Hunting and Bipolar

[Trap]

Thanks for sharing your story. I have a family member that’s had really bad depression. I know you posting this will help others and you. Hope you get a big bird!

 

[Redmt]

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This is the first of 4 birds I called in - 3 hens and a jake. They hung out for about 90 mins and I just enjoyed watching them. Fresh air and a little hike through the woods was refreshing!

Sometimes you have to take your brain out of gear and just coast around for a while!

 

[OntarioHunter]

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This is the first of 4 birds I called in - 3 hens and a jake. They hung out for about 90 mins and I just enjoyed watching them. Fresh air and a little hike through the woods was refreshing!

If you don't shoot em, you don't have to clean em.

Never gutted a turkey but I've been told they stink something fierce.

 

[Pucky Freak]

I am feeling better as I adjust to the new med. I coordinated with my wife to do 2 honey-do project days and some dad duty in exchange for time afield. My energy is not 100%. I can be active about 2/3 of the day for max of about two hours at a time before I need a rest break.

Friday I went after birds in a different spot for a couple hours. Quickly spotted a group of six loafing birds. They were obscured by brush and it didn’t look like there was a tom in the group. I snuck in to about 130 yards and watched them through the binos for 45 mins before confirming 2 jakes and 4 hens.

Sunday I hunted the whole day. Set up in a different spot near a likely roost. I got lucky and the only bird gobbling from a tree was about 150 yards away. We talked back and forth for 45 mins until he pitched down in the opposite direction and headed off to see his girlfriends. I followed his gobbles until l caught up with him and tried to fan him to me, but he wasn’t interested.

I took a snack break only to find I forgot my bag with lunch and snacks on the kitchen counter. With brain fog this sort of thing occurs frequently.

Next I went on a long hike, run and gun. I heard one gobbler, but he went quiet after I called back.

About 2 PM I had put maybe 5 miles in, and I was getting really hungry. I found some ramps under an oak tree and chowed down. Several mouthfuls later I got a funny tingling feeling in my throat. I checked on my phone and confirmed these plants were not ramps! Unlike ramps these get dark mottling as they mature, have a single leaf instead of three, and have a deeper root. They did have a pleasant leek flavor, but I end up paying for my impulsivity later

I heard gobbles from where I started the day, so I headed back there. At 250 yards I found a strutting tom. He was in a good spot to crawl in with a fan though the young grass. After maybe 60 yards though I bumped into 4 jakes. They were curious and nervous and kind of paced and crept closer over about 20 mins. I finally convinced myself to take one and end my hunt…I doubted I’d ever get past them to get to the tom. Except, I missed I must have pulled the shot or didn’t line up the sights.

Great day for sunshine, exercise, and wildlife viewing. I probably spent a good couple hours watching deer, coons, squirrels, waterfowl, hawks, owls, and songbirds.


Next up, last season turkey and morel finding.

 

[Pucky Freak]

Found some REAL ramps today. They taste much better than the poison stuff I ate the other day.


Called in a jake to 10 yards. He poked around for about 15 mins, very determined to find the “hidden” hen. Then I went after the roosted tom from last weekend and he paid me little attention again. Next I think I’ll try to decoy on the opposite side from his roost, or else just ambush along his daily routes. I have him patterned pretty well.

 

[Gellar]

View attachment 273269What is that in the tree?

 

[Pucky Freak]

Raccoon

 

[Pucky Freak]

Yesterday evening had several hens check out my decoy, but no sign of the tom. After sundown the weather was still pleasant so I went searching for fungi in the dark.

 

[Bowmannate2000]

Yesterday evening had several hens check out my decoy, but no sign of the tom. After sundown the weather was still pleasant so I went searching for fungi in the dark.
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Nice score!

 

[Treeshark]

Dang, that is a sweet haul! I’d trade that for a turkey any day of the week

 

[Nick87]

Dang, that is a sweet haul! I’d trade that for a turkey any day of the week

Same

 

[duckhunt]

Yesterday evening had several hens check out my decoy, but no sign of the tom. After sundown the weather was still pleasant so I went searching for fungi in the dark.
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How is the moisture in your area? It's very dry here.

 

[Hunting Wife]

Yesterday evening had several hens check out my decoy, but no sign of the tom. After sundown the weather was still pleasant so I went searching for fungi in the dark.
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I don’t think I could find that many in the daylight

Glad you are having some productive outings.

 

[Pucky Freak]

How is the moisture in your area? It's very dry here.

Very dry here as well. The turkeys have been taking advantage by rolling around in the dust.

 

[Pucky Freak]

I called in a bird to 20 yards, but it came in directly behind us and spooked. One of my twins asked to come as well, but today was just daddy/daughter time.

 

[Nick87]

Glad to see your getting in some kid time.

 

[Pucky Freak]

My energy and motivation are back to about 75% of normal. I’ve been able to stay productive with intentional planning, and pacing myself with breaks. Between the last 2 weekends I was able to re-grout the master bath, and check off 18 other honey-do tasks.

 

[Gellar]

Raccoon

Must be the angle. I would not have guessed raccoon.

 

[Pucky Freak]

Thursday arrived at the hunting spot and realized I had forgotten my boots. I have ended up walking barefoot gingerly for 3 1/2 miles, noting all the cockleburs, nettle, and thistles along the way.

Once I set my decoys I called and had a jake come in within 5 mins. Later had two adult coyotes trot in, one to 50 yards and the other to 15. They seemed to sense something fishy, ran off and circled back around downwind.

I have a couple more times out to find an elusive tom.

 

[Pucky Freak]

Sunday followed gobbles and tried to intercept a strutter and his hen. After I lost them in tall grass I climbed a tree to try and relocate. Heard and saw him fly across a creek about 400 yards out, then I made a big 1/2 mile loop around to head them off. First set up I tried calling and nothing. Relocated to another route he could have took, and set up. I got the location correct but selected a poor set-up as it was thick cover and only 10 yards of visibility. I had moved within the tom’s comfort zone of probably less than 100 yards, and he came right in to some soft clucks. But when he popped out behind a shrub he was only 10 yards away, immediately saw me and flew away.


Wife called about 6:30 PM to report our property had 2-3” hail. I just repaired $25k storm damage 2 years ago, and have about the same amount again - summer projects are now 3 new roofs, siding, gutters, doors/windows, etc.