The Art of Patience: Lessons Learned from Turkey Hunting
Turkeys Or Crappie: The Ultimate Decision
I have been hunting turkeys for over 40 years, sometimes not at all, sometimes persistently, and sometimes as a professional guide in South Texas, so I am qualified to share some turkey hunting tips for beginners. I sometimes have to decide whether to fish for crappie during the springtime spawn or hunt turkeys, as both happen simultaneously. However, I decided to fish this spring and give the birds peace. But at the request of pro staffer Lee Lawson, who shot his first turkey with me 30 years ago, I found myself on my way to Sinton, Texas, to try and fill a tag.
Trip To Stinton, Texas
The weather had turned cold and wet as it often does during spring turkey hunting season every year. But with the front moving steadily east, the promise of sunshine and warm weather kept us hopeful for good gobbling weather. After arriving in Sinton, we opted for some great Mexican Food at Rancheros in Refugio, after getting guns and gear ready, we got in bed early, knowing the 4:30 alarm would be coming.
Navigating at Night and Setting Up Before Dawn
The following day was as we had anticipated: stars shining and soon to be sunny. With a known roost on the property, we decided to set up as close to it as possible, requiring us to do something I would only do with quality night vision: sneak through the Texas brush at night, think rattlesnakes, big western diamondbacks. After walking across one sendero in the moonlight far enough away from the birds that we would hopefully not be seen, Lee turned on his PVS-14 Monocular, the best gear for turkey hunting in South Texas during nighttime, and we entered the brush, picking our way slowly through the cactus and horse thorns, watching closely for snakes.
Early Encounter And Roosting Birds
We found our way to another Sendero just 100 yards from the roost. The previous week, both Lee and his daughter Emily had killed a pair of Longbeards from this exact location and had another mature gobbler on camera. and he was the target bird named Short Beard, due to beard rot, which is caused by a vitamin or melanin deficiency causing the bottom of a turkey’s beard to dry and break off. He was shown on camera daily from 8:00 to 9:00 and again later in the afternoon.
The morning broke clear, and just a little before sunrise, the roost came to life with 25 or more birds talking to each other before flying down, the hen’s tree calling, Jakes chirping, and gobblers, booming a chorus that I will not forget. About fifteen minutes later, a sight that turkey hunters rarely see occurred when the roosting birds pitched in front of us, some as close as six feet. With that many Turkey eyes looking for danger, they can still pick you out no matter what you do or how well you are camouflaged. And as luck would have it, that hen at 6 feet, after peering intently at me, decided that things were just not quite right and gave the putt putt putt to the flock and walked north with the rest of the flock in tow.
Awaiting The Short Beard Gobbler
They stopped at about 70 yards, shook off the possibility of danger, and began feeding, the Jakes forming one band and hens by themselves, loosely forming their group. The Jakes began squabbling to establish a pecking order or who would be boss for a day. Three of the largest Jakes came back, and we decided not to take one and to wait for the short beard gobbler that had been showing up regularly. We waited while the flock fed north and disappeared. Eight o’clock came, and he was a no-show. We continued to wait, staying in one location, avoiding the urge to play the run-and-gun game, which, at age 67, I was grateful for, not that I couldn’t, just not my preference.
Sudden Appearance And Final Shot
Ten o’clock came, and having sat in a turkey chair and gone through a whole bunch of blogs on preparing wild turkey recipes for five hours, I was getting a little sore in all the wrong places. Deciding to give it another little while, we waited, and eleven o’clock came, at which point we began to discuss plans for the afternoon hunt. After deciding to hunt the same place, we cut some more brush for the blind, gathered our gear and started walking back to get the ATV. I had gone only fifty yards when I heard a gobble from the direction the birds had gone and turned around to see Lee motioning for me to come back, so after a short dash, I crawled back in the blind and my chair and got as comfortable as I could when the bird sounded off again he was closer. When Lee called again, he immediately answered, so we just stopped calling, knowing that he knew exactly where the call came from.
About 15 minutes later, he appeared like a ghost 60 yards away at the opposite edge of the Sendero, looking for company. After seeing nothing, he melted into the brush and headed for a small creek bottom. We waited and then called again. His immediate answer told me he was interested and alone, both good signs. I whispered to Lee to just purr softly. When he did, the bird answered again, and minutes later, he was standing thirty yards away in full strut but behind a big mesquite limb, which I could not shoot through. When he came out of his performance, I knew he would either turn right towards a brush line leading back into the creek bottom or turn left and walk in front of us. Years of hunting came into play as I moved my gun to the right where I thought the Gobbler would go. I found one small opening about 2 feet across to shoot through. It was a good guess the bird came out of strut, and still not finding any cooperative company the bird headed for the safety of the creek bottom. When he crossed into the opening, the ounce and 7/8 of copper 5’s ended his days in a shower of feathers. He turned out to be an old bird and, at over twenty pounds, a big bird.
Unexpected Western Diamondback Encounter
We gathered our gear after celebratory handshakes and backslaps, and Lee walked back to get the ATV. You might think the hunt ends here, but it did not. As Lee drove back to pick me up, he passed by the exact spot where we walked into the brush in the dark, and there lay a very large and active western diamondback, which he quickly dispatched since we had just walked there and the thought of being envenomated by a strong neurotoxin had made the hair on the back of our necks stand up.
Cooking The Snake And Final Words
We decided to skin the snake and fry the meat. Yes, you can eat them, and since this website is also about dining on wild game, I will. There are many ways to cook them, but mine will be fried and served with cream gravy. Along with night vision, snake boots are an absolute must in south Texas and anywhere in the south, for that matter.
Texas Outfitters and Suggestions for Hunting Turkey
With a large population of Rio Grande Turkeys, Texas is a great destination, with many outfitters offering everything from classy accommodations, fully guided hunts, and fine dining to simple camps and drop-off hunts. Two of note Riojas outfitters in Beeville Hector Riojas can be found by calling 361-319-9197 or Texas Elite Outfitters at 979-587-1024 / 281-924-9720. If you’re up for an adventure, grab your gear and go. Just remember that having a Monocular for hunting with night vision Texas and snake boots will afford you some peace of mind.
HI, I'm JOHN HARDY
Hi, I’m John Hardy, a lifelong outdoorsman, fisherman, hunter, and cook. This site shares my extensive experience in the field, on the water, and in the kitchen, along with insights from our expert Pro Staff. Explore our proven tips and tools for outdoor adventures and culinary success.
