I just stopped shaking

[bluestreak9]

Guys, I cannot contain myself. I braved the rain this morning in NE Ohio and got my first OH bird!! It was incredible. He weighed 22.5 lbs with a 9.5 inch beard and 1.25 inch spurs. He had come in very early this morning at 6:05 and took me by surprise(they had been flying down around 6:15 on previous days). He gobbled about 60 yards from me, but I was caught in a bad position. I managed a single cluck and he took off in the opposite direction. At 6:45 three jakes paraded through within 20 yards of me. Then at 7:10 I heard a close gobble. He appeared at about forty yards where I was able to get a shot. All this with a constant light rain. I cannot wait for the picturs to come back!!

BS9

[Thunderflight]

AWESOME!!!!

Turkey hunting can be pretty darn good in the rain.

TF

[10Gauge]

Congradulations!

You're officially hooked on Spring Turkey hunting!

Brag about it to everyone you know! :D

[Steve]

Very cool. Post some pictures when you get the chance.

[Lance]

Successful days in rotten conditions always make it that much better too! What county??

[Ohio Sportsman]

I would say it's the best adrenline rush there is, better than any alcohol or drug made. I love that feelin. :)

[mikenbow]

thats great bluestreak9. you seem really pumped. what a great hunt! how bout some more details.

[bluestreak9]

Thanks for sharing in my excitement. I will get the whole story and pics up very soon.

[shrivl]

Excellent.....What a way to start, a 22lb'r....Congrats!

[bluestreak9]

Here's the story...

I have hunted this same farm in Ashtabula Co. once already this season. I entered the woods at around 5:40, crossed a small stream, set up a lone hen decoy and sat down. The previous hunt I had been in nearly the same spot and knew that the turkeys often roosted in the area. During my previous hunt (Tues) the birds flew down at 6:15, so I knew I was there early enough. There was a steady rainfall, so I was debating which call to use. My go-to call is a walnut/slate call that can’t get wet. I decided, despite my lack of confidence, to use my mouth call and even then decided to have my slate call close hidden under my rain suit. While deciding on this I heard a far off gobble at 5:55. I was surprised at the location (I thought it would be closer). Minutes later I was startled because to my far left I saw and heard a huge gobbler at the same instant—only 60 yards away through some brush. I didn’t expect to see a bird on the ground so early. My gun was pointed 90 degrees to the right in the wrong direction toward my decoy. I was out of position. He was walking quickly and as he went behind a tree I grab my call and gave a quick cluck. That turned out to be a very bad move as he then just started walking in the opposite direction. I could have kicked myself because I realized that he was probably moving toward my decoy. Minutes later I heard two more gobbles. I then heard from the opposite direction, what I thought to be another hunter giving some yelps (it turned out to be a hen—I think).
At 6:30 three jakes, 10 yards apart, marched right past my decoy and 20 yard from me, and proceeded to crossed the stream. I was surprised because they didn’t even flinch at my decoy. I gave a few yelps at 6:50 and waited. I was still bummed on messing up with the big one and was frustrated and wet. I usually can sit for four hours, but my frustration, the wet, and the cold made me really have to take a leak. There was a very thick tree five yards just to my left, so I quietly stood up and took care of that. As I stood, I spooked those three jakes (I thought they had been long gone) that were hanging out just on the other side of the stream. I sat back down and 30 seconds later I heard a gobble at what I estimated to be 100 yards. Seconds later, to the left of the thick tree, appeared to be the same big gobbler that I scared off earlier. He was at 50 yards. He was walking slowly. He went behind a two-foot-wide tree and I positioned my gun. He was also going to cross the stream. I put the bead on his head at about 40 yards and fired. I raced to him and stared at amazement. I couldn’t believe it. Again he weighed 22.5 lbs with a 9.5 inch beard and 1.25 inch spurs.
I breasted him out and am debating whether or not to have him mounted. The taxidermist has him, but I am unsure of the pose I want him in. Plus I am not sure I should spend the money on a full mount (I am recently married and saving for a house). I cannot wait for the pictures and will share them on Sunday with everyone. Thanks again for sharing in my excitement (others just don’t understand like fellow turkey hunters do)!

[george tinkham]

congrats on a real fine turkey...mount it...

[vvarmitr]

Way to go!:D
Hey, if a turkey mount is going to keep from owning a house, you better keep renting.
How does the bride feel about it? :confused:

[Turkeyfoot]

Nice bird Bluestreak.......the first ones the best for sure:D I've hunted them a long time and can surely appreciate that 22 lber's don't come around every day. A breast mount looks nice and is a cheaper alternative to flying or strutting poses. You might ask the taxidermist and save a few bucks to boot! Congrats.....TF

[lureboy98]

Congratulations! I am still not sure if I will be getting out or not this year so congratulations and thanks for sharing your story!

[Farmbear]

Congrats on taking the tom. Sounds like a realy good hunt. I would have it mounted. It's your first one. Enjoy the meat. Hope you can take one more this season. Happy hunting :)