Had a great week out West last week. Managed to kill a bird in 2 different states. Me and my brother killed 4 total. We also flew out with 2 other buddies and they killed 3, so 7 turkeys between all of us. It sure is some beautiful country.

Thanks to those here that helped us out with getting to know the area. Also met a couple guys out there that were true salt of the earth hunters that I hope to share many more hunts with. If you're an Eastern guy like me, go West every chance you can get. It's big, open country full of game. I will be back!!

Some nice scenery !

Thats some pretty country, and really nice birds, congrats.

Awesome!!

I'm envious!

Congrats on a great hunting trip.

Very nice! Coondagger did you make it back to VA this year.

What states. Easier hunting than pressured Easterns?

Great pics coondagger! Congratulations on a good hunt.
I've always wanted to try something like that. I might beg you for some pointers in a couple years.

Looks awesome! I’m headed to Montana tomorrow to chase after some birds

Is that the Pend Orielle river? If so you were real close to me.

looks like a great hunt, what state were you in,

No sir, I didn't make it up there this year. I plan to come back next year though, but this time I think I'm going to hunt a different area


I think the public land merriams are just as hard if not harder than Easterns. Maybe because I've hunted Easterns all my life, but I can usually predict what an Eastern is going to do. These Merriams don't play by the same rule book. They will come through the thickest brush you can find and make it so hard to get a shot. I guess its because they have so many more natural predators than an Eastern. They're a very cautious turkey coming in to a call. I think most people that go hunt out there hunt private land turkeys in some lady's back yard. Those are probably easier

looks like he isn't giving up his location.

Lol!!! Not easy even if in your back yard. You need more then one year of hunting out here to be a some expert on it.

You're right snowy, I have no experience hunting them that way, but I'd imagine the turkeys eating out of a feeder in a back yard would be a little easier than the public land birds. We saw lots of turkeys around feeders in yards.

We also saw lots of turkey hunters flying in at the airport. Some of them meeting up with guides. I didn't see a single one of these guys on the public land. That's what led me to believe most of them hunt private land.

In the past I've always been open about what states I'm hunting, but this season I've seen that have a bad effect. I'm always open to discussing things in PM but for the sake of lessened hunting pressure I'm going to try not to drop spots on an open forum

Interesting we can't bait in Montana so if these guided hunts take place behind a feeder it is illegal. I don't believe in baiting or pumpkin patches where people kill big deer and elk while their head is buried in the pumpkin or bait. I have never seen a feeder in 100's of miles from my place here in MT that has turkeys feeding or a deer feeder. I doubt you were in Montana if you were, there is illegal hunting activity going on.

Thanks for the pictures.

Cool