have one tag left for some fun.

 

[mdunc8]

Well done. Great looking birds.

 

[genesis273]

Sounds like an awesome trip. Beautiful birds too!
Is that a Merriam? I'd love to kill one. Only Easterns in my neck of the woods!

 

[Poke 'Em]

I keep getting the slip. I had two gobblers at 50 yards yesterday, but they wouldn't come over the hill to give me a shot. Then I had another gobbler moving down a draw, and I snuck around to get in front of him. When I did, I ran into another tom just as I was getting to where I was going to set up. I had a quick chance at a shot, and I missed. Oh well. I'll try again next weekend.

 

[Big Fin]

Knowing your passion for turkeys, your smile reflects how much satisfaction was provided by such a great hunt. Considering the report that birds are down in Montana, to take two in one trip is remarkable. Congrats.

 

[sbhooper]

Great birds!

 

[Hem]

Thanks Guys!
Yea Big Fin,turkey hunting ranks right up there,probably because I cover a lot of ground and see a lot of different country.I would still enjoy matching wits with a smart old Eastern on some dink farm,but chasing Merriams in the Big Sky State really is more of an overall challenge.IMO I think I tallied 24-26 miles of terrain,....crazy for just a bird.
Genesis- Mostly Merriams in Montana,but have heard of some Easterns in the western portion of mt.
Poke Em- Keep after it man, I take it you are hunting with bow, and not shooting them in the yard.Was hoping to make it up your way for a day of fishing,actually wouldn't mind sending you a p.m. with some general questions.Let me know if that would be OK.
SBHooper- Let us know how your custom decoy worked!
MDUNC-Good Luck on your hunt.
Cush-Didn't you have a Montana Merriams hunt planned?

 

[Hem]

OOPS
JCS-what, no pics so far? Have fun,Just a couple days and I am starting to have withdrawals.

 

[Poke 'Em]

Hem,
I was actually using a shotgun. No idea how I missed. haha

Go ahead and shoot me a PM. There aren't a ton of fishing options out here, but I'll share what I know.

 

[kansasdad]

Getting a whole flock to cross a ditch is something, to cross a river is quite the feat. Nice birds.

 

[JCS]

OOPS
JCS-what, no pics so far? Have fun,Just a couple days and I am starting to have withdrawals.

I didn't take any pictures. No big story with the turkey. Just called him and shot him.


One of these days I should try and get into some longer story telling.

 

[Hem]

KansasDad,

I like to think it was my savy use of calls and years of accrued intuition.Probably some of this,but also those turkeys wanted over.The second day I called them over I figured out a few gobblers were flying across for the day,but returning each night to roost.Pretty cool to call birds down to the sand bar fifty yards away and watch them amp up until they finally fly across.

 

[Hem]

JCS-sometimes there is no story.I get that. Good luck.

 

[duckhunt]

Sounds like alot of fun. Nice birds.

 

[What Map]

Way to go. Nice post. Thanks.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

Hem,

Nice birds, I am looking forward to chasing Merriam's for the first time this week. They are really cool looking brids.

 

[big28hunter]

Two great gobblers! Congrats!

 

[Brandenbowhunter]

Nice Job Nate, good to finally meet you today!