Just an average shoot here, except there should have been more TBC. But, for me, that’s also “average.” Another berry field; another new property (Yes!). The birds aren’t totally educated, but it doesn’t take long for the murder to understand what was going on. I wish I had had a partner with me today, as there were at times more birds than eyes. Excellent illumination to set up--didn’t need a headlight because of the clear sky and great moon. A bit of frost on the decoys and everything else for that matter. The blind was as good as ever with the Big Honkers™ - approved white pine bough design. Note the hotstick sentinel circled in red and the two speakers inside the yellow oval (I’m absolutely convinced; more volume = more crow action). Took the old 1915 Meffert 16 ga. out this morning. It accounted for two kills including one bird that (briefly) had the bad manners to roost right above us (me and the Meffert), until he went down hard. I nailed a third bird hard, but lost it in the woods (Trust me--would I inflate my TBC by 33%?) .
Also note the “letzte Bissen” in the beaks of the two crows. I did this because they were killed by a fine German shotgun, so I figured they deserved the traditional German hunters' “Last Bite.”
Only 5 more days left in the Michigan early crow season. However, when I reconned this position yesterday afternoon, what do you suppose I saw, but two big toms and a half-dozen hens down the blueberry rows. I just happened to have my turkey pot with me and produced a few yelps. Sure enough, they answered. Good sign. Turkey season opens on 18 April.
-- Edited by Old Artilleryman on Saturday 26th of March 2016 07:14:43 PM
Looks like quite the frosty morning out there OA. Did you leave your deeks out all night or did the frost settle after you set up? Great turkey photo too. I'd trade you 50 shots at my Manitoba crows for one poke at that tom I have never take a turkey. Winters up here are a bit too harsh for them to gain a strong foot hold.
Ted
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Life's tough... It's even tougher if you're stupid. John Wayne
Looks like quite the frosty morning out there OA. Did you leave your deeks out all night or did the frost settle after you set up? Great turkey photo too. I'd trade you 50 shots at my Manitoba crows for one poke at that tom I have never take a turkey. Winters up here are a bit too harsh for them to gain a strong foot hold.
Ted
Nope. They went from the bag to ground about 0645 with sunrise at 0729. A bit cool, but little wind. We are lousy with turkeys around here.
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"Arms are the only true badges of liberty. The possession of arms is the distinction of a free man from a slave." -- Andrew Fletcher 1698
I nailed a third bird hard, but lost it in the woods (Trust me--would I inflate my TBC by 33%?) 
