Delaware and New Jersey 2012 Turkey Hunting Seasons – Video Wrapup
Although filming with an iPhone is rather difficult when trying to call and shoot turkeys, here's my best attempt at capturing some highlights from my 2012 spring turkey hunts.
Although filming with an iPhone is rather difficult when trying to call and shoot turkeys, here's my best attempt at capturing some highlights from my 2012 spring turkey hunts.
I enjoy talking turkey hunting with successful and unsuccessful hunters alike, but I frequently shake my head in disappointment when I hear stories from unsuccessful hunters who haven't taken the necessary steps to improve their odds. In many cases, the hunters are entering the woods unprepared and without the tools needed for success.
Like a bruising bully, a giant tom barreled out of the woods and into the field, spooking the deer. He was gobbling his head off and proceeded to march off toward a wooded thicket about 75 yards from where he entered in the field. Sensing the coast was clear, four more birds followed the big tom's path, making sure to keep about a 30-yard cushion between them and him. The big gobbler walked off into the thicket, but the other four entered the field and began walking toward me.
As all 2011-2012 Delaware hunting seasons were seemingly affected in some way by our mild winter weather, it is only logical to question the effect the mild winter and early spring warm up will have on Delaware’s turkey flock and their breeding patterns. With food sources plentiful over the winter, high numbers of both gobblers and hens should have survived with good fat reserves and plenty of energy. Assuming our mild and relatively dry weather continues, the healthy hens should be capable of laying good egg clutches and re-nesting, if necessary.
A Delaware Women in the Outdoors event will be held Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Mallard Lodge in Smyrna, Delaware. The event, sponsored by the Delaware Chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation in partnership with the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife and the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, enables women ages 14 and older to learn outdoor skills, meet new people and spend time with friends and family interested in the outdoors
Hunting the First State: A Guide to Delaware Hunting (Second Edition) is now available for purchase at select Delaware state park stores. Hunters, tourists, and park visitors can purchase the 217-page paperback at White Clay Creek, Cape Henlopen, Lums Pond, and Trap Pond State Parks and at the Indian River Life-Saving Station.
If you are still looking for that perfect gift for the Delaware hunter (ALERT! Father's Day is coming), order Hunting The First State: A Guide to Delaware Hunting - Second Edition through www.huntingthefirststate.com and receive 15% OFF through MAY 31! Enter code MAYSAVE305 at checkout!
I took one of my 11-year-old daughters on her first turkey hunt today on New Jersey's youth hunting day. She was extremely excited and had a great time, so rather than telling her story in my words, I asked her to tell her own story. Read her words below. Be sure to watch the video at the end of the story.