1st Turkey ever

[XX78]

Will share the story later, I gotta get some sleep

21 lb 9.5" beard 1 1/4" spurs. Crazy time, Im hooked for life.


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b327/fxjeep/DSCN2225.jpg




http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b327/fxjeep/DSCN2233.jpg

[hunTer06]

nice bird XX78!!

[OhioHunter88]

conradulations.





Kaleb

[10Gauge]

GREAT GOBBLER!!!!

Once you get addicted there isn't any cure or "program" that can save you!

[coonskinner]

congrats...:mischeif:

[Thunderflight]

Congrats!!!!

[steveOh]

That first bird you will remember for life! Way to go...I'll be looking forward for your story...steveOh

[CStan]

congratulations! :)

[joey1946]

:bouncy: Nice bird. Congrats.

[XX78]

Yesterday was all about pushing myself!! After going out with a good friend and coworker who is moving to Boston, my wife drove me home and my head hit the pillow around midnight. Just before alarm goes off, my brain was trying to convince me to stay in bed. 4:00am, Boom alarm goes off and I some how pull myself outa bed and get ready. Good thing turkeys cant smell bar smoke. Already running late, I load 90% of my gear, and head to my mom's house to pick up my decoys. Light in garage is burned out, so Im making all kinds of noise as Im tripping over things in the dark. Finally locate my decoys, and Im off. The whole time Im driving, its getting lighter and lighter out.

I finally arrive at my property bright as day out, with all the birds (not turks) chirping away. I make my way around a couple areas, calling every 100 yards or so. On one setup, I heard a lone hen or another hunter for a few minutes. 9:00 am hits and there has been no activity in the area, so I do a bit of deer scouting and head back to the truck. Load up truck, and head to another piece of property. I was a little skeptical about this area, so feeling nature's call, I snuck off to seek a tree about a hundred yds from the street. Used the tree, hit my slate..........Nothing. I went back to the truck and wanted to call it quits. Before I did I went up to the check in station to see the wall of fame.

Since the youth season the number of turks checked in has increased significantly. This was enough to force me to go to my las piece of property o the day. I walked back to the back of my friends property, set up the decoys on top of this little rise. I found a big old growth maple to prop myself against. This turned out to be key because the sun was at my back creating a pocket of shade in which i hid. I set my 2 hen decoys out around 25 yards, and started calling. I called 3 times about a minute a piece, then waited about 15 minutes before I repeated that pattern. It was at this time that my mind started to wander, and sleep was becoming a good option. I forced my way out of that idea, and told myself to call again.

I hit my slate with a horrible set of raspy, not raspy yelps.............A second later I heard it, Just as thunder follows lightning, a gobbler hammered back. My heart skipped a few beats. I gave it 10 seconds and hit again with no response. I then waited another 10 seconds before another atempt........Nothing. Immediately after that I started scanning the woods, repositioned myself, my gun, and set my call down. A few seconds later I seem 4 red heads migrating through the wooods, ever cautiously scanning in front of them. They picked up on my decoys, and moved in closer. The beards were so incredible, I was entranced. They were close enough to shoot, but were so grouped up I could have killed all 4. One puffed up slightly, but then shrank up when the others started to move off. This is where panic set in. They all started to move off without a shot. I was trying to find my slate and striker that I put down just minutes ago. Watching them and the ground at the same time, I found the slate on the ground and my striker in a fold of my jacket lol. I somehow kept my gun fore arm on my knee and the butt in my armpit as I clucked a few times with the call in my lap. They all stopped dead in their tracks and gobbled at the same time.......truly amazing! They them came back and broke up a little. I then began suffering from range issues, but then immediately decided to take the opportunity. I put the scope on him and dropped the hammer. I hit him hard, but had to spring to life and chase him down. A minute and 10 yards later, he expired. I took another minute to collect my gear and head out. Good times!

[Thunderflight]

Great story

[Q2XL]

sounds like a good time. congrats on your bird.

[Caribou Dreamer2]

Congrats way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MUZZY MAN]

Nice bird, Congrats

[oxmos]

Congrats. That's a stud bird alright!

[Duffy]

Great story, great bird! Congratulations!

[Buckmaster]

Good story. A job well done!

[CritterGitter]

Hot dang XX78 that's a great turkey hunt and a job well done! Congratulations!!!!

:D

Kyle

[Turkeyfoot]

Dandy bird! First of many I'm sure:D Congrats....TF

[SouthernOhio#9]

Congrats. Nice lookin bird!

[XX78]

Thanks guys! I will now switch to camera man and try our luck with my buddy running the gun.

[everything hunter]

Great kill, get another! Wish I knew how that feels.

[mv1344]

From now on you will have turkey on the brain. Good Job.

[XX78]

Fired up now for sure. Headin out on Sat on some turk heavy prop. Gonna do it right for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!