I'm amazed at how my young kids can practically recite stories back to me before they know how to read.  Or how they can recall entire scenes from their favorite movies.  It becomes immediately apparent that their minds work like little video cameras, recording and learning from every sense they possess.  For better or worse.  I have to remind myself to be the model of the person I want them to grow up to be every waking moment. 

It dawned on me a few nights ago, that this presents a wonderful opportunity to instill the life experiences I have had while in the field.  What a memorable way to allow them to gain that knowledge without having to learn it the hard way.  I was blessed with a father who has a passion for upland bird hunting.  Most of the knowledge I learned in that area was from him.  But big game was another world I never pursued until just a few years ago.   So I'll admit I'm at the bottom end of the learning curve, and the lessons for the most part have to be learned the hard way. Last year I came close to getting my first turkey, and although I'm happy to just be in the field, one of these days I'm going to bag one!  Needless to say my kids can tell I'm getting excited for the upcoming turkey season.  My daughter is six this year, and although it will be a few more years before she can carry a shotgun herself, she has accompanied me on several hunts this past fall.  She demands to go hunting with me now. So when bed-time rolled around the other night, I related my unfruitful turkey hunt last year, and lessons learned from it.  It's now a nightly ritual.  I'm running out of stories to tell, so it's a good thing my kids don't mind re-runs!  I imagine some of the great stories passed down from the old days to our ancestors were of great hunts and lessons to be learned.  I intend to continue the tradition with my kids, and someday maybe grand-kids too. So instead of the normal bedtime story tonight, how about spinning a tale of a past hunt for your kids.  You never know, you might ignite a fire in them that will last a lifetime.

Bring:

- License

- ID

- HUNTER’S EDUCATION CARD. (REQUIRED, UNLESS YOU WERE BORN BEFORE JULY 1957)

- A 12ga. (or 20ga.) shotgun, 2-3/4″ shells and #6 to #7-1/2 lead shot is a pretty std. load.

- Blaze orange is recommended, as swinging on game is the number one cause of hunting accidents in KS.

- Warm clothes, the colder, the better, it could be 60 degrees and sunny, or 20 degrees and whiteout conditions w/ a foot of snow on the ground.  We’ll hope for the latter, minus the whiteout part.

- Chaps, or upland type hunting pants are recommended, there are plenty of ‘pokeys’ that will penetrate regular denim fairly easily.  If you don’t have anything like this, let us know.

- It’s not uncommon to hike 10 miles in a day’s hunt.  Although it’s generally level ground, a good pair of boots are highly desirable.

KS Regulations can be found here at: kdwp.state.ks.us/news/content/download/14625/100362/file/KS%20Hunting%20Regulations%2009.pdf.

For more details, contact Jim Johnson at 505-573-0302 or email jim@crosshairsforchrist.org

DOVE SEASON ___________________________________________

 The following information is provided for Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico (longitude W106.6, latitude N35.1):

SUNRISE: 6:39 am SUNSET: 7:33 pm

LEGAL SHOOTING HOURS: 6:09 am – 6:33 pm

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;” - Job 12:7

NORTH ZONE ___________________________________________

The following information is provided for Springer, Colfax County, New Mexico (longitude W104.6, latitude N36.4):

SUNRISE: 7:01 am   SUNSET: 6:29 pm 

LEGAL SHOOTING HOURS: 6:31 am – 6:29 pm

SOUTH ZONE ___________________________________________

The following information is provided for Belen, Valencia County, New Mexico (longitude W106.8, latitude N34.7):

SUNRISE: 7:24 am   SUNSET: 6:17 pm 

LEGAL SHOOTING HOURS: 6:54 am – 6:17 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Children’s Outdoor Adventure Foundation was established in August 2008 to help fulfill the dreams of children with physical disabilities or life-threatening medical conditions. Some of the activities the non-profit foundation offers are camping, fishing, hunting, field trips, train rides, and visits to State and National Parks.

Foundation directors, Rob and Lise Holloway work tirelessly in an effort to raise funds and connect volunteers and families with these special children. In addition, the Holloway’s travel the country, selling raffle tickets for trophy hunts and show their Wildlife Display Center to various Schools and Community Centers. “We want to give children the chance to make a personal connection with wildlife,” said Rob Holloway. “We let the kids touch the various animal mounts and pelts, while showing them examples of the different tracks the animals make and educating them about conservation and the role sportsmen play in wildlife management.”

To volunteer, make a donation or purchase raffle tickets please contact Rob or Lisa Holloway, by phone at (505) 286-4444 or email livethedreamnow@yahoo.com or mail P.O. Box 141, Tijeras, NM 87059. You may also visit the Children’s Outdoor Adventure Foundation online at http://childrensoutdooradventurefoundation.com.

It began with a mother’s determination to make her son’s dream of going on a Canadian moose hunt come true. Tina Pattison’s son Matt was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease. Tina knew if she was going to give her son this gift she had little time left. She began by making a call to the Make-A-Wish Foundation only to learn that after intense harassment from animal-rights groups when it granted an Alaskan brown bear hunt, the foundation no longer granted those types of requests. Still Tina would not give up.

Call after call turned up little results until finally she contacted the Pittsburgh chapter of Safari Outfitters and received a glimmer of hope. In August of 1998 an outfitter, Clayton Grosso, based in Nordegg, Alberta, Canada, agreed to fulfill Matt’s dream. And the adventure was on.

The following year Matt lost his battle to cancer.

Determined to keep their son’s memory alive and help famlies avoid the difficulty they have faced in fulfilling a dream, Tina and Matt’s father Chester started the Hunt of a Lifetime Foundation in August 1999. The Pattison family knows first hand about the  pain and suffering not only of losing a loved one to a terrible disease but of being shut out of opportunities by organizations set up to make dreams come true for all but those who wish to hunt and fish.

Like all foundations of this type, your help and support is greatly needed. Financial support, volunteer work and making contact with hunting opportunities, no assistance is too small. 

For more information contact  Tina Pattison, President, 6297 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek, PA 16421 or visit www.huntofalifetime.org.  

Days-even minutes-can mean the difference between a terminally ill person fulfilling his or her dream or going out of this life still wishing.

The key to calling ducks is practice, practice, practice. Good callers learn to master the techniques used to make quacking sounds on a call, but great callers study real ducks in their natural environment and learn to mimic the quack. Volume, tone, rhythm and technique are critical to your success. Before you blow your first note on a call, take a field trip to the local duck pond and spend some time listening.

After you begin to identify the vast variety of sounds ducks make, you are ready to learn the basic calling techniques.

The Basic Quack ___________________________________ 

Hut, Hit, Whit, Dwit, Kwit
The basic quack, a single note, is the foundation for every other sound you will make on a duck call. There are several mental words callers use to mimic a duck quack. Hut, hit, whit, dwit, or kwit are among the most successful used.

To begin, hold the duck call in one hand and place your mouth on the call like you are drinking out of a coke bottle. Reach deep into you diaphragm and push the air through the call while saying one of the keywords. Try the various sounds until you strike the sound that most mimics what you heard on the pond.

For several weeks do nothing other than practice the single note until you have mastered the sound and have developed control over the volume and tone.

The Lonesome Hen ___________________________________
Hut, Hit, Whit, Dwit, Kwit

The lonesome hen is simple, slow three note call and is often the most effective sound in your calling arsenal. Imagine you are blowing six notes, skipping every other note. Picture yourself as the hottie hen of the duck world, seducing the big, bold drake. Each note should be slightly drawn out and have a gravel tone, but still remain crisp and clean.

This is often one of the most effective sounds a caller can make, often drawing in call-shy ducks even at a distance.

Practice.
The Greeting Call ___________________________________
Hut, Hit, Whit, Dwit, Kwit

The greeting call is a series of 5-7 clean, crisp notes in a descending, steady rhythm used when ducks are still at a distance. Never use the greeting call when you can see wing tips or tail feathers. You will likely scare the birds away and miss your opportunity for a good shot.

World Champion Caller, Buck Gardner of Buck Gardner Calls describes the rhythm as a mimic of the old nursery rhyme, “Three Blind Mice,” with a couple notes following to finish it up.

Again, practice until you have mastered the cadence and once again sound like a duck. Learn to control your volume and tone while focusing on the rhythm.

The Comeback ___________________________________
Hut, Hit, Whit, Dwit, Kwit

The comeback is basically a greeting with a sense of urgency and speed. Again focus on 5-7 notes and keep it simple. The comeback is used when the ducks simply will not respond to your greeting. I prefer to save this call for tail feathers and imagine that I am yelling, “Hey you! Over here! Comeback, comeback, comeback!” Often you will see the birds begin to turn back for a second glance. Don’t get over zealous and learn to control your excitement at this point.

Again practice. Combine your greeting practice with your comeback practice and learn to control the rhythm between and intensity between the two calls.

The Hail or Highball ___________________________________
Hut, Hit, Whit, Dwit, Kwit

The hail or highball is the screamer of the calling techniques. It should be loud and bold. It is the sound made most famous at competitions and can easily be over used. Most experts would agree that you should never use this call when ducks are within 100-200 yards.

To produce a proper hail, blow between 15-30 notes beginning with a long, loud note and tapering off in volume at the end. Make sure to keep each note crisp and clean cutting off air between each note.

Practice, practice, practice. The most common error callers make is to lose control out of the blocks and squawk the first note on the call.

The Plea ___________________________________
Hut, Hit, Whit, Dwit, Kwit

The plea is a short version of the hail, between 5-7 notes and is used to get the attention of high flying ducks. The first note is drawn out followed by shorter, crisp notes. It is a plea to draw ducks out of the sky and into your decoy spread.

Practice this call with your hail call until you master they volume, tone and rhythm.

The Feed Call  ___________________________________
kitty, kitty, kitty or chucka, chucka or ticka, ticka, ticka, or dugga, dugga, dugga

A good hunting scenario feed call can and should be simple. Remember the exercise at the pond and the tone and pace you heard live ducks make as they fed at the pond. A simple and broken up “ticka, ticka, tocka, tocka, ticka,” was realistically what you heard. Learn to mimic the pace and control your rhythm. Try the various keywords as you learn what works best for you.

If you struggle with its mastery continue to practice, but save it for another day. A feed call or lack thereof should not keep you from enjoying the hunt and enjoying the thrill of calling birds into your spread.

The Rolling Feed Call ___________________________________ 

The rolling feed call is the Cadillac of the calling techniques. It is most often heard at competitions by pros who spent countless hours into developing and working on their technique. The rolling feed call is among the most difficult to produce. It takes a ton of practice and with intention, why I left it for the end.

Much like the regular feed call, you put together the kitty, kitty, kitty or chucka, chucka or ticka, ticka, ticka, or dugga, dugga, dugga to produce the sound. The difference here is speed. With practice you will be able to produce the sounds in a machine gun fashion, creating the illusion that your sound is rolling. Make sure to not allow your tongue to roll like you are pronouncing an “r” in Spanish. Listen to the pros and stick with it. In time you will be capable of producing the sound at will.

Lastly, leave your rolling feed call technique at home when you hunt and save it for the competition.  On the stage is great for adding variety and showing your mastery of your call, but on the pond the only response you are likely to get is from other hunters who will view you as a showoff rather than a sportsman.

WAV SOUND FILES ________________________________________________________________

Sound files are copyright Ducks Unlimited – All rights reserved
 

Hail Call l Greeting Call l Feed Call l Comeback Call l Lonesome Hen

Pleading Call l Basic Quack

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;”  - Job 12:7

_______________________________________________________

Lance Cherry is a Field Staff Pro for Buck Gardner Calls. A native of New Mexico, Lance has worked several years in the outdoor industry, with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the New Mexico State Parks Division. Lance is a founder of Crosshairs for Christ, a Christian ministry with a desire to connect and change lives by spreading Christ’s message to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts through activity-based fellowship. For more information contact Lance Cherry, lance@crosshairsforchrist.org.

You are hunkered down in the duck blind as the sun begins to break over the horizon. A flock of birds lingers on the skyline as you begin to scream for their attention. “Hail” call, “Hail” call, “Hail” call and the flock turns in your direction. As the flock jets in your direction you welcome them with the “Greeting” call. Hello!, Hello!, you shout and follow with the chattering or “Feed” call declaring this pond scum tastes great. Suddenly, without notice the flock averts the landing and begins to peel away. “Comeback,” “Comeback” rings your call and you drop back to your “Feed” call as you bring them in for the landing. You offer a warm “Greeting” and finish them off with the “Lonesome Hen.”

These calls should be completed in this order and wrapped up as close to the 90-second time limit without going over. Judges are waterfowl experts and are placed out-of-sight in order to listen to only the sound and quality of the routine. They identify callers only by number with no knowledge of who the participant actually is. Judges will score the routine based on the richness of the tone, volume and your ability to create the illusion of a real hunt.

Learn More: www.callingducks.com

WAV SOUND FILES ________________________________________________________________

Sound files are copyright  Ducks Unlimited – All rights reserved

 Hail Call   l   Greeting Call  l   Feed Call  l   Comeback Call  l   Lonesome Hen 

Pleading Call   l   Basic Quack

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;”  - Job 12:7

_______________________________________________________

Lance Cherry, is a Buck Gardner Calls, Field Staffer. A native of New Mexico, Lance has worked several years in the outdoor industry, with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the New Mexico State Parks Division. Lance is a founder of Crosshairs for Christ, a Christian ministry with a desire to connect and change lives by spreading Christ’s message to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts through activity-based fellowship. For more information contact Lance Cherry, lance@crosshairsforchrist.org.

7 Steps For Proper Field Dressing Of Your Game

FIELD DRESSING KIT

•   Large Ziploc Bag
•   Bottled Water (2 Liters)
•   Latex Gloves (2 Pair)
•   Hand Sanitizer
•   Moist Towelettes
•   Dry Rag
•   2 Sharp Knives
•   Skinning Knife
•   Knife Sharpener
•   Keyhole Saw or Hatchet
•   Plastic Drop Cloth
•   Rope (10-12 Foot)
•   Twine (1 Foot)
•   Head Lamp

Then God said, ” Let us make man in Our image, in Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” – Genesis 1:26

When God set man up as ruler over all creatures, he put a great responsibility squarely on our shoulders. He made us wildlife managers, which demands that we learn and understand every aspect of our role on this earth.

I recently heard a story about a hunter that bagged his first elk on a Friday, then waited until Saturday morning to field dress it and finally delivered it to the meat processor on Sunday only to learn the meat had spoiled and all was wasted. Now a putrid green, the loss of the meat and the hide, could’ve easily been avoided.

What went wrong? Everything went wrong. It’s a sad situation when a novice hunter takes the life of an animal only to ask “what do I do now?” Proper field dressing is not difficult and should begin as soon as the animal has fallen. Prompt action, clean removal of the organs and proper cooling of your harvest can mean the difference between harvesting all and harvesting nothing.

Furthermore, it’s our responsibility to know what to do before we take a life. Wildlife population control is critical for assuring healthy herds and the longevity of a species. Your role as a hunter is necessary, but don’t put yourself in the position of a novice. Follow these seven tips and finish your hunt like the ruler God ordained.

Step One – Just Chill

Take a breath and give yourself a few minutes to “chill out”. You’ve just harvested your game and chances are your adrenaline is still flowing. The last thing you want to do is start slashing away at the animal. Begin by positioning your harvest with the head uphill. Remember the three most important factors to avoid spoilage: Keep your game cool, keep your game clean and keep your game dry.

Step Two – The First Cut Is The Deepest

Put on a pair of rubber, latex, and disposable gloves. Gloves help keep the meat clean, and will keep you safe from contaminated meat. (Be cautious of the musk (scent) glands on the lower hind legs. Avoid contact with them as the scent may cling to your hands and taint the meat. Some hunters cut these off before beginning the field dressing steps and discard their first pair of latex gloves.) Next make a small cut into the belly of the animal with a sharp knife. Be careful not to cut any of the internal organs. Slit the animal from back to front, using your fingers to guide gently through the hide, muscle and into the cavity. Remember to take your time. A good clean cut will pay off in the end.

Step Three – Pelvis Presley

Cut a deep circle around the anus and tie it off with a small piece of twine. Split the pelvic bone with a small saw, knife or hand ax, careful not to rupture the intestines. Separate the hindquarters and stake the legs open.

Step Four – Chest Cracker

Split the chest cavity, cutting through the breast bone with a small saw, knife or hand ax. Cut the muscles of the diaphragm away from the rib cage.

Step Five – Messy Clean-Up

Reach into the chest cavity, pushing the lungs aside, and cut the windpipe and gullet from the neck. Pull the heart, lungs, liver, paunch and intestines from the chest to the tail, leaving your gut pile behind outside the animal. You may have to do some additional cutting to free the entrails from the cavity. If you were able to place the animal uphill, they should easily roll out downhill between the hindquarters. This is often very messy, so don’t hesitate to roll your sleeves up and simply dig in.

Step Five – Hang Your Harvest

Find a cool shady place to hang your harvest. Use sticks to prop the cavity open. This will assure good circulation of air to reduce body heat. Use a cloth or paper towels to remove any remaining blood in the cavity. Let hang for about an hour before proceeding to the next step, unless the temperature outside is warm. The important part to remember is you are working to cool the animal as quickly as possible so the meat doesn’t spoil.

Step Six – Skinn’er Done

To skin your harvest begin by re-hanging your animal by the hind legs. Make a cut through the hide on the hindquarters. Cut down each leg, cutting and pealing the hide from the meat at the same time. Continue the process to the neck and cut the entire neck from the body. The process of skinning an animal can be a time consuming process, so be patient. Many hunters cut the hide from the neck and shoulders and remove just the head. However, it is best if you remove the entire neck, leaving the hide attached and get it to your taxidermist as quickly as possible. They will complete the removal of the hide to ensure the best outcome for your mount. For full body mounts, bring your harvest in fresh for the taxidermist to skin.

Step Seven – Butchered To Perfection

Butcher your animal on your own or transport your harvest to the nearest meat processor. There are many resources available with diagrams of meat cuts and techniques for proper butchering. If you’ve followed these steps and kept your harvest cool, clean and dry – be confident that you delivered properly prepared game, with the best chance for returning the most meat.

_______________________________________________________

Lance Cherry, a native of New Mexico, has worked several years in the outdoor industry, with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the New Mexico State Parks Division. Lance is a founder of Crosshairs for Christ, a Christian ministry with a desire to connect and change lives by spreading Christ’s message to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts through activity-based fellowship. For more information contact Lance Cherry, lance@crosshairsforchrist.org.

There are many good reasons for you to participate in turkey hunting. Among them is your ability to help contribute to the population growth and survival of this wonderful bird. The money you spend on everything from hunting gear to licenses is used to help wildlife agencies manage all types of wildlife. Native to North America, the turkey has been an inspiring comeback story. Populations now soar around 7 million, from 30,000 in the early 1900s, credited to the efforts of hunters and wildlife restoration programs.

Tradition is another important reason to hunt. For centuries turkey hunting has been an American family tradition. Can you imagine a Thanksgiving with the gobbler and gravy? Turkey hunting has provided generations an opportunity to reconnect and rebuild the bonds of family.

Finally, Turkey hunting is safe. Did you know that according to the International Hunters Education Association (IHEA,) turkey hunting is one of the safest sports? They report that in 2005, there were only 2.95 injuries per 100,000 hunters nationwide. Football had 18.8 per 100,000 participants and volleyball had 3.1 injuries per 100,000.

In an effort to improve your enjoyment and skills before the hunt, I offer the following 7 tips for improving your spring turkey hunting success:

TIP 1: LEARN TO TALK TURKEY ON A DIAPHRAGM CALL

One of the most rewarding experiences you can have as a turkey hunter is calling a big tom within range after mastering a few sounds on a diaphragm call. The adrenaline surges through your veins the moment you finish a simple Kee Kee, only to hear the leaves explode with a loud gobble.

Learning to speak turkey is simple if you follow these 3 steps:

Step 1: Insert the diaphragm call in your mouth and place on the roof with the latex strips toward your teeth and the horseshoe frame toward your throat. (The small bump in the horseshoe frame should be down)

Step 2: Slightly roll your tongue so the edges hold the diaphragm firmly against the roof of your mouth and position the tip of your tongue against the latex so air can pass directly over the latex reeds when you blow.

Step 3: Blow air over your tongue, across the reeds. Remember to blow from deep within your diaphragm rather than your mouth. (Thus the name, diaphragm call.)

Practice these sounds to speak the traditional language of the turkey:

CLUCK: This one is simple. Just blow a quick “PUTT” sound across the reeds.

YELP: There are a couple techniques that can produce a clear sounding yelp. First try saying the word “Choulk.” Another technique is to form your mouth into an “O” shape, drop your jaw and blow short bursts of air across the reeds.

PURR: This one is kind of like rolling your “R” in Spanish. It will take some practice; it will tickle and is a lot of fun. Try vibrating your lips, rolling the air in the back of your throat or pushing rapid, short bursts of air over the reeds while making an “UR” sound.

CUT: Kit-kit-kit-kit-kit-kit, as fast as you can or try the words “put-ut-ut-ut,” pushing your lips together like your pronouncing the letter “P,” then letting the silent “U” sound slip out rapidly. Block the air between calls with your lips.

KEE KEE: Pronounce the “EE” sound through your lips or just make 2-4 high-pitched squeals.

KEE KEE RUN: Same as above just add 1-3 YELP sounds behind your 2-4 high-pitched squeals.

Finally, learn to control the noise level. If your family is annoyed with you so will the turkeys. Soft and quite is best, especially when you have a big gobbler drawing near. A loud CLUCK or YELP translates in turkey talk as danger and when your trophy tom flies away, you’ll be left alone thinking, “What did I say?” 

TIP 2: OH BEHAVE!

There’s nothing more important than knowing why your game does what it does in the woods. For turkey spring is all about strutting your dominance and showing the rest of the flock just who’s the toughest turkey or as like to put it, “Show me the real MACHO LIBRE.”

It’s the typical story of the birds and the bees and why not, a turkey is a bird. Spring is the time for the big toms to put on their best blue head and look for a honey to give him some sweet lovin’. Oops, did I just say sweet lovin’ in a CROSSHAIRS for CHRIST article?

TOM STRUTS

To a turkey there are only two things that matter in life, survival and reproduction. After a long winter the toms have only the later on the mind. Spring is about displaying dominance and making sure their flocks grow. It’s about strutting through the woods like you’re the biggest, baddest jake to ever live. I even believe there’s a verse in the bible about this behavior, “Tho I walk through the valley of death I will fear no eagle…” Again, I digress. The reality is a big tom will foolishly storm in on the unknown in even greater fear of looking like a lesser prairie chicken to the hens. It is this behavior and the desire to be “all-powerful” that causes the hillside to ignite in gobbles when you blow that early morning crow or owl call.

OH LADIES!

Unlike the tom, a hen puts survival foremost in their thoughts. Hens will feed furiously in the spring as they work to build the nutrients necessary to lay their 10-12 egg clutch. Hens begin laying in mid-to-late April. During this time, they spend less time strolling for gobblers and more time focused on the task at hand. Often a hen will go to nest in late morning to early afternoon, leaving the toms alone, strutting for the few remaining ladies in the woods. You may notice gobbling pick up during these periods of the day.

TURKEY TIMING

So what does all this strutting and clutching mean to improving my hunting success anyways? It’s all about timing. In early spring competition is fierce as all the hens are looking for a man. The action starts early and you’d better be set before the sun as well. By mid-spring, the behavior changes. Gobblers who grew used to having large receptive flocks of hens are now spending more and more time alone. They are often spooked more easily. They are looking for love later and later in the day. It’s the stragglers that provide the most opportunity for the desperate toms. Finally, as the spring season winds to a close, you may see a short lived resurgence in breeding activity, but mostly you will see the big birds heads clear and a return to the true priority – survival.

TIP 3: TO DECOY OR NOT TO DECOY

Now answer to the big decoy question… Do turkey decoys work? My answer is “I don’t know.” What I do know, is that Bob’s decoys, set out so perfectly in the meadow last year, made my adrenaline surge more than once.

EXPERT OPINION

I have heard many experts debate over the use of decoys. Most agree that toms either love them or hate them and there is no middle ground on the issue. What they don’t agree on is actually using them.

Knight & Hale Ultimate Hunting Team Member Chuck Tiranno, who prefers to hunt with multiple decoys and has great success doing so, admitted in a Peterson’s Hunting article written by David Hart, “when it comes to spring gobbler hunting, and a decoy won’t take the place of basic woodsmanship.” Hart’s article, www.huntingmag.com/small_game/fake_0702, goes on to make a strong case for using decoys.

In a 2005 article titled, “The Decoy Experiment,” Jerry de Bin, Chief, Information and Education Section for Outdoor Alabama, conducted 3 similar hunts with and without decoys and concluded, “What I do know is that turkey decoys are like magnets. Both attract and repel with great force.” In the end de Bin, concludes that decoys are like fishing lures, whether they work or not, the fishing or hunt in this case is ultimately unchanged.

IS IT REAL OR MEMOREX

Technology and realism has improved and with the true purpose of a decoy being to distract the tom’s attention away from you and draw him into closer range, you could easily make a strong case for using decoys. Manufacturers now offer decoys to fit every hunter’s need. Collapsible, inflatable or molded as photo-realistic tom, hen or jakes, the choices are abundant. Next time you stop by the sporting goods section, just take a look at all the options now available.

MY OPINION

As I think back to Bob’s decoys, I these three thoughts ring loud in my mind. One. You can easily solve the “distracting toms” issue by wearing better camouflage and learning to call better. Two. Decoys are just another thing to haul up and down the mountain. Three. Decoys work really well on people. I thought seriously about taking home a photo-real inflatable with fresh shot in it.

TIP 4: DUDE! I CAN TOTALLY SEE YOU

Do you look like a “Glow-worm” in the woods? If you’re wearing camo you may not think so, but you’d better think again. One of the most common mistakes hunters make is to break out that old ragged BDUs they’ve grown to love. So many times I’ve heard guys open up the conversation with “I bought these at the Army surplus store.” There is nothing wrong with the Army surplus store. In fact, I love the gear and deals you can find. The clothing is comfortable and very effective on a deer hunt, but bucks, unlike turkeys, are color-blind.

Turkeys have sharp senses and can see the subtle movement of your eye. The little flash of white is enough to send your tom running for the hills. Why do you think, turkey hunters scrap the blaze orange and take their chances in the woods?

I SPY SOMETHING GREEN

Give yourself the edge this year and pick up a new pattern. You will get more than enough use out of it, with deer, elk, dove, duck and javalina seasons still on the horizon.

Seasoned hunters collect various patterns over several years and when the season hits, they are ready to match their environment. Mossy Oak, Real-Tree and God’s Country Camo in Oak, juniper, spring leaves, fall foliage and snow patterns are all superior choices in the right environment, under the right conditions. My best advice is to pick what you like.

NWTF’S DRESS FOR SUCCESS RULES

Next, I turn to the National Wild Turkey Federation as the true authority on dressing right for your turkey hunt. They offer the following 6 rules for dressing for success:

1. Never wear bright colors, especially not red, white, blue or black because these are the colors of a wild turkey gobbler.

2. Wear dark undershirts and socks, and pants long enough to be tucked into boots.

3. Camouflage your gun.

4. Keep your hands and head camouflaged when calling.

5. Select a spot that is in open timber rather than thick brush: wearing camouflage clothing and eliminating movement is more critical to success than hiding in heavy cover.

6. When using a camouflage blind or netting, maintain a clear field of view.

IT SMELLS GOOD WHEN IT’S CLEAN

Finally, think about the care and maintenance of your apparel. Choose your detergent wisely. I recommend the non-scented liquid you find in sporting goods sections. Not because I believe they are truly fragrance-free, or that turkeys even care, but because the chemicals are gentle on the fabric. Camo works best when the color is vibrant like new. It works best when the browns are brown and the greens are green. When everything is worn out and the colors are faded – YES, you look like a “Glow-worm.”

TIP 5: SURVIVE

Too often people get lost, hurt and even killed over poor decisions in the wild. The most avid hunter trades in common sense for foolish pride. In that single exchange, they learn that the most dangerous thing in the woods isn’t a bear or cougar rather one’s self.

Getting lost in the wilderness is serious, dangerous and even life-threatening. Often we hear the stories about search and rescue teams working tirelessly only to turn up the body of a hiker who did everything wrong. I have even seen the news stories that indicate they died of fatigue. Fatigue, I always wonder why they didn’t just sit down and rest. Why would you push yourself to the point of death?

With the right preparation, gear and mindset you can survive even the harshest situation. If lost STOP. Sit down. Think. Observe. Plan. In order of importance; treat injuries, find shelter, build a fire and find water and food. Remember a person can go weeks without food but only days without water.

THE SURVIVAL KIT

Before the hunt, consider building yourself a survival kit in a water-tight container, which can be used as a cup or bowl if needed. Stock it with the following 25 items:

•   Flint & Steel Fire Starter
•   Matches in Waterproof Container
•   Tinder or Fire Starter Stick
•   Whistle
•   Water Purification Tablets
•   Energy Food (Bullion Cubes, Granola Bars)
•   Salt
•   Antibiotic Ointment
•   Peroxide or Iodine Swabs
•   Aluminum Foil (5-10 feet)
•   Adhesive Bandages (2-8)
•   Triangular Bandage
•   Sterile Gauze Bandages (4”x4”)
•   Sunscreen
•   Asprin
•   Tape
•   Pocket Knife
•   Emergency Blanket or Lawn Trash Bag
•   Wire Saw
•   Signal Mirror
•   Cord or Rope
•   Safety Pins
•   Assorted Fishing Hooks, Lures
•   Fishing Line (20-40 feet)
•   Compass

Plan for the worse and enjoy the best. With proper preparation you can make sure you come home the same way you arrived…ALIVE.

TIP 6: THE SHELL YOU SAY

Turkey hunting is fast growing market and with the rise in popularity, companies are working hard to expand the options available. Traditional turkey hunters used to head out in the field with basic 2 3/4” high-brass 6 shot shells – also used for ducks, quail, pheasants and rabbits. Today the options are endless. Shot is made ot tungsten, steel, hard lead or copper and offered in BB, 2, 3, 4, 6 sizes. The shells are cased in 2 3/4”, 3”, 3 1/2” and made for all gauges of shot guns. Even a 20-gauge shotgun can pack enough punch to level a large tom.

LEAD VS STEEL

Most shells used for turkey are hard lead shot, but the non-toxic steel shot can certainly put one down. In fact there is a large segment of hunters choosing to adapt the waterfowling loads for their turkey hunts. Either choice is acceptable, just remember, steel can cost a little more, is a little heavier and can really beat a barrel up if shot repeatedly out of your shotgun.

BEST BRAND CHOICES

One could pose strong arguments for one brand over another and in each case they would be right. Every year, manufacturers role out new technology and make legitimate advances in their shotshells. The one steadfast fact I know to be true however, is despite the slick marketing and improved patterns, when a hunter finds a shell they like that becomes the shell they use. With that said I offer what I use first and then some other notible, quality shotshell choices.

Remington shells have that extra edge to reach out with penetrating power and dense, concentrated patterns. My top choices:

•   Remington® Nitro Turkey loads, 3 1/2”, #4 shot, 1300 fps
•   Remington Premier® Magnum Turkey Loads, 3 1/2”, #4 shot, 1150 fps

Winchester is my clear second choice. They offer a superior shell with optimal performance. They are noted for having shells that consistently demonstrate dependable knock-down power. The choices I recommend:

•   Super-X® Turkey Loads, 3 1/2” #4 shot, 1210 fps
•   Supreme Elite™ Xtended™ Range HD Turkey, 3 1/2” #4 shot, 1225 fps

Kent is the new discovery of many C4C hunters and at the price, Kent could easily top my personal list. The Kent shell is packed full of lethal power and vicious speed. Two of their finest shots:

•   Kent Tungsten Matrix® High Performance Turkey Loads, 3”, #4 shot, 1330 fps
•   Kent Ultimate® Diamond Shot®, 3 1/2”, #4 shot, 1300 fps

Other notable ammunition makers include; Federal, Aguila Ammunition, Hevishot, Bismuth Cartridge Company, Estate Cartridge, Nitro Ammo, Fiocchi, Sellier & Bellot and the Gamebore Cartridge Company.

REACH OUT A TAG SOMETHING

Finally, many successful hunters would argue that turkey loads are simply the same old shell, with inflated prices due to a name on a box. They choose to use basic game loads in BB, 2, 4 or 5 shot shells. In my opinion, that’s fine. Especially since a good turkey shot occurs between 5 and 10 yards away. Still I like that turkey loads are designed to give you an optimal pattern at a greater distance, especially since I take my kids with me and getting them to sit still is impossible. I need to be capable of reaching out and tagging my bird.

TIP 7: KNOW THE CODE

As we head for the woods this week, I once again use the National Wild Turkey Federation for guidance. As a member or participant of CROSSHAIRS for CHRIST, we all strive to do every aspect of our hunts right. Members check and re-check hunting licenses, shooting hours, bag limits and laws governing our hunt areas. We work to set an example and stay focused on the purpose of our ministry. We hunt and fish as if GOD himself wrote the rules, because in doing things right we show others that Christians care.

The National Wild Turkey Federation’s Code of Conduct

As a responsible turkey hunter, I will:

•   Not let peer pressure or the excitement of the hunt cloud my judgment;
•   Learn and practice safe hunting techniques;
•   Hunt the wild turkey fairly;
•   Know the capabilities and limitations of my gun or bow and use it safely;
•   Obey and support all wildlife laws and report all violations;
•   Respect the land and the landowner and always obtain permission before hunting;
•   Avoid knowingly interfering with another hunter and respect the right of others to lawfully share the outdoors;
•   Value the hunting experience and appreciate the beauty of the wild turkey;
•   Positively identify my target as a legal bird and insist on a good shot;
•   Share responsible turkey hunting with others and work for wild turkey conservation.

_______________________________________________________

Lance Cherry, a native of New Mexico, has worked several years in the outdoor industry, with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the New Mexico State Parks Division. Lance is a founder of Crosshairs for Christ, a Christian ministry with a desire to connect and change lives by spreading Christ’s message to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts through activity-based fellowship. For more information contact Lance Cherry, lance@crosshairsforchrist.org.