gobbler – The Outdoors Guy

April 15, 2015

Ontario beards & spurs on the way!

With only 10 days left until Ontario’s 2015 spring wild turkey season gets under way, its a time that many hunters have been waiting for with baited breath!

Although I’ve been promising myself(& Keebler) that this year would be my year for turkey hunting, it didn’t quite happen, but next year for sure..I did take my turkey seminar almost 25 years ago, so I guess I’m due!

Every morning and evening I am taunted by ‘gobbler talk’ all over the place! I predict some good calling conditions ahead if this spring-like weather continues into late April.

What are your plans for turkey season and where are you headed?

For more on the 2015 wild turkey season, check out my Outdoors Guy column in this week’s Pembroke Daily Observer!

Gobble gobble!!

Outdoorsguy

April 30, 2013

Keebler's Wild Turkey Hunt

Our buddy Keebler enjoyed a nice start to his 2013 Wild Turkey season…check out the story of his hunt:

So my buddy’s land is in between 2 farms. The turkeys travel back and forth throughout the day, but don’t roost there so I opted for a late opening day hunt.

I set myself up and gave one hen assembly call. Normally I make a call, wait a minute or 2 so I can hear any responses then set up my camcorder.

That didn’t work this time. I was just reaching for my camcorder when I heard something walking. A bearded hen came out! I let her go – no sense shooting the poult breeder. She looked for turkeys, but didn’t see any (I didn’t use decoys) and she left.

I waited 3 minutes and assembly called again. Waited 5 more minutes and gave 1 gobble. Nothing in response whatsoever. Since I knew there was at least 1 turkey in the area, I didn’t set my camcorder on. No sense getting busted because I couldn’t see how far she had walked away.

Then I heard more walking coming from the direction in which the hen left. I turned my head cam on and waited.

And out stepped this beauty of a tom. I saw the beard, the redhead, my safety was off and I slowly moved my 12 gauge for a shot. He wasn’t fanned out…just walking with his head pivoting looking for the gobbler (which was me!) He stood there and took a few steps back the way he came, his head was up the entire time looking around. Bang, he was down instantly. 22 lbs 8″ beard 1.25″ spurs. Great colour to him.

Not bad for a 20 minute hunt…

Keebler

April 24, 2013

Ladies and gentlemen start your gobbling!

This Thursday marks the beginning of Ontario’s 2013 Spring wild turkey season – a week that many hunters have been waiting for with baited breath.

I predict some good calling weather ahead for the weekend.

What are your plans and where are you headed?

Drop me a line, and be sure to check-out this Thursday’s Ottawa SUN and Pembroke Daily Observer(now online) Outdoors Columns dedicated to the pursuit of this province’s favourite fowl!

Outdoorsguy

December 7, 2010

Living with the glorious gobbler

Here in the National Capital Region we have all gotten use to seeing wild turkeys in our daily travels.

Regardless whether you live in the east, west, south or across the river, chances are you’ve spotted a wild turkey or two along the way.

This is a good thing, by the way – an example of biodiversity if you will, and the fruit of a wildlife management initiative more successful than anyone could have ever imagined!

Whether you are an avid turkey hunter or simply enjoy bird watching, the glorious gobbler is one resident I am happy to have around…and you should be too!

Here is some great wild turkey images captured this week by our friend Keebler. Thanks Keebler, I love the contrast with the fresh snow on the ground!

Enjoy:

Outdoorsguy