Little Creek Calls

Congratulations on the nice Tom. Glad the calls worked out for you. Thanks for posting the story, I enjoy reading all the hunt write-ups as well.

1" Worn down spurs on an AZ Merriam I would guess 5 year old bird. I think spur length and condition is the best way to age a wild turkey and is how I do it. Turkey weight is interesting, the two year old AZ toms I have taken usually go 21 pounds and have more fat. 3 year old AZ birds have less fat and seem to be less focused on food and eating have been in the 19 to 20 pound range. 4 year old birds have more meat less fat and are 22 to 23 pounds. 5 year old birds are 24 to 26 pounds. I always find it interesting that a 2 year old bird in my experience almost always out weigh a 3 year old bird.

Nice looking heavy bird. Most AZ toms I have found to be in the 19 to 21 pound range and have only seen 2 or 3 that were 24 plus. How long were his spurs?

My favorite hunt of the year. We were not able to make it out on opening day but we got done on Saturday morning. The birds didn't talk much after leaving the roost with the hens. We kept at it and and convinced three toms to leave there hens and come check us out a little later in the morning.

I have been using a Yoder for 15 years and its still going strong. Only thing I have had to replace is the igniter rod once that they sent free of charge. The new Yoder's have ceramic igniter rods that are supposed to be better. Also its great that Scheels carries them now so if you are interested you can go and check them out.

Should be the same number. I will clean up my message inbox.

If the GoPro and mounts are still available I'll take those.

Depending on the plan you get tmobile now uses starlink when regular service is not available so it will work anywhere.

A few years back my dad and I had a December WT hunt. Opening morning my Dad shot a mid 90’s buck that was chasing a doe and had a young three point buck following behind. After he shot it ran down a steep hillside to die. My dad being to old to hike down to it, I went down and dragged it back up to him so we could get pictures. The Doe and smaller buck followed me the entire time at maybe 25 yards and even stayed and watched us take photos and gut it. My dad kept telling me to shoot the smaller buck and be done with the hunt. I resisted and didn’t take the shot but otherwise it would have been similar.

My boys use the pull over leafy stuff. They can wear whatever clothes they are used to and normally wear and just pull the camo on over the top. The best part is its not very expensive on Amazon. Here is a link to one option, $26 for both pants and jacket. If you don't like that just do a search for youth leafy camo and there will be lots of options. youth camo link

Here is my take on the outfitters for crane. Nash is the best because he has the most decoys 300+ . He has private access but most of the time chooses to to hunt the areas most of the DIY guys hunt and that stinks because even when you get a good spread 40-60 of top quality decoys he will set up two or three fields away and his 300+ is a lot more than 40 and it makes things really difficult. If I know where he is going to hunt I try to go as far away as possible. I don't think I would pay for anyone else except for maybe Ward's because he should have access to areas and fields that no one else does. I just think you can get the same or better experience DIY as you can with other outfitters. If you want to spend the money on an outfitter go to Texas and shoot three each day for as many days as you want to hunt.

I've had my Yoder for 14 years and is still going strong. I don't like using my in-laws Traeger when I am at there house. Looking online Scheels in Chandler has the YS640 in stock, don't even have to pay for shipping.

There are three big roosting/feeding areas. Whitewater, Willcox Playa and Duncan. What the Biologist said is 29 is kind of a stopover feeding area between the Duncan side and the Whitewater/Willcox side for the birds that hop back and forth.

There will be a farmer who will allow you to hunt their farm. Talk to the unit manager or the small game biologist to get you in contact with the farmer who allows access. The small game biologist had to talk to all the farmers in the unit and figure out access before they added the hunt in 29. I have never hunted 29 only talked the the biologist about it.

I don't know if anyone else follows this but Texas monthly puts out The top 50 BBQ in Texas every 4 years. Today they released the new list for the next 4 years. 1. Burnt Bean Co., Seguin 2. LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, Austin 3. Goldee’s Barbecue, Fort Worth 4. Redbird BBQ, Port Neches 5. GW’s BBQ, San Juan 6. InterStellar BBQ, Austin 7. Dayne’s Craft Barbecue, Aledo 8. La Vaca BBQ, Port Lavaca 9. Truth Barbeque, Houston 10. Evie Mae’s Pit Barbeque, Wolforth I was excited to see my favorite BBQ restaurant Burnt Bean Co receive the top spot. I have been here several times the past few years and it is my family and friends favorite BBQ restaurant we have ever been to. We have been to several others on the list including the previous number one Goldee's but the burnt bean was always everyone's favorite. If you are ever in the San Antonio area do your self a favor and take a trip out to Seguin. The BBQ is amazing and so is the Sunday brunch. I can't wait to get back.