Today was the opener here in NH. Last night my buddy called me and talked me into going out for a quick hunt because I had to get to work early this morning. I picked him up and we headed to a field we had been watching six nice longbeards strutting in. A quick set up of the blind and decoys and we settled In for the birds to wake up.
As we sat in silence we heard the first gobble. It was the youngest Jake we both had heard and be barely got it out. Both of us had to cover our mouths to keep in the laughter.
As the birds woke up I was surprised on how close they had foisted to the edge of the field. I finally spotted a great looking Tom sitting on a branch on the edge of the field only about 80 yards away. I could see him looking in our direction. I had picked up a new full strut Tom decoy with the moveable fan with a pull of the string. As the fan moved I saw him straighten right up and look at him. He gobbled his head off right from that point which fired up three other mature birds. One more pull of the fan is all he could take because he launched off the branch and sword to about 15 yards behind the decoys. When his feet hit the ground he went into a semi strut and his head turns bright white. Well he worked his way towards my decoys and I readied my bow.
This beautiful tom worked to about 5 yards of my decoys and honestly I couldn't tell you the actual distance of the shot but I'd guess somewhere between 12-20 yards. As he turned I came to full draw and focused on the center of his back. I released my arrow and watched as my lighted nock zipped through that exact spot. The bird jumped and then limped away about twenty yards and expired. I was pumped and told my buddy to shoot another longbeard which was standing around 30 yards away. He pulled the trigger and dropped him in his tracks. Our first double and it was one to remember. It was equally special because I had shot this turkey with a bow I had built last year for dear season. It was all over within 15 minutes of shooting light and I was able to make it to work in plenty of time. To think I wasn't gonna go lol
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/836BDA87-AA77-48D7-9EF1-A7116133EB98.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/836BDA87-AA77-48D7-9EF1-A7116133EB98.jpg.html)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/B0517D48-5B3D-43B9-B3A7-258FED965187.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/B0517D48-5B3D-43B9-B3A7-258FED965187.jpg.html)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/799B2758-AEEB-4241-9CEE-3916CB1BBC07.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/799B2758-AEEB-4241-9CEE-3916CB1BBC07.jpg.html)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/F2DE0DC6-A863-468C-BD3B-71F2C08D88B8.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/F2DE0DC6-A863-468C-BD3B-71F2C08D88B8.jpg.html)
(http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/B0171C0C-CA4B-42CC-B334-2D84FCCB892F.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/B0171C0C-CA4B-42CC-B334-2D84FCCB892F.jpg.html)
Ended up being 20 pounds, 1 inch Spurs, and 9 inch beard... He's now at the taxidermy for a full mount!
That will be a great memory for both you guys, great accomplishment...
That is Great!
Congratulations
Great job Justin!!
:thumbsup:
Very nice!
Thats the way to do it! Congrats!!!!
Congratulations!
Congrats.
Nice Bird and Congratulations!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Awesome!
Congrats,
Bisch
Great job
Way cool! Congrats.
Thanks for sharing!
SWEET!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Thanks for sharing your story! Nicely done! :archer:
Congrats, Justin..
Way to go Justin!
David
Well done. He's magnificent.
Congrats Justin,
The turkey population is really healthy this year in New Hampshire.
Way cool :clapper:
Awesome. Congrats to you both!
Alright Justin!
I was lucky enough to score 1st morning too. Hope to post later.
Todd
Great Hunt!
:clapper:
Congratulations!!!
Congrats Brother!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congratulations, Justin! Plus a great story well told :thumbsup:
What a great morning!
nice job buddy congrats!!!
Congrats
congrats