I've been eyeballing and trying to make work a trip west for several years now, where I can actually be the trigger man.
One thing after another kept me from going. Finally said I'm damnit going this year flights and personal stuff aligned so I reached out to a couple of vague contacts polling for info and was totally surprised when one said, I've got nothing going on, c'mon. The hospitality displayed was incredible and I am not sure I can ever repay them on the same level I was shown but I'll certainly try. He doesnt hunt turkeys but kind of knew where they could be found. The entire trip was a whirlwind of not much sleep, a doozie of a blister, thin air, vertical climbs, briars/thorns/rocks/etc not like we've got here...
I ended up with four birds in two states with a mix of public and private. All but one killed on public. I hunted three full days and half scouted/hunted the afternoon I flew in. I really wanted to hunt a third but I got hung up on a hammer of a pasture bird one day that I am still certain is half wizard. I swear that bastard would disappear into thin air and reappear 10 minutes later a mile away with a 2000' of elevation change. He survived and caused me to burn a full day chasing his ass and I hunted him every day I was there. I tipped my hat to him on the final day as I walked out. The farmer and his wife chuckled and asked me if I wanted to borrow a rifle. I told them I was mad at him, but if he hoo-doo'ed me that good, he deserved to live. They told me they wouldnt shoot him and he'd be there next year if a cat or wolf didnt get him so come back.
A few pics:
Crick.jpg
hillside.jpg
Snow.jpg
Ukiah bird.jpg
View2.jpg
Frosted Tips2.jpg
Hooks.jpg
Turkey Rocks.jpg
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