Covehnter Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 I'm sorry guys, this retellin' got long quick. And to think, i left out a couple more heart poundin' encounters to fit it in here how i did. Hope it pulls you guys in so that you can make it through the whole trip, if not i hope you enjoy some of the pictures. Let me go ahead and thank Shane (huntinguide) for absolutely puttin' a couple Georgia boys right smack in the middle of the action! He is definately a class act!! Appreciate it buddy!! A couple Georgia boys were able to break off a little early this past weekend and have Easter in Oklahoma. . . . . in an Ameristep blind surrounded by turkeys! Here’s how the weekend went down. . . . My buddy and I hit the road Thursday afternoon along with Scrappy, destination . . . Oklahoma. For those that arent familiar with Scrappy i'll let him strike a pose. We were on our way to meet up with a fellow board member, huntinguide, on his home turf in the northeastern part of the state. Our high expectations of having a hard gobblin’ Rio at the end of the gun barrel were slightly dampened when we received a phone call stating that the snow was falling hard in Claremore and our next mornings hunt would be a cold one. None the less, we trekked on westward hoping for a break in the weather. We arrived just in time to catch an hour nap and hit the door again, only this time in full camo with butterflies churning in our stomachs. The 30 minute ride to the cattle ranch we’d be hunting was filled with information about the ways of the Rio and other tidbits to cause our excitement to reach it’s peak. When we reached the end of a long field called "the runway" because of it's former use as a landing strip for airplanes we suited up appropriately for the 30 degree temps and drivin’ winds and eased half way across the expanse. Shane (huntinguide) suggested an owl hoot in hopes that the birds would respond in a roost in which he was very familiar. The echoes of my voice were still in the creek bottom when several Rio gobblers responded in unison, Shane was RIGHT on the money. We moved across the remainder of the field and melted into the pecan trees of the creek bottom. Staying on Shane’s heels we took advantage of a cattle path which kept our noise to a minimum while moving in on an opening within the bottom. We each slipped to separate trees and took a seat as daylight was now approaching quickly. My buddy to my right gets my attention to point at a longbeard silhouetted in half strut against the light cloudy daybreak at 45 yards. Upon closer examination of the pecan trees, we had crept right into the middle of the birds. . . . we were surrounded. The birds we not very talkative due to the unseasonable cold temperatures but when they did erupt it was all at once and almost made you want to cover your ears they were close. When the first birds finally began to start their day they set their wings to pitch down to our left about 60 yards. Birds flew down for an hour it seemed, we must’ve been under 20+ birds. My eyes were still on the impressive longbeard on the limb at 45 yards as 5 or 6 strutters came into view at the other side of the opening in the creek bottom 65-70 yards away headed in our direction. Just like that a flurry of wings and thud later there sat a single longbeard just behind a short bush I had ranged at 30 yards, neck stretched beggin’ for some #6’s. Confusion pursued . . . . shoot now, you know what they say “a bird in hand is better than two or in our case 6 in the bush” or something like that. Longbeard down the barrel, half a dozen moving in just out of range, and fat boy still on the limb at 45 yards. . . . my greed got the best of me and I elected to wait in hopes that all of us would get a shot opportunity. You can guess what follows, he moved to the other birds and they all faded into the creek bottom drug away by the hens that accompanied them on the roost. Boy was I kicking myself for that and come to find out my buddy had the same wheels turning in his head and we both had made the same decision. We made a quick move using the steep banks of the creek to our advantage and actually got to within 50 yards of the 3 longbeards and half dozen or so strutting jakes but due to brush obstructing shot opportunities we couldn’t close the deal. As we watched the birds move out of the bottom and onto the open prairie we returned to the truck to construct another game plan. That evening we sat up the Ameristep Brickhouse just down from the roost watching over the bottom and the green cow pasture. We got in the blind just in time as deer and turkey moved in within 15 minutes of us getting settled. We spent the rest of the evening watching up to 30 birds, possibly more parade around in the pasture consisting of many strutters and several nice longbeards. The birds moved into 70 yards before filtering into the pecans for roosting. Some pics of a jake that moved in nice and close. The next morning found us settled into the blind within 100 yards of the birds. Scrappy and his girlfriend would make their debut and were deployed 14 yards away in hopes of getting the strutters to come in for a fight. The first bird to hit the ground was an impressive longbeard and seemed to be in love with the only other "birds" on the ground at this time and was making a beeline around a finger of pecans toward us but as luck would have it the real deal began pitchin' down just as he passed them and this diverted his path. The birds gobbled several times from the trees but hit the ground and spent the first hour of daylight beneath their bedrooms doing their turkey thing at again, 70 yards. Despite seductive hen talk and even some fighting purrs from the slate over crystal Track Player the birds wouldnt venture any closer. Scrappy was accidently placed in a dip in the lay of the land and we're not sure if the birds ever got a good view of his boastfulness before they headed up into the prairie for the day. We decided to breakdown the blind and attempt to slip around the birds with them still 200 yards out in front. We were able to move out undetected. At this time the birds had made it into the cattle pasture and were still 200-250 yards out as we did our best to manuever through the barbed wire in the creek bottom unnoticed. Somehow during the less than graceful crossing a few of the birds caught movement and I looked up to see 3 of the birds givin' us the eye. I was beginning to scold myself for being too careless when one of the birds broke from the flock and started our way. Thats when i realized what had happened, i was still holding Scrappy up while crossing the fence and they had gotten an eyeful.With the bird still at a steady walk our way and noticing his red head i propped Scrappy against a folding chair I had slid under the fence and ordered my buddy to join me in belly crawling off the fence row 10 yards with scatterguns in tow. Shane was 20 yards behind us, capturing the event on tape. We got settled just in time to see the red head pop up over the rise and continue on his trip to Scrappy. We noticed the short beard and the conversation began, I started the dialogue. . . "You wanna shoot him?" . . . . "I dont know you want me too?". . . . "Doesnt matter, only got half a day tomorrow" . . . . "Yeah, I'll shoot him" . . . . "Well have at it" . . . on that note the Mossberg roared and the bird collapsed at a mere 15 yards. We had a Rio in tow back to Georgia and the other birds never broke strut still several hundred yards out in the field. We were thrilled to find out that Shane had captured the entire episode on film. We high fived and celebrated with pictures and details on how it went down from our different points of view. We were beside ourselves to find a full fan on the bird and agreed it would find a nice home on the wall! The whole crew, Scrappy, Shane (huntinguide), Drew, and Me. After checking the bird in and snagging a bite to eat our minds quickly regained focus on the task at hand, it was my turn. We moved back into the corner of the pasture we had watched the birds in the evening before and set up shop. Scrappy took his place a couple yards behind his female companion with some extra supports in attempt to keep him stable in the 30 mph wind gusts. After 30 minutes of "dead" time we were surprised by 4 jakes who came charging by the blind at 15 yards to confront the struttin' fake on their turf. They circled Scrappy talkin' "smack" with fighting purrs and whines, a far off hen provoked a gobble from the boys. For the video, i cutt at them which set off a series of gobbles from them and 3 more birds just behind the blind. Convinced this was the longbeards that the jakes had accompanied the past 2 days, i eased my shotgun across my knees to peek out of the side window to see 3 more jakes charging into the setup. Now we had 7 adolescences circling the decoy tryin' to figure out this "Southern" turkey in their cow pasture. The slightest sound from the diaphram would set them off into a chorus of gobbles, they made for some unbelieveable footage. Moving around Scrappy they moved to within 3 steps of the blind numerous times and with a few quick clucks all 7 birds would erupt in our ears at an arms reach, the video says it all. The birds moved off after 20 or so minutes, we were able to watch 4 of the jakes move across the hill later and had 3 of the jakes return just before flyup for a rerun of the Rio Jake versus Osceola cape aggression. Just as they flew up 100 yards away we snuck across the cow pasture to try and find some longbeards over the hill roosting on the other side of the pasture, knowing their was at least 2 longbeards that had faded over the hill earlier in the day. (It's impossible to fit all this into a readable length story on the board, lets just say we knew some boys were over the hill). Shane was able to silhouette several birds in a big pecan just as we were about to crest the hill and after a high pitch bark on the 'yote howler we were sure they were gobbling turkeys, just not sure whether there were any big boys. We left the field that evening with one bird in hand and enough memories to fill up a fat photo album. We studied the situation ahead of us that night like a tough calculus problem and decided to set up 130 yards away from the birds that next morning in the direction we guessed the birds would go. Random pictures from the exciting afternoon. The next morning, our last opportunity, we evalutated the situation further and stuck to the plan. We were settled into the Ameristep brickhouse on a fencerow in a wide open pasture just before the sky began to lighten with hints of daylight to come. Scrappy was flexing his feathers at 16 yards facing the roosted Rios. A pair of barred owls down the creek began wrestling which provoked responses from several groups of birds across the open prairies. It seemed that although the temperature had fallen to 25 degrees that the lack of wind would get the boys a little more excited than the past couple mornings. The choir of gobblin' birds littering the branches of the pecan tree kept the cold air filled with their love songs and caused our breathing to never quite settle. As the landscape began to lighten ever so slowly, i offered up some hen talk to let boys know a "hottie" was just up the hill. They seemed to like the talk much more than the hens that were roosted with them. A little more tree talk had them facing the field as flydown time neared. As turkeys began to drop out of the trees into the edge of the field we were still unsure if the group consisted of any mature birds. They were falling out of the tree into the field over a rise that put them just out of view. They seemed want to follow the creek bottom away from us and our hopes quickly began to fade. With periodic gobbles and glimpses of heads or fans we could tell they were moving slowly. Still responsive to excited hen talk, but nothing running over the hill for a duel just yet. A red headed bird emerged over the hill about 100 yards away and began feeding our way. A single bird leading the way hopefully for the rest to follow. Baring down with the binoculars the bird was identified as a longbeard which sent my heart into a flutter! Just as the ID was made the bird had closed the distance another 20 yards and was taking long hard looks at the intruder, Mr. Scrappy himself. I could see the group of struttin' jakes making their way over the hill behind the longbeard. Then, it was like someone flipped a switch and the longbeard's attitude went from curious to ready to get sideways with the ball of feathers claiming his hillside. You could see the colors rush into the head of the brute as he bowed out his chest to show his pride and attempt to intimidate Scrappy. Just like he should have, Scrappy didnt budge and the blond tipped Rio couldnt stand the cockiness of the boastful newcomer any longer. In a steady walk hestitating only to display his gorgeous colors to Scrappy and his companion he closed the distance. Shane was on the video camera and ask for a heads up on the shot. I allowed the strutter to have his last few steps into the next window of the blind and okay'd the grand finale with Shane and was givin' the go ahead. With some loud cutts the bird lifted his head from it's hiding place within his glittering feathers and I touched the trigger on the Remington sending 2 ounces of #6's to end the reign of a noble strutter on a hill in prairie country and put a capper on a spectacular 3 days in Oklahoma. The bird lay in a pile of feathers a mere 21 steps from the blind and an arms reach from Scrappy. We pounded fists in the blind and watched the remaining birds disappear into the creek bottom below, the jakes still gobbling in confusion. I couldnt help but to give a nod to the blue skys above as we approached the gift I was given on this chilly Easter Sunday. Stats: 21 lbs, 9 inch beard, 1 1/16 inch matching hooks Pardon me for a little alone time with Scrappy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntn4bucks Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . Very, very nice Cove! Congrats to you and Poncho on one heck of a season...and it's not over yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinguide Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . I love it!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbeard Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . Love it. Grand huntin' boyz. Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . Very Nice! You guys are definately having a better season than I am! Congratulations on a worthwhile drive! Man i wish I had known you guys were comming! Im only about 25 miles from Claremore. you probably drove right by me! Id have loved to stopped by and said hey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest okla_bowhunter Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . that is awesome!!! I love ol' Scrappy, and apparently he works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ambuscher Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . Yep, should have give a hollar. You passed right through my part also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . Great story!!(I truely thought I was there) Congrats on some great looking bird! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2008 Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . That sounds like one of the best turkey hunts I have heard of! Congrats to you and Drew on the birds. Awesome job Shane on being an excellent guide. The pictures are great too and once again congrats to all of you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covehnter Posted April 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . Sorry Ambuscher and Jeramie I would've really enjoyed getting to meet more RT forum members on the drive over! Maybe next time! Shane, we really got to get that DVD burning figured out cause i'm itchin' to relive the experience again. That and i'd love to get that on the web! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . Great show Cove...heck of a hunt. I'll bet there's more work to be done for Scrappy this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt03 Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . awesome job. Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAMABUCKS Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . Congrats on two nice Rios & great story. Post the video when you get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinguide Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . im tryin right now.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poncho0206 Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . I can vouch first hand, It was an AWESOME trip, Shane I can't thank you enough for taking us on this hunt, the trip was full of great memories that I will never forget!! Thanks again man. You need to get your butt down to Ga,me and Cove will line you up a big ga eastern...can't wait to see the video again....take care man, good luck getting you a bird this week, keep in touch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covehnter Posted April 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . [ QUOTE ] I can vouch first hand, It was an AWESOME trip, Shane I can't thank you enough for taking us on this hunt, the trip was full of great memories that I will never forget!! Thanks again man. You need to get your butt down to Ga,me and Cove will line you up a big ga eastern...can't wait to see the video again....take care man, good luck getting you a bird this week, keep in touch! [/ QUOTE ] Hey. . . . I didnt know you were on here. Speak up. For clarification, poncho0206 is my buddy Drew in the above retellin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinguide Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . Thanks poncho, im lookin for the next couple weekends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gobblergetter15 Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . Thats a good lookin decoy for homemade. Awesome job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinguide Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Re: Scrappy goes to Oklahoma. . . . IT WORKS!!! im workin on one right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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