5/3/07

Lowcountry turkey hunting is paradise found
By Terry Madewel
Part 1 of 2

Terry Madewell Photo

Turkey guide John Coit was truly in paradise with this magnificent specimen.

Turkey hunting guide John Coit had concocted a plan to get into the swamp where a big gobbler had done us wrong the day before. We’d set up on him several times in different places, but could not get him in for a shot. Coit, a master woodsman and turkey caller, had concocted a plan to come in “the back door” the next morning and set up on him totally different than the day before.

“We’ve got to get him before he gets into the pines on high ground. From that point, he is master of everything and there’s no way to get close to him,” Coit said. “Plus, he’s old and wise. As we found out yesterday, it’s all but impossible to call him into a place where he can’t see everything.”

And he was right. Coit had the bird’s number in terms of making him gobble, but the old bird would not leave his favored territory, no matter how sweet the hen sounded.

As he drove back to the spot, Coit said, “We’re getting in very early this morning and will be set up before he gobbles. We’ll have to catch him as he comes out of the swamp.”

It was a very good plan and we were definitely 20 minutes earlier than we were the day before. But this time the bird was gobbling right after we got out of the truck. It was still dark. Coit grinned and shook his head. “This bird always seems to have a new trick up his tail feather,” he murmured.

We silently marched to the pre-selected setup spot, which turned out to be no more than 100 yards from the bird. But we had good cover and got set up without buggering the rascal. Coit’s plan was working to perfection.

Speaking of perfection, Coit started his calls low and soft with his Perfection Glass Turkey Call, one of the sweetest sounding calls I’ve heard. This cranked up an old boss hen. Coit seized the moment and started dueling with her for the old gobbler’s attention. Every time she cranked it up a notch, Coit cranked it up to another level.

The old gobbler was shaking the hardwood swamp with his gobbles.

Finally he flew off the roost.

“I hear him walking in the leaves,” Coit whispered.

“Get ready, he picked us over the boss hen,” Coit said.

The old gobbler walked straight out of the swamp and stopped in the woods’ road 32 yards in front of us. He went into full strut when he saw the decoy.

When he popped his head up to take a closer look at the decoy, I pulled the trigger and shot somewhere about a foot to the left of the gobbler. I know that because I’ve seen scared but unscathed gobblers run before and this one most certainly fit into that category. But it was still an awesome hunt and I suspect John Coit managed to fool that bird again later on in the season. But it was a great lesson in turkey talking and the importance of setup, planning and understanding a specific gobbler.

The lowcountry of South Carolina is steeped with turkey hunting tradition. With one of the nation’s earliest opening dates, March 15, turkey season usually gets started in grand fashion. This season I had the opportunity to hunt a couple of days very early in the season at Bang’s Paradise Valley Hunting Club in Ehrhardt.

It was certainly a turkey hunting trip anyone would remember.

Operated by Bang and Tom Collins, Paradise Valley is certainly one of the top areas to plan a turkey hunt in the state. Not just the early lowcountry season, but anytime. With 10,000 acres of land reserved for turkey hunting and a stable of guides like Coit, Paradise Valley is steeped in southern hospitality and tradition. Plus, the hunting is absolutely awesome.

According to Bang Collins, the operation is set up for hunters to have a great time and harvest game.

“Of course now we’re into turkey hunting season, but we also have a very productive deer hunting operation as well here at Paradise Valley,” Collins said.

“While we try to ensure thta our guests are comfortable, we focus on putting them on the targeted game species. We plant many chufa plots for turkeys and a variety of other food plots for both deer and turkey. We have great guides and leave as little to luck as possible. Our hunts are strictly in the wild, but our success rate is very good,” Collins said.

The main lodge is very spacious, with a large gathering room for eating and discussing the day’s events. Plus, the lodge has eight bedrooms and four baths. The food is absolutely awesome as well. Plus, if you get your gobbler or buck early, there is a pond right in front of the lodge loaded with big bass (up to 10 pounds), catfish (up to 15 pounds) and monster bream.

The name is right indeed: Paradise Valley. We all know there are some places that offer a great deal but don’t have the goods to back it up. You can be assured that this place is for real. While a big gobbler or buck can never be guaranteed when hunting in the wild, the folks at Paradise Valley do everything possible to give you a great hunting experience. For more information on Paradise Valley for deer hunts this fall or turkey hunts next spring, contact Bang or Tom Collins at 803-267-2825. Also check out their website at www.pvhc.net.

Next week we’ll take a close look at some of John Coit’s other turkey hunting strategies that will make you a more effective turkey hunter.