Assuming one is following the DNR rules for turkey hunting, I havenÂ’t heard much debate on what constitutes poor sport. I believe if youÂ’re following the published rules, youÂ’re doing it right, even if itÂ’s different than my approach. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.
On opening day, my daughter, Sydney, had a great hunt with CRAZY action. Four toms bull rushed the decoys and in the end she painted the decoys red. 12 1/4" long beard!
]
I got my best turkey to date on Friday the 24th. 26 lbs, 11 in. beard, 1 1/4 spurs.View attachment 86598
I also got my biggest bird this morning. I heard 4 or 5 gobblers at first light. I moved to get closer but they had already pitched down into the neighbors field. They eventually started heading back where I originally set up so I backed out and hurried back to where I left my decoys. I made a call and had 2 jakes show up from a different direction. They finally went off and I heard a gobbler behind me a ways. I called and a little later he gobbled again a lot closer. A minute later he steps into the field and heads towards the decoys. He was strutted around the field edge towards me, then cuts into the woods. Luckily it was very brushy and I was able to turn and get a shot when he stepped into an opening.
27.2#, 1 1/4" spurs, 11 1/4" beard.
After totally screwing up on a bird last Friday on public land, I finally got it done yesterday. Note: Hunting public land really sucks....mushroom hunters and other turkey hunters make it very difficult.
View attachment 86636
Not the biggest bird: 11" beard, 7/8"/1" spurs.....I didn't weigh it, but probably a 21/22 lbs. Bird...2 year old.
Impressive. I can’t imagine chasing them on public ground. I have enough trouble with mushroom hunters on private ground!