The April Longgg Wait/ How Do You Handle It?

[blackbeltbill]

     May 1st is on Everyone's  Mind now in the Month of April. And the Longgg Wait ensues.

    In one of the first Turkey Books,I bought- Ultimate  Turkey Hunting by Harold Knight and David Hale- Both of them stressed that Pre Season Scouting/Boots on the Ground was an extension  of the Spring Turkey Season itself.

   The Actual Spring Turkey Season itself can be Fleeting . 

      I have been out 19 times already. 18 of those times have been around 10.30am or so. When other Hikers are also out. The Turkeys are all used to seeing these Hikers on a daily basis. I would rather see the Turkey Sign rather then the Turkeys themselves.  So,I am out there with Blue Jeans and a light Red Shirt Jacket .

   Back in the 1990s and up to around 2007 or so,I would too often hear that Dreaded " Magnum Shot". Before Dawn to Right after.   

    I was out for my first Dawn Scout with Cynthia  just the other day to Listen. I have 1 more Spot to give a good 2 Hour Hike in and then,I will be walking in and listening early like everyone else.

   Years back,I saw many more Turkey Scouters walking in/ Boots on the Ground during mid- morning.  Very few now on Public. I see more Trucks cruising  around the Public Parking areas and driving around slow.  

  Keep those Hunting Decals off your Vehicle  and Dress as a Hiker as,I do. Any Parking Lot Turkey Location Questions  comes my way-- me no habla English- lol!

   While,I see less Turkey Scouters in April,I see Many More Turkey Hunters in May.  I know many have Trail Cameras out .  

 Part of the Challenge  on my Beloved Public Lands.

  So- how to you handle the Longgg April Wait for May 1st?

[virgil]

Every morning, as i walk into the Hospital, i count off the days.  That's how i handle the wait.  It doesn't work very well, but it's all i got.

[Spysar]

I don't wait. I hunt Mass instead. April 24th opener.

And why should i not have a hunting sticker on my truck. I'm proud to be a hunter. 

[Bucksnbows]

Uh, it’s called fishing. 

[mowin]

I just keep busy.. before I realize it, the first will be upon us, and I'll be wishing for another day or two to get stuff ready. 

[Splitear]

This will be my first season turkey hunting since I was just out of High School. I still need to get some shot so I can pattern my gun. I have secured some property to hunt, and have an experienced hunter and friend to go with. The landowner says he hear's them every morning

My family back home in Illinois have already been sending me messages about their hunts, as the 1st season started yesterday for them. 

[Buckmaster7600]

I fish and golf, to get through April. The ice out salmon/trout fishing has been on fire and the golf courses around here have started opening, I played my 4th round this morning. Other than for youth season I do zero turkey scouting because I have no idea what mountain or county I’ll be in until I park my rig. 

[blackbeltbill]

3 hours ago, Spysar said:

I don't wait. I hunt Mass instead. April 24th opener.

And why should i not have a hunting sticker on my truck. I'm proud to be a hunter. 

  I start in New Jersey on April 24th as well. 

    As far as the Hunting Stickers. Good Scouters will Scout out other Scouters when they park. I do the same thing.

    I Love Public- but you need every edge you can possibly  get while Scouting.    That's why,I wear no Camo or anything Orange.  Just a personal  decision. 

[mowin]

23 minutes ago, blackbeltbill said:

  I start in New Jersey on April 24th as well. 

    As far as the Hunting Stickers. Good Scouters will Scout out other Scouters when they park. I do the same thing.

    I Love Public- but you need every edge you can possibly  get while Scouting.    That's why,I wear no Camo or anything Orange.  Just a personal  decision. 

Honest question, how do you scout other scouters by seeing where they park? 

[Skillet]

Work. I go to work. 

[Cabin Fever]

I have plenty of spring chores around the house and yard to keep me busy. I dare say I have 20-25 more dead ash to cut down in the yard, on top of the 15 or so I already cut down last month. Then I have a shit ton of wood to split and stumps to grind... 

[Robhuntandfish]

It's not April that's the drag it's Jan-March. 

April is nicer weather and the projects get stacked.  I have at least 6 brush cutting trips to finish at the hunting land, get the boat out and ready, fence repairs at the house etc etc. And I just finished replacing my kitchen and dining room flooring.  Hoping to get all this done in Mid May to start some fishing.  

[crappyice]

If you think May 1st is far away, imagine what October 1st feels like!

[blackbeltbill]

1 hour ago, crappyice said:

If you think May 1st is far away, imagine what October 1st feels like!

Do you Hunt the Big Birds?

[blackbeltbill]

2 hours ago, mowin said:

Honest question, how do you scout other scouters by seeing where they park? 

I just keep aware as,I am walking.