Squirrelhunter91 Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Had some schedule changes happen at work this week so I went up to the property last night because I had today off and didn't have work til 12:30 on Thursday. So I figured I could hunt wednesday and early thursday if need be. I went out in the rain at 5am, sat til about 7 and got soaked. Went back to the house and fell back asleep til 9:45. Woke up and saw the sun was starting to break through the clouds and the fog had lifted off the mountain. I knew exactly where the birds would be at this time, in a field that is an annual strutting zone. They sit out there for hours on end and strut their little hearts out. So I get suited up and start hoofin it up the mountain to get to this field, calling every 100 yards or so to see if I could atleast get a response. No gobbles on the walk up. As I'm coming down the four wheeler trail and approaching the field, I pick out two turkeys in the field, one in half strut, about 80 yards away. I plop down just off the trail and let out a few soft yelps. I probably could've set up a decoy but in the heat of the moment, I just wanted to get set. Two birds gobble on the yelps so I sit tight. About a minute goes by and I throw out some hard cutts followed by excited yelping. The field lights up with a bunch of different gobbles. Then I see all the heads starting to peak over the rock wall separating the field from the woods. I count 6 heads and see two more longbeards out in the field but further out behind the jakes. The jakes start filing down the rock wall towards the only opening off to my right. Lazy birds. Anyway, one jake comes through, two more, one more. So at this point, I'm desperately holding out for one of the longbeards but I notice the jakes start taking a trail hard to my right that would not permit me a shot when the longbeards caught up to them. So when they were all behind a cluster of trees, I readjusted and swung my gun to the right. At the very same time I started to move, another jake popped over the rock wall and busted me. Putt Putt! They all started to get nervous so I decided to drop the hammer on the one jake that was standing there 35 yards out. BANG! No flopping, just a backflip and all was still. Out of the last 9 days, I've hunted 7 of them from sunrise to noon. It was such a relief to put a bird on the ground, especially since it's been 3 years since my last one. Hoping to kill another tomorrow morning with my bow here in the county I live in. We'll see how that goes. Had to wait til I got home to take pics because I was alone in the woods, so I'm in plain clothes. Bird was 15lb, 4" beard and 3/8" spurs. I'll be back after those longbeards next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailfreak55 Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Congrats man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 Way to go Joe..its on the ground thats what counts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 congrats joe! good to break a dry spell. good luck going after those longbeards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesse8953 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 No flopping, just a backflip and all was still Way to get it done, Joe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tacticalhero Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Nice cant wait to shoot mine in two week b4 the seasons closes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Way to get it done Joe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHISKEYSWAMP Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Congrats Joe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Awesome! Congrats Joe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Congratulations Joe. Good luck with the longbeards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Good job Joe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.