Went to Love Valley for my first hunt today.

[DeusRx]

First time: hunting, bow hunting, turkey hunting...
On the way in on the s6 saw a fox, a quail,a big mulie and lo and behold a huge turkey on private land Still, I was excited to see there is game in the area. Five hours later not a peep from any bird. Spoke to three other hunters on the way out who had the same experience. Has anyone had luck in Love Valley? It is a pretty meadow and I went down some ravines along the edge bustin brush all the way. Once out of the meadow the terrain was much more difficult. If I want to find a bird am I on the right track climbing up and down the hills surrounding the meadow? Thought I might try Descanso next thursday. Is the terrain any different?

 

[TogaLive]

Grats on your first hunt! Kill or no kill, its the experience that counts! I cant say I know about the terrain in that area though, but GL!

 

[spectr17]

I've been in and glassed Love Valley a bazillion times and never saw or heard a turkey until last fall. Way back on the back side I glassed about 6 turkeys come out into the meadow late one afternoon. Too far to tell what sex they were. Never heard of anyone killing one there either but it looks so good and there are turkeys down below on private land so you would think they would go there.

 

[Spaslab]

Good first start

I know the area you were in. I suggest you get up high, with some binoculars, and find some big (by big, I mean HUGE) trees that are waaaaay down in a canyon with no trail anywhere near them. Most of the Love Valley area has smaller trees and scrub around it. Bobcats and lions can get into the birds at night if they are too low, where would you sleep if you were trying to avoid these predators while you slept? Go there and you may find a roost, look for big ol turkey trax under the tree. Try hiking in the middle of the day when birds hopefully have ranged far from the roost. Problem is, getting into these areas will make a lot of noise, then you will have to wait and wait until they come in...if they didn't bust ya. You have to be really committed but it is possible. The guys I know who are often successful make it an overnight backpack kind of thing, find the roost, then be there in the morning just before they come down and start callin...