Today, I hunted with an old friend and hunting partner, again in the Manzano Mountains east of Albuquerque. The hunter tipped off his local game warden after tracking down the poached deer's gut pile deep in Idaho backcountry. by Craig Springer | May 2, 2017 | BIRD HUNTING | 0 comments. If you lock yourself on the wrong side again, were driving away, Terry warned. Even worse, shes my oldest daughter, and Ill have to go through these feelings again with her sister. Bubbles the decoy is about 15 yards away. He had been in the area the day before, and heard two toms gobbling. The drastic landscape of the mountains sometimes calls for drastic measures. The decoy is 25 yards out, and just behind it is a small drainage with pines and brush. It wraps around to our right and leads to a big openinga perfect place for the tom to cross. Posts: 75,341. A luxury that you dont get with a single-barrel turkey gun. All across the state, Rocky Mountain bighorn have reclaimed their native range, from the Manzano Mountains, southeast of Albuquerque, to the Dry Cimarrn region in the northeast, where a tri-state herd roams Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. After topping the ridge and managing to get ahead of him, I set the decoy and waited in some cover. Some of my most memorable turkey hunts haven't been in areas where you drive to a likely spot, park the truck, walk out, and start calling. I dont do anything different, he says. A clear turkey track in the Manzano Mountains, New Mexico. The toms shut up as soon as that yelping started. Some people will tell you that its bittersweet to tag out in the first two hours of a hunt, but in the moment, at least, its just sweet. 10 Acres of Land for Sale in Manzano Morning Subdivision New Mexico hbbd```b``V djm &,n I approach private and public turkeys exactly the same. Day 4 Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. 5 Tips for Hunting Merriam's Turkeys - Colorado Outdoors Online . When youre fatigued, your perseverance is going to fall off because you just dont have it in you. This is an ancient endeavor, and there's a moral message to be discovered in harvesting your own local, free-range organic food. Then head back to your Hunting HQ at night to kick up your feet and admire the natural beauty of this New Mexico mountain region. The end of August to the beginning of November marks the migration season for raptors such as the sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper's hawk, red-tailed hawk, and turkey vulture, which keep watch for small prey from the . Pennsylvania: State Game Land properties. We started hiking up a trail, then forked off on to game trails, calling periodically. The biggest difference between public versus private is simply the number of birds found on a given piece of property, says Weddle. | Then you can get to that spot early the next morning. N, 106 deg. Turkey Hunting in Montana - Realtree Camo Hopefully you can set up on a narrow bench that is often found on the mountainside. Good private ground will consistently have more turkeys on it than good public ground. In my opinion, turkeys make the same sounds and do the same things. You'll pass small farming villages that date back to the Spanish Land Grants. In mountain country, you can go in one of two directionsuphill or down. Weddle takes a patient, deliberate approach when yelping at public birds. Hunting turkeys in open country means putting miles on your boots and keeping up with gobbling birds. PDF 20222023 Turkey - New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Also, Montana FWPs Block Management Program provides public access to thousands of acres of private lands. The main components of suitable turkey habitat include water, roost sites, nest sites, and summer/brood areas. Each outing brings more lessons learned about nature, forest ecology, and New Mexico history. b i_0w0x2f3s0` We saw and heard nothing, but a day in the wilderness is still a day well spent. Overall, this is a beautiful hike to enjoy the solitude of Manzano Mountain Wilderness Area. Gary teases him with a few more light clucks and pulls him up the hill with his box call. New Mexicos 2014 spring turkey season is over. Here are the National Wild Turkey Federations guidelines for estimating your male spring turkeys age. Hawkwatch International - Meet the 2022 Crew: Manzano Mountains Fourth of July Canyon Near Albuquerque - TripSavvy Turkey hunters from coast to coast have come to embrace a new craze: hunting public land for spring gobblers. Owens has taken a U.S. Super Slam (shooting a bird in each of the 49 states that have seasons) and chronicles his public-land obsession12 to 14 states per yearon his wildly popular online Pinhoti Project videos. Ohio: The recently acquired Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area and the Jesse Owens Wildlife Area and State Park in eastern Ohio make up the states largest contiguous area of public access. Based on these fossil records scientists think. manzano mountains turkey hunting. I switch from the lower barrel with a modified choke to the upper barrel with a full choke and slide the safety off. Manzano Mountains - Site: 22, Loop: West Loop | ReserveAmerica In northern Utah, turkeys can be found in Box Elder County on the north side of the Raft River Mountains up Clear Creek, One Mile, Johnson and Wildcat canyons. A second release was made in 1955 when 18 turkeys from Wyoming were released into the Long Pines area of southeastern Montana. I watch their silhouettes fade in the morning light as they stot off. Heres how to avoid the poseurs and choose the right one. Print/PDF Map. Today, I hunted with an old friend and hunting partner, again in the Manzano Mountains east of Albuquerque. I could only see his tail fan and head above the scrub oak brush. No matter where he huntsunpressured spots or hard-hunted areasOwens arrives well before daylight and gets in position to hear turkeys and have his calling be heard when birds begin gobbling. It was a pleasure to wear this vest around the hills of Montana for a few days. Dont hunt next to the road. The guy exudes confidence, but in an easy-going, upbeat sort of way. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. ), but she left after about 20 minutes or so. Discover the culture and daily life of a society that thrived in this area more than 800 years ago. He once penned that as a young man he had fancied being a zoologist of the likes of Spencer Baird at the Smithsonian, or a bird guy like C. Hart Merriam. License and Permit Fees - Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife With that, we decide to change gears and head over to a new property to see if we can find some fresh birds for Matt. Nevada: Most Merriams turkey populations are on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Good for. I turn around to see the truck rolling down the highwayuntil finally I see the brake lights flick on as Terry decides its time to turn back and get me. He came back, but hung up at the same spot. Manzano Mountain Wilderness | Wilderness Connect Here are some suggestions for classifying age and sex of turkeys. Hunting public property has become cool these past few years, thanks in part to state-hopping sportsmen who have chronicled their adventures in places that everyone can hunt. Read Next: This Is Why You Scout for Turkeys, Its textbook stuff, says Budz. Maine: Public areas in the central or southern portion of the state with upland and field habitat. Ive watched birds in those situations just sort of hunker down for a second, and when they hear the motor go away, they resume their normal activity.. Northeast Connecticut:. Sharp-shinned Hawk, the most abundant species, made up 39 percent of the total. 316. Manzano Mountains HawkWatch, Cibola National Forest - BirdWatching Turkeys have excellent eyesight and hearing, and are extremely wary. The best times to visit this trail are May through November. A public-land turkey, of course, doesnt know that private land exists, says Dave Owens, of Cedartown, Georgia. Information on turkey harvest in New Mexico can be found in the harvest report below: Manzano Mountains | Calls of the Wild The Manzano Mountains provide a great day hunt for turkey. Wild Turkey Season Opens in North Carolina on April 3 He probably expected such a yappy, early-rising broad to come running into his gobbles. A Game Hunting License and either an Over-the-Counter Turkey tag or draw permit is required to legally take wild turkey in the state. It is lightweight, breathable, and secure to make sure you are comfortable and ready to go in the field. Dont be one of these typical knuckleheads. Take the advice of Owens, Weddle, and Budz, and chase turkeys at the countrys largest hunting club: state, federal, and other publicly accessible properties. And how many guys do you know who are going to stay in the woods all day? Type of Use Overnight. Found across Maryland, eastern wild turkey populations are near an all-time high - now numbering around 40,000 - thanks in part to an intensive trap and translocation effort by the Maryland Department of Natural . Follow along to see exactly how. Favored riparian areas are generally in open landscapes at elevations lower than 6,000 feet. He strutted around and answered my calls, but after a few minutes he wandered off, still gobbling. The imported wild birds quickly adopted their new home . They have also increased their range into foothills and some plains river valleys throughout the state. Brian Lovett They wont even shut their engines or the radio off, and then theyll hoot or crow call and then drive off. 1. Parent: Manzano Mountains 1567 miles away New Mexico, United States, North America davebobk47 Big Block, 5.7 - 5.12a Parent: Manzano Mountains 1568 miles away New Mexico, United States, North America davebobk47 Point 6860 Parent: Manzano Mountains 1 Saves 1573 miles away New Mexico, United States, North America Garon Coriz Mosca Peak We took along the new decoy, which a friend of mine had named Bubbles. Alas, she saw no action today, Your email address will not be published. A clear turkey track in the Manzano Mountains, New Mexico. Put your ears on areas turkeys would be. Tips for Hunting Mountain Gobblers | An Official Journal Of The NRA Manzano Mountains, New Mexico - Camping & Reservations Length: 3.9 mi Est. 1. Check regulations for 2021. After hiking in well before dawn, I waited and listened. The Bushnell 850 laser rangefinder is 2X brighter with a 50% larger objective lens. As the bird spots the decoy, I am staring down the barrel of a CZ Reaper Magnum over/under at a gorgeous Montana Merriams at 35 yards. The stunning Manzano Mountains are renowned for turkey hunting and also sport good populations of mule deer and some elk. An abundance of wildlife roam the Manzano Mountains. If Im not in the woods hunting, Im driving and scouting.. The guides had discovered a piece of property loaded with gobblers the morning before. They only have a couple of months to reproduce, and they do the same things anywhere. They are what Ben Franklin lore says Americans should be: wily and suspicious. The Most Beautiful Towns in Bavaria, Germany Did anyone actually think otherwise? - 24hourcampfire Here are the five that stood out to me. As luck would have it, after a few minutes some coyotes nearby started yipping, and the tom shut up. Males will be black-tipped Page 11 - Find 2096 farm houses for sale on MossyOakProperties.com. The Bushnell RXS-250 is built with durable housing and a bright, clear red dot to make zeroing in on your target as easy as possible. Hes been a writer and editor in the outdoors industry for more than 30 years, specializing in turkey and waterfowl hunting, and also covering deer, small game, fishing, and shooting. Illinois: The Shawnee National Forest, which spans 289,000 acres across nine counties. Theres also a public-lands lottery for Delaware Forest Service lands. I waited for the tom to gobble, then I called. An ideal scenario can be the turkey located below you under a steep slope. Manzano Mountain Land for sale in Albuquerque New Mexico, New Mexico Its bright enough that the bill of her camouflage cap casts a shadow over her eyes in this pre-dawn dark. Im much more cautious when hunting public property because I cant risk messing up what few opportunities I might get to kill a bird there, he says. The area feels alive with wildlife, but the windy morning has us worried about silent toms. Required fields are marked *. As we pull up to the gate, I offer to jump out and open the fence. Most public-land veterans agree that avoiding human interference and finding relatively lightly-hunted areas boost success considerably. Determining sex of young of the year can be very difficult. Of course, because theyre just east of Albuquerque, the area is brimming with hunters. This week Luke and Larry are talkin camo! People have lived on the east flanks of the Manzanos for thousands of years. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. manzano mountains turkey hunting Located on public land within Cibola National Forest. Your love is entering a new stage of growth, and so are the mountains here. Ryan Chelius started freelance writing during college and landed a summer job as an editorial intern with Field & Stream in 2019. In rare cases, wild whitetails can live for 20 years or more. Centrally located, this peaceful, secluded park in the Ponderosa pine forest of the Manzano Mountains will relax and invigorate you. PDF Geology of the south Manzano Mountains, New Mexico Site Reserve Type Site-Specific. Situated on 7,680 deeded acres in the foothills of the stunning Gallinas Mountains this central New Mexico ranch has it all! The Manzano Mountains are located primarily in Torrance County with a small section on the west side of the mountain located in Valencia County. Maximum Vehicle Length 52. manzano mountains turkey hunting charles monat glassdoor television without pity replacement June 29, 2022 capita email address for references 0 hot topics in landscape architecture Discover 824 listings of farms for sale over 5 acres, under $25K. Page 37 of 44. I yelped and he cut me off. The man noted the nature of the places, the wildlife, and the peoplethe towns of Chillli, Tajique, Manzano were occupied by folks who were newly minted American citizens, though not by their choice. Wild turkeys are extremely . This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. As I said, there are fewer turkeys on public land, and as a traveling hunter with limited time, I cant afford to waste any of it hunting where the turkeys aint. It can be easily adjusted for windage and elevation so youre dead on when the time comes to make the shot. The hunter can listen from a position on top of the ridge, but a turkey only a short distance down a steep slope may not be heard. He had been in the area the day before, and heard two toms gobbling. We took along the new decoy, which a friend of mine had named Bubbles. Alas, she saw no action today. Theres also a thrill in making that return hike with a big tom slung over your shoulder or in the game pouch of your vest, and a great sense of pride and accomplishment that comes from getting results on land where other people have come up short. Here are some tips that will help you with these denizens of the high country. Hunting turkeys in open country was a whole new ballgame for me. I wait for the tom to come out of full strut, and he drops at the sound of the shot. 2. Double Gobble: The tale of Montana's two types of turkeys That little guy covered a lot of groundI could hear him all morning as I moved around. 2h 11m. Typical roost tree are 14+ inches in diameter, and have branches parallel to the ground that are spaced at least 18 inches apart. Manzano Mountains State Park, New Mexico - Recreation.gov I circled south into some higher areas, and saw lots of sign and tracks, including poult droppings. Matt looks at me and says, youre up first tomorrow.. Im not sure if he couldnt see the decoy, or if she just wasnt his type, or if I moved a tad too much. The end of August to the beginning of November marks the migration season for raptors such as the sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper's hawk, red-tailed hawk, and turkey vulture, which keep watch for small prey from the . Nex Mexico Ranch for Sale! We spend most of the day running and gunning with not much to show for it. I try to read the turkeys attitude and do the same thing.. Minnesota: The Department of Natural Resources manages about 5.6 million acres of public land. He came in, but not anywhere near close enough for a shot, and not into the open area with the decoy. Seemingly out of nowhere a plump Merriams turkey appears on the edge of the opening. Discover 11,510 listings of land for sale under $200K. Later that morning, there was also some incessant yelping along a nearby road. This morning is pretty much the opposite of the previous day; the birds are gobbling their heads off. It wasnt until we were driving back to Albuquerque when we saw a jake feeding along side the road.