A Big Wisconsin Longbeard, Eastern Version
"Some men are mere hunters; others are turkey hunters".
—Archibald Rutledge
Springtime is turkey time in my hunter's world. Snow season yields slowly to mud season in the heart of the Rockies where I live, and milder nights and that sweet, sweet green-up simply cannot come fast enough.
No doubt that the turkeys are quite happy about their prospects too. It is the time of yelping hens and owl hoots and gobbles from the roost. It's the time of the hunter's moon, and of hurried walks to one's favorite ridge or field, well before fly-down.
Anticipation hangs thick in the air, for turkeys, and hunters too. They must fulfill their need to breed, and we, in turn, must hunt. And, I ask, is there anything more thrilling than spying a wary old bird slinking towards the decoy, suddenly halting to lay its head back and roar as that impossibly large, magnificent fan jumps to life?
Such are the joys of turkey hunting, and the mere possibility of those memorable moments are calling us out, just over here, and there. It is a serious outdoor addiction waiting to be born. Once acquired, it must be respected, nurtured, and satisfied.
Sometimes, you may even kill a turkey.
Decoys Can Really Make the Difference When Calling An Educated Tom
I did just that, each of the last several years, as did a great friend and hunting partner (and master caller too!). As you can see, pictured below are just a few fine examples of Colorado's turkey hunting opportunities. The hunting can be grand, though almost always challenging.
Colorado offers a vast catalog of public hunting lands, and the turkey population is expanding every year. That's some very great news for the turkey hunter.
With that being said, one of the downsides of hunting in Colorado is that many of the public turkey hunting areas are easily accessible, and hunting pressure is increasing exponentially. Frustration can run high, and success can be a rare and elusive target.
But it can be done.
Both of these birds were taken on some of the heaviest hunted public lands in northwestern Colorado, and they both came to a call. We left a few in the woods too!
My 2017 Colorado Tom
Just a Jake, From 2016, But A Well Earned Bird Just The Same
So, get out there and burn up some boot leather. See what's over the hill and down in the draw, and listen for that unmistakable springtime exaltation!
The birds are there, ready for action, and a thrill. I wouldn't miss it for the world...
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MOUNTAINS ARE FOR MERRIAM'S, OR THERE'S NOTHNG LIKE HUNTING TURKEY'S AT 8,000 FEET (IF YOU CAN TAKE IT!)
Moon Over Merriam's
Sometimes you have to go a long, long, way up in the land of little air to find a turkey...and if your hunting in western Colorado, I can just about guarantee that you will.
Go up, I mean!
Merriam's are the name of the game, and they, of all the other subspecies, may be the most challenging wild turkey of them all. If you have any doubts in that department, just take a long, hard gander at where they live. It may force you to reevaluate your hunting strategy...and your hopes.
But then again, maybe not.
The terrain is usually steep, and deep, and big. Really, really big. But the turkeys are there for the undaunted, and it is after all, a Rocky Mountain adventure.
When in doubt - think elk! Sometimes the two hunting experiences feel so similar, I almost except a gobbler to be sporting a massive set of antlers instead of that bluish-red head. Well, almost...
Follow The Snowline For Merriam's Success
Did I happen to point out that there is very little oxygen hanging about?
And by the way, did I mention that wild turkey can be most excellent table fare.
Now That's A Breast!
SPRING TURKEY HUNTER'S BRUNCH
1 turkey breast, cut into strips, or cubed into small pieces
yellow mustard
italian dressing
garlic powder
cracked black pepper
1 pound mushrooms
1 package fresh spinach
small package of goat chevre (or other cheese)
sourdough english muffins
unsalted butter
Mix and cover turkey meat with mustard, garlic powder, and italian dressing. Refrigerate for 24 hours.
Saute mushrooms and spinach in butter. Fry or grill turkey meat until just cooked through, about 170 degrees. Spread Chevre on toasted sourdough muffins, and top with meat, mushrooms, and spinach.
Serve with chilled Champagne, or a Mimosa on ice.
Enjoy!
- Marinade Recipe provided by Rocky Tschappat, who was given it by a grizzled old turkey hunter whom we would all no doubt like to meet...
Pass it on...
By Michael Patrick McCarty
Active Member Outdoor Writers Association of America, and An Ambassador For @myhuntingfishing blog and #myhuntingfishing Community
Come On In - The Water Is Wild, and Free...
Parts off this post first apperared at http://throughahunterseyes.com/
"The bird possesses a remarkable ability to turn arrogance into hopelessness".
—Tom Kelly
Recommended Reading:
Outdoorsman's Edge Guide To Advanced Turkey Hunting. By Richard Combs. Published by Woods N' Water, Inc., 2001, 165 pages. With chapters on scouting, setup, advanced calling strategies, blinds, recovering turkeys, the optimum turkey gun, fall turkey hunting, and much more. Photos throughout.
We generally have a copy of this title in our bookstore stock, if so interested.