Turkey Hunting…A Proud Fall Tradition

I get a little frustrated at people who have never turkey hunted. I try my best to explain to them that turkey hunting is perhaps the most addictive hunting they will ever experience, still many of these hunters just blow me off. These hardcore waterfowl or deer hunters just don’t have a clue that once you try turkey hunting and taste success…you will likely realign your priorities to make sure you make time for turkey hunting in your schedule for the future.
Turkey

Today, in fact, starts the first of two (five-day) fall seasons in Minnesota where hunters were chosen by a lottery system. Earlier this past summer hunters applied for a limited number of permits to hunt one of the two fall seasons. Later this fall (likely December 2nd) the application period will close for Minnesota’s upcoming spring 2005 turkey season.

As Minnesota’s turkey population continues to grow and establish itself the challenge of getting a permit is much easier than the task of bagging a turkey. In particular, fall permits are just not as highly sought after as those for the spring hunts. This might seem a bit odd to individuals not familiar with turkey hunting…but it’s in the springtime that the bird is full of sexual energy and quite susceptible to the seductive calls and tones made by the deceptive hunter. Fall turkey hunting…well, it’s just a bit different than in the springtime.

I must admit that, although I am a turkey addict, I do not find fall turkey hunting particularly enticing when compared to the spring hunt. First off, in the spring a hunter can only shoot a bearded turkey (which mostly means they are targeting males of the species). The fall hunt is more of an indiscriminate hunt whereas a hunter may legally take a bird of either sex (which should be noted is a biologically sound management practice).

Some hunters contend that fall turkey hunting is more of an ambush type of hunt as opposed to strategically luring in the bird. To some extent that statement may be true, but savvy hunters employ definite strategies to put more than just luck on their side. One common technique for bagging a fall turkey is locating a flock (hens or poults) and then scattering them. The key here is to get the birds to fly off in several directions with hopes that eventually the flock will try to regroup. To accomplish this technique, first locate the flock…then do a running surprise. That’s right, first put your gun down for safety as you won’t need it…and take off running to get the turkeys surprised and moving in all directions.

In the spring hunt it is common that a hunter will locate the birds and then call them into the area. But the fall hunt requires the hunter to go to the turkey…and that often means lots of walking. Once a flock is successfully scattered, then the fun begins. Sometimes the turkeys will begin moving back into the area fairly quickly…other times it might take a few hours. The key is once you affect a successful scatter it is then time for the hunter to get set-up and ready for the action.

Unlike the spring hunt when you are trying to seductively lure a gobbler into gun range, the fall calling attempts to accomplish a reassembly of the flock. In other words, the calls of choice in the fall are sounds that mimic the birds from the original flock attempting to relocate each other. For instance, the hunter will typically use the “lost” call or the “kee-kee-run” of the young poult to lure a mature hen into range. The problem is if you don’t locate a flock and scatter it then calling might only achieve marginal success. A scattered flock has more urgency to hook back up with the others and communication is essential in allowing this to happen.

Oddly enough many people think of turkey hunting strictly as a springtime sport. And a mighty fine springtime sport it is. Still, fall hunting has a heritage that dates back well before the colonial times. Remember this…in states like Pennsylvania where there have been traditional fall seasons dating back for centuries, the concept of the springtime turkey hunt is the new game. Fall hunting in Minnesota may lack some of those same long-standing hunting traditions, but that doesn’t mean that bringing home a fall turkey for the Thanksgiving table has to be any less special. Enjoy the hunt and be safe!

© 2004 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Move over Men…Women Are Discovering the Outdoors in Droves

I suppose it was about 20 years ago when my friend Mike made a comment that will forever stick in my mind. He was much younger then, recently married, and his wife wanted to spend as much time as she possibly could with him. Indeed, Mike’s wife wanted to discover all aspect’s of his life…including sharing his interest for the outdoors.

Of course, Mike did not want that to happen. He wanted the time spent outdoors to be just with the boys…the last bastion of male independence and freedom…a time away from women and all associated “girly” things. The infamous comment he made to me was summed up much like this…“my wife is bugging me to go out duck hunting and I don’t know how much longer I can put her off. I just know that when she goes it is going to be the coldest damn day of the year so she never wants to go hunting again.” In other words, Mike’s goal was to get any future thoughts of his wife going hunting ever again completely out of her mind.

Now let’s fast forward 20 years or so. I was talking with Mike just the other day and he was telling me that this year he plans to bring his daughter, Kelsey, deer hunting for the first time. He gave her the option…she gave it lots of thought…and then told her dad that she wanted to hunt deer. In fact, she wanted to experience everything about the hunt…although she wasn’t real keen on having to gut the deer if she was successful. Last I heard Mike is planning to bring his daughter hunting and he is very excited about this opportunity to share special time with her.

Hmmm…. What has changed during the past two decades? Did Mike’s attitude finally mature so he now better understands that women in the outdoors could be an acceptable occurrence…or has society in general become more accepting, if not downright encouraging of women who are discovering new opportunities to enjoy the outdoors?

Not to discredit my friend Mike—although that has never stopped me before— I do think that societal attitudes have certainly changed towards women who enjoy hunting and fishing. What was once a taboo form of recreation for a lady is now very much acceptable, in fact I dare say in some circles it could be encouraged. Personally, nothing could please me more than to see this gender evolution taking place in our outdoor world.

There are two popular programs that are at the forefront of inspiring women to live and enjoy the outdoors. The primary program is Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) and the other program is sponsored through the National Wild Turkey Federation and is called Women in the Outdoors. Both programs offer weekend workshops to help ladies grow outdoor skills in a friendly, pressure-free environment. Oddly enough, many of the women who attend these programs actually are more comfortable gaining their outdoor knowledge from these programs, rather than a well-meaning male in their life. In fact, learning from a significant other can often challenge the patience of both the teacher and the student with so many new skills that must be presented and developed.

Even so, outdoors women are learning something that men have long ago discovered—the outdoors…whether it be hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, etc…can be a perfect opportunity to build camaraderie among pals and to foster new friendships. If you’ve ever been around a group of women in one of these programs you will also learn one other thing…and that is these ladies know how to have fun. They can laugh at themselves…but they also pull together and will help each other develop the new skills much better than many of their male counterparts will do in similar circumstances.

I truly believe that seeing women become active in the same sports that many of us males enjoy is a very positive happening. It’s no accident that outdoors women are one of the fastest growing segments of the outdoors industry. Today camo clothing is made exclusively for women…women have their own waders, their own hunting and fishing equipment…and they don’t just settle for the same items that guys use. Indeed, today’s woman has an attitude that they belong in the woods or on the water…and many of them are prepared to prove it.

As far as my friend Mike is concerned, it’s refreshing to see he’s now developed a healthy attitude that his only daughter should have the very same opportunities that both of his boys experienced. Kelsey plays hockey…and this year she will be deer hunting for the first time. Best of all, seated next to her in the deer stand will be her loving dad who is very proud to finally provide that opportunity for his little girl.

© 2004 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Sportsmen, Don’t Leave Home without It

To most sportsmen there are a few items of gear that are considered absolutely essential. For instance, consider how popular the pocket knife or multi-tool has become with a growing number of outdoor folk. Then again think about how nifty the little hand-held GPS units have become for navigating in the big outdoors. Still, I contend there is one piece of often over-looked equipment that should be found in every sportsman’s pack and vehicle.
Ducktape

Any ideas what that equipment might be? It costs less than $5, yet it can save a trip and possibly save a life. The uses are endless and only limited by a sportsman’s creativity. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes, including camouflage. Give up? I’m talking about Duck Tape. There are literally thousands of uses for Duck Tape thus making it one of the most versatile pieces of essential equipment that any sportsman can carry. But is it called Duck Tape or Duct Tape? Actually, the tape was first developed during World War II to keep moisture out of ammunition cases (like water off a “duck’s” back—hence the name DUCK TAPE).

Consider a few of these modern day uses…then consider how a roll might have saved you some headaches during a past outdoor adventure:

In The Truck
1. Emergency repair to radiator hoses
2. Patch seat covers
3. Electrical repairs
4. Securing gear together to prevent rattling during transport
5. Removing dog hair from seats

In the Boat
1. Repair minor leaks in hull
2. Emergency repair of cracked and leaky gas lines
3. Hiding a spare key with tape to a secret location in boat
4. Hold boat navigation lights in place
5. Securing broken windshields

Around the Camp
1. Repair torn tarps
2. Securing tie-down ropes so they don’t slip
3. Securing coolers to keep critters from their thievery
4. Creating insect proof between tent walls and floor
5. Splint a broken leg
6. Use as a big band-aid to control bleeding

Hunting
1. Temporary patching of torn clothing
2. Fixing broken decoys
3. Removing hair/feathers from game meat
4. Constructing and attaching blind material
5. Making fletching for an arrow
6. Waterproofing shot shell boxes
7. Field repair of a cracked gunstock
8. Covering muzzle to keep rain/dirt out of barrel
9. Emergency repair of hunting boots
10. Create non-slip grips on hunting knives

Fishing
1. Repair broken fishing rod
2. Waterproof a hat
3. Fix leaky minnow bucket
4. Make a cut-resistant filleting glove
5. Secure removable dividers in tackle box
6. Emergency repair a hole in landing net
7. Repair punctured or torn waders/hip boots

Out-of-the-ordinary Uses
1. Cut a small piece and leave on a wart for several days. It will starve it of oxygen and is considered more effective than freezing to remove.
2. Homeland security. The government is urging all families to keep enough Duck Tape on hand to be used for protection against chemical or biological terror attacks in the future.

As you can see Duck Tape is no ordinary piece of equipment for the sportsman. Keep several rolls on hand and above all, be creative and don’t forget to grab it the next time you have a dilemma on your hands that requires a “sticky situation.”

© 2004 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.