…..I have gone my first turkey season in TN without hunting in TN. 
Not even once.
It wan't by choice. It really caught me by surprise.
We have a flock that live around the properties around us. Usually at least 4 grown gobblers. I hear them off the front porch in the mornings. I have conversations with them from time to time with my wing bone. Was blessed to kill a 4 bearded bird last year in my back yard. It means more when I can call them across the road, across the dry creek, across my neighbors and into my yard.
This year things were the same. I had been hearing them gobble. Had a few good conversations.
Opening day came and I heard one going at it. Then I heard someone calling. Looked down the road to see if I could see the action. I see a guy walking the fence line two properties over. I live in the country, blessed with good neighbors, so I rode down to see if he had any luck.
I get there and there's a guy standing by his truck looking through field glasses into the next property where I know they hang out. I hadn't heard a shot so I struck up a conversation. Turns out he's from AR and has permission from my neighbor. Said he had been coming opening weekend for the last few years. In conversation I learn he has a youtube channel. Turns out he killed one that morning right at daylight, I just didn't hear the shot. I congratulated him. Asked if he'd like for me to take some photos for him. I have always been one to enjoy other's successes.
He tells me he is trying to see where they are going to be the next morning so he can hopefully get one more and head back to AR. I say good luck and go about my day.
I get home and check out his youtube channel. Turns out he's on a pro-staff. I look forward to getting to see his hunt, still wishing him well the next morning.
That afternoon late I go to visit my neighbor just to verify his story, that's what good neighbors do. Sure enough the guy has permission and has been coming for a few years.
The next day I never hear anything from him so I ask the neighbor for his number so I can congratulate him again and see if he was successful the next day. The neighbor tells me he has already went back to AR. Turns out he went ahead and killed another one opening day so he could get back for AR's opener.
I PM the guy on IG and tell him it was good to meet him. He has posted the first hunt but not the second. He thanks me, and that was that.
Then, he posts the second hunt like it was the second day.
So not only did he kill two birds on opening day, then he lies about it for, you guessed it, for clicks, views, and likes. Yup, I got bit by a good 'ol grab it and grinnner.
It did something to me. First, it made me understand that what I have thought all along is true. The main decrease in our bird population is unethical hunters who don't follow the law. Second, it really messed me up getting hit by a grab it and grinner. I mean it really discouraged me.
Now, to be fair, I have had a lot of things that have kept me super busy this year. That being said, there have been a few, very few, days that I could have went, but each time the opportunity arose I couldn't shake it. I really can't explain it, but I didn't have the desire to kill one this year.
And yes, I get it, I should have turned him in. I just don't have faith or confidence in the TWRA that anything would be done. I know that's not a valid excuse, but as I said, it really got to me.
Sorry for the long post. I just felt to share. If you're an unethical hunter please know you have a negative impact on the game we love to chase. If you're a grab it and grinner I get it now. If you're only playing the game for clicks and followers and likes do us all a favor, find a different game to play. And lastly, if you're upset because I didn't turn him in please forgive me. As I've said above, it really got to me.
Here's hoping next year will be better. Congrats to all y'all that had a good season, tags filled or not. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.
Somehow I hope he reads this and it gets him to change. Slim chance I know, but just maybe.
Not even once.It wan't by choice. It really caught me by surprise.
We have a flock that live around the properties around us. Usually at least 4 grown gobblers. I hear them off the front porch in the mornings. I have conversations with them from time to time with my wing bone. Was blessed to kill a 4 bearded bird last year in my back yard. It means more when I can call them across the road, across the dry creek, across my neighbors and into my yard.
This year things were the same. I had been hearing them gobble. Had a few good conversations.
Opening day came and I heard one going at it. Then I heard someone calling. Looked down the road to see if I could see the action. I see a guy walking the fence line two properties over. I live in the country, blessed with good neighbors, so I rode down to see if he had any luck.
I get there and there's a guy standing by his truck looking through field glasses into the next property where I know they hang out. I hadn't heard a shot so I struck up a conversation. Turns out he's from AR and has permission from my neighbor. Said he had been coming opening weekend for the last few years. In conversation I learn he has a youtube channel. Turns out he killed one that morning right at daylight, I just didn't hear the shot. I congratulated him. Asked if he'd like for me to take some photos for him. I have always been one to enjoy other's successes.
He tells me he is trying to see where they are going to be the next morning so he can hopefully get one more and head back to AR. I say good luck and go about my day.
I get home and check out his youtube channel. Turns out he's on a pro-staff. I look forward to getting to see his hunt, still wishing him well the next morning.
That afternoon late I go to visit my neighbor just to verify his story, that's what good neighbors do. Sure enough the guy has permission and has been coming for a few years.
The next day I never hear anything from him so I ask the neighbor for his number so I can congratulate him again and see if he was successful the next day. The neighbor tells me he has already went back to AR. Turns out he went ahead and killed another one opening day so he could get back for AR's opener.
I PM the guy on IG and tell him it was good to meet him. He has posted the first hunt but not the second. He thanks me, and that was that.
Then, he posts the second hunt like it was the second day.
So not only did he kill two birds on opening day, then he lies about it for, you guessed it, for clicks, views, and likes. Yup, I got bit by a good 'ol grab it and grinnner.
It did something to me. First, it made me understand that what I have thought all along is true. The main decrease in our bird population is unethical hunters who don't follow the law. Second, it really messed me up getting hit by a grab it and grinner. I mean it really discouraged me.
Now, to be fair, I have had a lot of things that have kept me super busy this year. That being said, there have been a few, very few, days that I could have went, but each time the opportunity arose I couldn't shake it. I really can't explain it, but I didn't have the desire to kill one this year.
And yes, I get it, I should have turned him in. I just don't have faith or confidence in the TWRA that anything would be done. I know that's not a valid excuse, but as I said, it really got to me.
Sorry for the long post. I just felt to share. If you're an unethical hunter please know you have a negative impact on the game we love to chase. If you're a grab it and grinner I get it now. If you're only playing the game for clicks and followers and likes do us all a favor, find a different game to play. And lastly, if you're upset because I didn't turn him in please forgive me. As I've said above, it really got to me.
Here's hoping next year will be better. Congrats to all y'all that had a good season, tags filled or not. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.
Somehow I hope he reads this and it gets him to change. Slim chance I know, but just maybe.
