Two Lake Ontario Gobbler Hunts

Another tips and tactics story! I can almost hear the groans from all sportsmen as their eyes cross over the first paragraph. Hey, I agree with you, however any little tid bit of information to enlighten your time in the woods might be of interest. Any way we don't need to call it tips and tactics. How about chronicling experiences? Does that make it easier to read?

Here are two different stories, two different spring hunts, and same location, on my 50 acre piece of parcel two miles from

Lake Ontario. Yes, indeed gobblers are alive and well along the southern shores of the "Big O". Let's continue the usage of twos by describing the hunts as; one of seriousness and one of patience.

Hunt one took place the first of May, 2004 opening day for New York State spring turkey season. I had originally planned on my quest for turkeys with my buddy, whom I have been gobbler hunting for at least 6 years. He was unfortunately laid-up after some back surgery, so I decided to give my woodlot a try.

I knew there were birds in the vicinity, however never noticed them close to my land, nevertheless it was opening day, so just before day break, I positioned myself behind a large maple tree. My lone decoy was in an open field exactly 20 yards away. Here's where the seriousness enters the picture. I was fully camoed head to foot, sitting with my back against the tree. The one item not in place happened to be the most important; the gun!

Foolishly thinking the odds of a bird coming in to my set-up were not in my favor, the gun was resting against the tree, close, but not in my lap, and definitely not in position. I called, and immediately heard a gobble...very near and very loud. In a matter of seconds two jakes came from my right side, over the crest and charged towards the decoy. You guessed right. I felt like a complete idiot. Just great, they're coming and I'm out of position. What was I thinking; I'll throw stones at the birds?

Luck was on my side. At least I had half a brain and was completely hidden. I kept an eye on the birds and slowly grabbed the 12 gauge, while thinking; I might actually have a shot. The two jakes didn't see me, and after what seemed like minutes, which was seconds, I swung the gun around, rested it on my knee and took the shot.

Now ask yourself, was I serious? Not completely, and it almost messed up getting a spring gobbler. I'll bet a mature bird would have noticed me in a heart beat. Lesson for hunt one; If you are taking the time to hunt, and game is reasonably close, stay serious. Before calling, and before daylight illuminates your decoy, place the shotgun in the position you intend to you use if a bird comes in. Keep that gun there until the hunt is over.

Hunt two and some more chronicling experiences. Spring of 2005 found me in the same location as the previous year. My very own woodlot and that identical maple tree was my cover. The over hanging branch that kept me hidden last year was still in place. I picked this location because I have been studying a flock of birds across the street and approximately I mile away. And of course it proved to be the ideal spot last year.

I planted the same hen decoy 20 yards from my position, and then completely covered all exposed human parts. And the final act was to place the Remington 870 across my lap, muzzle pointing towards the decoy, caps off the scope. It doesn't take me more than once to learn.

I waited patiently and just prior to dawn, gave a few calls. Usually I wait for the crows to announce early light. I called on the diaphragm and an old push pin box call I have used for a decade. Nothing! Not a sound. I waited 30 minutes and gave a few more calls, nothing at all. The woods were alive with songbirds, but not one gobble. I remained quiet not moving too much. I was committed to this location so I planned at least an hour and a half. Another call, more silence.

All of a sudden and I do mean sudden, a bright red head popped-up at the crest of the hill. I inhaled a quick breath and shook. Then, like a dream or a turkey hunting video a swinging beard appeared, followed by one large fan. Man, this was a nice mature gobbler. I inhaled again and put the scope right on his head. The ole heart pounding continued as I scoped that bird. There was no way I was letting that bright head out of my sights.

He was in range, and I was just waiting for the opportune moment, when a dog barked, the gobbler's head popped up, and I dropped the bird at 22 yards with Remington Buffered Magnums. The bird came in without a peep. Not only did this 22 pound mature gobbler arrive unannounced, the woods that morning was eerily silent. So the hunt two advice is quite simple, have patience. If you believe there are turkeys in the nearby woods, remain true to your plan, even if you don't hear a sound.

In conclusion, tips and tactics or chronicling experiences are nothing more than individual observations from fellow hunters, some of who write about it, and if that can help you in woods, then we have connected.

Chris Kenyon is an Outdoor Columnist for The Sodus Record-Sun and the Finger Lakes Times. He is a member of NYSOWA and The Outdoor Recreational Coordinator for Wayne County Tourism. He is also a freelance writer for several publications.