PURSUING THE WILD LIFE
  • Blog
    • Garage sale Gheenoe
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Some links of interest

Pursuing the Wild Life

Spring Turkey - Mid-Season Report

3/30/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Let me just start out by saying that you will NOT learn any useful tactics n this post that will be of any help to your Osceola Turkey hunting whatsoever. Yes, it's been a difficult season so far and no, we have not killed any turkeys. 
Ok, with that out of the way I'll describe a few of the problems we've encountered so far:
The gobblers that we have heard were often a good distance away and difficult to reach.
The gobblers only gobbled once on the roost then no more.
We had one hunt where we pulled turkeys just about into range when a mature Bald Eagle came screeching in to investigate, putting an end to that set up.
And to top it off, we had a couple trips were we did not hear any gobbling.


Now that the pressure is on, we are resorting to all manner of turkey hunting preparations. Paul has been reading multiple books on the famed Osceola Turkey and has developed strategies for this coming weekend that will surely 
lead to turkey blood spilled.
I have mostly been resorting to superstition and trying to develop shamanistic qualities in the hope that when I am pouring over google earth images I will be directed to the ancient roosting sites of trophy gobblers. And to hedge my bets I have been practicing with my mouth calls to the point where I am convinced that I have perfected the saddest, sluttiest and loneliest hen yelp ever heard in the woods.
........................those gobblers don't stand a chance!



Picture
0 Comments

Spring Osceola Turkey Season - Inspiration & Preparation

3/15/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture

Preparation and scouting for Spring Turkey Season has typically followed one of two tracks over the years:

1. Denial & Disregard. This is the easiest approach and yes, on occasion I have been guilty of it. With many reasons to justify it; I’m just too busy at work to think about it, I may not be able to hunt much anyway, those darned Osceola turkeys are miserable to hunt, it’s already hot, the woods are too dry or too wet, etc. The worst part about employing this non-method is you know in the back of your mind that you are just making it harder to bag a turkey….or are you? Truth is, I have enjoyed some of my best hunts stumbling into the woods with last seasons granola bar wrappers and all manner of disorganization my vest, my box call chirping in my vest like a turkey choking on acorn, etc.....I'm not proud of it, I'm just saying I've been guilty of it. 

2. Reasonable Preparation. This is my preferred approach. It starts with remembering that incredible sound, the most incredible sound I have ever heard in the woods…the gobble of a mature Osceola turkey at first light, deep in the woods surrounded by the fresh green of the spring woods.

Next it's about scouting and gear. On the gear side, I dust off the vest, decoys, calls, blind, shotgun, etc. and get them prepped and placed in the vest, exactly where they belong (a detailed list of gear in an upcoming post). The goal is to locate without hesitation and making any sound everything you have. 
Scouting is just as important as gear, perhaps more. I start after the winter hog season, actually during, with walks and mountain bike rides to areas I've never hunted, some longtime favorites and areas from deer and hog season where I observed turkeys. Keep in mind this is public lands hunting, no feeders or bait allowed and the turkeys have many thousands of acres of habitat to move in. There is no assurance that where turkeys have roosted and fed in the past will be where you will find them. 
Because the Osceola turkeys are notorious for keeping their gobbling to a minimum, especially after they fly down off the roost its critical to get a feel for the areas the are roosting. The topography of the hunting areas, especially trails, open areas for feeding and strutting, edges such as rivers, swamps, and streams become very important....more on that in later posts.



Picture
0 Comments

Olympus TG-1 Waterproof Camera- review and first impressions

3/1/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
A couple years ago I started my quest for a rugged waterproof camera that I could take hunting, fishing, kayaking, camping, hiking and biking. I wanted a camera that would hold up to the abuse and extreme conditions I would subject it to but I also wanted a camera with a great processor, the ability to control exposure, ISO, and other settings as well as built in GPS so I can geo-tag my photos and add them to my iPhoto and Garmin GPS unit and Garmin Basecamp mapping program.

I also wanted a good easy auto setting for the times I just want to snap photos, decent video capability, a sharp OLED screen and a bright f2.0 lens….yes that narrowed the field down significantly.

Before we get too far let me be clear, yes you need a rugged waterproof  camera….and yes I now the newer android and iPhones can take good quality photos and video. I simply think your phone should be kept safe. I don’t think it’s wise to subject a phone to the elements, no mater how good your weather resistant case is and then there is the issue of battery life. Your phone could be your lifeline in an emergency so you should protect it.

First impressions and use: The camera has a good feel and weight to it. It is heavier than you might expect and it feels high quality in your hands. The controls are well thought out and easy to access. Set up was easy and I was off and running quickly. There are an abundance of custom settings but for me it’s either auto mode, macro mode or full manual mode. I haven’t given any time to working with the more custom effects modes. I have found that both still and video modes are easy to understand and use and I’ve been very pleased with the quality of both.

So far I have taken the camera on many kayak fishing trips in the Gulf of Mexico where the camera has been fully submerged. On one kayak fishing trip I had a mishap and the camera fell out of my kayak and into the Gulf where it took me about 30 minutes to locate and retrieve it in about 8 feet of water and covered in mud. After a quick rinse from my water bottle the camera was back in service.

On land I have taken the camera hunting, biking and camping and I’ve been very pleased. I highly recommend this camera.


Picture
Picture
Picture
Below are a few photos taken in Auto mode with the TG-1
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Fishing
    Gear
    Hunting

    Archives

    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    August 2013

Repair notes:
  • This was a fast and relatively average to poor, bordering on redneck quality job.
  • All materials were purchased at Lowes and Home Depot.
  • Total time spent: a few hours.
  • Total cost: approx. $50.


Picture
 A marine grade filler was applied
Picture
Then sanding and multiple coats of cloth, resin and sanding
Picture
Picture
Then a final light sanding and spay can / palmetto paint job

The first trip we put in near Cedar Key and worked our way up a couple creeks that would have been inaccessible in a larger boat. We found 15 or more Redfish and a couple nice trout.
Gear used:
  • ​Old 1980’s Gheenoe, classic model purchased at a garage sale for $150.
  • Trailer assembled from parts
  • Yamaha 6 hp purchased new
First Impressions:
  • ​Gheenoe’s are excellent backwater boats. Their shallow draft, excellent stability and maneuvering are boats you can take just about anywhere in relatively protected waters. And you can pull, push or paddle them if needed.
  • The Yamaha 6 hp 4 stroke is a good balance between weight, portability, economy and power. The engine is not yet fully broken in, so it hasn’t been run a full throttle but I’m guessing it will move the loaded Gheenoe between 10 and 15 mph. The 6 hp is not a speed demon but seems fast enough and in the rocky backwater creeks, speed is the last thing you need. Easy to tilt up, shallow draft, and easy pull start are more important to me. As far as fuel economy goes, I don’t know how many hours I can expect from the 3 gal. remote tank because after a two or three hours running time the gauge hadn’t budged from full.
  • The ride of the Gheenoe is great in smooth water and fair in a chop. The boat and motor are sensitive to load distribution and the loads should be adjusted to be when heading into the wind and waves to keep the boat dry. I expected and did notice some hull cavitation when in rougher water. The hull could be strengthened in some areas but I doubt I will make many hull modifications.
Picture
Paul with a couple nice trout from the first trip
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Blog
    • Garage sale Gheenoe
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Some links of interest