Thunder Chickens in Dixie!
Turkey hunting in the south is just as important as cheese grits, and every year I look forward to the spring season as much as anything I do in the woods.
This past spring was a great one!
It started in AL where the Bone Collectors cameras started off at the Loose Tin Plantaion, with Joey Massengale, and then went over to the Southern Sportsman Lodge to hunt with Paul Butski and Jim Mason.
Our cameras wanted to try to document what turkey hunting in the south was really about. The up coming January Bone Collector TV show will take viewers through the body and spirit of the culture that make up the southern gobbler hunter. The kills are up close and personal, 10 yards and closer and the characters sometimes need a translator to understand the comments coming from the people in the show that have been born and raised way below the Mason Dixie line, with the exception of New Yorker Paul Butski who for over 20 years has come south to guide hunters at the Southern Sportsman lodge.
The cameras captured everything we were hoping to find that will help you understand why this southern tradition is more than just killing turkeys.
12 Responses to “Thunder Chickens in Dixie”
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March 6th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Loved the “Thunder Chickens”. Best part was you calling your dad after the hunt. I call mine every time. New show is awesome.
January 30th, 2009 at 7:14 am
Spring Gobbler is something I deffently look forward to here in PA, just as much as opening day for archery season, I was fortunate enough to meet Mike 7 years ago at Woodlands World in Farmington PA. and yes Mike I am sure you dont remember since you do meet so many individuals my string of succesfull springs continue and am currently at 17 consecutive springs and counting, if you guys are ever in the area and want to chase a bird just let me know and I will make sure you guys are taken care of.
January 15th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Hey Michael I read recently that you prefer turkey hunting to deer hunting. I was wondering why you don’t show more turkey hunts, have you ever got the grandslam for turkey’s and have you ever shot a smokey or white turkey.
January 15th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I need to get down south and get to them calling contests and say Waddell kicked my ass and it was fun. 3rd in my State 2003. The only one we have ever had. I would love to call in a handful of turkeys at one time like they do in Texas. I think I would be so amused I would forget to shoot.
January 9th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Nothing will humble you like southern turkey hunting and competition calling. Just when you think you got’em figured out that thunder chicken makes you look like a goober. You turn around and go to a contest thinking you the man and guess what you ain’t I love and will keep on keeping on.
Michael is one of those callers that used to let me know quit often I wasn’t the man on the contest stage!!!!
January 8th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Alabama turkey hunting can only be trumped by the Alabama rut. I was born and raised and still live here in Alabama, and I love for professional hunters to visit and film a hunt here. THank you for remembering Alabama and please come back. I have 4000 acres your welcome to any time, for any game.
December 31st, 2008 at 9:46 am
Bring it on; can’t wait to see the show!!! I wan’t to film Nick on a hunt sometime that dude would be a blast and a great person to learn some filming tips from!
December 30th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Hey Mike,
If your up for an Eastern turkey hunt this spring give me a call. I have perfect land and lots to hunt on. Located in Michigan. thanks Jim
December 29th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
since i became disabled with my back i’ve found it alot harder to do the turkey strut but i’ll keep trying till the day i die.real excited for the new show 1/4/09. you seem to be a down homw good ole guy. maybe i’ll win the contest to ride shotgun with you. that would be a dream come true. happy new year to you and yours!!!!!!!!!!! jonesy
December 20th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Oh my favorite time of year, besides opening of deer archery season!
I cant wait!
I love the videos you post on your blog, why are you not doing anymore?
December 19th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
There is nothing quiet like sunrise in Southern Tennessee, when all the birds start to wake up on a spring morning,sitting in a bottom waiting for the Thunder of a Big limb hanger, and then the flydown, Man I love it.
Michael, Love all the shows, especially the one’s featuring the Spring Gobblers. Thanks, Happy Trails, Merry Christmas, and GOD BLESS!!!! Shurshot.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
That Southern turkey hunting is the real deal. Here in SW Oklahoma it’s the same deal. The problem this year will be all the rooters in the woods these days. Pigs have become a real problem out here. I’m told a guy has to annually harvest 80% of the pigs on his place in order to keep the population at a managable level. You ever have problems with these rascals? Seems they run off the deer, eat the turkey eggs and destroy almost everything. I just watched the trailer for the new show, looks great, can’t wait. Happy Holiday to you and yours, be safe and god bless.
razor