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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Steve Leffler on May 05, 2009, 05:58:00 PM

Title: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: Steve Leffler on May 05, 2009, 05:58:00 PM
I had a great morning hunt.  I almost didn't go as I had a parent teacher conference at 8 am.  My wife warned me not to be late.  :knothead:    I knew it was going to be a beautiful morning so I decided to sneak a quick hunt in.  I have been seeing some nice birds but just hadn't had one come in to the dekes so far this year.  Anyway, I set up in the pitch black and as it was getting light I heard at least 3 gobblers behind me and close.  :bigsmyl:    I could also hear some hens.  When the toms  flew down they followed the hens into the field.  For the first half hour the toms chased the hens around the field.  They would answer my calls but wouldn't leave the hens.  Finally one of the toms saw  my decoys and very slowly worked towards the blind.  For over 10 minutes he strutted back and forth at about 25 yards.  This is a little out of my comfort range for turkeys so I waited.  When I would quietly purr he would work a step or 2 closer.  Finally he was broadside in the window at 15 yards.  I hit full draw and saw the arrow drive into his wing butt.  He covered maybe 10 yards and was finished.  I used my string tracker but it wasn't needed.  21 lbs 6 oz.  9 1/4 inch beard.  My best turkey.  I was home by 7:10 with time to spare for the conference  :thumbsup:   (//%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m14/p143297/turkey09/DSC02615.jpg)[/IMG]  (//IMG%5Dhttp://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m14/p143297/turkey09/DSC02616.jpg)[/IMG]  (//IMG%5Dhttp://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m14/p143297/turkey09/DSC02620.jpg)[/IMG]  (//%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m14/p143297/turkey09/DSC02623.jpg)[/IMG]
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: vermonster13 on May 05, 2009, 06:01:00 PM
Here you go Steve. Nice bird, congrats!

(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m14/p143297/turkey09/DSC02615.jpg)  (http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m14/p143297/turkey09/DSC02616.jpg)   (http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m14/p143297/turkey09/DSC02620.jpg)  (http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m14/p143297/turkey09/DSC02623.jpg)
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: wollelybugger on May 05, 2009, 06:53:00 PM
Nice job and nice turkey.  :clapper:
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: ron w on May 05, 2009, 07:17:00 PM
Cool...nice bird!!
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: yellow bow on May 05, 2009, 07:20:00 PM
:clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: Big Ed on May 05, 2009, 07:22:00 PM
Congrats and great pics  :notworthy:
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: VTer on May 05, 2009, 07:30:00 PM
Good lookin' bird Steve. Make sure you show the pictures to Jim R. so he can see what a smile looks like.   :bigsmyl:  What kind of hen decoy is that? Very real looking. I might be down Hinesburg way this weekend if I don't hear a gobble pretty soon.
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: Orion on May 05, 2009, 08:03:00 PM
Nicely done.  Good discipline.  Nice bird.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: Stone Knife on May 05, 2009, 08:05:00 PM
Super bird   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: IndianaBowman on May 05, 2009, 09:10:00 PM
Congratulations Steve! Great job!
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: 4runr on May 05, 2009, 09:16:00 PM
CONGRATS!!
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: George Tsoukalas on May 05, 2009, 09:16:00 PM
WOW! That must have been a thrill. Congratulations. Jawge
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: swp on May 05, 2009, 09:32:00 PM
Congrats Steve, nice bird!
What kind of decoys are you using?
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: Steve Leffler on May 06, 2009, 09:01:00 AM
The hen is a Dave Smith which is kind of pricey but hopefully will last forever.  The jake is a Gander Mountain cheapie.  I have a B Mobile but it seems to spook some of the toms.  I have had better luck with a jake.
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: maineac on May 06, 2009, 09:18:00 AM
Nice job.  Congratulations.
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: bowhunterfrompast on May 06, 2009, 10:58:00 AM
Congrats  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: Chris Surtees on May 06, 2009, 11:08:00 AM
:bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: Hooper on May 06, 2009, 01:00:00 PM
Steve, don't you just love it when your hurried hunts pay off! Nice bird, congrats. I used to live in Windsor some 20 years ago and used to hunt birds on Mt.Ascutney and around Woodstock. Beautiful state. Miss hunting the snowshoes up north.
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: Fritz on May 06, 2009, 02:09:00 PM
Congrats on a great bird and hunt!  What kind of black wrap did you use on your bow?
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: drewsbow on May 06, 2009, 03:42:00 PM
:thumbsup:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: Steve Leffler on May 06, 2009, 04:29:00 PM
Fritz I used black fabric limb covers from 3 Rivers
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: Fritz on May 06, 2009, 05:05:00 PM
Thanks Steve! I didn't know they had them in black.  Just what I been looking for.
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: on May 06, 2009, 05:08:00 PM
Congrats!

Bisch
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: Guru on May 06, 2009, 10:08:00 PM
Congrats Steve!!   :notworthy:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: Steve Leffler on May 07, 2009, 06:14:00 PM
Thanks everyone.  Guru did the string tracker set up look familar?   ;)
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: Guru on May 07, 2009, 08:55:00 PM
Yes sir....I noticed it right away. Nice when ya don't need it though    :notworthy:
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: kyhuntertoo on May 07, 2009, 09:08:00 PM
sweet!
Title: Re: Vermont Longbeard
Post by: KentuckyTJ on May 07, 2009, 10:08:00 PM
Nice bird. What kind of Jake decoy is that?