Thanks fellows.

As for shots, it depends on the load.

Since we switched to the English BB's/US #1's, we hold on the head up close and "shoulder" farther away. We hunt turkeys completely unorthodoxly in the fall. We locate them, stalk close to 60 or 80 yards, and on a "count of 3" bolt out of cover and sprint for the birds and pick one and kill it either on the ground or in the air if it flies. I've never heard of this hunting method before but it is very effective and successful. We've killed many turkeys.

When he was telling his buddies about how we hunt them, my son was called a liar and worse at college till he brought a kid along with him last year and showed him how it's done. Now the kid is "coverted"...except he needs to hit the track and run off some blubber so he can keep up with the sprint!!

The loads we use will kill with one or two pellets in the body.

Most fellows sit and call. We do that in the spring when calling is effective. I've never had a lot of luck with it in the fall except to locate a flock.

We have plucked and skinned birds, baked them, stewed, fried, casseroles, etc. Most of the time we skin them and cook them in a crock pot OR my wife has a gauze cloth she covers them in and that is basted with butter and spices.

The "bucks" run about 20 pounds, the "does" about 10.

RIPP: Yes, the snow/rain mix has been a pain.

Haven't seen a bear. Have only one bait set, about a mile from the house, but I don't expect much from it. We'll see. My dogs even love the bait, so maybe I'll shoot a yote off it!!! ???