doubleA Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 This past Saturday was the Texas South Zone opener. I hadnt done any scouting whatsoever. I arrived at my place late Friday afternoon just in time to see a few birds going to their roost they have been using for years. I dont get within 5-600 yards of it and it's left alone year round. I awoke early Saturday morning, had a cup of coffee and got my stuff together and watched the news/weather and found that a storm was coming my way. I loaded my gear up up in the Ranger and was about to head to my observation area to see what direction the flock was going to take when I decided to let out a owl hoot. To my suprise I heard a not so far away gobble respond....hmmmmm I thought and instantly got excited. Daylight was getting near, the sky was getting lighter and birds were starting to chirp. My plans changed and I jumped in the UTV and drove in the genereal direction of where I thought the gobble came from, probably drove about 300 yards. I pulled slightly off the dirt road and came to a stop and hooted again. Bam, the gobbler let loose and he was close, I actually drove past him by about 50 yards. Thought a bit, scrambling and dropping stuff as I had to act quickly as the woods were getting brighter. I stopped and slowed down a bit doing a checklist and decided to circle back and set up in a small opening in oak timber. He would continue to sound off and I hurried to set up the decoy and find a place to sit. I finally plopped my rear end down next to a bush and loaded the gun and put on my gloves and headnet. The decoy behind and to the right of me. I made a couple of soft yelps and he came unglued with a double gobble. I am not going to lie, my heart was just a racing at that point. I made another very soft tree yelp and he responded and I could tell he had flown down at that point. I waited a few seconds and then did a fly down cackle and he came back with a GOBBBBBBLE! I then knew he was committed and adjusted my shooting sticks and readied my Benelli. A blue head suddenly appeared behind some brush directly in front of me. Man this plan was working like clockwork. He made a few steps and came through the brush in full strut, what a beautiful sight. I leveled the reticle of the Leupold on his head and sent 2oz of #5's from a Winchester Extended Range shell his way. He dropped like a rock as I felt the recoil of the shot. I sat there amazed and in awe of what just happened. Not five mintutes earlier I was enjoying my coffee on the porch of my camphouse. Everything was still a blur as it happened so fast, matter of fact it's taking me longer to type this that my hunt. The storm arrived about 2 hours after daylight and brought cold temps and alot of wind and rain. The day was just miserable but I didnt care, I was still gloating from my dawn adventure. This is why I love spring turkey, for days like today...specially knowing tommorow I could go out and not even hear a bird but 3 days from now be covered up with them. There is never a bad day in the turkey woods. Been chasing turkeys for many years now and this one will go down as my quickest, everything went perfect for a change. Didnt weigh the bird, but he had 1" spurs and 10 1/2 " beard, most likely a 3yr old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Cool story. Nice bird. Nice pics. CONGRATS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Archer 01 Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Congrats on the bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 atta boy! Great story and great pics! I too had a hunt like that once.......rather amazing at how quick it can happen sometimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Congrats!!! I love it when they come in strutting like that. It's a beautiful sight to behold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Nice bird, Charlie. Enjoyed the story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Nice bird, Charlie. Enjoyed the story! Ditto! That's a great pic and story Charlie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3seasons Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Congrats on a nice bird and great hunt. Looks like it has some bronze in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 congrats!!! good luck to all the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Congrats DoubleA!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bowhunter56 Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Well done, he's a dandy.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleA Posted March 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Thanks everyone for the kind words. Here is the end result...just took it out of the smokehouse. As my oldest daughter would say some good old fashion organic grown poultry candy.:pacman: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Archer 01 Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 That looks like some good stuff. Congrats again!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_Spike_King Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_Spike_King Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Way to go DoubleA. Great hunt there man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 i bet he looked almost as good as he does there on the table. great job! that's quick work of a tom for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maytom Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Congrats on a dandy bird!! Love that cool camo on your gun too!! WTG!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike13candace Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Great story to go along with your success.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHISKEYSWAMP Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 nicely done... congrats on a great bird! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the one Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 nice story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 How did I miss this? Duh.... Awesome story Charlie and nice bird too! That jerky looks mighty tasty too . Rios are some hot birds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 Nice bird Charlie, congratulations. Good pics too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goinghuntin Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 Beautiful bird! And I love the camo on the gun too :gunsmilie: Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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