Ol' Splittail


huntinsonovagun

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What a great morning, right before the big rains (which we need badly!!) We saw this bird and a couple others strutting in a field, I walked a creek bed to close the distance, got on the bank and yelped a few times. After 5 minutes or so, I got antsy, wondering if I somehow spooked the birds off on my stalk in. I got behind a bush, slowly raised up and saw a couple heads. I eased back down, called a couple more times, with no response. I gobbled 3 times with my mouth, then waited. I got antsy again, got behind the bush again, and slowly raised up to see if they were making any progress. Sure enough...soon as I raise up (while my gun is laying on the ground) I see 2 birds coming right to me. A hen and the tom. The tom starts strutting and right away I knew it was a bird we have video of from opening day. We nick-named the bird Splitail from the tailfeather he had missing (obviously) I said I wanted that bird, and seeing him again got me going!! They were 50 yards out and closing, but I was pinned down. No way I could get my gun up. 25 yards out now, and they're looking for the other tom and hen. Splittail started mosying back out to the field, and I knew it was now or never. I popped up and raised my gun. The turkeys went alert, but didn't spook enough to take off. I had plenty of time to aim, and I dropped Splittail at 32 yards. Made my day. We'll try to get some video of him up soon, but we're having technical difficulties.

Thick, 9 3/4" beard

3/4" spurs

and only 17 lbs.

I really wasn't planning on keeping many more fantails, but this one HAS to be mounted. Trophy bird in my book.

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