wooly

I've only had 3 encounters with two different NY bears, but for the most part, they both seemed pretty docile. I think you just have to respect their space if their already aware of you, and it's probably not a good idea to surprise one if he's not. I think in this videos case, I would have let the bear know I was up there before he got as close as he did. Probably would have did that when I noticed him climbing into the tree with me,lol

I don't think so. I've seen at least 3 other litters of 6 at this and another den a few miles away. I wouldn't expect to see more kits then a fox has nipples, so maybe 9 kits would be considered one too many,lol

Thanks guys! Virgil- this was a woods set up on a flock of 14 birds that had been roosting on this ridge since the beginning of the second week of season. I could just never get drawn on them with my bow and no blind. I've had at least (without exaggeration), 100 birds total so far inside 30yds this year and plenty inside 15-20yds. There are so many cooperative turkey around here, they make me look like an old pro at this turkey stuff nearly every day so far except for two days that I didn't see or hear anything. That was one of the big reasons I was so hung up on bow hunting them this year.

Well, this hunt was no different from the rest in this spot.... beside me leaving the bow at home and toting the gun for the first time this season. I slipped in here last night and saw them getting ready to roost as usual, so I backed out. This morning I left an extra 15 minutes early because I've been pushing daylight the last few days and I know they've seen me setting up. At first light the first gobble let loose. Then the hens fired up and started flying down in front of me and they got really vocal. Next I heard gobblers on all 4 sides of me all within 50-75yds. A parade of turkeys from below were the first to arrive within 30yds and two broke off from the flock of seven and headed over to my dekes. I never made a sound until he popped his head up over the knoll and my little single shot clobbered him! The rest of the birds stood around like they were going to try to rescue him or something before I finally got up to jump on his flopping carcass. First bird I ever got with two beards at least, so that was kinda cool! When I stomped him he lost most of his tail feathers. He didn't have much for spurs. He DID HAVE two juicy turkey breasts I'll enjoy very much tonight!

Cool- you guys take this stuff pretty seriously. These were in a creek bottom about 30yds from the waters edge. More of a flatland between two hillsides so no direction really applies. The trees seem to be all wrong too. There is an edge created by some mature pines that opens up into young maple, poplar, a few random apples, and cherry mix. They were just off that edge on the broadleaf side.. You know, I was really excited when I found it but I didn't know why,lol I've never even tried one before. I guess I just like finding things! I almost left them there because there was a slug on one, but he must have just started snacking. Anyhow, looking forward to trying these for the first time, and I'll be on the lookout for more if my taste buds approve!

Sweet paddle Sam! Awesome find!

I've never found a morel in my life until about an hour ago when I found two. I accidently broke one off before the pic. That is what this is... isn't it?

Stupid cats,lol! I'll bet you haven't seen the last of them two. Get closer next time!

Thanks guys! I didn't see momma around, but on my way out the little one was gone so I assume she moved him. I'm pretty fortunate to have this great fawning area a hop, skip, and jump across the road from me. This creek bottom is usually good for a few fresh fawns every spring and it's convenient location means I get to spend a lot of time in there with them.

Thanks- she started with 6 and still had 5. Only lost one that I know of. I got more clips of all 5 of them after those two were done nursing. Never saw any fawns make it back to the den, but did have a few miscellaneous deer parts show up.

Haha- I'm practically tripping over these things every morning on my way to the turkey blinds. I spotted another reflection today that tipped me off to this guy in the creek bottom. Just a tiny glimmer that I almost thought was a drop of dew on the grass shining back at me. Here's #2! I'll call him "Dewie",lol

Ok- I paused it between the 1+2 second point to confirm it's really him,lol. This will work for my field photo request. Real nice gobbler!

Wow- that WAS short! I didn't even get a chance to see if it was really Pygmy or not hiding behind that bird,lol

Sweet- home run! When do you get your turn up to bat....... or don't you?

I'm 99.9% sure that antlered turkey are also unable to reproduce! A bearded hen doesn't really do anything for me.

Good deal Lawdwaz, sounds like a fun hunt and that's a fine bird! What more can you ask for!

I'm using my imagination to try to paint a picture of this gobbler, but it's just not the same as a real field photo... Congrats on the kill and a great story, but we want more!

It sure looks like your chickens want some of that cock-a-doodle-gobbler,lol He's definitely got their attention! Love seeing wildlife in the backyard! Nice shots Paula!

Thanks guys! Since this post got brought back up to the top I figured I would load a few more pics and videos from my Moultrie I also ran at the den. First a couple quick still photos... Every now and then I would drop off some "Scooby snacks" for momma in the mornings and watch her scoop them up and hide or burry them around the den throughout the day. I threw an antler out there to see what they'd do with it. I got a few vids of the pups wrestling around with it, but I'm having a hard time finding those pics and clips among the 1000's of files. The antler escaped with no damage even though they chewed on it a bit with those little needle teeth! Every once in a while I'd catch momma coming back with some "fast food" for the kids! ****- these next images are video clips. Click pic for clips. Momma dropping off a mouth full of moles for breakfast. One day I went up there and found 12 little mole bodies piled at the den entrance,lol Here she is scooping up some of her special delivery treats I brought her. Doing a little spring cleaning at the den entrance while the kids get in the way... Fighting over that big fat squill momma brought home for them... This little guy must not have gotten any squill so he decided to chew on my cam for a bit... And finally after a long day of playing and eating everything in sight, it was time for a tall cold glass of milk before bed time.

Another nice one! Congrats.

Nicely done!

I got a 24 lb'er once, but that was only because it was on sale.

Dat's a big boy! Congrats!

I remember reading a similar post on this site not long ago that said you may need to file down the bushings and cams.., followed by a moderate to heavy sand blasting.., and then deep freeze it to -40F to obtain the proper tune,lol

It was at a deer farm too... I must confess,lol