Compare and Contrast Kansas and Missouri Spring Season HuntsJohn and I were talking on the phone the other day and we were just talking turkey hunting, which I enjoy almost as much as hunting itself. We talked about deer, pheasant and turkey. I casually mentioned that I thought that Kansas turkey hunting was easier (although turkey hunting anywhere is not easy), than in Missouri. He quickly suggested I write an article about that turkey hunting difference, and being that I'm certainly no writer by any stretch of imagination, I tried to wiggle out of that conversation. He persisted, so for what's it's worth, here goes I don't have any scientific evidence, just my observation from turkey hunting both states. I have been with Mid-America for 3 full years and have hunted turkeys in Ks. for each of those years on Mid-America land. I have not hunted on Mid-America land in Mo., as I hunt on several private farms in southeast Mo. near where I live. The numbers of turkeys are very similar. I think the turkeys are easier to hunt in Ks. simply because: (A) In 3 years I' ve harvested 6 turkeys in a total of 9 days of hunting and one of those years I could have taken 2 days less, because I had to run a gobbler off one I shot (to keep him from destroying it) on the first day of the spring turkey season. In Ks. you're allowed to shoot both toms on the same day-not so in Mo. (B) Contrast that to Mo., where I harvested 6 birds in a total of 30 days of turkey hunting - 3.33 times longer. (C) IN Ks. you can turkey hunt all day compared to 1:00 pm in Mo. I' ve found if you can get a tom to gobble in the afternoon, there's a very good chance to call him in. Half of the 6 harvested turkeys were after 1:00 pm. The Ks. turkeys seem to respond better to calling and seem to come in quicker - although they don't gobble any more than in Mo. - a lot of times they just come in silent. Another big turkey hunting difference I've found is they respond to decoys much better than Mo. turkeys. As soon as they see a decoy, they come right in strutting - even the jakes. In 2002 I had a big Ks. gobbler full strut for my hen decoy for 1 1/2 hours and let a real hen walk right by him 45 min. into the ordeal and kept strutting for my hen decoy. Also in 2002 while deer hunting in north central Ks. I walked within 30 yds of a large turkey flock that were in a pasture and they only walked slowly off when I decided to open my truck door to get my camera. In conclusion, I feel the reason Kansas turkeys are easier to hunt is because they are not pressured, called to and shot at as much as turkeys are in southeast Mo. where I live. Sincerely, Roger Jon & Shaun, Sending in pictures of my [location deleted] turkey hunt. This was my first year hunting turkeys, Mo turkeys on Mid-Am. land. Have had many great hunts in KS. I drove down to [location deleted] on April 23 - met farmer - weather was threatening - he said I could use his barn to set up tent in, which I did - it was great. The storms hit during the night, but I was safe and dry. Had seen turkeys fly up in a fence row from my barn camp the night before. This place doesn't have much cover (fence rows) - next morning set up as close as possible - they flew down (9 hens, 2 toms) and went their way with not a shot. Next day same thing - no gobbling - toms following hens and because of such little cover it's hard to move on them.
Later in the morning was moving to a different location spotted tom w/3 hens in a cornfield - he was strutting really good. Decided there was no need to try to call - I devised a plan - used one fence row to get to a corner of the field (about 200 yards) - left everything but gun - stalked another 300 yds down another fence row to get closer - belly crawled 40 yds - peaked head up & 2 hens were looking in toward me (thank goodness wind was blowing about 40 MPH). They finally relaxed and started feeding again - I crawled another 10 yards to a log - put gun on log & as he strutted toward the hens I ended the hunt - 20 lbs, 8 1/2" beard.
Great hunt! Thanks for everything, Roger
Jon, I ran across pictures of my spring turkey hunt I thought I had already sent them to you - guess not. I didn't have much time to hunt and also could hardly walk because of a bad knee, but still managed a 14 lb jake on the first afternoon and a 22 lb tom with 11" beard, 3/4 spurs on the second morning. The big tom - I called from a long way (could barely hear him at first) - he started coming as I was moving toward him - I set up quickly - he saw my decoys from about 100 yards away and strutted all the way till he got about 25 yards from the decoys - then he ran charging the jake decoy when I ended the hunt. Two turkeys in less than a day & half and I was thankful because of the condition of my leg. Thanks again for providing great places to hunt and everything you do to help us out. Looking forward to deer season. Sincerely Roger Recent Turkey Hunting Letter
I'm sending pictures (self portraits) of my [location deleted] turkey hunt. I had a great hunt and time even though it didn't last long - 2 birds in less than 2 days. I arrived at the farm I reserved at 11:00 AM, set up camp - ate - 12:20 went out to hunt. saw jake and hen on my way to a spot that looked good - 1:00 started calling - 1:35 big gobbler pops out of a fence row (about 20 yards wide) into the green field about 100 yards from my decoys (Big Bird) he sure was beautiful with the sun radiating off him in full strut. Turning from side to side - I thought I was watching "Primos Truth About Hunting" - 5 minutes later he was at the decoys 20 yards away - he circled & acted like he was going to mount the hen decoy (in 2002 a [location deleted] gobbler strutted for 1 1/2 hours for this decoy) - he came back around, put up head - 25 lb, 10 inch beard, 1 inch spurs - great hunt and I am thankful. Thur. I had 2 jakes come all the way across a green field to my calls & decoys at the same spot and I took one of them, 15 Lb. to end my hunt.
Sincerely, Roger
Hard Turkey Hunting TripDear Jon,
I'm enclosing pictures of my successful and enjoyable turkey hunt. I camped on the property I hunted and even though the weather wasn't ideal (86 degrees and 40 MPH winds every day), I had a great hunt and an experience of a lifetime.
I was sitting at camp cooling off with shirt and shoes off, I heard a hen cutting behind camp, then a gobble to the right of camp at the far end of a 5 acre field in the woods. Time 2:00PM. I quickly dressed and set up at the far end of the 5 acre field - I called - heard the hen and gobbler across the big field (I thought the gobbler had already gotten with the hen) - I called again and was greeted with a thundering gobble over a hump right behind me. I quickly crawled about 25 yards away from the hump so I could face the direction of the turkey. Just as I got situated against a small tree he appeared on a brushy hump - in full strut. The ordeal began - he strutted back and forth, back and forth - time goes by - he's only 25-30 yards and I can see him clearly, but can't shoot - too much brush. The afternoon sun shining on him is a sight to behold - oh for a video of this. I'm getting so tired it hurts. I can only move a little when he goes behind some trees. After 45 minutes a big hen walks right in front of his nose - I did some soft cutting thinking he would surely follow her - he watches her walk off, turns around and keeps strutting for my sexy hen decoy. He's been in full strut for 45 minutes. This same scene plays out for another 45 minutes (full strut) when he finally lets down and starts to make his way down to my decoy - it takes him 5 minutes to get 10 yards and a clear shot - at 3:40PM and 17 yards it's finally over. I'm happy for the patients and agony I endured for the harvest and at the same time a little sad and humble with a lot of respect for this Great Bird that I watched for an hour and a half. Thanks again for everything and I hope to talk to you about deer hunting this fall. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Roger W
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Jon/John/Shaun,
I've had some really great times the last 3 years turkey hunting - 6 birds in 3 years. I hope to draw a deer tag this fall and get on a big buck. A big thank you to all for your great service.
As a first year member of MAHA, I want to thank you and John Wenzel and Jennifer for all your help in getting me started. I was reluctant at first, but after talking to each of you on the phone a couple of times I knew I wanted to give it a shot. You and John answered many questions that I had and seemed to enjoy talking hunting with me.
You put me on a good piece of property and I really appreciate it and I had a great time! I harvested the 18# jake on the third day after passing on jakes earlier and close encounters with big toms. On the fourth day I harvested the big 24 1/2 #, 9 1/2 inch beard, 1 inch spur tom. This was an awesome hunt.
