Story and pics of my 1ST RIO!


5SHOT

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Well I shot my first Rio this week in Oklahoma. Not much of a story, I shot him in less than 5 minutes of the start of my hunt which was 2.5 days. I could of shot a second bird that came in with him but I wanted my hunt to last more than 5 minutes. Well as you would guess my greed left me with an empty tag going home.

The hunt started by driving to our first stop. We got out of the truck and walked about 50 yards to look over a small hill of sage and scrub brush to see 2 strutting gobblers a little over 100 yards away. We ducted back down and I set up in the sage brush and we started to call and they gobbled to everyone of our calls. Within minutes the two gobblers were in view and walked right to us. Like I said I could of took either bird and I shot the lead bird at 29 yards. I looked at the beards of both and the lead bird had a nicer beard so I choose him. I am glad I did because he ended up having 4 BEARDS!! The largest beard was a little over 10 inches and other three were all less than 2.5 inches.

The rest of the hunt had me chasing extremely henned up gobblers. And the few gobblers that were not henned up and had the opportunity to call to had something go wrong at sometime. Either they came so far and didn't see the hens and stopped or I had cattle all around me or walked in the my line of fire and wouldn't move. I seen so many gobblers and had so much action that I honestly don't care I didn't fill that last tag.

Not only the hunt was great but the company I had to share it with was just as good. Like always I cherish everyday I can hunt with my dad. He shot his first two Rios also. We also hunted with a great guy that some might know from other message boards (HOTROD) Rodney Meneely. Not only is he a great hunter but a good friend. We had a lot of laughs and made the hunt that much more fun. Rodney also tagged out with two nice Rios.

Here are some pictures:

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Here is the pictures of the beards and a picture of the spur. One spur was 1&3/8 inches and the other was 1&1/4 inches..

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Here is a picture of me and Rodney:

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Beautiful bird! Congratulations!

I'm looking to kill my first Rio this spring, too. Whereabouts in OK were you hunting? Public land or a guided private hunt? Any info you have would be appreciated as I'm making plans now for the remaining weekends of the season and would love to find a big ole Rio myself.

Again, congrats!

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Guest OklaBow712

I also killed my first Rio (my first turkey actually) on Sunday here in Southern Oklahoma...had a great time and now Im hooked...first Rio Ive ever seen. We have easterns where Im from in Southeast Okla...congrats I know you had a blast.

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