manzano mountains turkey hunting

You put him right in my lap. He nods in a way that tells me this wasnt the first time hes delivered on that promise. Sure enough, as soon as I had put everything in the car and slammed the hatch, I heard a gobble. They only have a couple of months to reproduce, and they do the same things anywhere. Located on public land within Cibola National Forest. However, at the same time, I tend to cover more ground in trying to initially find those birds. I throw down the latch to the sound of all-too-familiar laughter. Embrace the mountain as you embrace each other. In retrospect, I probably should have waited to call until after hed flown down. Sound Travels Differently on Steep TerrainOne of the greatest lessons the mountain turkey hunter can learn is that hearing turkeys is different on steep terrain as opposed to flat. As I said, there are fewer turkeys on public land, and as a traveling hunter with limited time, I cant afford to waste any of it hunting where the turkeys aint. It got extremely windy, so I didnt stay to see if the turkeys roosted in the same area again. Generally considered a challenging route. Almost instantly, four jakes appear out of a thicket, gobbling, and catch a glimpse of Terry holding a fan in the air, slowly twisting it back and forth. Im not afraid to knock on a door, he says. Today, I hunted with an old friend and hunting partner, again in the Manzano Mountains east of Albuquerque. We took along the new decoy, which a friend of mine had named Bubbles. Alas, she saw no action today. the Manzanita and Manzano Mountains to the south. You can see Roybals call-making artistry by clicking here. Weddle takes a careful approach in the woods, striving to minimize his impact and avoid bumping birds. The area feels alive with wildlife, but the windy morning has us worried about silent toms. A Game Hunting License and either an Over-the-Counter Turkey tag or draw permit is required to legally take wild turkey in the state. Much of the bottom of David Canyon is a meadow. | This allows you to prepare for a shot at two different ranges. Its arc technology accounts for terrain angle, giving you true distance to target on uphill and downhill shots. Last year while the campground was closed, they changed the layout an. I tried to be quiet, but maybe he heard me? The Land Between the Lakes is a popular destination. The specific habitat types vary by wild turkey subspecies. Indiana: The Hoosier National Forest, DNR state forests, and reservoir properties in the southern portion of the state. Sportsman's License* (Includes combination hunting/fishing, statewide deer permit, spring and fall turkey permits, Kentucky migratory bird/waterfowl permit and trout permit.) Dont hunt next to the road. According to many historians, it is the best-preserved medieval town in Germany, having remained totally unscathed during the World Wars, except for a broken window in the gothic cathedral of St. George. Im not sure if he couldnt see the decoy, or if she just wasnt his type, or if I moved a tad too much. Published Jun 3, 2021 4:00 PM EDT. Through the pines, at 75 yards, I see him in full strut, and still coming. They wont even shut their engines or the radio off, and then theyll hoot or crow call and then drive off. I always try to put myself where I can basically hunt with my ears and cover as much ground as possible in the most efficient manner, typically using spine ridges or logging roads that make navigating through the timber easy, or maybe following a creek bottom, Owens says. It is common to be engaged in a duel with a gobbler and for reasons known only to the turkey, he simply will not come to your position. I wouldnt trade the more meager results I get on public land for any opportunity to hunt some private turkey zoo, even if I could afford it. We had hoped to give Bubbles, the new decoy, a chance to strut her stuff, but she had to leave without a date for the day. After a while, I heard something, and was surprised to see a hen not 30 yards away. But whats back at the hotel? Oregon: National forests and Bureau of Land Management properties. Hunters can also find turkeys in the Bear River Valley along the Bear River Corridor, as well as along the Wellsville Range from Deweyville to Willard and around Mantua. Regulations require that a spring harvested turkey be bearded. Whether you harvest your turkey in spring or fall, you may have questions about the turkey you shot. Page 605 of 606. Booking Window Camping Fri Mar 03 2023 - Sun Sep 03 2023. Manzano mountains, New Mexico, USA. Seeps provide turkeys with green forage, tubers, insects and aquatic invertebrates. We spend most of the day running and gunning with not much to show for it. These juveniles will not have leg spurs, so judging sex by the legs can produce flawed results. The over/under CZ Reaper Magnum is designed for the turkey woods. Checkin Time 4:00 PM. The subspecies distribution can be found here: New Mexico Turkey Subspecies Distribution Map. Im not sure what she was doing (maybe trying to rally the troops? The hunter tipped off his local game warden after tracking down the poached deer's gut pile deep in Idaho backcountry. Willow listening attentively for a gobbler to announce his presence. An Emory oak that I cannot see rakes my face when I walk right into it as we move uphill. Spend your days exploring the outdoors and enjoying all that nature has to offer. Alabama: Barbour, Choccolocco, Black Warrior, and James D. Martin-Skyline wildlife management areas. A clear turkey track in the Manzano Mountains, New Mexico. Wildlife viewing, birding, and photography are great activities at this park. The morning is about to come alive. This year, a friend let me in on their turkey hot spot, so I hunted it exclusively over the season. As luck would have it, after a few minutes some coyotes nearby started yipping, and the tom shut up. It can be easily adjusted for windage and elevation so youre dead on when the time comes to make the shot. He probably expected such a yappy, early-rising broad to come running into his gobbles. I got in the area even earlier, and snuck up to a high point near the roosting spot, setting up in a direction the turkey like to head in the mornings. So I slowly wandered through that high area south of the roosting spot, calling very sporadically, but didnt hear anything the rest of the morning. There was turkey sign, little poult droppings, and tracks all over this area. Learn More Echo Amphitheater We were still calling back and forth when I heard him fly down. It got quiet again. When the tom stepped out at 35 yards, I switched to the over barrel and smoked him. I could only see his tail fan and head above the scrub oak brush. This is just the price of admission; tighten up your boot laces, take off that jacket and go for ityou may be rewarded for your efforts, or you may not. Parent: Manzano Mountains 1567 miles away New Mexico, United States, North America davebobk47 Big Block, 5.7 - 5.12a Parent: Manzano Mountains 1568 miles away New Mexico, United States, North America davebobk47 Point 6860 Parent: Manzano Mountains 1 Saves 1573 miles away New Mexico, United States, North America Garon Coriz Mosca Peak A picnic area is also located on site. Observers in the Manzano Mountains of New Mexico counted 4,248 migrant raptors of 17 species in the fall of 2012. Also, the state has secured access agreements on private land: myodfw.com/articles/hunting-private-lands-access-habitat-program. I dont really see any difference in public-land turkeys versus private-land birds, just as I see little difference in how the various subspecies act, says Weddle, who has authored two turkey hunting books. Jeff Budz, of Okeechobee, Florida, owner of Tag It Worldwide guide service, myodfw.com/articles/hunting-private-lands-access-habitat-program. - 3,855 Deeded Acres - 640 Acres State Lease - Quail, Dove and Deer Hunting - 2 Springs - 4 Windmills - Nice House - Steel Corrals Call for Price and More Information. Wild turkeys own the keenest sight and hearing. Its bright enough that the bill of her camouflage cap casts a shadow over her eyes in this pre-dawn dark. I didnt hear or see any hens, either. And generally, the private property will have far fewer hunters to compete against. However, those folks would also tell you that chasing turkeys on public dirt often requires a different mindset and some innovative approaches. Check regulations for 2021. RALEIGH, N.C. (March 18, 2021) - Wild turkey hunting season opens in North Carolina on April 3. Public-land turkey guru Dave Owens with a great spring tom. So it's obviously an opportune time for them to blame the virus on China. He had been in the area the day before, and heard two toms gobbling. Wild turkeys are extremely . Posted by callsofthewild on May 3, 2013. https://callsofthewild . It is lightweight, breathable, and secure to make sure you are comfortable and ready to go in the field. As Matt opens a wire fence, I catch a glimpse of elk skirting across a bottom to flee the lights of the truck. Fish and Wildlife Service. Further, the greatest public grounds Ive ever hunted pale in comparison to the greatest of private grounds. The decoy is 25 yards out, and just behind it is a small drainage with pines and brush. As wary as they may be and as difficult as mountain turkeys are to hunt, they are not invulnerable. N, 106 deg. The Gallinas Mountains are located in both Torrance and Lincoln Counties. Try to cover a lot of ground during that 30- to 40-minute window when the turkeys first start gobbling before they fly down and the gobbling might cease. Although the day was supposed to be calm and clear, the wind had started to pick up, so we decided to climb a bit higher in hopes of being heard, or of hearing something from a neighboring valley. Thats no joke. If Im not in the woods hunting, Im driving and scouting.. Your rifle is your most important hunting tool, and knowing how to properly clean and store it when hunting season comes to a close is critical in keeping it in tip-top shape. The historical town of Dinkelsbhl is located in Central Franconia on the northern stretch of the Romantic Road. And I have some new hunting buddies who cant wait to tell you all about it. The birds gobble constantly the whole time. This sub-species occurs in the Animas and Peloncillo mountain ranges and the intervening Animas Valley in southern Hidalgo County, New Mexico. Ive never hunted with a red dot before this trip, and I may never chase turkeys again without one. You have to move in these situations, and the topography may actually work to your advantage. But this is big country, and chances are you'll find turkeys ranging anywhere from the valley floors all the way up to 4,200 feet come spring. North Carolina: North Carolina game lands throughout the state. Iowa: Iowa Hunter Access Program hunting areas. Easily find ranches for sale at RANCHFLIP.com. Tom Doc Weddle, of Bloomington, Indiana, agrees. The blind shielded me from the water, but there was a couple of big trees and some brush screening me from behind, so I kept an eye out for anything coming down one of the game trails. He may have been on to us, or perhaps the rising winds drowned out our calls, or perhaps his replies. Here are some tips that will help you with these denizens of the high country. We ended up climbing much higher than we anticipated, but were rewarded with some fabulous views before having to scramble back down through the dry brush. After hiking in well before dawn, I waited and listened. To reach the trailhead, take FR 245 to New Canyon Campground. Within seconds of stepping out of the truck, a group of gobblers sound off to an overhead crow. So far, our crew has counted 453 individuals of 18 different species, meaning there are lots more birds coming their way! Hawk watch operates daily from 9-5, August 27 through November 5. RM CYKGYT - Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway at Sandia Peak in the Cibola National Forest at Albuquerque, New Mexico. Level ground can be almost nonexistent in some areas, and when you get out of the truck, that old gremlin known as gravity climbs on your back and whispers in your ear, How bad do you want to get to this turkey? Setting up on a gobbling turkey in the mountains usually entails a gut-wrenching uphill climb. Centrally located, this peaceful, secluded park in the Ponderosa pine forest of the Manzano Mountains will relax and invigorate you. Important information - watch the whole video as campground site numbers have changed. What this means is that youre far more likely on public land to have someone else mess up your chances of killing a bird thats working to your call. Fooling a tom turkey is not as easy as you might think. Your email address will not be published. Turkey hunters from coast to coast have come to embrace a new craze: hunting public land for spring gobblers. Posts: 75,341. $ 1,654,400. Here's his full story. Corps of Engineers lands offer season-long hunting with decent numbers of birds. Teddy Roosevelt harvested his own food. I dont think I spooked him, because he was still gobbling. But in the rolling hills of Eastern Montana, a gobbler may appear further than you think. Yet another beautiful, relatively uncrowded area of New Mexico. It wraps around to our right and leads to a big openinga perfect place for the tom to cross. It was completely quiet until the sun was well up, then a couple of hens started yelping. Thats how the beautiful light feels falling on my teenage daughter, Willow. by Craig Springer | May 2, 2017 | BIRD HUNTING | 0 comments. Late in the morning, we strike a group of birds, and Terry decides to get real aggressive with them. In recent years, New Mexico has completed several translocations of Goulds turkeys from Arizona. Also, the Gila, Santa Fe, and Carson national forests, and the Smokey Bear and Sacramento ranger districts in the Lincoln National Forest, support decent turkey populations. Access. Hunting mountain Merriam's is hard and unpredictable work (as all hunting should be), but also incredibly exciting and rewarding. A second release was made in 1955 when 18 turkeys from Wyoming were released into the Long Pines area of southeastern Montana. Matt wants to hold off for a tom, so we have some fun as the fired-up birds come to 8 yards acting all tough. After graduation, he returned to freelancing for various outdoor publications before landing his dream gig as an editor for Field & Stream in 2021. Im much more cautious when hunting public property because I cant risk messing up what few opportunities I might get to kill a bird there, he says. Matt looks at me and says, youre up first tomorrow.. The Manzano Mountains are located primarily in Torrance County with a small section on the west side of the mountain located in Valencia County. Males will have black-tipped breast feathers, Females have buff-tipped breast feathers. In rare cases, wild whitetails can live for 20 years or more. Georgia: Cohutta and Crockford-Pigeon Mountain wildlife management areas had high harvests and good hunter success rates in 2019. State forests and wildlife management areas provide good opportunities. Wyoming: The Black Hills in Hunt Area 1. Full disclosureExperts agree that turkeys on public ground are generally tougher to kill than their private-land cousins. This includes West Virginia, Pennsylvania, east Tennessee, east Kentucky, north Georgia and western Virginia. OK, he went into full strut. Wildlife viewing, birding, and photography are great activities at this park. First day turkey hunting, and this was pretty much the only shot I took. Brush your hand against the breast feathers to find new growth. Prepare for Your Visit Recreation Sites A turkey is a turkey, no matter where you find him. Weddle said the effort is more than worthwhile. You'll pass small farming villages that date back to the Spanish Land Grants. Naturally, the guys give me a hard time back in the truck and go on to tell stories about other idiots whove closed the fence on the wrong side before. Box calls, slate calls, wooden peg yelpers, gobblersnothing provoked a response. 3. Turkeys are ground nesters, and will scratch a shallow depression on the ground to use as a nest site. Likewise, a small ridge in front of you may have a turkey on the other side of it gobbling his brains out and you cant hear it. Hes been a writer and editor in the outdoors industry for more than 30 years, specializing in turkey and waterfowl hunting, and also covering deer, small game, fishing, and shooting. 1. Later that morning, there was also some incessant yelping along a nearby road. The end of August to the beginning of November marks the migration season for raptors such as the sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper's hawk, red-tailed hawk, and turkey vulture, which keep watch for small prey from the . One more consideration: Ultimately, youll probably encounter other hunters on public property. He wasnt close but wasnt that far either, and was definitely coming in. 19.793 min. Once the excitement died down, I waited for a half hour or so before calling again, but got no response. Bubbles the decoy is about 15 yards away. The turkey liked to travel up this ravine after flying down off the roost. Washington: Hunters should check out wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/locations. Contributor Brad Fenson takes to the grill, to cook up some delicious venison burgers. I watch their silhouettes fade in the morning light as they stot off. Rio Grande wild turkeys are found in river valleys in New Mexico. In 1954, department biologists introduced 13 Colorado birds into the Judith Mountains of central Montana. Alluring views from this vacation, retirement horse property in Deer Canyon Preserve, New Mexico, located in the red rocks of the Manzano Mountains just 60 minutes southeast of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Manzano Mountain Wilderness Introduction The United States Congress designated the Manzano Mountain Wilderness ( map) in 1978 and it now has a total of 36,764 acres. Weddle takes a patient, deliberate approach when yelping at public birds. Take NM 337 south through the pinon and juniper-dotted hills of the Manzanos. Virginia: Big Woods, Cavalier, Clinch Mountain, Dick Cross, Gathright, Goshen/Little North Mountain, Thompson, Phelps, Turkeycock, and Fairystone WMAs. Phone: 505-847-2990 Fax: 505-847-2238 The Mountainair Ranger District is made up of the Gallinas and Manzano Mountains. Theyre going to act and conduct themselves in the same way, he says. As I shut my eyes in disbelief, I know that I just locked myself on the wrong side of the gateagain. We roll down the driveway of Trophy West Outfitters in pitch dark and drive 40 miles to the property that everyone was crowing about last night. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. He seeks spots other people will probably avoid or even asks private landowners if he can cross through their property to access public land. When U.S. Army topographer Lt. James Abert skirted these mountains in 1847, making a map for the newly arrived military, he was among the first English speakers to pass this way. Just $1 per month , The countrys public lands are chock-full of gobblers but they arent easy to kill. There are pockets everywhere for the turkey hunter with more calls and gear than he needswhich is most turkey hunters. ; ; ; The toms shut up as soon as that yelping started. Connecticut: Cockaponset State Forest, which covers more than 16,000 acres, with a variety of smaller parcels some hunters might overlook. The shark was given the nickname "Godzilla Shark" when it was first discovered in 2013 via fossils found in the Manzano Mountains in New Mexico. Folks often dont mind you crossing their property as long as youre not hunting their property.. As Theodore Roosevelt said, "The wild turkey really deserves a place beside the deer [and elk]; to kill a wary old gobbler by fair still-hunting, is a triumph for the best sportsman." Willow Springer and Gary Roybal on an unforgettable turkey hunt in New Mexico. Wildlife viewing, birding and photography along the many trails are great activities at this park. No matter where he huntsunpressured spots or hard-hunted areasOwens arrives well before daylight and gets in position to hear turkeys and have his calling be heard when birds begin gobbling. Maximum Vehicle Length 52. H rH+rS$g`*UCt @ endstream endobj startxref 0 %%EOF 124 0 obj <>stream The Manzano region of Cibola National Forest also fosters a critical wildlife mission: the Manzano Mountains Raptor Migration Project. Nests are often located in dense vegetation consisting of grass, fallen leaves, shrubs, or at the base of a tree. Your email address will not be published. Kansas: The state has more than 759,000 acres of public access during spring turkey season, including more than 328,000 acres through the Walk-In Hunting Access Program in 2021. manzano mountains turkey hunting. Theres an old adage that describes my overall strategy well: Its far easier to call in a turkey to where he wants to go rather than to where you want him to die.. Turkeys are often found in forested areas interspersed with edges and fields. Were back the following day at the same spot, and its Matts turn. Maximum Number of People 7. Time with my friend Gary and my daughter, who is growing up way too fast, is time to be treasured. Nestled in the wooded foothills of the Manzanos, this park provides a quiet retreat and is a nice family get-away. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. This is an ancient endeavor, and there's a moral message to be discovered in harvesting your own local, free-range organic food. Before dawn, I crept up to the roosting spot, in hopes of catching the turkeys after flydown. An abundance of wildlife roam the Manzano Mountains. manzano mountains turkey hunting INTRO OFFER!!! It was about 8:30 by then, and I needed to head back to work, so I packed up and slowly snuck out. Of course, some people might wonder whether hunting public land is worth the extra difficulty. Every Rocky Mountain bighorn in the state is descended from those original Banff transplants. If everybody respects the land and takes care of the land as well as respecting each other, it can be wonderful, he adds. The Manzano region of Cibola National Forest also fosters a critical wildlife mission: the Manzano Mountains Raptor Migration Project. Get away for a weekend, or make us a stop on your road trip. Ohio: The recently acquired Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area and the Jesse Owens Wildlife Area and State Park in eastern Ohio make up the states largest contiguous area of public access. But the tom started gobbling in the darkness. The Manzano Forest Reserve was a short-lived name; reserve soon became national forest. In 1931, several forests in the middle of New Mexico were consolidated into todays Cibola National Forest. Wild turkeys are an increasingly frequent sight across the Treasure State, ranging from the Flathead's pine forests to Fallon's river bottom breaks. The upper valley near Frances, Lebam, Holcomb and Menlo is rumored to hold turkeys, as is the land west of the Wynoochee River. The bespectacled man was an ardent outdoorsman, a naturalist, and prodigious writer on all matters, including conservation. We had hoped to give Bubbles, the new decoy, a chance to strut her stuff, but she had to leave without a date for the day. Manzano Mountains State Park is an excellent destination for hiking and camping. Wisconsin: The state has more than 7 million acres of public land, including state and federal properties. We saw and heard nothing, but a day in the wilderness is still a day well spent. Almost everywhere in New Mexico is dry right now, including the Manzano Mountains east of Albuquerque. The area has panoramic views, plenty of wildlife, and fantastic outdoor recreation such as hunting, hiking and biking. We cant complain though, since we were among the weekend warriors. They thought of everything when designing this vest. Activities and Amenities Directions Contact Information Additional Information There are no water hook-ups at campsites. In setting up on a gobbling tom, I think good positioning is half the battle won, so Im going to be much more selective in finding a location that feels right before I ever make my first call, says Weddle. We ended up climbing much higher than we anticipated, but were rewarded with some fabulous views before having to scramble back down through the dry brush. Here are the National Wild Turkey Federations guidelines for estimating your male spring turkeys age. Im among the first humans to walk into this forestor so it feels. Required fields are marked *. Manzano Peak at 10,098 feet is the mountains' highest elevation point. New Mexico currently allows two special permits for a Goulds harvest each year. When youre fatigued, your perseverance is going to fall off because you just dont have it in you. Hunters are limited to two turkeys for the season, only one of which may be taken during the youth season. Between about 9:30 and 1:30 I set up at the edge of a meadow, but didnt see or hear anything. Visit my Facebook and Instagram pages for some great pictures of the property! Ryan Chelius Not many. I cover lots of ground to find birds, and you cant do that if youre huffing and puffing after climbing one gentle slope, says Weddle. A clear turkey track in the Manzano Mountains, New Mexico. The hunter can listen from a position on top of the ridge, but a turkey only a short distance down a steep slope may not be heard. I do this with gentle calling, and more often than not, answering at the tail end of his gobbles instead of calling to get an answer. She kept yelping, but no toms were answering, so I decided to yelp back at her, see if any toms would chime in. Its two birds in two days for the ace high and seven of spades. At the same time, I pay close attention to the toms behavior and where he tells me he wants to be, and if needed, Ill reposition in trying to up my odds. Males will be black-tipped spooked podcast robert the doll; I try to read the turkeys attitude and do the same thing.. Successful applicants must purchase an over-the-counter (OTC) turkey license with tags unless the E-Tag option is chosen. We listen intently for the tell-tale sounds of a tom. Having a comfortable and light gun sling is crucial when covering big tracks of land. woman jumps off carquinez bridge 2021 manzano mountains turkey hunting. Dont be one of these typical knuckleheads. Pets Allowed Y. I wait for the tom to come out of full strut, and he drops at the sound of the shot. Also, there are some public opportunities on national forest land south of Douglas in Hunt Area 2. I expect gobbles all around as we step out of the truck to listen, and the initial silencesave for the constant whoosh sweeping over across the prairie and through the scattered pineshas me instantly, and unreasonably, down on our prospects.