Gobble Chaser
Senior Member
So I was blessed with beautiful bird that was eager to play last week. I hunted him on Wednesday morning but he was on the other side of the river. So after a morning failure I went around to the other side of the river to find him that afternoon and guess what. No sooner than I sat down, he gobbled.... on the other side of the river, within 50 yards of where I had hunted that morning. Frustrated, I left him alone and just waited to hear him fly up with a hen at roost time. Knowing exactly where he was I slipped in the next morning and was able to call him in with his lady in tow. He strutted for about 30 mins and showed me exactly why I love to hunt turkeys. I think these birds are the most awesome creature God ever created. I had finally had about all I could stand and took the shot. I expected a two year old but was surprised to find 1 1/4 " spurs on this mature public land bird. What a blessing.
Now for the worries I have. I have been hunting this particular piece of public land for a long time. At least 16 years. I took my very first bird ever here and have managed to kill at least one every year since. I have grown as a turkey hunter and appreciate every opportunity that I have to hunt this magnificent bird on such a special piece of land. over the last five years, I have noticed a sharp decline in overall turkey activity. Fewer birds, gobblers and hens. A lot less gobbling and very little turkey sign. I have, however noticed a LOT more hunters who seem to be hunting more often. For example, I went back Saturday morning to try to find another bird to play with, and at 6:00 a.m. There were trucks at every single gate (some had multiple vehicles). After trying a fifth location and finding hunters already there, I decided to give up on the hunt and went to visit my parents. Although I really enjoyed the breakfast and conversation with them, I realized that our beloved turkeys are in real trouble.
As a man who doesn't have a club or lease, I rely mostly on public land opportunities here in Georgia. I knew there were many just like me, and have met a lot of nice people over the years, but wow. I have never seen as many people concentrated on one piece of property in my life. I was really worried about all of the logging that has been done in the last three years. I know it alone has negatively impacted the turkey population but when you add the pressure and death toll of the increased hunting of the property, these birds are all but gone. Five years ago I would hear 8-10 gobbling birds on most mornings I hunted. This year I have only heard 3 birds total. Keep in mind, I live only 8 miles away, have a flexible work schedule and I spend a lot of sunrises on this piece of property. I would hate to know how much boot leather I have worn off walking and scouting over the years.
What is my point? I will get to it. Everyone deserves a chance at public land hunting. I get that. If I wanted to hunt Saturday morning, I should have gotten out of bed a little earlier. I get that. I don't own the land or the birds, I get that too. I have seen a decline in turkey activity overall in the Morgan and Putnam county area over the last several years. I am worried that if Ga DNR doesn't make some changes, we won't have any birds to hunt at all. Maybe quicker than we think. I have seen it coming for several years, but this week it has hit me like a ton of bricks. I will not kill another turkey on this piece of property this year. The selfish side of me says "I better hunt them while I can" but the love i have for this sport tells me I better leave one for next year!
Now for the worries I have. I have been hunting this particular piece of public land for a long time. At least 16 years. I took my very first bird ever here and have managed to kill at least one every year since. I have grown as a turkey hunter and appreciate every opportunity that I have to hunt this magnificent bird on such a special piece of land. over the last five years, I have noticed a sharp decline in overall turkey activity. Fewer birds, gobblers and hens. A lot less gobbling and very little turkey sign. I have, however noticed a LOT more hunters who seem to be hunting more often. For example, I went back Saturday morning to try to find another bird to play with, and at 6:00 a.m. There were trucks at every single gate (some had multiple vehicles). After trying a fifth location and finding hunters already there, I decided to give up on the hunt and went to visit my parents. Although I really enjoyed the breakfast and conversation with them, I realized that our beloved turkeys are in real trouble.
As a man who doesn't have a club or lease, I rely mostly on public land opportunities here in Georgia. I knew there were many just like me, and have met a lot of nice people over the years, but wow. I have never seen as many people concentrated on one piece of property in my life. I was really worried about all of the logging that has been done in the last three years. I know it alone has negatively impacted the turkey population but when you add the pressure and death toll of the increased hunting of the property, these birds are all but gone. Five years ago I would hear 8-10 gobbling birds on most mornings I hunted. This year I have only heard 3 birds total. Keep in mind, I live only 8 miles away, have a flexible work schedule and I spend a lot of sunrises on this piece of property. I would hate to know how much boot leather I have worn off walking and scouting over the years.
What is my point? I will get to it. Everyone deserves a chance at public land hunting. I get that. If I wanted to hunt Saturday morning, I should have gotten out of bed a little earlier. I get that. I don't own the land or the birds, I get that too. I have seen a decline in turkey activity overall in the Morgan and Putnam county area over the last several years. I am worried that if Ga DNR doesn't make some changes, we won't have any birds to hunt at all. Maybe quicker than we think. I have seen it coming for several years, but this week it has hit me like a ton of bricks. I will not kill another turkey on this piece of property this year. The selfish side of me says "I better hunt them while I can" but the love i have for this sport tells me I better leave one for next year!
