StevenS Posted:
We’d like to thank Michael for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer some of the questions that were submitted to him by CamoSpace members.
Question 1 - mkray74
I am a 34 year old “Brand New” hunter. I am a female and I have fallen in love with hunting. I am from North Georgia and took my first deer this past fall (a doe). I am gearing up for turkey season at this very moment I will be hunting here in Georgia and in Missouri this spring season. Can you offer up some advice for me to hopefully have a successful hunt this season? By the way, I love watching you and the Real Tree team on The Outdoor channel.
Answer 1 – Michael Waddell
Well first off there is nothing cooler or sexier than hearing about the ladies getting out there and hunting. So thanks for getting out there and showing all the guys up in looks and success in the field.
Turkeys are so much fun, but can be tough especially in the south(GA). Definitely keep your calling to a minimum and call soft using a lot of realistic hen yelps. I have had a lot of luck in GA with soft hen yelps, mixed in with some timely more aggressive cutts only if the gobblers tempurature is right.
Early in the season I like decoys. But, as the season gets older I put em up because of pressure and the woods getting thicker. Also if I strike a turkey late in the morning, sometimes I will call to him on the way to set up and shut up on him around 30 yards or so from where I want to sit down and then I will get quiet on him. When he comes in, a lot of times he is looking 30 yards down below you and of course you’ll be there with three inches of attitude adjustment. Best of Luck!
Question 2 - Thornell4×4
What is the most memorable hunt of your career?
Answer 2 – Michael Waddell
No doubt hunting with my Daddy in CO and being with him when he got his first elk with a bow. It was a dream come true for both of us, and to get it all on video for a Bone Collector show was cool too!mkray74
Question 3 - forestman
Where do you think the sport of deer hunting is headed in the future?
Answer 3 – Michael Waddell
I think with all the conservation group hard work and all the hunters getting very serious with proper management of our herds and flocks. sport hunting is bound to get better in the future. Organizations like NWTF are standing up for hunting in general and not just for the wild turkey.
We do have to be careful however about the emphasis we put on trophy hunting even though it is perfectly healthy and ethical to do this. We just have to make sure we keep the trophies relative to the hunters who shoot them. Some people are proud of a smaller deer or turkey where some of us are only going after the biggest. We have to set goals and understand others as it pertains to the outdoors and hunting.
Question 4 - DixieGirl10
Michael, I love hunting thunder chickens and I know you have traveled all over the United States in pursuit of these extremely smart birds. I know you have your Grand Slam also. Of the 4 main breeds of turkeys (Rio Grande, Eastern, Merriam, and Osceola), which did you find to be the most difficult to locate, hunt, call, and kill?
Answer 4 – Michael Waddell
Without a shadow of doubt the Eastern that lives in the south (GA. AL). Because of the tough habitat, high pressure and fewer turkeys. Even though they can be the toughest they’re the most rewarding to kill. If you can consistently fill tags on easterns’, you can certainly be successful on the rest of the sub-species.’
Question 5 - brianpearson
Hi Michael! Thanks for the videos you sent us in Iraq in 2004. My question to you is.. What is the biggest whitetail you’ve taken, what’s the score and where did you take the animal?
I’ve enjoyed your show. Keep those shows a coming and thanks again for the videos. Us troops enjoyed them when we were able.
Thanks,
SFC Brian Pearson U.S.A.
Answer 5 – Michael Waddell
My biggest to deer came in back to back weeks this past fall 2008. I shot a 166 P&Y 9 pt in KS and six days later I shot a 176 inch bruiser in Indiana. I shot em both with a brand new Hoyt Alpha max.