Colorado Turkey

CoHiCntry

Veteran member
Mar 31, 2011
1,390
21
Colorado Mountains
Got lucky on a Colorado gobbler yesterday! Didn't get started hunting until noon. Dogged a floc around most of the afternoon trying to get in close enough for a shot. They wouldn't come in but would gobble some. When I could finally see them one was a jake and the other a super jake with a few hens. Couldn't get it done so I let them go for awhile and when I came back in on them two different long beards had joined the party. Both really nice birds. One was strutting the whole time. I got in close and gave a few soft yelps which didn't draw any gobbles or even phase the gobblers but it made one of the hens change directions and head my way with the two gobblers in tow. Not an ideal shot position or location but I got it done.

IMG_20170411_170548117.jpg IMG_20170411_170617676_HDR.jpg
 

Slugz

Veteran member
Oct 12, 2014
3,659
2,329
55
Casper, Wyoming
National Forest ? My son was up your way for the opener and only had action Saturday...Sunday was too windy. Congrats!! great looking bird.
 

CoHiCntry

Veteran member
Mar 31, 2011
1,390
21
Colorado Mountains
Very nice, congratulation on a good looking bird.
Thanks! The one I shot last year had no beard... it wasn't a jake but looked like one as his beard must have froze off during the winter. Was nice to get one with a nice long beard. Most of the Colorado birds I encounter have 8" or 9" beards. This one was over 10" and really thick.

National Forest ? My son was up your way for the opener and only had action Saturday...Sunday was too windy. Congrats!! great looking bird.
This was in a SWA on a limited tag. I was up around here scouting a few day's ago before the season opened and the areas I usually hunt were still pretty much snowed in. No turkeys around as far as I could tell. I'll spend the rest of my season close to home trying to coax one of these wary mountain birds in. They can be stubborn!
 

speezer87

New Member
Apr 12, 2017
16
2
Nice work, was chasing some birds around Sat morning with no luck in the end, and heard some gobbling sunday morning once again without any luck closing the distance on them. Heading out this weekend again hoping to get into some birds
 

CoHiCntry

Veteran member
Mar 31, 2011
1,390
21
Colorado Mountains
Nice work, was chasing some birds around Sat morning with no luck in the end, and heard some gobbling sunday morning once again without any luck closing the distance on them. Heading out this weekend again hoping to get into some birds
I saw your introduction on the new members section. Welcome! I saw you said your on the front range? Where have you started turkey hunting? You don't have to be specific, just curious where your at.
 

speezer87

New Member
Apr 12, 2017
16
2
I have done a few different areas the past 2 years, tried the SWA's out east on the S platte, also some of the SWA's on the arkansas river. I have tried a few different locations in the foothills with little sign seen, but am trying an area in the deckers area this weekend
 

MountainHigh

Active Member
Jul 19, 2014
301
3
Fort Collins, CO
Congrats on an awesome bird, I have never even hunted turkeys in Colorado due to work so I will vicariously live through you! Maybe one day work will not be crazy this time of year and I too can get out and chase some gobblers.
 

gamehuntr

New Member
Apr 30, 2016
9
0
Congrats! Still looking for my first turkey. There are a lot here in CO but all on private. Sucks but hope the hard work pays off


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

gamehuntr

New Member
Apr 30, 2016
9
0
Doing my best bud. New to the state so my knowledge is limited lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

bowrunner

Active Member
Oct 13, 2015
299
9
Illinois
Congrats! Awesome bird man

Just curious, I have a spot that I hike through when Im heading up the mountain elk hunting during bow season in Colorado. We have seen several turkeys in that area everytime we hike through it. Would they be in roughly the same elevation during the spring turkey season as they are around September 1-10? It is NF land by the way.
 
Last edited:

Slugz

Veteran member
Oct 12, 2014
3,659
2,329
55
Casper, Wyoming
Congrats! Awesome bird man

Just curious, I have a spot that I hike through when Im heading up the mountain elk hunting during bow season in Colorado. We have seen several turkeys in that area everytime we hike through it. Would they be in roughly the same elevation during the spring turkey season as they are around September 1-10? It is NF land by the way.
IMO it has to do more with area than elevation.....just like any other geographical area they need the roost trees, water and scratching area to eat.....I find them more in the old growth with a thicker forest covering......which I think holds the moisture longer....which in turn makes getting the grubs and bugs and insects easier......I think or at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it :)

Predators also play into it I think......cant be in a area you hear Yotes every morning and night.