toddyboman Posted April 27, 2007 Report Share Posted April 27, 2007 got back up and flew off. Heres the deal. Had this bird 75 to 100 yards down from me in the woods. I set my decoys out in the field and waited. He gobbled and I did a very soft yelp or two and that was it. A while later a hen lands in the field and come right to my decoys, she keeps looking in the direction the gobbles came from but not gobbler and no more gobbles. So we(the hen, my decoys, and I) just wait. Hen eventually wonders on so now I wait and wait. I called very little. I knew he would come out but just didnt know when. about an hour later he comes out of the woods. He comes to about 30 to 35 yards looks at the decoys and seems to get a bit uneasy, and starts to walk away somewhat quickly. Very upsetting I didnt get show at all, no gobbles no strutting just walks away like he is scared. So I raise my gun and blast. He hits the turf flopping a bit but thats normal. THIS however is not. He gets to his feet and flys back down into the woods. I search and search but find nothing. What do you guys think is he dead or alive? Did I hit him in the body? Any thoughts suggestions would be great. Never seen that happen before.... Guess I wont be hunting that spot anymore this year either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckbuster11 Posted April 27, 2007 Report Share Posted April 27, 2007 My guess is he will live but it's hard to say. My buddy and I had that exact same thing happen on the opener about 3 or 4 years ago. He hammered one at about 30 yards, we both got up and ran out there as usual but, this bird got up and ran away. We chased it for about 100 yards before we lost it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted April 27, 2007 Report Share Posted April 27, 2007 Turkeys are resilient when it comes to their powers of healing. Being he flew off, chances are a lot better he'll live than if he just ran off. Been there before too so I feel your pain. I don't know if I'd give up on that area yet though. A good friend of mine once rolled a bird that flew off on a place I used to hunt. Two weeks later I killed the same bird. His 2 week old wounds were healing up but he was still interested in hens enough to be tricked by my calling. I wasn't using decoys when I killed him but my buddy had a hen decoy out when he winged the bird 2 weeks prior to his demise. With the way that bird reacted to your decoys and after feeling the sting of your shot, I'd think twice about using decoys on that bird again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted April 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2007 My main concern is that he lives and does not die only to become coyote food. I don't know if I'd give up on that area yet though. With the way that bird reacted to your decoys and after feeling the sting of your shot, I'd think twice about using decoys on that bird again. Well not giving up on the spot but its a little draw that usually only holds one or two gobblers. Will have to try the other side of the farm and give that draw a few days off. Im sure that gobbler is going to run like mad the other direction next time he sees a decoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HoppeMan Posted April 27, 2007 Report Share Posted April 27, 2007 Dude, I saw your thread saying "Bird down" And I'm like, "Good job for him!" and then I see "but..." Well, he's gotta be alive. I had something similar happen. Saw a bunch of gobblers come out of the woods, so I did a few spft yelps, and the guys just take off like greased lightning Take care, Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 Sounds to me like you hit him low. I'm betting he'll make it. Don't beat yourself up over it----it's part of hunting----it wll happen to us all eventually. #6 shot? CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.