Probably 10 yrs ago I was hunting this bird on a local WMA. He had been roosting in a hardwood bowl just off a powerline. I expected him to be in there the next morning so me and buddy got in tight before daylight and got on either side of the bowl, about 100 yds or so apart. Well, as it turns he didn't gobble and wasn't in there that morning. I come out to meet my buddy and he is standing there with a disgusted look on his face. I ask whats up and he points about 20yds away and there is another hunter sitting there with his back to us right on the side of the power line. I asked my buddy if the hunter knew we were there and he said yes. So, I give a little "Hey!", and hold my hands up like WTH? He just turns around, waves, and goes back to deer hunting for turkey. Well, I made sure we walked out and were as loud as possible talking and making noise going back to the truck.

That was some of my first hunting on public land. I learned real quick you don't necessarily hunt where the turkeys are. You work hard and find where the turkeys are deep in heart of the WMA where walking is about the only option. Leave all those frontline turkeys to the local yahoos to play with so you can go hunt in relative peace. About the only hunters I have run across the last 5 yrs or so on public land have been the hardcore types like myself who don't mind burning boot leather. Those are far and few between so no one really damages the hunting in those areas.