Share Your Turkey Hunting Fails: Dumbest Moves in the Woods

Proof that god has a sense of humor. In the fall My son and I get turkey permits in order to have some great table fare over the winter and to help manage the abundant local population. Last fall after spending the morning in a tree stand hunting for the elusive whitetail and seeing only some extremely noisy squirrels, I decided to hang up the bow and grab the shotgun. After a short walk I bumped several turkeys and took a shot, rolling a nice hen that would fill the meat requirement in my Curried Turkey recipe. We were in a wooded plot with a cover of snow on the ground and as I got closer to the bird she would flop out of reach so I decided to have a seat, enjoy the mornings sights and sounds as Mother Nature completed the task I started. In my flawed not-so-expert opinion this wouldn’t take long. After a 15 minute reflection on nature’s beauty, a brief glance at the pond down the hill and scan back to the birds final resting place......the hen is gone. I get up and cross a clearing to another wooded section, senses alert and scanning the slope for any signs of my sure to be deceased adversary. No luck, but as I worked through the trees I spotted another group of turkeys. I had two permits so I took the opportunity and downed a second bird. As I gathered up this bird without a chase or any other excitement, I turned and started back the way I came. That is precisely when I saw the first bird, I must have passed on my way in, run up the hill and without hesitation, fly away. It was a Thanksgivings miracle. I thanked God for the bird in hand and tipped my hat to the one that flew over the bush.

Well of course I tried to snatch one up before he was done flopping 🤦 took a spur to the palm, but the best way to learn is the hard way.
On my first turkey hunt ever at 16 the guy who introduced me to it and I doubled up. We were all tore up and about halfway home listening to some Roy D. Mercer and he said, " last time I went out there I left my gun where I parked the truck". then he commenced to feeling around behind the seat only to realize he had done it again!

I’ve let several birds walk that I could’ve killed when I was the caller, but the shooter didn’t have a shot. Of course the shooter was my wife, I wouldn’t do that for just a friend🤪

Dumbest thing I’ve done in the turkey woods is not getting out into them yet…hoping to get out this year though and not do too much dumb 💩 lol

@Tom that is a great story. And now I need Curries wild Turkey! I admire your ability to appreciate the moment and the beauty of the hunt!

Supper simple curried turkey recipe.

Dice up a turkey breast, put in a pot and add 1 can of coconut milk and a small jar of curry paste. You can add more paste if you want more intense flavor. Add salt to taste and simmer until turkey is tender. Serve over rice.

When I first started turkey hunting I had a bird going nuts down in the bottom I waited him out for over an hour and he wouldn’t budge. I worked my way down and around him to about his level and he started gobbling right where I just left. I did the same thing 3 times that day until the shooting clock ran out. I never did catch up to him but what a day.

@Appalachian a lot to unpack here! Man the spur had to hurt. Definitely won’t do that again. 😂 leaving the gun behind is something I have come close to doing. Roy D. Mercer is a legend! Nice reference.

@Mike ha! I can only imagine the conversations after she didn’t shoot! Come on!

@Eric oh man you will love it! It’s can be a grind but it’s worth it. If you go out this year keep me posted on your progress. The dumb 💩 will for sure happen.

@Tom I’m putting it in the rotation.

@Thomas Thanks for sharing. Those dang birds have a way of just making us feel foolish. They will win more often that not. Good story.

A few years ago I took my daughter out on opening morning and she killed a nice bird. I come home picked up my son to take him. My wife and daughter decided to ride back with us and set in the truck and listen. As we were driving through the field almost to our spot 3 long beards crossed in front of us. We pulled up another 150 yds and parked. Jumping out and grabbing the gun we hurried up the hill to where I thought they were going. We got setup and called. They answered instantly and came running at us. It was as 25 yard perfect shot. I said shoot and click. So I pumped another one in and click. Turkey’s now gone. When my wife and daughter decided to go with us I h as d went out and unloaded guns lol and in the heat of the moment I forgot to reload it. 🤷🏻‍♂️🦃. My son reminds me every time now. Dad is the gun loaded? Lol

@Paul she has a habit of getting a bigger bird than me so I tread very lightly on any “constructive criticism”, haha. I also never mention that I did 95% of the work

@Paul will do! I look forward to getting out there. I have some learning to do that’s for sure!

@Paul the hardest thing to learn about turkey hunting is it takes a big man to wait! Throw out the watch your on turkey time

@Thomas I always tell folks that are just starting out that you just gotta halfway sound like a turkey and put a little patience in your pocket. When you think it's time to move, stay put another half hour and after you make your presence known,, sometimes a wise man says nothing at all 😁

@Appalachian I only shoot turkeys because they are always yelling at me!

@Appalachian wise words!

@Thomas that’s exactly right! The discipline required to be a killer in the turkey woods is amazing.

@Eric shameless plug here but check out my How To Hunt Turkeys podcast. It’s pretty cool. Lots of great hunters teaching by storytelling.

Really been enjoying the podcast Paul

took a late morning nap in the sun. Woke to a hen yelping. Tried to roll over and get in position to see better only to find the tom was in full strut about 3 feet in front of me. Gobbled at full volume and fully woke me up before flying out of my life.

@GVS I will say spring morning naps are special. That must have been a huge punch in the gut.

@Thomas thanks for listening! I really appreciate it.

1st Tom I ever had come into the decoys, I proceeded to shot the decoy instead of the bird! Lol

@Thomas turkeys are jerks!

@Paul hey I spent so much time with the birds in my college years (when I shoulda been in class) I think they they schooled me on at least half of what not to do 🤣 I'm never certain on what I should do working a bird but always certain of what not to do

@Paul will do, thank you, and with everything out there today I can’t blame you for plugging your stuff. I have a lot to learn in all things hunting, trapping and fishing, so I will happily give it a listen and hopefully absorb enough wisdom to be successful!

Wasn’t a turkey hunt, but once I took a buddy to my bear hunting spot, got there and realized I left my bolt at home. Left buddy there and raced home to get my bolt. Soon as I got to the house buddy text me bear down.

@Jasen dang! I mean good for your buddy but you missed all the fun! Did your friend rub it in that you missed the bear?

@Appalachian ha! I’ve learned that my first thought is usually the wrong move. Failure is always the best teacher.

@John classic move! Hopefully the decoys survived. If Turkeys could laugh that Tom was laughing all the way back to safety.

@Paul of course he did! All good though. I ended up getting a nice one few days later and he came and helped pack it out.

@Jasen man what a story. That’s a great bear.

@Paul it is indeed!

Let property lines stop me 🤣🤣🤣🤣

@Hunter

@Paul 🤣🤣🤣🤣 for real