Ohiobucks Posted May 14, 2010 Report Share Posted May 14, 2010 (edited) ....and knocked down Big Bird. Had a little luck here in Ohio this morning, nothing like waiting until almost the last minute. Season is over this Sunday at sunset. It has been in since April 19 and I have not been able to work a mature bird until this morning. It has been a strange season to say the least. It seems like the birds aren't on farms I have access to like they used to be. Can't really explain it. So rewind back to last Tuesday afternoon, I'm on the phone with a customer of ours, who just happens to be one of my good friends of 20+ years. I used to hunt Mark's farm exclusively, but have been fortunate enough to pick up several thousands of acres since then through another friend and his family, so I really never looked back. Anyway, after we got our business talk out of the way, Mark and I got to talking about turkey hunting, he asked me if I have been having any luck. I told him my turkey hunting hardships, he told me to come on out. He has been seeing a lot of birds on his farm and on his neighbors place all year long. I figured what the heck, and went out there last Wednesday morning for a few hours. I heard a mature bird on the roost, along with a jake bird in the adjacent woodlot. I set up on the longbeard, only to get no response at all out of him. Not sure if I spooked him, or if he just didn't feel like playing. I went back to the same spot this morning, was in there well before first light. At 6:05am, 2 birds gobbled off the roost within 150 yards of me. They gobbled probably 50 times each, at my calls, at crows, at nothing, they just felt like gobbling. Another bird started up as well, on the neighbors property. I could tell all 3 had flown down, and I kicked my calling up a notch. The closer 2 cut me off almost every time I put the striker to the slate on my bowhunter56 custom call (thanks again Andy). I put the call down, I knew the birds were coming. They were just over a rise about 60 yards out, still gobbling their heads off. I saw one pop over the hill, he saw my hen deke, and came to about 35 yards. His buddy stayed at about 45-50 yards, but both of them would not shut up. It was very exciting to say the least. I love hearing a drumming bird at 35 yards. It was 6:35am when I lined up the Winchester 1300 on the closer bird, and rolled him with a load of 3" 5's to the face. His friend stuck around for a few seconds after the shot, he didn't have a clue what just happened to his partner. I stood up, and he putted off. This is my biggest bird ever, a whopping 22.5 pounder with an 11" beard, and matching spurs at 1". Edited May 14, 2010 by Ohiobucks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul23 Posted May 14, 2010 Report Share Posted May 14, 2010 Congrats on a dandy, good thing you got up or his buddies might of came over and brusied him up for ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bowhunter56 Posted May 14, 2010 Report Share Posted May 14, 2010 WEll done, He's a dandy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHISKEYSWAMP Posted May 14, 2010 Report Share Posted May 14, 2010 great job on a dandy of a bird... congrats!! :gunsmilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted May 14, 2010 Report Share Posted May 14, 2010 Nice bird, Tom! Glad it all worked out for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted May 14, 2010 Report Share Posted May 14, 2010 Real nice gobbler there. Isn't turkey hunting fun!?!?!:beer: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted May 14, 2010 Report Share Posted May 14, 2010 Dang Tommy. Great bird, great story. That's cool. Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSeb53 Posted May 14, 2010 Report Share Posted May 14, 2010 congrats!.. that is an awesome bird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Archer 01 Posted May 15, 2010 Report Share Posted May 15, 2010 Congrats on an awesome bird!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted May 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2010 Thanks all, it sure was a great hunt, one I'll not soon forget. Another pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted May 15, 2010 Report Share Posted May 15, 2010 Nice pic, Tom! I can't get that Sesame Street tune out of my head...Thanks!:1eye: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairiepredator Posted May 15, 2010 Report Share Posted May 15, 2010 Congrats on an awesome bird!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rem308 Posted May 15, 2010 Report Share Posted May 15, 2010 He is a whopper! Good job on that bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted May 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Thanks all, the fan is nailed down to the work table in the barn drying as I type. Breast meat is marinating in some italian dressing, we are going to be eating good tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Way to go Tom!!!...love those drumming birds up close like that. That was a great morning with all that gobblin going on in your face too. Congrats on a great bird and a trophy hunt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Congrats! That is an awesome bird! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gzilla45 Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Excellent work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
String Music Posted May 18, 2010 Report Share Posted May 18, 2010 Nicely done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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