Todd Cook
Senior Member
I gotta warn you, there are no pictures of a dead turkey at the end of this. There should be, and with what I used to hunt them with there would be 2 dead turkeys, but.............
Saturday morning started off with a bang, or a honk actually. I had pulled the truck over on our old logging road, put on my coat, had a longbow in one hand and a folding stool in the other. I leaned over the seat to grab my flashlight, and proceded to lean on my keys panic button. I jumped back, flung stuff in both directions, and realized I didn't know which pocket they were in
Anyway, I got that straightend out finally and made my way to my blind. As it broke day, the gobbles started and didn't let up till after 9:00. One tom down in the bottom to my left was ON FIRE!. I bet he gobbled 50 times. I gave him all the sweet talk I could think of but he didn't show. A few minutes later I looked across from me and a gobbler was standing 30 yards away!!!! I was in a homemade brush blind and it wasn't good enough. I had a piece of leafy camo fabric tied between 3 trees, and it was blowing in the wind. We had a stand-off for a long time and he then just circled me and eased off into the woods. Note to self: Get a pop up blind.
I went back this morning, hoping for a replay. It started off silent. 27 degrees at daylight, and not a sound. About 8:00 I made a few yelps, and heard a gobble waaaaayyyy off down in a bottom. I thought to myself, that's 3 or 400 yards, but what have I got to lose.I took my box call and gave him my best hen music. He answered, and I shut up.
10 minutes later, He gobbled again, and he was obviously closer. 5 more min. and he cut the distance in half. When he hammered down at 80 yards, I thought" this is about to get interesting.
He hit the edge of the foodplot I was on and double gobbled. 25 yards away, and dead as a hammer with my 12 gauge. But what fun would that be.
He saw my decoys and made a beeline, full strut, spittin and drumming the whole way. Now, I've shotgunned quite a few birds in my time, but I don't mind telling you I was shook up! I knew I was pinned down; not enough cover in his direction; too much cover where I needed to shoot.
He passed in front of me at6YARDS! I knew I had made a couple mistakes, but was trying to ride it out. First, I didn't have cover where I needed it. Second, I put my decoys up too far to the left. When he got to them I couldn't get a clear shot!!!!
I knew I had to try and make a move. I eased up and forward, ever so slowly, but he smelled a rat. He putted soft one time and trotted away about 10 yards. He stopped for a second and I took a shot I'm ashamed to say I shouldn't have taken. He was still under 20 yards, but I rushed it and MISSED!!!
Good gracious what a rush. He was a fully grown bird, a BIG one. I could have killed him easily with a load of #5's, but I'm truly glad I didn't. I would never have seen the show he put on.
I made my mind up to get one this year with my bow or not get one. I may not pull it off, but I sure am having fun. Beside's, Lord willing, there's always next weekend!
Saturday morning started off with a bang, or a honk actually. I had pulled the truck over on our old logging road, put on my coat, had a longbow in one hand and a folding stool in the other. I leaned over the seat to grab my flashlight, and proceded to lean on my keys panic button. I jumped back, flung stuff in both directions, and realized I didn't know which pocket they were in
Anyway, I got that straightend out finally and made my way to my blind. As it broke day, the gobbles started and didn't let up till after 9:00. One tom down in the bottom to my left was ON FIRE!. I bet he gobbled 50 times. I gave him all the sweet talk I could think of but he didn't show. A few minutes later I looked across from me and a gobbler was standing 30 yards away!!!! I was in a homemade brush blind and it wasn't good enough. I had a piece of leafy camo fabric tied between 3 trees, and it was blowing in the wind. We had a stand-off for a long time and he then just circled me and eased off into the woods. Note to self: Get a pop up blind.
I went back this morning, hoping for a replay. It started off silent. 27 degrees at daylight, and not a sound. About 8:00 I made a few yelps, and heard a gobble waaaaayyyy off down in a bottom. I thought to myself, that's 3 or 400 yards, but what have I got to lose.I took my box call and gave him my best hen music. He answered, and I shut up.
10 minutes later, He gobbled again, and he was obviously closer. 5 more min. and he cut the distance in half. When he hammered down at 80 yards, I thought" this is about to get interesting.
He hit the edge of the foodplot I was on and double gobbled. 25 yards away, and dead as a hammer with my 12 gauge. But what fun would that be.
He saw my decoys and made a beeline, full strut, spittin and drumming the whole way. Now, I've shotgunned quite a few birds in my time, but I don't mind telling you I was shook up! I knew I was pinned down; not enough cover in his direction; too much cover where I needed to shoot.
He passed in front of me at6YARDS! I knew I had made a couple mistakes, but was trying to ride it out. First, I didn't have cover where I needed it. Second, I put my decoys up too far to the left. When he got to them I couldn't get a clear shot!!!!
I knew I had to try and make a move. I eased up and forward, ever so slowly, but he smelled a rat. He putted soft one time and trotted away about 10 yards. He stopped for a second and I took a shot I'm ashamed to say I shouldn't have taken. He was still under 20 yards, but I rushed it and MISSED!!!
Good gracious what a rush. He was a fully grown bird, a BIG one. I could have killed him easily with a load of #5's, but I'm truly glad I didn't. I would never have seen the show he put on.
I made my mind up to get one this year with my bow or not get one. I may not pull it off, but I sure am having fun. Beside's, Lord willing, there's always next weekend!
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