huntinguide Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Well let me start it out saying that I just got engaged last night to my girlfriend of 2 ½ years. Got out this morning to one of my better spots and did not here a gobble. I owl hooted and coyote howled my heart out for about 15 minutes and didn’t have any takers. I was about to take off and drive around to see if I could see anything out in the fields flying off the roost. I gave the howler one last blow and finally he sounded off 75 yards behind me right where I thought they should be. So I immediately put a decoy out and sat up against a big old pecan tree. When the hens started waking up the old boy only let out one more gobble before flying down. They flew down into a field on the other side of the tree line that I was sitting. I waited for about 20 minutes and dropped down into a creek that paralleled the field they where in on 2 sides. The bank was within 15 yards of the field so I was thinking I could do a little sneak and get into position. Well they where on the other side of the field by the time I got to where I could see them. They where headed right for my truck that was sitting at the end of the fence they where headed down. As I watched them pass within 5 yards of my parked truck that I was not in. I decided then that I needed to make a move around to try and cut them off. As I was moving I lost a visual on the birds so I was always kind of suspicious of if I had spooked them or not. As I’m moving down a fence that will intersect the fence they are traveling I spotted a fan glowing in the sun, and its moving right down towards me. I get set up about 75 yards in front of them and watch as they all move my direction. There was 1 tom and 12 hens I kind of forgot to mention that in the beginning. Any way they are moving my direction just about as slow as a turkey could move. Finally he gets within 15 yards of me and I watch him for a few minutes then he starts to move of in another direction so I decided to take him. After I shot I had a feeling that I have never really had before it was a feeling of accomplishment, not to say that I am not grateful for the other birds that I have taken. I was thinking of how long this old boy had been wondering around these woods and what all he has seen. But I had finally beaten him on his own turf at his own game. He is by far my best bird, and one that will never be forgotten. He weighed 23.5 lbs He also had 2 beards the primary beard measured 11 1/16”, the secondary was 4” His spurs where 1 4/16 and 1 6/16 I punched his stats into the NWTF website and this is what he scores. His overall score NWTF is--------79.6875 A true limb hanger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dartonman Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 I hope I am one of the first to reply....that is an awesome bird....kudo's on your strategic moves....I love running and gunning, and sometimes thats the only way to head off an old boss tom....great looking bird, he would make an awesome flying mount....great bird indeed....congrads from Illinois.........al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinguide Posted April 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 hows the hunting in illinois??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted April 22, 2007 Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 Great bird there. Congratulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest outdoorgirl Posted April 22, 2007 Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 First off congrats on your engagement i wish you two the very best in life. Thats a great story and a great looking tom you scored on That sounded like a exciting turkey hunt !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted April 22, 2007 Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 Congrats on a great bird and your great hunt huntinguide. I know what you mean about pondering thoughts on the life and times of an old monarch like that. Congrats again bud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted April 22, 2007 Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 WHAT A BIRD!!! Congrats!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pintail711 Posted April 22, 2007 Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 sweet bird, good job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomer Posted April 22, 2007 Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 Congrats on a great bird! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkV Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 Congrats on a dandy bird! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAMABUCKS Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 congrats on the bird & the engagement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NiteRunner Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 Congratulations!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covehnter Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 First off . . . . . ENGAGED!!! Man, you werent kiddin' were you!!! HaHa, just ribbin' ya man, i was only able to meet Halie for a lil' while but bud i'm pretty sure you've gotta keeper!! I cant remember if I already ask but . . . she got a single sister!! j/k Congratulations on the engagement, i hope you both the best! And secondly. . . . What a Bird!! You did manage to slip around on that toad werent you!! Once you called i couldnt wait to get to the board for the pics, he's definately a fat boy! Congrats on layin' down the hammer! Man, you've had quite a couple days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2008 Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 That is one great looking bird! Awesome story and congrats on getting engaged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
booner1331 Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Congrats on the bird and the girl........ 2 birds with one stone..... a DIAMOND Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAstringking Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 congrats teamate....nice bird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpcNape Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Nice bird. Congratulations on both your accomplishments. It's always nice to see another Okie get a nice bird. The past few years I've been more and more excited with the quality of wildlife we're producing in Oklahoma. The bucks are bigger and the birds are flurishing. I'd say you definatly have a wall hanger with that one. Good luck on your marriage. May the Lord bless you and your fiance and may your marriage be the best years of your life. CPL. Napier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maytom Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Congrats on the bird and your engagement!! WTG!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Congrats Shane. Wish I could've been with you on this hunt. Congrats on the engagement as well. Haley's a great girl and you're lucky she doesn't gripe you out when you go hunting...........enough said................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covehnter Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Congrats Shane. Wish I could've been with you on this hunt. Congrats on the engagement as well. Haley's a great girl and you're lucky she doesn't gripe you out when you go hunting...........enough said................. LMAO, now thats funny right there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinguide Posted April 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Thanks guys...... Ya thats one thing i love about her is that she always respects my love for the outdoors and never says anything whenever i go. I think she has gotten used too it because that is what i do for a living about 6 months out of the year. I think i have a real winner.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covehnter Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Just one question. . . . . you just killed a 23.5 pound doublebeard with hook spurs. . . . would it hurt ya to crack a lil smile?!?!? I tell ya, you and poncho with yall's tough looks. . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beagleboy Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinguide Posted April 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 its hard too smile when its just you and the camera.... Now if i had a goober like you takin the pic then i would have somethin too laugh at.. I guess me and poncho are just serious turkey hunters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covehnter Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Bwwaaahhhhhh . . . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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