Springtime is a special season for those of us who love the outdoors, and the Bassmaster Elite Series is jam-packed full of dedicated and accomplished outdoorsmen.
For some it’s duck season, to others its whitetails — Clifford Pirch is an accomplished elk guide and hunter and David Mullins is a hardcore whitetail bow hunter — among other pursuits in the fall.
But once winter turns to the new life of spring, and bass begin to move shallow for the annual spawn most of the Elite pros are thinking about blue trophies and making the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship in September.
A few share the obsession for chasing an old granddaddy longbeard. Unfortunately, tournament season doesn’t leave a lot of time for turkey hunting. A few find a way to fit in a couple of hunts as time allows — and a few kill some dandies.
Dustin Connell of Clanton, Ala., isn’t an experienced turkey hunter, but his brother can call a bird through a concrete wall — I know, I’ve seen it. Connell attempted to kill his first turkey this year at home, but wasn’t able to connect after several close calls.
He decided to call Bassmaster Digital Content Director Steve Bowman, a highly accomplished and veteran turkey hunter from Arkansas. Bowman took Connell out after his first turkey in the Arkansas hardwoods in advance of the Bass Pro Shops Central Open #2 at Arkansas River.
Albeit an unsuccessful trip, Connell contracted the fever and likely won’t miss another turkey season.
That tournament was just a week prior to the 2018 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Grand Lake in Oklahoma. Connell, with the guidance from Bowman managed to line up a turkey hunt just west of Oklahoma City, and killed his first bird — a fine Rio Grande gobbler.
“I was mad at them after how tough they were in Alabama,” Connell said. “I needed to kill one just to even the score. It was a lot more fun than I ever thought it was, and now I’m going to have to better manage my spring schedule. I’ll be making more time for turkeys in the future.
Brandon Lester of Fayetteville, Tenn., didn’t make it to Oklahoma early like Connell did, but he was very busy welcoming a new baby girl into the world. However, you can’t keep a good turk hunter down, as he managed to make time to kill three in his home state this spring.
“Since the Sabine River event got postponed, I was able to get out into the woods more than I had originally planned,” Lester said. “In fact, I managed a beautiful tom one morning, and a big spawning bass the same afternoon. Talk about a good day!
“I grew up hunting and fishing, and I especially love shooting turkeys. However, while on road competing on the Elite Series, I don’t get to go as often as I’d like,” he said. “I’m pretty blessed with the opportunities I enjoyed this spring, and I’m ready to stay totally focused on the fishing from here on. As long as the turkeys aren’t gobbling in the morning after take-off.”
Drew Benton from Panama City, Fla., is enjoying his third year as a touring Eilte Series pro, and he loves to hunt in his off time.
A surprise to us turkey hunters, Benton and David Mullins managed to find a turkey immediately after the Day 1 weigh-in at Grand Lake.
Knowing Mullins’ prowess in the woods, and Benton’s drive to win, the two called in a beautiful Oklahoma Eastern and put his beak in the dirt before the sun set on the first round of Grand Lake competition.
Benton caught 16 pounds and 12 ounces out of Grand Lake to begin his Day 2 in 39th place.
“David Mullins and I rushed back to the cabin, threw on some camo and had one flopping before dark,” Benton said. “I love this time of year with big bedded bass and strutting toms.” Talk about a cast and blast.
I’d be remiss to not do a little bragging myself.
Thanks to a few good Oklahoma friends, I was able to sneak in a hunt before the Grand Lake tournament began, as well. I found one eager Rio Grande turkey, and captured the entire hunt on film. Check it out below.
Oklahoma is a beautiful state, and offers plenty of opportunity to the total outdoorsman or woman looking for an adventure in the woods or on the water.