NiteRunner Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 I'm a little late posting as I got him on Saturday. Haven't had time to do much lately aside from turkey hunting! This hunt found my dad and I heading to the woods together for the second time this season. The birds didn’t work well at all the day before when we were hunting, mainly because of an unexpected thunderstorm, but we hoped today would be different. We hit the woods right around 5:45 a.m. and to our dissatisfaction we never heard a bird as we made our way through the woods. Finally, as the sun started to lighten things up we heard a gobble, followed by a couple more. That was a relief, as I was beginning to think that the birds had moved or been shot at. We picked out a spot to set up in, but the brush would hinder our shots to just a couple of lanes. A hen and jake decoy were placed about 15 yards out in the best lane and we sat down and prepared to call. I sat at a smaller tree just in front and to the left of my dad and because of this he had me turn around the tree more to left so he could have a better shot down the lane just in case he had to swing some. So yes, he would have the better shot now if the birds came in textbook like, but we all know how that works. He did tell me that if I had a shot to take it, just not to be jumping up after the shot just in case the other birds hung around. Mouth call in, slates out and I was ready. The gobblers were not saying much at all while on roost. Finally coaxed a couple gobbles out of them and then a hen spoke up just down in the woods. I talked to her for a couple minutes, doing some fly downs and then she pitched down herself. Birds’ just started flying down from all over and then a gobble was let out and he too was on the ground, and closer. That first hen though came right into the decoys, she kinda eyed them up and stuck around looking. More hens just started pouring in through the woods, and then the red heads popped into view. Naturally they were the last ones to come and they were out there way beyond shotgun range. Three full fan strutters and countless hens. The toms slowly made they’re way in, but not before the hens were mere yards away, I thought the jig was going to be up, but the hens weren’t spooked. I had quit calling at this point, fearing that we would surely be picked out then. My dad whispered over to call, so I gave them a few soft calls. Now I should mention that all the birds, with the exception of that one hen, have come up on our left side, the same side my dad needed me to scoot to so he could have a better shot. I’m almost perfectly set up to shoot, just need to slide the gun left a hair. The Toms were on the approach and closed into 20-25 yards and they would come no closer. One strutter had a shorter beard, one had a slightly bushy beard and one had a nice bushy beard. I heard my dad whisper to take the shot, as he couldn’t get moved on them. They started to sense that something may not be right. I slowly moved my gun over to where the three Toms danced for they’re lady friends and just as I did I saw one of them pick his head up. Perfect. The safety was already off and I found his head right down my gun barrel, BOOM! He started flopping! Yes! I almost sprung up from my spot as I started to get my legs under me when I hunkered back down wondering if my dad would shoot. The hens had taken off at the shot and I didn’t see the other two Toms, but then I did as they started moving back down through the woods. The shot would have been a tough one as they were out there a good distance now. My Trusty 20gauge did the job, along with the 3" Winchester No. 5's. My sis liked watching me fall off that log as we tried to get this shot. But to my defense, 21lbs over the shoulder is not easy to balance on a skinny lil log. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinch314 Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 WOW great bird and congrats!!!!!!!!!!!! Great story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 That is awesome. Looks like a monster bird too. WTG!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parkergirl Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 awesome bird!!! saturday is when i got my bird too:D:D:D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 Looks like a great bird there Laura. Congratulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHISKEYSWAMP Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 great bird... congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 Great story. And congrats on the fine looking bird! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvtohnt Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 That's awesome. Can't wait to go with my daughter this weekend. Hope we have the same luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doe-ee Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Nice pics and great write-up too. Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntnMa Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Congrats on that saturkey I mean turkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 WTG Laura! Another great bird for you.....year after year you seem to smoke some good ones!!! Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Wtg, Laura!! Congrats on an awesome gobbler! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Congrats! Awesome bird! Hope I'm slinging one over my shoulder this season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Nice!!! Thats a good bird.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NiteRunner Posted April 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2009 Thanks Everyone!! I'm after gobbler number two now, but I hope to call one into my dad before that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest outdoorgirl Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 That a girl Laura :) :D congrats great story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrswtnhunt Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Amazing story and a huge bird there. A big congrats to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NiteRunner Posted May 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Thanks Gals!! My second bird is playing hard to get, but I think a late morning strategy might be the ticket. Just don't tip them off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 good photos and story, laura. congrats. hope #2 is as cooperative Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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