Out West I really enjoy hunting Merriam’s turkeys in the mountains just like elk or mule deer. These birds are true survivors of the harsh weather and numerous predators that lurk out here.
The best way to hunt these roaming nomads is to locate big blocks of public ground and look for small parcels of private land laced in between where they run cattle or horse operations. These birds will winter close by due to the feed available for them and help them get through the winter. During the spring these birds will start to break up from the large winter flocks and will spread out into the mountain areas. Drive around the countless forest service roads and call in random locations early in the spring. Take a good map with you and mark on it where you have located gobbling birds. Once the season opens head for those areas and hopefully you will be into birds.
Once you have located these beautiful birds have patience. They travel a lot of ground during the days, sometimes as much as 1-3 miles. They will usually have a set routine and fly down near open clear cuts or dirt roads where they can strut and show off for the ladies. Usually a few hours later they will then head for the timber to loaf and feed throughout the day. This is the best time to ambush them as they spend most of the day there.
The bird here was located the evening before near these roost areas and we had set up on him right on the closed gravel road. He as well as 2 other Tom’s came in as well as 2 Jake’s. They did not give us the opportunity for an archery shot but we decided to return the next morning. We did not show up at first light because we knew where they would be. By 9 am we were set up in their travel area and we were able to decoy him into to 10 yards for and easy and ethical archery shot.
Being in the mountains in the spring is awe inspiring as you see the land come to life. We have seen deer, elk, turkeys, coyotes, wolf sign, as well as moose tracks. It is also a great time to look for sheds as well.
Bear hunting season is finally here and Outback Outdoors’ Jim Brennan is with Garrett Brothers Outfitters in Fort McMurray, Alberta hunting big black bears. Some of you might not realize this, but Jim is a black bear aficionado. He has, in the past, owned and operated his own black bear outfitting service in Saskatchewan, CA.
Yesterday I received a text from a phone number that I didn’t recognize. it said the following. “Borrowing phone its jim no service up here big bear down.” After texting him back asking for a pic and more info, he responded, “Cant he was black around 6 foot 3 no neck big head 12 long 7 and 1/2 wide 310 on scale no phone pics.”
