Finally...1st 2010 gobbler in the bag

Rhino

By Rhino
in Turkey Hunting

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Rhino Monster Buck

Rhino

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To say the least turkey hunting has been tough so far this spring. For the most part the weather has sucked and spring greenup was 2 weeks late this year limiting a turkey hunters ability to reposition when needed.

I finally found a bird that would respond to calling. I broke one of my own rules that cost me Saturday morning. What rule? When hunting gobblers in timber, whenever possible always set up where the bird is in range when he steps into view. I called in 2 gobblers away from at least 4 hens I saw fly down to them Saturday morning and they made their mark between 50 & 60 yards. When they didn't see the hen they heard (me), they went back to the hens and never gobbled again that morning. Listened to them drumming with the hens another 20 minutes before they were out of hearing range.

Sunday morning I set up on the other side of where they went. Windy conditions sure cut down on gobbling activity on the roost but one fingally rang out shortly before flydown time. Only problem was he was behind me off my right shoulder. He gobbled 2 more times off the roost and his 1st gobble at ground level was my tip to move 15 yards to another tree behind me off my left shoulder to try to work him in. Once there a quick check and yep...if he steps into view he'll be in range. I gave him a few clucks and purrs off my Madhatter slate call and he cut me off with a gobble close to where I'd heard him the last time. A minute or so later he gobbles at a passing crow tipping me off he was closing the distance. I couldn't resist the urge to fire him up again so a couple of seconds later I threw a cut at him using my Woodhaven Red Wasp diaphram with him cutting me off with a loud gobble a lot closer now. No need to call anymore. A minute or so later I see bits and pieces of the bird's black body moving from left to right through new green growth. He steps into the open just inside the 40 yard line beard a swinging then stops and stretches out his neck to search for that hen he heard. This time a Nitro load puts him down for the count. My 1st MS bird of the year has a 9" beard with 1" hooks.

My_1st_2010_gobbler_RT.JPG

Weather looks great tomorrow through Friday so I'm heading back to the woods to try to find the double beard I got on trail cams this year. Hopefully I'll have him slug over my shoulder soon.

Edited by Rhino
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wtnhunt Monster Buck

wtnhunt

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Congratulations on the nice bird there Al. Had our youth hunt this weekend here, weather was terrible here too, overcast and windy. Birds are kinda cold here still, not much gobbling yet. Had a great bird pass through following some hens Saturday afternoon just out of range. Not a chance of calling him away from them. Tried setting up where she would have a better shot for them Sunday afternoon, hoping they would folllow the same trail but they never showed.

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redbeard 10-Pointer

redbeard

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Awsome Rhino, I've been checkin'. Great to see you got your 1st of the year, I know more are on the way. Thanks for the confidence in using my calls, that ol' caller oughta be rimmed with notches by now. :)

Anyhoo, congrats to you. Me, I was sick opening weekend, hunted 1.5 hours, heard 12, saw 3. Let the green patch deer hunters harass 'em last week. Now it's my turn........Wish me luck.

Good luck with yours too bud.

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Rhino Monster Buck

Rhino

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Thanks for the confidense in using my calls, that ol' caller oughta be rimmed with notches by now. :)

Me, I was sick opening weekend, hunted 1.5 hours, heard 12, saw 3. Let the green patch deer hunters harass 'em last week. Now it's my turn........Wish me luck.

It's been gettin a workout for the past few years. Hasn't missed a season without trickin a bird since I got it.

Good luck...I'm trying to lick a cold I've had on & off through the season. Hasn't keep me from hittin the woods though.

Birds are kinda cold here still, not much gobbling yet. Had a great bird pass through following some hens Saturday afternoon just out of range. Not a chance of calling him away from them. Tried setting up where she would have a better shot for them Sunday afternoon, hoping they would folllow the same trail but they never showed.

Sorry it didn't come together for ya William. Unfortunately, that's turkey huntin. The birds here aren't really gobblin good yet either. I was in the woods from before the crack of dawn till 11:30 Friday morning and never heard a bird gobble. That's happened twice to me so far this year. It will only get better. The magic time when the hens start going to nest isn't too far off. Then the gobblers really get anxious and stupid.;)

If there was only one true statement about turkey hunting, it is "It ain't always easy...." :D

You can say that again! Looking forward to having a looooooong drawn out gobblin & drummin battle, win or loose.:D

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wtnhunt Monster Buck

wtnhunt

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Sorry it didn't come together for ya William. Unfortunately, that's turkey huntin. The birds here aren't really gobblin good yet either. I was in the woods from before the crack of dawn till 11:30 Friday morning and never heard a bird gobble. That's happened twice to me so far this year. It will only get better. The magic time when the hens start going to nest isn't too far off. Then the gobblers really get anxious and stupid.;)

Thats what I told my daughter too Al.;) Regular season here opens this coming weekend, had hopes we would get her a bird on the youth hunt, things should get better in the coming weeks, I should get a few more chances to get out with her.

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Ethan Givan 12-Pointer

Ethan Givan

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Congrats on the bird. We have 3 weeks until season opens here, and it cant get here fast enough.

I've been all over em, including a 4 hour battle with two this morning.... it ended with the birds closing to 60 yards and then my grandad coming through the gate on the tractor to check cows.

LOL sorry but that made me smile. Sounds like something that would happen to me. They are still there though, maybe you will get them next time.

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Goinghuntin 10-Pointer

Goinghuntin

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I've been all over em, including a 4 hour battle with two this morning.... it ended with the birds closing to 60 yards and then my grandad coming through the gate on the tractor to check cows.

Happened to me more than once :pop: Great looking bird, I can hardly wait until it's my turn to enter the turkey woods :eat:

Nathan

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