Gobbler Nation

Just for a preseason list of Dos and Dont's.
A list to keep everyone's head on straight before opening weekend...WHY?
Because at this stage of the year we are all so jacked up to hunt it is easy to make mistakes the first couple days. so hopefully this list of things will start us off right.

Please list anything from preparation to calling or hunting tips.

Dont forget you shells

I start every morning with a prayer I call the 3 esses
Lord let this be a Spiritually full filling day.
A Safe day
and then and only ten a Successful day.

Safety should always be the first thing we consider. We can't stop the wheels from turning after we take the shot.I also like to set my vest and ditty bag by the front door maybe a week or 2 prior to opening day.When I think of something I need I stick it in the vest.Come opening morning I rarely find I need something I forgot.

I like to make sure that both vest's that I have in my truck have the same essentials in each like gloves, toilet paper so in case something happens I can use the other one and not waste time looking for this or that.

Stay in the zone

Getting up at 3am for multiple days its easy midday to find yourself going through the motions and making mistakes. Sometimes I need to sit at the truck for a bit to get back on focus and get mad at em again.

Don't forget to treat your clothing with permethrin.

I never use a turkey call unless I'm set up and ready.

Something I learned the hard way. Keep a rubbermaid tote with long johns,rain gear.and warm boots in the truck. I don't care where your hunting or what the weatherman says.

Like Redarrow, prayer in the morning, I keep all my gear together alway. I dont remove anything from it. Example: I have a threma cell for deer hunt pack & one for my turkey gear, bino's are the same pare for the deer hunting bag & pare for my turkey vest, camo the same thing too(that includes gloves, face mask)
for me it cost more, but nothing is left behind.

1. Don't forget your blind.
2. Don't forget your decoy flock
3. Make sure you have a broadhead on your arrow or a shell in your gun.
3. Don't forget your camera.
4. When you post pictures don't forget to include the fact that it was killed on high pressured public land.

Do not get excited and over call. It is easy to get into the gobbling especially on the first hunt of the year, but you are hurting yourself, and yes I am guilty of this.

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Dont cut another hunter off on public land while he is working a bird.

Double check your gear before leaving the house. I usually have everything laid out the night before. Less stress in the morning.

Dont over call unless hunting Merriams.

Be patient. As soon as you think that bird stopped gobbling and went in the other direction, he may be sneaking up to flank you.

Don't ever tell anyone the truth about where you saw or heard turkeys.

For those who wear bib overalls: When doing your pre-hunt daily devotional in the woods, watch where your straps are in relation to where you are "devoting".
A buddy failed to do so and his hunting partner asked: "What's that on your straps? What smells so bad?" He has never lived it down because no one will let him.

GLS wrote:For those who wear bib overalls: When doing your pre-hunt daily devotional in the woods, watch where your straps are in relation to where you are "devoting".
A buddy failed to do so and his hunting partner asked: "What's that on your straps? What smells so bad?" He has never lived it down because no one will let him.

SCtrkyhntr wrote:Don't ever tell anyone the truth about where you saw or heard turkeys.

Man this rule isn't followed anymore. And many guys try to figure out why some old timers always get their birds. Great rule.....with any hunting.

Keep your head down on the dadgum barrel

Visually verify that you have turkey shotshell ammunition in your shooter's box and vest before you start your vehicle.

Sloppy_Snood wrote:Visually verify that you have turkey shotshell ammunition in your shooter's box and vest before you start your vehicle.

And dont get cocky and carry only 2, sometimes you need more

Don't ever take a sleeping pill and a laxative at the same time.

Don't get caught up in a sense of competitiveness to where you make foolish and dangerous decisions.

Do remember that this magnificent sport is fun, even when it's not.

FullChoke

Do find time to hunt for morels while walking and calling. Don't forget your tag.

Don't take it personally when the turkeys play by their rules.

This has cost me 2 Toms last year, and would have been have been 3 years ago, if my son hadn't let me use his gun, after I noticed no choke as we have 4 Gobbling birds coming in. I have a bad habit of cleaning my gun, and forgetting to put the choke back in, or the last time putting in the wrong choke.