Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    	My uncle tells the story about how he went into the woods in
    Quantico Va. (USMC base) to hunt turkeys.  He had a shotgun and
    a Ruger .41 Mag with him in a cowboy holster in case he ran into
    any deer or bear or whatever.  He parked the truck at the end of
    a dirt road and got out and a turkey took off right near him, flying
    across his front.  He couldn't get to the shotgun fast enough so
    he drew on the turkey and shot it with the pistol fro the hip!!!  
    Trouble was that he and his wife didn't know how to pull the feathers 
    out and had a real hard time getting this thing ready for the oven.
            
    Rich

    
         The wild turkey population has exploded in the Northeast. The
    southwestern part of Mass. has done well (Otis/Lee area). I found
    out about it from Mark Rodill a couple of years ago. 
         The northwest has also exploded. I went deer hunting the last
    two years and saw only turkeys. Of course, in Mass you only have
    a Spring hunt so couldn't take them. They recently caught a number
    of turkeys in Northwestern Mass and transported them to Bolton,Ma
    where they are living on a preserve. It should take about two years
    before they invade the Bolton Flats area.
         These are definitely tough birds. I unloaded a 12 guage 3"
    magnum full of #2 on one at about 100 feet and it just laughed at me. Either
    I get a bigger gun (10 guage) or get close enough to stick the barrel
    in its ear.
    
                                Mike
    

    
     Just got back from Wells ( deer season ).  A couple of weeks ago
    I managed to get a
    double on turkeys ( in Wells ). Called in two jakes and got both
    with two shots from my 870.  2 X 6 duplex shells are good medicine
    for these birds.  All set for Thanksgiving dinner now.
    
    -jro
    

    Three turkeys crossed the road in front of me yesterday as I drove
    to work.  I was in Nashua, less than 1 mile from ZKO.
    

    What area were you in?  I saw turkeys several times last year coming
    into ZK from Ridge Road.  I almost ran off the road I was so shocked
    to see them there.  Since then, they've built condos on that spot
    and I haven't seen them since.  Just like southern N.H. - find game
    in a spot one day and condos the next.
    
    Mark,
    

    They are still in the same area, condos or no.  They crossed Ridge
    Road in front of me between the Meadowview condos and the narrow
    bridge about 200 yds west of them.  If I had hit the gas instead
    of the brake, I'm sure I could have had one.
    
    Dave
    

    Well, it's nice to know they are still around since I haven't seen
    them lately.  It's also nice to have someone confirm what I had
    seen.  None of my hunting buddies belived me when I told them.
    
    Mark,
    

    	Does anyone out there hunt these elusive birds here in New
    Hampshire ? The season here is just about to start (May 4th) and
    for the past 6 weekends I've been out trying to locate some of these
    birds. I've been able to find some dropings, feathers and a few
    spots where they dust themselves but I have yet to see one or even
    get one to gobble. I've been doing my scouting late mornings and
    early afternoons, under the impression a turkey will gobble any
    time of the day. Am I wrong, or is it too early in the season for
    them to be talking ? 
     I would appreciate some input on this if anyone can help or just
    to find out how others are making out.
    
     If anyone has any luck out there this spring, be sure to let us
    know.
    
    Good Luck,
    	      
    	      Bruce G.

    	I have found scouting for turkey this spring to be discouraging.
    I have been scouting in Vermont so I can't speak of what it is like
    in N.H.
        The birds are not as active as past years.   I have managed to
    get them to gobble in the early morning (5:45am until about 6:30am)
    I have not been able to get a gobble any later than 6:30am.   I
    have even tried to roost the birds just before sunset, without a
    single gobble.  
        If you have located good sign (dust bowls, scratchings, etc
    etc) I think your right on with the scouting.  Hit the same spots
    when the warm weather gets here and you should do well.
    	I have a hunch that the spring has been too cold and the birds
    have not yet really broken off from the major flocks.  I expect
    the first warm week in May to break into a frenzy.
                                                           
    	Good luck
    	
              

    	According to the book, Birds of North America, gobblers do
    	their gobbling in the early morning, to gather the hens.
    	So maybe try the same spot, but set your alarm clock for
    	earlier.
    		Linda

    	Just thought I'd thank the two people who responded to my earlier
    note ( 13.8 ). I took your advise and set the alarm for 4:00 am
    Sunday and indeed I did hear a gobbler first thing in the morning.
    He gobbled several times but not for long. I scouted for another
    hour or so and on my way back to the car I saw one running across
    a field.
    	
    Thanks,
    	   B.G.