It’s time to go out and get Tom

Shelton Young - Outdoors

We’ve waited a year for our 2011 Spring Wild Turkey Season. The weather has turned decent and gobblers are…well, gobbling!
I’ve seen one of the biggest gobblers ever…on the bypass behind Joy Mining. And, I counted a dozen or so hens in a field by the bridge on Veterans.
Mark said he heard a bunch fly down at 7:15 a.m. Then, they went silent.
I’ve had guys say turkey hunting was so easy that there was no challenge. And, on the other hand, I’ve listened to tales of woe from some very experienced long beard chasers. Of course just “shooting a turkey” is quite different from “shooting a boss gobbler.”
If deer season and turkey season ran concurrently it would be difficult for some of us to choose which species we’d hunt!
Big deer are majestic creatures…but there aren’t many of them. A strutting Tom is a thing of beauty…and there are a bunch of birds.
Deer hunting is a cool/cold weather sport while turkey season is usually mild to hot.
You usually scout an area deer use, determine bedding and feeding preferences then “set up” a stand to intercept them.
To find turkeys you learn roosting areas and strutting zones. When you “sorta” know where the turkeys should be you try to make them do something that’s not natural.
In nature the male gobbles and the hens come to him. We try to call and make him come to us.
Of course, we pursue both bucks and gobblers at their most “stupid” period. We chase them when their minds are on the ladies. As a result, they make some mistakes not commonly noted.
Why does that sound familiar?
Anyway, when hunting either we have to “camo up.” With a deer’s sense of smell we have to make sure we are odor free.
Turkey’s don’t care what you smell like but let them see you blink…and they’re gone.
Rifles allow the longer distance shots possible with deer while the shorter ranges of turkey hunting call for shotguns.
While I like deer hunting I love turkey hunting. But with either, I still hate the ticks…which are much worse during turkey season.
My dislike of ticks verges on the extreme. But, this isn’t an unjustified paranoia!
Once, while stationed with the Air Force in South Carolina, I had a bout with Rocky Mountain spotted fever…least that’s what the doctors told me. It was not a pleasant experience.
As a result, I would literally bathe in Deet if necessary.
In all seriousness try to “tick proof” yourself. Apply an insect repellent, wear long sleeves and thin, camo gloves. Where they overlap tape the seam…so ticks can’t get in. Do the same with your pants and socks. Wish I had a good trick for your waist but I don’t…just spray down good. And, always do a complete “detailed” tick check when you get home.
Make sure your shotgun is patterned and above all “stay safe.”
Look at it: You “camo up” to disappear, you make sounds like a turkey, you’re on the ground and there are other hunters in the woods…and they have guns too!
Have permission to hunt the area you’re in, know who else is “supposed” to be on the property, know “where” they’re likely to be, and be 100 percent positive of your target before you shoot.
n The bass tournament William Rector put on to raise funds for “Kids with Cancer” drew 17 boats. This was respectable for a “first time out.”
I would like to thank everyone who came out to fish this fundraiser. And, a special thanks to William for taking on this project.
The Mid-Kentucky Bass Anglers fished Green River Sunday. I believe “blustery” describes the weather. Some white caps, plenty of wind and sun with water temperature from 56 to 65 degrees depending on the area of the lake sampled. Water color yielded visibility from “just” under the surface to about a max of three feet. Sorta like weak tea versus chocolate milk!
When it was all over, Stacy Benningfield and Joe Hickey had secured first place with a total bag of 11.07-pounds. Second was taken by the team of Mike Veatch and Donald Hafley with 10.12-pounds. And…are you ready for this…John and I took third place with one bass weighing 4.15-pounds. Even more amazing, it was also the biggest bass of the day!
Next up for Mid-KY. Bass will be Willisburg Lake on May 1. Launch is at 7 a.m. with a 3 p.m. weigh-in.
n Our next 4-H Fishing (the Puddle Jumpers) meeting will be April 19 at Sportsman Lake.
We’ll finally be fishing so come out and be prepared for a good time.
With the unpredictability of our spring weather it’s hard to tell what conditions we’ll have. But, if the weather doesn’t cooperate we’ll still meet at the lake since we have access to the clubhouse.
Bring a rod and reel if you can as we’re limited on loaners.
If anyone would like to donate anything we’d be glad to take it. Some stuff I can repair and all will be appreciated.
You can drop items off at the extension office…at the Marion Co. Fairgrounds. Or, contact me and I’ll come and pick up the items. We take cash donations too.
Email me at deaconlab@yahoo.com or call me at 692-9311 and leave a message.
Guess that’s it for now. Get out, enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer, stay safe and I’ll see ya next week.