James7xChamp3 Posted May 7, 2005 Report Share Posted May 7, 2005 Some of you like stories so here it is....... It all started with some decision making. My Maine season starts Monday, and all I have is Saturday this weekend as Sunday is promised to my honey. After all, she had bought tickets for the Red Sox's Sunday game against Seattle for my birthday and we were Fenway bound. Sunday was our time, with no turkey time to interfere. So Saturday morning was to be spent either turkey hunting in NH or last minute scouting in Maine. The forecast promised lots of rain and wind and "my spot" in NH wasn't to promising for this type weather. There are no fields or large open spots along this steep hardwood ridge I discovered last year by mere luck. My experience has taught me that the birds love the open areas in the wind & rain. I figure they can see better as their keen sense of hearing is greatly dimished and survival in their wooded areas depends a lot on their ears. The best part about this spot is I have never seen another human being in these spring woods. I love to get away from it all, but it is hard to do in southern Maine & NH. My spot is a 45 minute drive and about a 1/2 hour hike. I had a couple battles with a ridge-running tom last year and he had won. I would love another! Hmmmmmm..... but where would they be? Maybe the small type clearing along the ridge by the stonewall? They could see a little ways there with the lack of foliage. I wish I could hunt in Maine.....I know some much better spots. Beep, beep, beep.... wow seems like I had just gone to bed. I'm pretty tired, and my honey talks me into staying in bed for "just a little bit longer". The turkeys will be on roost a little longer anyways with the rain and all. It's light out! The clock says 5:30. What do I do? "You going hunting"? Yes honey I am. "But it's raining". I know honey but it's the only day I have this weekend. "Be safe" . I will. I dress quickly, grab a cup of coffee and head. But what am I doing and where am I going? I'll drive by some spots in Maine and see if there are any hunters. I see only one spot with a vehicle parked. Another good reason to hunt the inclement weather! My decision is made. I'm headed to NH! I arrive and as usual there are no signs of company. I grap my cushion, my small mesh camo blind, my Encore and start hiking. About 100 yds in, I pull out my Primos power crow call and let her rip. Nothing responds, not even another crow. I do this 2 more times prior to reaching the stonewall and I finally get an answer....from another crow. That's good I think to myself...... maybe he'll stick around and help me out. There is a spot along the stonewall between a few hemlocks where I can sit and see about 50-60 yds in a few directions. I quickly unroll my little blind and stick it in front of me between the hemlocks and then settle into my seat cushion. I pull a Primos double from my pocket and pop it in my mouth. Wonder how this Quaker Boy Hurricane will work in this weather I think as I pull it out of my jacket pocket. 5 minutes later, I find out. I do a few soft yelps, and they sounded pretty good. Seemed to carry pretty far also. Wind isn't as strong as predicted. No response....I'll try again in 15 or 20 minutes. It's 7:45. Sure would like to see one of those red weeds that Redbeard talked about. "Especially those ones that move" I think to myself with a chuckle! Uncle John is coming down from Hancock, Maine on the 19th to try some NH turkey hunting. I'd really like to score on a bird before he arrives so we can concentrate on getting him a longbeard. Sure would be nice to do that today so I can devote my time the next couple weeks on a Maine bird. John would love this spot! He loves remote areas maybe even more than myself if that's possible. He sure sounded excited when I told him about it the other night on the phone. Caw, caw, caw........there goes Sammy! Caw, caw, caw ..... wait.......did I hear what I think I heard? Caw, obble, obble, obble, caw, caw......heart beats very fast. I can't believe it! Sounds like he's down the ridge to the left. Caw, caw, caw.......Sammy sounds off again. I pull the Hurricane from my jacket pocket......yelp, yelp, obble, obble obble. Yelp,obble, obble, obble. He knows where she is I think to myself. The Hurricane is back in my pocket and the Primos is moistened. Caw, caw, caw. Thank you Sammy! Caw, caw, obble, obble, obble! He's coming. Ok, be calm. Should I call? No....the last 2 times this week they did not respond well to calling. Got tight lipped and were probably henned up........ but that was at 5:30 in the morning.....it's 8:15..........he's searching. So what, he knows where you are! Caw, caw obble, obble, obble! He's close.......how come I can't see him! Where is he? Ka thump, obble, obble obble! How can this be? I thought he was coming in from straight in front of me I think as I slowly turn my head to the right to see my first male turkey of the year while hunting- who had just hopped over the very stonewall I was leaning against. Not a red weed, but a blueish-white glowing tipped one. And yes, it's moving! Obble, obble....periscope......half strut......periscope .... obble, obble.......periscope......full strut......tail feathers towards me........gun is up and locked. This scope is awesome! Small beard........but he's not a jake and seems decent size. Obble, obble,..... periscope..........kabooooooooooom! I leap to my feet and quickly run to him but he's not moving. The Winchester X-tended range #5's did their job! Thank you God...... I can't believe this! Thanks for my scope honey! Thanks Dad......I always thank him......... he seems to share in my joy as much as myself. I love you too Mom!. It's raining hard now. Hope it doesn't rain like this tomorrow at Fenway! Man......got my first NH bird! Hope we can get Uncle John that longbeard! He will love this spot! As I make my way back down the ridge to my truck, it hits me. Do I have it? A quick search in my pocket answers that question. I do have it as I pull it from my pocket. The "lucky coin" with a turkey on it. Thanks again honey..........it worked! "Just something I saw on Ebay and thought it might give you good luck" she said as she pulled it from an envelope a few weeks ago....................... Here is my bird. Not a monster by no means, but a great trophy to me! 16.5 lbs 5"beard 9/16" spurs When I arrive home I also hear the good news that my brother-in-law Steve got his first turkey. A 20lb tom with a 9"beard I believe and sharp 1"spurs. An awesome bird that he also harveted this morning in Maine. The other guy is my nephew Ryan -better known as big9ptbuck. I'm sure you'll be hearing the story and seeing some pics! Congrats Steve! 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VermontHunter Posted May 7, 2005 Report Share Posted May 7, 2005 Re: First NH bird WOW, great story and nice looking bird there.... ,,,glad to hear your patience and dedication paid off for ya,,,,, Now I just hope that's not an omen for Sat. Nights race, Jr., maybe.... Naa, it's going to be Gordon... Congrats on a great Bird... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gobblergetter15 Posted May 7, 2005 Report Share Posted May 7, 2005 Re: First NH bird Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted May 7, 2005 Report Share Posted May 7, 2005 Re: First NH bird congrats!! nice truck too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbeard Posted May 7, 2005 Report Share Posted May 7, 2005 Re: First NH bird Way too go bud. Awesome hunt AND STORY. Fun ain't it Never had one "hop up on a wall" for me. Awesome. Good job. Love that tag on your truck too. Congratulations. Hope Uncle John does as well. Good luck. P.S. You got a good wife, I had to buy my lucky coin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomer Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 Re: First NH bird Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clayton819 Posted May 8, 2005 Report Share Posted May 8, 2005 Re: First NH bird where at in NH was it . and nice bird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James7xChamp3 Posted May 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 Re: First NH bird [ QUOTE ] . P.S. You got a good wife, I had to buy my lucky coin [/ QUOTE ] Lol Redbeard.......she's my girlfriend. I haven't said yes yet!.............I wish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James7xChamp3 Posted May 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 Re: First NH bird [ QUOTE ] where at in NH was it . and nice bird [/ QUOTE ] It was in Ossippee. Lots of hardwoods up that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clayton819 Posted May 10, 2005 Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 Re: First NH bird i have family in sanford right on mousum lake dont know how clos it is to u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntn4bucks Posted May 10, 2005 Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 Re: First NH bird Great story and nice pics! Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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