How'd it go?

I personally don’t hunt the rain. Nothing sadder looking than a wet Turkey IMO. Lol.
Also I find they don't move much and kind of find a wide open field and go to the middle and hang out.

I am sure you could be successful but I think it’s a harder go of it.

I concur.
If time is limited than do what you got to do. Try and be where the birds want to go and hope for the best.
For me the best days are warm, calm, sunny days seems to provide the most active birds willing to play a little more.

Took my 4yr old out on his first hunt on opening day afternoon. This Tom only gobbled 3 times but came running into my decoys after only sitting for a half hour.

He thinks turkey hunting is easy.....poor kid. Lol

Awesome experience for your son. 👍🏻

Congrats.

very nice bird, he is in for a real shock in a few years. My oldest said the same thing the first time I took him deer hunting.

Spoiled already?!?!

Just kidding, I'm sure that got him hooked alright, congrats on a successful first hunt!

Called in a hen, two jakes & a Tom this morning at the cottage. Hen & jakes came right in to the decoys but the Tom hung up about 50 yds. out. He strutted back back & forth for 10 mins. before I could coax him in. I nearly took one of the jakes but patience payed off. If I can figure out how to post a picture I will. Cheers

Nice Tom congrats.
Good solid beard on that one. 👍🏻

Wow, some great reports and pictures from successful hunts. I thought I should add my own to the pile.

Day 1 - Found turkeys on a new property but no action
Day 2 - Found turkeys but no action

Day 3 - Talked back and forth with a distant Tom for 30 mins. Then it sounded like he walked away, and went silent. Twenty minutes later a doe walks up inspects my decoy, gets halfway in between the decoy and me before noticing I was there. She bounced away only 20ft and hung out for another 10 minutes before moving off (got it recorded). Cool experience. Feeling my morning was done at that location, I made the decision to hike back to my car. On my way out of the woods I would call every hundred yards. Finally, a Gobble erupted from the trees about 100 yards off. I backed off the trail, found a tree, and began to call lightly. He Gobbled, drummed, and then I could see his bright coloured head bobbing through the bush. He came out onto the trail around 40 yards, and I dropped him.

He was made into the following…
- bacon wrapped turkey breast nuggets
- breaded turkey fingers
- pulled turkey leg sliders
- pulled turkey leg nachos

Now to plan for number 2!

Good luck to all!

Wishfish

Great experience on my turkey hunt…she got so close!

Wishfish

https://youtube.com/shorts/ZfgK8hm41yE?feature=share

This hen made a lot of noise coming in. I would mimic her calls and she would go nuts. I had her under 20ft but couldn’t get my phone out. When she finally turned away I was able to get my phone out to record (attached video).

Hopefully she makes a huge new crop of 2024-2025 Jakes and Toms.

Goodluck on your hunt!

Wishfish

https://youtube.com/shorts/6WYMhx0htHA?feature=share

Nice hunt Wishfish!! How are the pulled-leg sliders taste? Do you brine them beforehand?

If you don't mind sharing the recipe I'd love to try making some

Great Hunt.

Please share your pulled leg slider recipe. I always use the legs but am still searching for that one recipe I will really like with the lower leg.

Thighs I turn into Panko breaded chicken burgers. Grind, season, add fat, mix. Then form burgers coat in Panko and fry.

Thanks!

For the pulled turkey legs and thighs,

Using a slow cooker, I would season the legs with salt and pepper, add a tablespoon of minced garlic, carrots (I was out of onion and celery) add chicken stock, and apple juice or ginger ale/7up until covered. Leave it covered on high for approximately 8 hours. Pull the legs out and let cool awhile. The turkey meat should pull off the bones and tendons fairly easily.

You will now have a bowl of delicious meat that you can use for different dishes. Throw it on nachos - my kids destroyed them. Reheat in a pan with your favourite sauce, put on the freshest bun you can find, and top it as you please.

Enjoy,

Chef Wishfish

Thanks for posting your recipe. I will try this one for sure.