Bowguy 1

I know it's legal n I hunt NY. The man stated he would not have shot. That means he made a mistake. Yes it's legal but might not have been elsewhere. I'm by no means giving the man the slightest bit of grief.

Bill no excuse for mis identification. What's with the bad advice? No reason to bash the guy n no reason to excuse it. There's posts all the time about people getting shot because of misidentification. If it's too unclear to be positive it's a good target n safe shot, no matter the weather we need to pass. The op made a mistake n hopefully he can learn to identify better but fog is no excuse! The man said he would not have shot had he known

Bud with all due respect, you need to learn the difference between a gobbler and a hen before you hunt. In some states bearded hens are legal n in many places they arent. I can tell you feel bad n don't want to worsen that but identification of a target is absolutely necessary

Rob get one or two of the Lovett Wiliams CDs. They explain a lot n you can practice while listening n try n match sounds. Lots of good birds in woods. We call em birds that wanna die today. Find one of them n you're calling confidence will go way up. Good luck

I've successfully called w 3 people before. Always though w novices, kids, new hunters, etc. Makes it easy, I'm calling n mentoring the others so they do what I ask. This past weekend was no exception, called in a Jake for my nephew, first time out w him n his second attempt. My brother was there w a gun but he's new n waited for his son to shoot. That's another thing the when to shoot or who shoots what. Left guy shoots left birds, right guy right birds. Same be it ducks, turkey, upland birds, etc. if the hunters can all call I see zero reason to lesson anyone's odds by going in a group. To me turkey is a solo sport when not mentoring.

Airedale is correct, they're gonna go to fields. Minute rain stops even if only for a period is often good

To just wait hours by a tree would bore me. If it's so late he could always go there an hour before. Go find other birds to hunt earlier n use it as a second chance

Congrats gman

Good luck to all the youths n mentors!

Full moon is gonna mean not too much imo, especially if it thunders Fri night as predicted. Nothing is more guaranteed to get em to gobble than thunder the evening before. Besides its pretty bright now n they've been hammering

Turkey feathers, very nice patterns, I myself switched to 3-1/2" Longbeards last year only to switch back. They were actually too tight for my liking in my 3-1/2" gun. This spring I've been running em through an Ithaca turkeyslayer and I love the patterns. Very dense n consistant both through a .675 factory briley choke and an Indian Creek .665. Great loads. Want to commend you for mentioning patterning n shooting at birds are two different things n while a gun may pattern further ethical hunters prefer closer shots.

I think a lot of good opinions/ideas are being said. My state went to all day last two weeks. It's hot, buggy, birds often not gobbling than. I'm old school n really not a fan of the all day thing. That being said I'm not busting hens off nests. Walking away from birds is always gonna happen, be it 11, noon or simply cause you have to be in time to work. It's why our time w the birds is so valued

A bird in strut just shouldn't be taken if possible. Think about it if he's in range n in strut he's got to come out or you can make a small noise n make em pop his head. Today's loads are very tight patterning, thus a small target isn't good. The neck being outstretched gives much more to shoot at. Aim for the wattles n half the shot goes up the neck, half down. Vital area totally centered in pattern.

None of the makers I listed are anywhere near $100. Kinda what I'm saying between the lines. Some guys aren't even sure what they don't know. Aluminum as a surface sounds different that other surfaces. The surface, (many types of aluminum) pot type, soundboards, strikers all make it sound differently., Changing any of the above changes sound., Now things that could ring up the cost are real exotic woods, like rainforest woods that can't be harvested until they fall n oxen used to haul em out. Another thing is exotic strikers, neither of which is necessary. (Some of the woods require a 2 year drying period say some makers.) t Aluminum hits above 15,000mgz. So they say, idk. Supposed to be in a turkeys hearing range better, some Crystal are too. Imo everyone should have a great aluminum in their vest or two. All makers are not the same, some are a rip off n primos does sound better. Anyone who needs to know where to try can certainly ask me. Good luck

Woodhaven is always way too expensive. You can kee kee on any surface. Slate is the hardest but it can still be pulled off on a good call. Couple of good Aluminum makers are Jimmy Schafer of Oak Ridge calls, Mark Cornelious, he's gotta a facebook page or SS custom calls. The first n last guys have websites. All these guys make great calls and are reasonable. For some reason n I'm not sure why on here but fellows seem to be against great calls. All the money spent on turkey hunting calls are a big part of it n $20 calls sound like you spent $20 on em.

Bill with all due respect are you saying you never pattern gun? I hope not as today's loads/chokes throw very tight patterns n often not where we're looking. We gotta know either way. Thinking perhaps I misunderstood?

Very nice pattern but I must say bring we don't know who is reading, the pattern imo is too high. If you aim for the wattles half the pattern goes towards the head, half down the neck thus allowing more shot to hit vitals. XRs are very tight patterning and a miss is easy for lots of folks, you can see how much shot missed the bird.Not trying to criticize just mentioning another method

Boat paddles are great calls n can do things short boxes can't.

To be clear slightly larger longbeard patterns in the Ithaca

You're like me, I prefer more shot to more speed n also feel generally the longbeards are almost too tight. For the most part I shoot the supremes which is the XX heavier load of 2-1/4oz, did this year pick up an Ithaca turkey slayer that's throwing slightly bigger patterns n that gun is set w them.

Winchester supreme mags are great loads n seem to always do the trick, they throw nice patterns. If you want to increase performance win Longbeards can make almost any gun throw unbelievable patterns and neither load listed is $30 bucks for 5. To each his own but it seems silly many guys like cheap calls which last forever n expensive loads which are one n done.

If the call sounds good to you than use it with the best of luck. Until the day comes where you can run it side by side with another call you cant know really what you're getting. SS custom calls for instance sells glass calls for maybe $45-50. Lots of custom call makers are affordable, some are $100 or more too but the vast majority arent. Remember turkey calls aren't just a piece of the puzzle they can be a big piece. Yes woodsmanship is big too but birds don't usually fly down n follow exact routes every day, hence you need to call em to be consistently successful. Many times one call won't work n the next will. How many times have you had a gobbler in the area go nuts or leave when he heard a real hen call? Hsppens often enough that realism is the best method, and yes they gobble at cars hitting a pot hole but they don't go to it. Just something to think about n good luck with your season

Mentioned to Lou my daughter is limited time but she's in

Guys I've said it before n will say it again, calls are a very large part of the actual sound and they can be easy or hard to run. Dare you to screw up a sound on a crystal mistress or SS glass. Ain't happening w minimal maintenance. Lots of other calls the same way n primos isn't making them

Of course striker pressure is imortant to sound, kee kee for instance need heavy pressure, tree yelps light w pot held off your body, hand making a sound chamber to make it nasally. Anomdised aluminum can be make to sound like a more mature hen with lighter pressure n yelps are generally best when the striker "floats" in your hand without squeezing it. Different strikers make a big difference too. Check out Harold fowlers website. Tons of strikers that will all sound dif. Two great ones are tulipwood n Snakewood