"Homework paid off"


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After getting skunked out west and very frustrated I got back onto my home ground in Iowa.

I knew I had to do my homework and locate and pattern some birds. I went out and sat in the truck a few nights and mornings and watched the bird activity. I went to a favorite spot that I had not hunted yet.

I watched two toms in the alfalfa field going to roost the last two evenings and struting in that same location this morning. I had these boys patterned!!! That means trouble for those birds when I have that kind of advantage!

I put the bow away and took out the faithful Charles Daly O/U. This gun has killed a many birds in it's life time. I set up the double bull blind at 3PM where they were seen the last three days. I "cat-napped" until 5:30 PM, taking occasional peeks out of the blind at the decoys. Since to know the birds will eventually come to this location I DO NOT CALL. Not even once di I pick up the call. The 64 degree weather and blue skies made it a great day.

At 6 PM I was watching to the south where the birds had usually come from. Out of the corner of my eye I see movement in the freshly plowed field. It is the "REDHEAD" that we all look for and love to see! He is at 25 yards and closing and he has a buddy. I see that he has a very nice, thick beard and decide to close the deal. I put both of the beads on my Charles Daly O/U and the bird falls at 20 yards. The 2 3/4 inch #4's dropped him like a rock right where he stood. Once more the Charles Daly had come through for me (kinda get the idea that I love this gun).

Bird weighed 23 lbs, spurs 1 1/4 inches, beard 10 1/2 inches.

Do I have one regret, yes. All season long when hunting with the bow I had 6 hens at 10 yards or less and the closest tom at 34 yards. The way these boys were coming in I would bet that they would have been less then 15 yards!!!!!!!!!!!! A perfect range for the bow!!! It always seems to happen that way. Bet if I left the gun at home they would have been at 30+ yards.

2009gunturkey.jpg

good luck to all

the dog

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