Trail Camera Coyote

Glen from Whitetail Disabled Hunting and Associates just sent me trail camera pictures from the very spot I shot my 8 point buck from this week.  I want to go back and try to take a turkey with  my crossbow before this coyote gets them all.  He is right behind this deer, coyotes have to go!

Hen-Tastic

I was out hunting Saturday morning and had these three hens around me for over three hours. Anywhere from 10 feet to 40 yards. If they only had beards I would be a happy man right now. They were like live decoys! Thanks Austin Young for all of your calling and hard work this morning.

 

NWTF Waynesburg Pa 2014

Last night I attended the NWTF banquet  in Waynesburg Pa.  It was sponsored by the Warrior Trail Gobblers.  I did not win anything last  night, but the real story is what this group did for young hunters (17 and under). 

They gave away over 50 shotguns for FREE.  Each child received a ticket when they arrived and they picked 55 names!  I think this was one of the best event's I have ever been to for kids.  It really got  them excited about hunting, shooting and conservation. Way to go NWTF

Fall Turkey in Pa

PENNSYLVANIA TURKEY HUNTERS ADVISED OF SEASON CHANGES

Fall season begins Nov. 2 in most parts of state, season lengths vary by WMU.

 

 

Turkey hunters preparing to head afield during Pennsylvania’s annual fall season are urged to review the opening and closing dates that apply within the Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) they hunt.

The fall season has been lengthened by a week in some WMUs, and shortened by a week in others. Additionally, a WMU might have a later opening date, a weeklong or shorter season, or could be closed to fall turkey hunting altogether.

 

“Different sets of rules apply to different areas, and in a lot of areas, season lengths have changed this year,” said Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe. “Now is the time for hunters to check and make sure the season lengths in areas they hunt haven’t changed.”

 

In most of the state, the fall turkey season opens Saturday, Nov. 2. There are exceptions, however.  In WMU 5A, a three-day season begins Tuesday, Nov. 5.  Meanwhile, WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D remain closed to fall turkey hunting.

 

The fall turkey season dates are outlined on page 35 of the 2013-14 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest that is issued at the time hunters by their licenses. Those seasons are as follows: WMU 1B – Nov. 2 to 9, and Nov. 28 to 30; WMU 2B (shotgun and archery only) – Nov. 2 to 22, and Nov. 28 to 30; WMUs 1A, 2A, 2D, 2F, 2G and 2H – Nov. 2 to 16, and Nov. 28 to 30; WMUs 2C, 2E, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E – Nov. 2 to 22, and Nov. 28 to 30; and WMU 5A – Nov. 5 to 7.

In all, the season length is changing in nine WMUs this year.  The changes in eight of those WMUs are due to an ongoing study to determine how the length of the fall season affects the female turkey harvest. The Game Commission in the past two years has monitored two separate study areas, and with that data now collected, the study requires the season length in both study areas be changed.

 

In WMUs 2F, 2G and 2H, that means shortening the season from three weeks to two weeks. Meanwhile, the season will be lengthened from two weeks to three weeks in WMUs 2C, 2E, 4A, 4B and 4D.  Game Commission wild turkey biologist Mary Jo Casalena explained the changes.

 

“By switching season lengths between study areas, we can attempt to answer the question of whether the harvest gained by adding an extra week to a two-week season exceeds a sustainable level of harvest,” Casalena said. “Ultimately, results from this study will allow us to provide the longest fall seasons without overharvesting hen wild turkeys.”

          

This season marks the third year of the four-year study, and hunters can expect season length within the study areas this year to remain the same during the study’s final year in 2014.

 

Aside from the changes within study areas, the fall turkey season also is being shortened from two weeks to one week in WMU 1B due to a precipitous decline in the turkey population locally. The three-day Thanksgiving season remains in place there, as it does in most other parts of the state.

 

Fall turkey forecast

Casalena said turkey hunters are likely to see more turkeys afield this fall due to two factors.  There was above-average nest success this summer, which produced more young turkeys statewide, additionally, acorn crops are spotty this year, and turkey flocks tend to concentrate around available food sources, she said.

 

The above-average summer reproduction mainly was due to dry and warm weather conditions during the peak of hatching in early June. Casalena said this nest success was a welcome relief for wild turkey populations, since summer reproduction had been below-average for the previous four years.  Still, summer populations varied considerably by WMU, as is typical for wild turkey reproduction.

 

Although springtime wild turkey populations were still lower than their record highs in 2001, when the state population was about 280,000 turkeys, this spring’s population of about 186,000 birds was similar to the last two years, rebounding from its low in 2010 of 182,000.

 

Casalena said locating a flock is only part of the hunt. Properly setting up and bringing a turkey within range is another challenge that makes turkey hunting both tricky and enjoyable.

 

Overall, Casalena said she anticipates turkey hunters to enjoy success rates similar to or even higher than last year, when 12 percent of fall turkey hunters harvested turkeys. That success rate was a slight improvement from the previous three years, when the success rate was 11 percent.

 

The final 2012 fall harvest was 14,704, similar to 2011 but 5 percent lower than the previous three-year average.  Hunter success has been as high as 21 percent (2001, a year with excellent recruitment), and as low as 4 percent (1979).

 

Casalena said spring season harvests (not including harvests from the special turkey license that allows hunters to harvest a second bird) totaled 32,602, slightly down from 33,597 in 2012, but 12 percent lower than the previous 10-year average (37,229). Hunter success, 15 percent, was similar to last year due to a small decrease in the number of spring turkey hunters, and was slightly lower than the previous 10-year average, 16 percent.

           

Even though spring harvests were down from the record 49,200 in 2001, Pennsylvania hunters have consistently maintained spring harvests above 30,000 bearded turkeys since 1995, exceeding most other states in the nation.

 

Leg-banded turkeys

Casalena also reminds hunters to report any leg-banded or radio-transmittered turkeys they harvest or find. Leg bands and transmitters are stamped with a toll-free number to call, and provide important information for the research project being conducted in partnership with the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Penn State University, with funding from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Pennsylvania Chapter of NWTF, she said.

 

“These turkeys are legal to harvest and the information provided will help determine turkey survival and harvest rates, Casalena said.  Rewards for reporting marked turkeys are made possible by donations from the National Wild Turkey Federation, she said.

 

Fluorescent orange requirements

In most parts of the state, hunters participating in the fall turkey season are required, while moving, to wear at least 250 inches of fluorescent orange on the head, chest and back combined. Orange must be visible from 360 degrees.

 

Hunters may remove their orange once in a stationary location, providing that a minimum of 100 square inches of fluorescent orange is posted within 15 feet of the location and is visible from 360 degrees.

 

In WMU 2B, which is open to shotgun and archery hunting only during the fall turkey season, turkey hunters, while moving, must wear a hat containing at least 100 square inches of solid fluorescent orange material, visible from 360 degrees. While fluorescent orange is not required at stationary locations in WMU 2B, it is strongly recommended.

 

Archery hunters who are hunting either deer or bear during the overlap with fall turkey season also must wear a fluorescent orange hat at all times when moving. The hat must contain at least 100 square inches of solid, fluorescent orange, visible from 360 degrees, and may be removed once in a stationary location.

 

Illustrations and a chart listing fluorescent orange requirements for different hunting seasons can be found on pages 68 to 70 of the 2013-14 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest.

A Great Morning Hunting

 

 

It was a beautiful morning on Saturday, sitting in the Darkwoods Ground Blind.  I watched the sun come up on the first day of the Pennsylvania archery season opener on my birthday.

 

 

I was hoping for a buck to walk by nice and slow as a birthday present, but it was not to be.  

 

 Instead I had three turkeys in front of the blind for at least 15 minutes.  Hopefully these turkeys bring friends (Gobblers) along with them in November when I can tag them.

 

 

This hen was at 25 yards, in my scope for 20 seconds!  I swear they can read the hunting regulations and know when fall turkey season starts.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks WPA Wounded Warriors

Spring Turkey Is a Bust

30 May was the last chance for me to fill my Spring turkey tag and I did not get it done.  Adam and I hunted hard yesterday in the 85 degree temperatures but could not get a bird to come into our decoy set.

After several hours I could not take the heat any longer and had to pack it in.  On the way out of the ground blind location we seen four Jakes in a yard close to a guys front porch.... Yes we were thrilled at that.  That's why it's called hunting folks.

Almost Out of Time

The last day of Spring Turkey is 31 May, it's getting down to hours left to hunt.  I plan on going out later today and hopefully catch a Tom coming into roost, wish me luck.  Otherwise it's tag soup for me and I hate soup.

How did you do this Turkey season?

35 Degree's today

It was only 35 degree's this morning at 5 am when I rolled out of my van and into my ground blind.  I thought this was Spring turkey season, not winter...ugh

I did not even hear a bird today let alone see one.  I am hoping for better luck and warmer weather later this week.  Don't forget, today starts all day hunting here in Pa.  Good luck, shoot straight, and be safe.

ALL-DAY SPRING GOBBLER SEASON TO BEGIN MAY 13

Pennsylvania turkey hunters are permitted to hunt from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, beginning Monday, May 13. The expanded hunting hours continue through the last day of the season, Friday, May 31.

 

All-day hunting during the second half of the spring season began in 2011 to provide interested hunters with more time to be afield.“By the second half of the season, hunter participation decreases significantly and nesting hens are less prone to abandon nests,” said Mary Jo Casalena, Game Commission wild turkey biologist. “All-day hunting during this portion of the season has had minimal impact to nesting.”

 

Casalena said the overall spring harvest since 2011 has not increased from previous harvests.  Since 2011, afternoon and evening harvests have comprised 6 percent of the total reported harvests and 22 percent of harvests during the all-day portion of the seasons. In other words, even during the all-day portions of the season, 78 percent of the harvests have occurred before noon.

Casalena said the majority of the afternoon and evening harvests have occurred between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Last year’s latest reported harvest was 8:50 p.m., about 20 minutes before the close of hunting hours in the western part of the state

Getting Closer

No Spring gobbler yet, but I'm close to tagging one, I can feel it !

Starting The Day at Sunrise

It's a great day to be alive and in the woods before sunrise.  Getting into a ground blind using a wheelchair accessible van with a lowered floor is thinking outside the wheelchair.

Get outside and enjoy all nature has to offer today, use what you have, don't dwell on the abilities you don't.  Shoot straight and be safe.

One Turkey Down

 

My good friend Boo and his buddy were able to take this Tom early this morning in the spot I was hunting Saturday morning, congratulations boy's nice bird !

 

The weather is warming up and the birds are becoming more active, this could be a great week in the ground blind.  Good luck, shoot straight and always be safe. 

1st Day

I had a great opening day of spring turkey 2013.  We were up early and in the ground blind by 5:20 am and had turkeys gobbling by 6am.  I could not get one to come into my decoy set, but they were sure fun to work.

I am hoping to get out another day this week or on Sat. for sure.  How is your Pa turkey season starting?

Good Luck Pa Turkey Hunters

Good Luck and be SAFE all you Pa hunters heading out in the morning for spring turkey.  The weather looks great here in Pittsburgh and I plan on being in a ground blind around 5 am.

I Can't Wait For April 27th

I can't wait to catch this bird walking around the first morning !  I have big plans for him after I introduce him to my Mossberg Turkey Thug...  How is your season going?

PROMISING 2013 SPRING GOBBLER SEASON

PROMISING 2013 SPRING GOBBLER SEASON MAY BE AROUND CORNER

HARRISBURG – The cool spring so far throughout much of Pennsylvania may lead to increased gobbling for hunters planning to take part in the state’s spring wild turkey season.

 

The state’s one-day youth spring gobbler season is April 20, and will run from one-half hour before sunrise until noon. The general spring gobbler season is April 27 to May 31, with the traditional noon closure for the first two weeks – through May 11, and from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset the remainder of the season, beginning May 13. Hunters who purchase a second spring gobbler season license may harvest up to two bearded turkeys, one per day. Second tags must be purchased by April 19; they’re available from any license-issuing agent.

 

“Unlike last year’s warm early spring weather, which triggered an early start to gobbling, this year’s cooler-than-normal March and early April have suppressed gobbling activity,” explained Mary Jo Casalena, Pennsylvania Game Commission wild turkey biologist. “The arrival of warmer temperatures will bring more gobbling activity, and just in time for the spring turkey season.

 

“Our research has shown that, although weather affects gobbling, it does not affect the onset of egg-laying by hen turkeys,” Casalena said. “Rather, photoperiod, the amount of daylight, triggers it. And, similar to previous years, the hen turkeys that are equipped with radio transmitters are on course to begin incubating their nests as the spring turkey season opens. We open the spring gobbler season around the peak of nest incubation to minimize hen disturbance and mistaken kills. Nesting hens are less prone to come to a hunter’s call and abandon their nests.”

 

Another good sign for turkey hunters is that gobblers appear to have weathered winter well. “Gobblers are in good condition this spring, despite the cold winter, because of abundant mast in most of the Commonwealth – excluding the southwest counties, Casalena noted “That could mean those healthy males may just continue gobbling and looking for mates throughout the hunting season. That will make the coming season a very special time to be afield!”

Game Commission Game-Take Survey results show spring turkey hunting has become so popular that, since 2000, there now are more spring turkey hunters (227,000) than fall turkey hunters (158,000). Spring harvests average 34,000 to 39,000 bearded birds, while fall harvests average 14,400 to 20,200 birds of either sex.

 

“Pennsylvania has become a dream state for spring gobbler hunters, both for residents and out-of-staters, and not only because we manage one of the most prolific wild turkey populations in America,” noted PGC Executive Director Carl G. Roe. “The steps we have taken in recent years, such as extending the season to include Memorial Day and adding afternoon hours for the second half of the season, have been warmly received by turkey hunters everywhere. They welcome the opportunity to get afield more and their feedback and photos to the agency suggest they’re making the most of it.”

 

During the second half of the season, hunter participation decreases significantly and nesting hens are less prone to abandon nests, that’s why all-day hunting over the last two weeks of season is less likely to impact nesting. Moreover, the opportunity it provides to hunt woods occupied by few hunters is appreciated greatly, particularly by veteran callers and hunters who can’t get afield earlier in the day because of work or school.

 

The 2011 spring gobbler season was the first year of all-day hunting during the second half of the season, and the overall harvest has not increased from previous harvests. Since 2011 afternoon harvests comprise six percent of the total reported harvests and 22 percent of harvests during the all-day portion of the seasons. During the all-day portions of the seasons, 78 percent of the harvests occur by noon. For the afternoon segment, the majority of the harvest occurs between 6 and 8 p.m.

 

The Game Commission will continue to monitor the afternoon harvest in relation to population trends and age class of gobblers to gauge any impacts from all-day hunting. In the 49 states that conduct turkey seasons, 34 have all-day hunting for all or part of the season, including Maryland, Ohio and Virginia.

 

            Recent spring and fall harvests are: 35,392 spring gobblers and a preliminary report of 13,995 fall turkeys in 2012 (final figures available this summer); 35,465 spring gobblers and 14,383 fall turkeys in 2011; 33,876 spring gobblers and 16,059 fall turkeys in 2010; 44,639 spring gobblers and 20,934 fall turkeys in 2009; 42,437 spring gobblers and 24,288 fall turkeys in 2008; 37,992 spring gobblers and 25,369 fall turkeys in 2007; and 39,339 spring gobblers and 24,482 fall turkeys in 2006.

Casalena encourages spring gobbler hunters to spend time scouting, which always plays an important role in hunter success, especially for those experienced older toms.

“Scouting improves hunters’ chances, especially if they line up multiple locations for the spring season,” Casalena said. “Learning several gobblers’ favorite strutting areas also is helpful for determining the best in-season set-up. This requires early-morning, pre-season scouting, but the potential in-season reward is worth it. Prior to the season, however, hunters should consider not using turkey calls to locate gobblers, because it will educate birds and cause them to be less inclined to respond to the early-morning calls of in-season hunters.”

Casalena also noted the importance of patience while hunting. “Last spring I wanted to move on a gobbler, but my hunting partner insisted on waiting,” she said. “Luckily I heeded his advice. Three gobblers finally came within gun range and we had a nice trophy to take home!”

Hunters are reminded that it is illegal to stalk turkeys or turkey sounds in the spring gobbler season. Given the wild turkey’s keen senses, it’s not a wise move anyway, but more importantly, it makes a tremendous difference for the personal safety of everyone afield. Every year, hunters are shot in mistake for game while approaching a hunter calling for turkeys, and/or callers are shot in mistake for game by stalking hunters.

The Game Commission encourages all spring gobbler hunters to hunt safely, defensively and to consider wearing fluorescent orange clothing while moving and posting a fluorescent orange alert band around a nearby tree when stationary – even though it is no longer required by law. Hunters should treat every sound and movement in the forest as if it’s another hunter until they can confirm positively it’s a legal turkey. Make an informed shooting decision by waiting until the gobbler is fully visible. Then look for the beard on the chest and take the bird if it’s within range.

Legal sporting arms are: shotguns plugged to three-shell capacity in the chamber and magazine combined; muzzleloading shotguns; and bows and crossbows with broadheads of cutting-edge design.

Shotshells must have shot size no larger than No. 4 lead, bismuth-tin and tungsten-iron, or No. 2 steel. Rifle-shotgun combinations also may be used, but no single-projectile ammunition may be used or carried.

Carrying or using rifles, handguns, dogs, electronic callers, drives and live decoys is unlawful. The use of blinds is legal so long as it is an “artificial or manufactured turkey blind consisting of all manmade materials of sufficient density to block the detection of movement within the blind from an observer located outside the blind.”

 

Coyotes may be harvested by turkey hunters. However, turkey hunters who have filled their spring turkey tag or tags may not hunt coyotes during the legal shooting hours of the spring gobbler season, unless they have a furtaker license.

Successful spring gobbler hunters must properly tag their turkey and report the harvest to the Game Commission within 10 days. Hunters also are encouraged to report all leg-banded turkeys they take to assist the Game Commission in ongoing research.

Warrior Trail Gobblers NWTF Banquet

This weekend we went to the NWTF Banquet in Waynesburg Pa.  It was at the National Guard Armory and was well attended, I would say over 300 people.

We donated one of the many shotgun's they gave away to the kids 17 and under at no cost.  Each youth received a raffle ticket for free and many left with a prize.

What made it even better was, one of my buddies daughters won the gun I donated.  I can't wait until this young hunter bags her first gobbler with it.  That is, if her father can learn to call better, just joking Doc.  Good luck and shoot straight.

Shotgun Pattern

It's getting close to Spring gobbler season here in Pa, so that means it's time to pattern my shotgun.  This year I am going to try Remington turkey loads and see how they shoot out of my mossberg 12 gauge.

I use a red dot scope which I love, you may or may not be using a scope but I hope you are patterning in your gun before the season.  All shotguns shoot differently depending on loads, chokes and distance.  It's imperative to know exactly how your shotgun shoots if your going after Thunder Chickens.

Turkey Loads

Remington® Premier® Duplex® Copper-Plated Magnum Turkey Loads

 

Remington's Premier Duplex Copper-plated Magnums combine the patterning of No. 6 shot with the heavy-hitting power of 4's in the same shell. The copper-plated lead resists deformation and adds penetration on impact. 10 rounds per box

 

I will be using these shells for the first day of spring turkey season 2013.  What loads do you shoot for spring gobbler?