Montana 2021 (updated 5/14)

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Hobbes_mobile
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Montana 2021 (updated 5/14)

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

I'll probably add to this single thread as the season progresses.

I hunted with John during this MT opening weekend. John is from Washington and better known as Northwest Spur Chaser on Instagram and YouTube. I don't typically get to hunt with folks that know Merriam's turkeys as well as John. We set up camp and did some scouting on Friday evening since this is a new place for both of us.
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Opening day of MT turkey was miserable in the afternoon but wasn't too bad in the morning. At around 10 AM we had a bird that seemed like was going to do it after he cut the distance between us, but another hunter tried to sneak in on the bird while calling to them. He busted them out and that was that. The rest of the day was spent hiking and calling in high wind and snow. We did an 8.5 mile loop with nothing but sore feet to show for it.
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Day 2 was a better day. It started really cold for turkey hunting. It was 19 degrees when I crawled out of the bed of the truck at 4:30 AM but it was clear skies and no wind.

We found a bird at around 7:30 and John had him strutting at 15 to 20 yards by 7:45. I ran John's video camera and thought I did a pretty good job of capturing the action. Although, I jumped at the shot and the camera went a little squirrelly on me. :). He'll eventually air it on the Northwest Spur Chaser channel.

John has killed a pile of birds in WA and ID but this was his first MT bird.
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We hunted until around 1:30 and got one bird to gobble a couple times but couldn't get him located or any more gobbles from him. I packed up and made my way home afterwards and left John in charge of the gobblers for another day or so.
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I'll be back after them with my youngest son on Friday then my oldest on Saturday. I'm supposed to do a three day hunt with my pastor from Sunday evening through Wednesday morning next week if the weather is good.
Last edited by Hobbes_mobile on May 15th, 2021, 12:57 am, edited 5 times in total.
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Hognutz
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Hognutz »

Way to go, Shane. Always great to hear your stories and the pics are exceptional, as always. Good luck on the weekend! You can't go wrong hunting with your son and your Pastor..
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
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JodyPenny
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by JodyPenny »

Beautiful land out there. Congrats on the bird. Nice one for sure.


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Hobbes_mobile
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

John waisted no time finishing off his second Montana tag. I knew I left those birds in good hands. It sounds like it could have been a double if I'd stayed and I'd really be a YouTube star. 😁
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Swampstalk
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Swampstalk »

But Shane, those don't look like Cypress! As always, amazing pictures and congrats to John on his birds! Good luck with your sons and the Padre!
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Hobbes_mobile
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

Swampstalk wrote: April 12th, 2021, 2:27 pm But Shane, those don't look like Cypress! As always, amazing pictures and congrats to John on his birds! Good luck with your sons and the Padre!
Definitely no cypress here.
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joey46
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by joey46 »

Looking good! Congrats and good luck.
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by jhogue »

Looking for more after this weekend! Looks like you are off to a good start even though you haven’t pulled the trigger yet.


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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Hoobilly »

That’s is really cool! Hope the weather stays reasonable for my trip out west!
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OLE RASPY
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by OLE RASPY »

Congrats to him Hobbes. Another fine set of pics you do. I’ll be looking for it on the tube.
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Hobbes_mobile
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

I did a little scouting this evening. I had my granddaughter so it wasn't anything too serious. I found a little turkey sign and spotted a couple hens. In addition to that we saw a brown phase black bear. It was walking down the road when I first spotted it but bolted into the brush when it saw me. I stopped when I got to where it bolted and it wasn't more than about 75 yards running up hill. Season actually started today and I have a license, but I don't particularly want to bail out of my truck and shoot one even if I'd had a rifle on me.

The bear wasn't especially big but I've seen smaller. It stood up on it's hind legs to look at me coming up behind it on the road. It looked like it needed a good brushing. It had lots of extra fluffy hair.
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A couple hens pecking around a campsite. One of them was really dark.
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Hobbes_mobile
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

It's been a long week waiting for Boyd's first day out. We worked a bird with hens early for an hour before he drifted away and someone cut us off from following. We found this bird at 8:30 and had him killed by 8:50. He was one good looking bird sneaking in through the sun. I'm not sure I've seen one's head look any brighter.
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Hobbes_mobile
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

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Hognutz
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Hognutz »

Outstanding! Congrats to both you guys!
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
jsh909
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by jsh909 »

Awesome job bud!
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joey46
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by joey46 »

great job.
No snow? Seeing where Denver just got several inches.
Hobbes_mobile
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

joey46 wrote: April 16th, 2021, 7:27 pm great job.
No snow? Seeing where Denver just got several inches.
No snow left in this area, but I may end up in some tomorrow with Isaac if necessary
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Swampstalk »

Outstanding Shane! Beautiful bird and love the scenery with your granddaughter!
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by soiltester »

What a great start to your turkey season and your guide's helper, well that's priceless :thumbup: :cheers:
ever wonder where the white goes when the snow melts??
Hobbes_mobile
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

We were on a group of birds at daylight that sounded like a few jakes and a tom with hens but they gobbled too much and someone else moved in on us again. This year is the most interference I've had in Montana. We backed out then ran by and grabbed more coffee and a little food before heading into some new stuff higher in the mountains. It paid off at 9:30. This guy strutted, drummed, and gobbled his way in for Isaac's first hunt of 2021.
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Hognutz
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Hognutz »

Nicely done! Congrats to you guys!
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
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soiltester
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by soiltester »

Hobbes, ya, got the jump on all the other hunter's by knowing the lay of the land :thumbup:
What a dandy of a gobbler and a great hunt you've both had :cheers:
ever wonder where the white goes when the snow melts??
Hobbes_mobile
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

soiltester wrote: April 17th, 2021, 8:44 pm Hobbes, ya, got the jump on all the other hunter's by knowing the lay of the land :thumbup:
What a dandy of a gobbler and a great hunt you've both had :cheers:
This was a completely new spot. I'd never been down this trail but saw a tom on the side of the road in the area last year. I don't forget those spots. We decided to hike up the trail and found a turkey feather in the trail 200 yards from the truck. We decided to cross a little field before calling. "just in case".

The bird double gobbled on the first series of yelps but was far enough that we weren't sure we heard right. We hustled forward on the trail 50 yards and yelped again. There was no guessing that time. We sat down right there looking straight uphill. Isaac could see him coming on my next series of yelps. It probably took 10 or 15 minutes max. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't call a Merriam's down a hill/mountain. :compress:
deerhunt1988
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by deerhunt1988 »

As the western YouTubers start pimping turkey hunting more and more, interference is going to continue to increase out west. Ive noticed several popular channels have now jumped on the turkey bandwagon to get those views and likes.. Sucks watching what is happening to our sport.
Hobbes_mobile
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Re: Montana 2021

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

I hate snow in turkey season.
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