Alabama Rainout

by
posted on March 17, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Despite being in the south, Alabama in March is in step with much of the rest of the country's extended winter. Of course, NRA’s Jim Porter, guide Albert "Chubby" Parnell and NRA Publications’ photographer Forrest MacCormack weren’t about to let the cold temps and rain keep them from giving it a try and were at it again well before sunrise.

As the group set up and hunkered down in the rain, it seemed the turkeys had the same idea: to sit on the roost and not make a peep! Despite situating themselves on several key spots on the property and tempting birds with a variety of of turkey calls, the gobblers stuck to a “silence is golden” routine.

So with breakfast—and a roaring fire—calling, the trio headed back to the house—for now. Of course, a good challenge never stops an avid turkey hunter for long.

“This sort of hunting is hunting in its purest form,” said Porter. “Turkeys—especially Eastern turkeys in spring—are very challenging to hunt. You have to rely on your hunting knowledge, be a good woodsman and be patient."

The rain should clear in a few hours so Porter and crew will give it a shot (hopefully literally) this afternoon! Once the birds start talking, the game is on, and Porter just happens to have a Remington High Velocity No. 4 magnum shell with a big, juicy Eastern’s name on it. If he gets his bird, you'll read it here first.

Latest

Mainfederal Vector Logo
Mainfederal Vector Logo

Federal Ammunition Awarded Contracts to Provide Rifle and Shotgun Ammunition to the Canadian Government

Federal Ammunition was recently awarded contracts to supply two Canadian law enforcement organizations with rifle and shotgun ammunition for duty and training purposes. These agreements will supply the Department of National Defense (DND) with .300 Blackout duty and training rounds, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with 12-gauge slugs and buckshot duty loads.

Hardware Review: Steiner ePredator LRF & ePredator 8 Riflescope

Looking for a surefire solution for long-range shooting? Look no further. Check out our review of the Steiner ePredator line.

Buckmasters’ New Record Book Reveals Hot Spots, Revamped Rankings

Deer hunters will have the rare opportunity to decipher the current state of whitetail deer when Buckmasters releases the ninth edition of its record book this fall. The 600-page tome shows where, when and by what means these world-class whitetails—25,000 in total—came to be included.

Clean 'em Up—Gun Cleaning 101 for Hunters

Ever wonder how often to clean your gun? How about what to clean it with? How about what to clean it with if you're hunting at 40-below? Phil Massaro answers all these questions and more, in this clean-freaks primer.

Hunting Show Attendance Shattering Records

Attendance records have been shattered at this year’s major hunting shows. The latest, Ducks Unlimited’s DUX (Ducks Unlimited Expo), set a new high-water mark in Memphis, Tenn. According to the Commercial Appeal, the July to Aug. 2 event attracted roughly 30,000 attendees. The 2025 event, also held in Memphis, drew a crowd that numbered nearly 20,000.

The Colonel’s Caliber in an Interesting Rifle—.35 Whelen

“Only accurate rifles are interesting.” Townsend Whelen

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.