It's Turkey Time With A Twist

Home > It’s Turkey Time With A Twist

Last weekend, the CA fall turkey season slipped in with barely a warning. Fall season is an either-sex hunt, and while there are some calling strategies, you don’t really get that heart pounding excitement of the springtime call and response. Still, there’s a lot to be said about putting a wild bird on the Thanksgiving table.

Usually, I’m too busy guiding mule deer, shooting ducks, or chasing hogs to worry too much about fall turkey season, but this year I’ve got a reason to be a little more excited. I’ve been shooting this Benjamin Marauder a lot, and it is dialed in and ready to rock! In CA, turkey can be taken with airguns of .20 caliber or better, and this .25cal Marauder has proven it has what it takes to be a thunder chicken killing machine.

I’ve got it dead-nuts at 40 yards, and with the CenterPoint scope cranked up and a couple of dots of holdover, it will consistently hit within a six-inch circle out to 88 yards (as far as I’ve tried so far). Not that I want to shoot turkeys at that kind of range, but I figure any turkey that will stand still between 40 yards and touching distance is going to be in trouble.

Hopefully, I’ll be following this post up with some pictures of myself and this guy (or one of his brothers) within the next week or so.

J.R. Young

Posted November 15, 2011 at 9:05 AM

Sweet, I was wondering if you’d take that thing out. I was out this past weekend east of Lodi and never got close to any birds. I’m headed back out on Monday or Tuesday to see if I can seal the deal for Thanksgiving.


Phillip Loughlin

Posted November 15, 2011 at 9:37 AM

Hey JR.

I’ve got a pretty sweet arrangement with some private land very near here, but it’s been a challenge to find the right time to get out there. This weekend was initially the plan, but that didn’t happen like I had in mind. Didn’t make it out at all on Saturday, and I missed an opportunity on Sunday by a matter of minutes. By the time I got ready the birds moved off of the property. All I could do was sit and watch as they meandered around, feeding and doing their turkey things just over the fence. That’s when I took the photo in this post.

I know pretty much where they’ll be and when they’ll be there… just got to get my own pattern a little more under control.

Posted November 15, 2011 at 10:41 AM

It was a pretty slow day for birds on Sunday, spotted three but we got busted, then later saw two tom sprinting away as they were being chased by a ‘yote.

My friend just called me as he just drove onto the ranch to get some work done. 45 birds between three flock all within 200yds of the gate.

Hopefully they hang around over the weekend.


Phillip Loughlin

Posted November 15, 2011 at 11:08 AM

I look forward to hearing how it all plays out for you, JR. I haven’t had a Hog Blog reader picture and story for the site in a while.

Posted November 15, 2011 at 11:19 AM

Well hopefully it works out that my wife gets a bird. It will be her first success in hunting since getting her license last year.

Galen Geer

Posted November 15, 2011 at 11:20 PM

Hey, I look forward to your success. Years ago Colorado would still allow hunters to take fall turkey with a rifle and my favorite was a .22 mag rimfire. I had it fitted with a good scope and a bipod and did kill a couple of turkeys before the state banned the use of a rifle. Good luck. glg


Phillip Loughlin

Posted November 16, 2011 at 5:00 AM

Galen, in Texas they can still use rifles, and I always wanted to try one with my .17hmr. I carried it down there last year for my spring hunt, but never had time to chase turkeys. Here in CA it’s funny. I can use a bow, pellet gun, or shotgun, but neither a rimfire nor centerfire firearm. I guess I can see some safety considerations there, but it still seems odd.

Will

Posted November 17, 2011 at 12:03 PM

That looks like fun. Might have to look into turkey hunting in California in the near future.

It’s Turkey Time With A Twist

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Phillip Loughlin

Blogroll

Fish and Game Contacts

General

Outdoor Industry and Media

Outdoor News

Outfitters I've Used

Web Forums

Archives
Categories