What a trip! That's all I can say about my recent trip to the Adirondacks in search of that elusive Eastern Turkey. When I booked my hunt back in December I thought it would be a great way to see where I will be deer hunting this fall. I had never hunted Turkey before and wanted to see what it was all about. The following is how my trip went:
Friday, May 7 1999
3:45 Wake up and leave for the Adirondacks. The weather was great driving weather and there was little traffic from Long Island to Dickinson Center where Bucklore Adventures is located about 30 miles from the Canadian border. On the way up I noticed lots of rivers,streams, and lakes to stop and wet a fly.
12:30 Arrive, eat some lunch, and head out to do some scouting with Anthony (Guide). He showed me some of his prime land and there was a lot of Turkey sign but it was a bit too early to locate any birds. He also showed me the deer stands I would be using during deer season.
2:30 Grab my fly rod and waders and Anthony drops me off at the St. Regis river where I fish until dinner. The fish, rainbows mostly, were taking nymphs readily. I caught fish and had hits continuously. I caught and released 29 trout in about 4 hours of fishing.
6:30 Anthony cooks another great dinner and we decided where we should stop first to try and locate some birds. We hit the few leases we think the birds are going to be but the winds keep the birds quiet. Anthony also tells me that spring is about 2-3 weeks ahead of schedule and that the birds are already henned up, meaning that we would have to really be more aggressive than normal and hope to get a receptive bird. Anthony wasn't kidding about the weather, the day I arrived it was in the upper 70's while where I came from, 375 miles south, was about mid 60's. Usually it's the other way around.
9:00 I head to bed with great anticipation!
Saturday, May 8 1999
3:45 I wake up to very warm temp's, 60 degrees! I headed to the house and Anthony already had breakfast done and ready to eat. I inhale my food, grab my gear, and jump into the truck. We make our 30 minute trip in record time. We saw many deer on the way lifting my spirits for this fall. We head to our first destination. The morning is warm, but clear and almost no wind. The sunrises and Anthony lets out a few yelps. After a few minutes we hear a few different gobblers in the distance. After about an hour we decided to move and as we stood we had a bird call from a few hundred yards away heading toward us. Anthony proceeded with a few calls and the bird seemed hot all he had to do was get over a small rise and see our decoys and we knew he would key in on them and come within range. Anthony gave another call and no response, poised and ready to shoot I was hoping he was close. About 5 minutes later we heard a gobble about 500 yards away. The gobbler had changed his direction and crossed a field and brush in no time! Anthony couldn't believe how fast he made his mind up and traveled the distance he covered. Unable to relocate him we head after another bird we heard that morning, Anthony gets him to answer and we close the gap to within 100 yards and setup, the bird is getting closer and then it begins to pour and the wind picks up for about 15 minutes. When the weather subsides the bird is no where to be found and we are all wet and the mesquites are so bad Anthony holds on to me so they don't drag me away! This scenario happens a two more times and the morning hunt ends. A very interesting morning with lots of action and suspense.
12:30 Anthony prepares another great lunch and I decide to fish the river again. It rains the whole time but I don't care cause the fish are willing and I am having a great time! I catch and release 20 rainbows, 2 browns, and a smallmouth bass.
6:30 We eat dinner and plan our scouting trip for the evening. We head out to a few fields and the wind is really blowing and dark skies are threatening to pour rain. I am content with my hunt and realize that I probably am going home with memories of sounds from a gobbler, tracks and sign, but no bird. I am more than happy with that!
9:00 I head to bed and am ready to give the next morning a college try!
Sunday, May 9 1999
3:45 I wake up to dead silence, and what's this, I am cold! I stumble to the window and I see a half moon and lots of stars! It's a glorious early, early morning! I run into the house and Anthony is smiling, it's in the mid to low 40's and calm! We have a chance. As we arrive to the familiar place we ready ourselves, I load my gun, and hear a few geese in the distance and then we hear it...the call of a Gobbler! So fast, we know he's still on roost and where he's at. Anthony and I head his direction and stop to get our bearings, a crow calls, the gobbler reacts, we are back on the trail. We get near the field and set our decoys just inside the woods. Anthony calls the birds answer, we call they answer, and this goes back and forth for about a half hour. Anthony decides that it would be better to move closer to the field but doesn't feel good about trying to put the decoys out and I agree. We set up and I only have one shooting lane and we get ready for a possible encounter. We let a minute or so and Anthony gives another call, the birds are still interested and moving closer. I move my eyes back and forth trying to pick up some movement. I have yet to see a bird, but have seen every kind of sign and heard their calls. I notice my heart beginning to accelerate and I remember why I love hunting so much. Anthony plays cat and mouse with the birds and suddenly out of the left eye I catch movement. The first thought I had was, "Man they are BIG!" My heart races and I try to calm myself. The birds slowly walk from left to right, looking for the calling hen. There is no decoy for them to see so it's upon Anthony to convince them that they are in search of a hen. The birds are on the opposite side of the field about 60yds or so away and about parallel when Anthony lets out a series of calls that stops the birds in their tracks and the dominate birds immediately puffs up into strutting form. I am shaking like a leaf by the display and am doing everything to keep myself calm. The gobbler works his way towards me, I notice his friend is a Jake but I can't see the beard on this guy but he looks big and I really don't care because the show he is putting on is worth the price of admission. Anthony continues to call, the bird works his closer and closer. He's at 40 yards now and behind a skinny tree, I see him and tell him subconsciously to move to his right. Anthony continues calling softly; the bird comes closer and moving to my right. A few more steps and he is in the lane, slowly he moves but he's heading the right way. He's clear for a shot but he needs to turn and face me, I want a clean shot, he turns, I know my gun is accurate and that the 3 1/2 inch Mags will do the job, the red light goes on in my mind, I take one last breath and squeeze....BOOOOM!!!!!!! Rocked into reality I see the bird drop and know we have done it, with all odds against us, we got a Turkey for me!!!!! I jump up and Anthony is there to shake my hand and pat me on the back! He's as excited as I am which makes the moment great! We tag the bird and as we walk back to the truck with the Turkey over my shoulder we notice the sun is shining on our face, the geese flying over, and Anthony turns and says, "Look, we even have the sun shinning on us today!"
7:00 We arrive back at the house and Delores, Anthony's girlfriend comes out and asks what we are doing back. We tell her our stories and pictures are taken and I am enjoying the moment.
The rest of my trip was spent fishing, checking out deer and bear stands for this falls hunt, and exploring local lakes and rivers.
I had a great time and will say that if you want a quality hunt call Anthony at Bucklore Adventures. He has very reasonable prices and caters to bowhunters, muzzleloaders, and rifle hunters. He will give you 100%. I will be posting his website link, but until then you can look at it by typing Bucklore.com.
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