On the Porch with Dirk: Turkey Etiquette

Sports

March 20, 2013

On the Porch with Dirk: Turkey Etiquette

By Dirk Thayer The Star Herald The Star Herald Wed Mar 20, 2013, 12:17 PM CDT

KOSCIUSKO — Well, I am three days into the new season and haven't heard a gobble, and I’ve seen very little sign.

I did hear one lone-hen fly down from the roost not 20-yards from me while screaming her fly-down cackle but not saying a word after she hit the ground. As far as I could tell she was by herself, which is kind of unusual this early in the season.

My son and one of his hunting partners covered at least three counties and a lot of acreage, having the same dismal outcome that I have had.

Not all is doom and gloom around this area as I have heard of several leaving the woods with ‘bird in hand’ and not ‘left in the bush’.

Herbert Dew and his two boys have done exceptionally well, both boys have taken birds.

I am proud for them as it takes me back many years ago when my boys were still at home.

This time of the year was always busy with baseball, planting a garden and dividing the time with turkey hunting.

I miss those times, but as we get older things change and we must evolve. Then here come the grandchildren.

My wife and mother-in-law went to a baby shower yesterday for the newest grandbaby on the way this spring or early summer.

So I am sure there will be new memories to be made and I am looking forward to it.

This brings me to what I originally wanted to write this weeks article about- "Turkey Hunting Etiquette".

It seems to be a lost art and I blame the commercialization of turkey hunting with all of the gear on the market from calls, decoys and hunting videos to television hunting shows.

Some of this has been good and some not so good.

Boys, remember a lot of this is done to sell a product to make money. They may have a month's worth of time involved in making thirty minutes worth of several quick kills on video.

It doesn't happen that way in real life.

There will be many a sore buttocks, muscles and frustration in the turkey woods this year as in years past.

It is just a fact "Jack" as old Si would say on Duck Dynasty.

There are many in the hunting industry that mean well and will pass on good hunting etiquette.

But remember their main goal is to make a dollar and they don't last long in the business if their product doesn't sell.

I say all of this to make a point.

Are we really sending young hunters the right message?

I have noticed a trend of--"I want it and I want it right now".

No matter what it takes like trespassing, coming in on top of another hunter after knowing he got here fair and square ahead of you or calling loud and every step on a wide-open logging road knowing any turkey on the roost is going to see and hear your movement no matter how much camouflage you have on.

I could go on and on but perhaps many have not been taught any better which brings me back to the Dew crew.

I like seeing a father teaching his sons the proper turkey hunting etiquette as this far outweighs any hunting show or video and will reap benefits for generations.

Good woodsmanship is key in any hunting situation, but it’s probably most important in chasing this grand bird.

Please don't get me wrong, I am not down on the hunting industry as I use a lot of gear sometimes myself.

I'm just saying that nothing beats the mentorship of a father, granddad, uncle or just a good friend teaching young people proper hunting etiquette, stewardship and respect for the game and others.

Well I have preached long enough.

May your beards be long and your spurs sharp. Mentor a young person along the way.

The benefits will far outweigh the time spent and you will be glad you did. I’ve got to get up and move, my old turkey hunting bones are screaming after three days of hard hunting.

I reckon that is why they call it turkey hunting and not a turkey shoot.

On the Porch with Dirk is a recurring article written by Dirk Thayer, an avid outdoorsman and storyteller.

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