Of all the birds we hunt, I think the wild turkey is the most under-utilized when it comes to enjoying all the body parts. Many hunters will “breast” the bird, cutting off only the breast and discarding the rest. To me, that’s a cardinal sin, but that’s just me. I must have a weird chromosome, because I see every gram of wild meat, whether it’s on a dove, moose, or fish, as a precious piece of flesh that should be enjoyed at the table. And, I should mention that each state has rules regarding the edible portions of wild game. You could be in violation of the law if you toss the turkey carcass after removing the breasts.
Some years ago I was invited on a crossbow Oeceola turkey hunt in south Florida by Ralph and Vickie Cianciarulo. I'd hunted the Osceola subspecies before, but hunting with Ralph and Vickie was a treat. They host a popular TV hunting show, and are my favorite outdoor couple. The crossbow hunt was a first for me, and this was shaping up to be a great adventure. As soon as I arrived, I practiced with a 10 Point crossbow, and was amazed at the accuracy. It took just a few shots to develop confidence with this unique and unfamiliar hunting tool.
Wanna laugh? Shake your head in disbelief? With the 2016 spring turkey season over in most states, and still open in a few, I thought I'd offer a few funny stories of my past hunts.
One of the perks of my career was hunting with the best of the best. As Hunting Editor of Outdoor Life, that was my job-- to seek out the experts and write about their techniques and strategies. I learned much along the way. There were failures as well as successes; each incident added to my store of knowledge.
Want to start an argument among turkey hunters, or get a lively discussion going? Then announce to your group that you plan on shooting a jake if one comes along. In most instances, that's guaranteed to cause some consternation and gnashing of teeth among some of your hunting pals.
Spring turkey season here in northwest Wyoming is winding down, and I'm not a happy camper. I had high hopes of causing the demise of one of the gobblers that attacked me in my driveway last year. Evidently that will not happen.