Gila turkey camp
- RapscallionVermilion
- Posts: 484
- Joined: February 17th, 2013, 4:24 pm
- Location: New Mexico
Gila turkey camp
My buddy and I got back Saturday evening from our trip to the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. (Gila is pronounced he-luh) This is our third year down there and it's starting to come together for us. The Gila is an enormous place with lots of Merriam's turkeys but many many miles between pockets of birds.
Turkey camp
We are obviously roughing it
It's an hour hike in to one of my listening spots. Leave camp at 4:30 AM. An awesome place to be at first light. The picture is looking over many many square miles of designated wilderness. First gobble came at 5:58 AM. Then two more birds lit up. All three about 500 yards away in various directions across a deep draw.
I set up twice and abandoned both setups pretty quickly because I didn't like them. Settled on here.
One gobbler was particularly hot and got even hotter when I started alternating between the two box calls, and it was enough to convince him it was worth his effort to cross the ravine. When he decided to come, he came fast. When he was about 100 yards out I switch to the slate. He gobbled, I cut him off and put the slate down. He came in behind the log from left to right in the previous picture. Shot him at 35 yards when his wattles cleared the lower part of log on the right.
18.6 lbs, 7/8" spurs, 9 1/4" beard. Good numbers for a two year old Merriam's here.
I'd filled one New Mexico tag before going to the Gila, so it was just scouting and camp stuff for me until my buddy filled a tag.
We took some midday time to drive down to the site of the 2012 Whitewater-Baldy fire that burned nearly 300,000 acres of prime Merriam's country. In some places this is all you can see in any direction. This is a panorama covering about 180 degrees.
My buddy filled his tag on the third day. Already daydreaming about next year.
Turkey camp
We are obviously roughing it
It's an hour hike in to one of my listening spots. Leave camp at 4:30 AM. An awesome place to be at first light. The picture is looking over many many square miles of designated wilderness. First gobble came at 5:58 AM. Then two more birds lit up. All three about 500 yards away in various directions across a deep draw.
I set up twice and abandoned both setups pretty quickly because I didn't like them. Settled on here.
One gobbler was particularly hot and got even hotter when I started alternating between the two box calls, and it was enough to convince him it was worth his effort to cross the ravine. When he decided to come, he came fast. When he was about 100 yards out I switch to the slate. He gobbled, I cut him off and put the slate down. He came in behind the log from left to right in the previous picture. Shot him at 35 yards when his wattles cleared the lower part of log on the right.
18.6 lbs, 7/8" spurs, 9 1/4" beard. Good numbers for a two year old Merriam's here.
I'd filled one New Mexico tag before going to the Gila, so it was just scouting and camp stuff for me until my buddy filled a tag.
We took some midday time to drive down to the site of the 2012 Whitewater-Baldy fire that burned nearly 300,000 acres of prime Merriam's country. In some places this is all you can see in any direction. This is a panorama covering about 180 degrees.
My buddy filled his tag on the third day. Already daydreaming about next year.
Last edited by RapscallionVermilion on May 2nd, 2019, 11:37 am, edited 2 times in total.
- Hognutz
- Gobbler Nation
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- Joined: June 28th, 2011, 5:29 pm
- Location: S.E. Wisconsin. Global Flatulater
Re: Gila turkey camp
No picture for me, Raps..
Sounds like you had great fun! Congrats!
Sounds like you had great fun! Congrats!
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
- Hognutz
- Gobbler Nation
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- Joined: June 28th, 2011, 5:29 pm
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Re: Gila turkey camp
Posting Pictures on Gn
You go to full editor and preview.Then you hit attachments. Then you hit add files and it’ll ask you where you want to get the files from. Select your photo library. It will take you there and you select the ones you want to add. Then you go back and hit add file for each picture selected. Hope this helps. Any questions feel free to get back.
Mike
You go to full editor and preview.Then you hit attachments. Then you hit add files and it’ll ask you where you want to get the files from. Select your photo library. It will take you there and you select the ones you want to add. Then you go back and hit add file for each picture selected. Hope this helps. Any questions feel free to get back.
Mike
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
- RapscallionVermilion
- Posts: 484
- Joined: February 17th, 2013, 4:24 pm
- Location: New Mexico
Re: Gila turkey camp
Hmmm. Doing it just like that, as I always do, and seeing them from various devices even when not logged in. Anyone else not seeing them?
- guesswho
- Gobbler Nation
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- Joined: July 11th, 2011, 7:50 pm
- Location: Bumpass VA, moving to Fuget KY
Re: Gila turkey camp
I see them. Nice and congrats.
I thought I could pronounce Gila. But wasn't even close. How do you pronounce he-luh?
I thought I could pronounce Gila. But wasn't even close. How do you pronounce he-luh?
Double Naught Spy!
RCD's Owner----------------Badonka Deke Prostaff
MoHo's Prostaff-------------Lighter Than HTL Shooter
The Storm Whistle Prostaff
Official Member Of The Unofficial Firedup Turkey Calls Prostaff
RCD's Owner----------------Badonka Deke Prostaff
MoHo's Prostaff-------------Lighter Than HTL Shooter
The Storm Whistle Prostaff
Official Member Of The Unofficial Firedup Turkey Calls Prostaff
- RapscallionVermilion
- Posts: 484
- Joined: February 17th, 2013, 4:24 pm
- Location: New Mexico
Re: Gila turkey camp
Roll the r’s ;D
Re: Gila turkey camp
Incredible hunt, congrats !
The most experienced novice Turkey hunter the good Lord ever created !
- Hognutz
- Gobbler Nation
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- Joined: June 28th, 2011, 5:29 pm
- Location: S.E. Wisconsin. Global Flatulater
Re: Gila turkey camp
I’ve got pictures, now! Just stinkin beautiful pictures!!
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
- guesswho
- Gobbler Nation
- Posts: 5447
- Joined: July 11th, 2011, 7:50 pm
- Location: Bumpass VA, moving to Fuget KY
Re: Gila turkey camp
That makes sense that they don't pronounce it the way it looks. I think that's out there around where they have Gobblenut in an old folks home. And I pronounce Gobblenut "Old-Jack-Azz". And the S's are pronounced ssssss.
I'd love to do a trip like that one day. Looks like a blast.
Double Naught Spy!
RCD's Owner----------------Badonka Deke Prostaff
MoHo's Prostaff-------------Lighter Than HTL Shooter
The Storm Whistle Prostaff
Official Member Of The Unofficial Firedup Turkey Calls Prostaff
RCD's Owner----------------Badonka Deke Prostaff
MoHo's Prostaff-------------Lighter Than HTL Shooter
The Storm Whistle Prostaff
Official Member Of The Unofficial Firedup Turkey Calls Prostaff
Re: Gila turkey camp
That's livin right!
- Hoobilly
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Re: Gila turkey camp
Oh my that’s a beautiful gobbler!!!!!
Stunning landscape
I’m jealous
Stunning landscape
I’m jealous
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- Gobbler Nation
- Posts: 2008
- Joined: August 28th, 2011, 7:13 pm
Re: Gila turkey camp
If you do a trip with "Old-Jack-Azz" you better take an oxygen bottle or two he'll wear you out son !!guesswho wrote: ↑May 2nd, 2019, 12:57 pmThat makes sense that they don't pronounce it the way it looks. I think that's out there around where they have Gobblenut in an old folks home. And I pronounce Gobblenut "Old-Jack-Azz". And the S's are pronounced ssssss.
I'd love to do a trip like that one day. Looks like a blast.
Beautiful pics and tom New Mexico was one of favorite places to hunt even for a flatlander like me !
Re: Gila turkey camp
Altitude, low humidity, and birds. What a nice set up. I see you keep in touch back home with the Garmin InReach Pro. I carry one with me wherever I go hunting. I'd rather rescuers locate me through it than circling buzzards. Gil
- soiltester
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Re: Gila turkey camp
Congrats on a dandy hunt and great pics.
I look at those campin' pics. and like the old song wording , start singing "Those Were The Days My Friend to Myself"
I look at those campin' pics. and like the old song wording , start singing "Those Were The Days My Friend to Myself"
ever wonder where the white goes when the snow melts??
- RapscallionVermilion
- Posts: 484
- Joined: February 17th, 2013, 4:24 pm
- Location: New Mexico
Gila turkey camp
Yes, this is my second season with the InReach. Very happy with it. Where we hunt it’s about a two hour drive to cell service. My wife says it’s the best piece of equipment I ever bought. I use that charging brick on the table every night to top off the phone and InReach. I can stay out for more days without feeling bad about causing anxiety at home. Not inclined to feed the buzzards either.GLS wrote:Altitude, low humidity, and birds. What a nice set up. I see you keep in touch back home with the Garmin InReach Pro. I carry one with me wherever I go hunting. I'd rather rescuers locate me through it than circling buzzards. Gil
Re: Gila turkey camp
That would be a dream hunt for me! It's definitely on my bucket list!
Congrats on the successful trip! The pics are awesome!
Congrats on the successful trip! The pics are awesome!
Contact Info - 4XWADSLITTER@GMAIL.COM
- CamoMan4025
- Gobbler Nation
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Re: Gila turkey camp
Next year Grumpy and I are coming along with you!
"God, Guts & High Explosives"
- RapscallionVermilion
- Posts: 484
- Joined: February 17th, 2013, 4:24 pm
- Location: New Mexico
Re: Gila turkey camp
Bring oxygen. We almost ran out
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- Gobbler Nation
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Re: Gila turkey camp
Nice photos! Good looking bird!
Re: Gila turkey camp
Congrats on the gobbler! Beautiful scenery.
Re: Gila turkey camp
Beautiful pictures of a fine hunt and gobbler.
now that is living right
now that is living right
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Re: Gila turkey camp
That sounds like an awesome place to hunt- pics were breathtaking! Y’all a world away from my Missipp home. I’ve been thinking about branching out a bit but I meant Alabama or maybe Tennessee, lol. However that whetts my appetite for maybe a lil bit farther!
“Son, Turkey HUNTING starts at 40yds and in. If you can kill him farther that’s all you’re doing- KILLING. Make him think he’s answering you, call him up, kill him closer-Man! Now that’s what it’s meant to be…” Johnnie Keel ( an Old Pro most never know)
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Re: Gila turkey camp
Looks like a awesome place to hunt. BEAUTIFUL birds too.
Re: Gila turkey camp
Nice pics of what looks to have been a fun trip. Congratulations on your hunt.
Jim
Jim
Re: Gila turkey camp
Congratulations! Was stoked for you when the text came through. Enjoyed the photos!