Taking The Multiple Use Area Challenge.

[blackbeltbill]

   Anyone who reads my Threads or Posts will see this on the Bottom- Take The Multiple Use Area Challenge. 

   And the Challenge and Rewards have increased in recent years especially.  

   Now when Dawn Breaks on Multiple  Use Areas- Others besides Hunters want to see and hear that Wildlife. 

   Colorful Mountain Bikers,Hikers, Joggers, Dog Walkers, etc. And all are welcome at the Break of Dawn.

   Makes the Hunting Tougher indeed and,I Love that Challenge.  A Mountain  Biker could make 1 Mile back+ very early on the Trail and Woodsroads.   They are relatively Quiet when alone and Biking at Top Speed. 

  One very Early Fall Morning, I had a Mountain  Biker Zip on by me at Top Speed. The Flock just going into  the Field Spooked for the next County.  Most flying the same way unfortunately.  What can you do.  They are Welcome also.

   ATVs and Dirtbikes . I realize these riders have no where else to go.  Not really a problem as most make the Scene at around 10am on the Weekends and late Afternoons.  Down in a number of areas in Sterling  Forest State Park are $ 450,000+ Homes built right up to the State Land Line. Not far off are marked Woods Roads. There parked in the back of the Homes are Huge ATVs.  Again- no problem. 

   Now you know what the Multiple Use Area Challenge is. Being Financially Poor,I embrace it and simply look to up my Calling and Woodsmanship Skills with each year.   It might take me to Late May to get my 2 Big Birds or just 1 and that is fine as,I give Cynthia  as much help as possible. 

      Any Size Turkey is a True Trophy on Multiple Use Areas as you might not get a second chance.

  Stewart State Forest  will be Crowded this Saturday.  Looking forward to it.

 Bowing off the Dojo Floor.

 

 

 

[blackbeltbill]

   A good 10 years back during late May,I was Calling for my Brother in law and the Gobbler was Thundering back and making slow Tracks to my Calling. My Brother  in law was a good 30 yards in front of me and waiting.

    Here comes 4 Mountain  Bikers. 3 men and 1 woman. Heard the conversation getting closer.  Gobbling Stopped of course. After they passed,I moved forward and found a brand new Mountain Bike Path. Little more then a Deer Trail at that point.

  Just 2 more minutes my Brother  in law would have a shot opportunity . Part of the game though.  All are welcome.

 

 

[blackbeltbill]

Some of the better interactions, I have had while walking a Trail in Bloomingrove and moving to another Pheasant Hunting area was letting a Horseback Rider pass on by me and my Hunting Dog.   A mutual greeting and on we went.  

[blackbeltbill]

 A Short version  below that,I wrote in one of my 3 Turkey Books.

   Lab Retrieval Trials many years back would go on sometimes 4 days a week all Spring + Summer at Stewart State Forest. 

      One Morning during very early May back around 2010,I was set up at a Field Edge and had a Strutting Gobbler smack in the middle of this huge Field.

   Very slow progress in my direction to my Soft Calling.  I would have to take a good 45 yard shot at this Guy pretty soon.

   A line of Cars and Trucks were motoring in and stopped at my Field just after Sunrise.  Out Jumps some Chocolate Labs,some Black Labs also.

   Ever see a Gobbler Sprint full Tilt? Unbelievable  Speed!   This was the 2nd time this has happened.  

  I wrote the DEC a hand Written  Letter.

  Today on a number of Kiosks at the parking areas is now a Calendar of events showing all days of Dog Training/Retriever Trials.  Plenty of it - all Spring + Summer still.

  May 1st though- No. Glad,I wrote that Letter. My Brother in Law had a few Spring Hunts busted as well years back. 

  This Thread brings back memories indeed.  

  Anything can and will happen  on Beloved Public Ground. 

    

  

[blackbeltbill]

  I never had any Luck at the- Wolf Brook/Multiple Use Area up in Sullivan County.

 Vocal Gobblers for sure. However 2 Men often are on the same Tom .

   Very Scenic area to Hike as Well and plenty do just that past the Break of Dawn in Spring and Summer.

[blackbeltbill]

   I took these 2 Fall Wild Turkeys in Sterling Forest State Park near a Pheasant Hunting Area back around the year 2000.

  I had to get in extra early before anyone showed up and work my way back and up- up the Rocky Slope.

   Some Calling and it worked out- even with that Orange Hat !

 

 

[blackbeltbill]

 I Killed this Big Ol Gobbler back around 2002 or so in New Jersey/Ramapo  State Forest Area near Haskell. 

   Other Men were Parked Close in different  areas although,I was the first to arrive as always at 3.30am or so. Coffee for a good while and then in.

   Not much Gobbling on this Morning  and,I knew,I had to push the envelope before the other Hunters closed the gap on this Vocal Gobbler.

   Aggressive  Cutting once again sealed the Deal.  I usually  come out with a Tom 1 out of every 10 to 20 Mornings on Public.

 So glad,I always  carried a Kodak Throwaway Camera afield.

  

[blackbeltbill]

I was able to Call in the Below Gobbler on May 31st of 2014 or 15.

   That was one Tough Season! I probably took off no more then 3 Days in May as usual . And,I hunted many MUAs. Never give in- That's  the Key in Areas that can get Crowded. 

  My Late Girlfriend  Patti Said-- Everyone Wants The Big Bird!

   So True indeed. The pic below shows the only Gobbler,I have Named-- Rodan. Spurs of just a smidge over 1 1/2"s. Probably  4 years old at least. 

  He had a running Gobbler with him as well.  Brother probably.  

  Around 2015 was the year that Public Areas started to get Crowded.  Especially Mountain  Bikers and Hikers showing up at Sunrise or so. And plenty more hopeful Turkey Hunters.

   All are welcome.  Here is Rodan below.