Last Sat I got lucky and got a nice tom.
He was a mature tom. Didn't weigh him but he was in the low 20's. He only had one spur but it was a pointy one. At least a three year old. Nice bushy beard about 9 inches. My pics don't do him justice and I couldn't figure out to get a 600 pixel photo out of photobucket.
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y295/jkmolongbow/HPIM0693.jpg)
This was one of the best hunts I ever had. I heard a hen cluck and looked to my right out of the ole DB blind. A hen walked into sight but around my decoys. Then this gobbler and another popped into view. He had come in totally silent. My bird was in full strut, his buddy wasn't. I was on my knees for a shot out the front of the blind and he was coming from the right. Here he comes and at five yds he stops and goes into the pine fencerow I was set up next to. He strutted, spit and drummed about 12 yds from me for forty minutes!!! His buddy just walked around some.
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y295/jkmolongbow/HPIM0695.jpg)
I just waited. I use the shoot thru screens (I know turkeys don't care). He came out of the fencerow and he started to walk away. I knew he wasn't coming any closer and I had moved to my right for the shot. I drew and released. For the first time ever my arrow didn't fly true thru the screen. The screen came about halfway off and the arrow was off the mark. His head shot up and he came out of strut. I got another arrow on the string and shot thru the open part of the screen window. I hit him perfect with a 1/4 away shot at about 12 yds or so. He took off with his buddy but it was a good hit and he could hardly motor. I found him 30 yds away around a corner. Just a beautiful bird and a 40 min show. What a deal!
Nice bird, :thumbsup: thankfully you were given a good break
Used a 50 lb Martin Hatfield and 4 fletch cedar arrow with a Woodsman head. The WW heads have been very good to me. Here are some other visitors that came to visit. They didn't like the DB too much :)
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y295/jkmolongbow/HPIM0689.jpg)
Here's the basic setup. This is an old pic but I was just about halfway down the fencerow in this pic
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y295/jkmolongbow/turkey5-1.jpg)
Way to go John, Congrats bud! :clapper:
Hey JKMO-IL I was just looking at a pic of you sitting in camp at Cloverdale 06 and here ya come on with a cool turkey pic and story.
Congrats man :thumbsup:
Congrats on a nice bird, John!!
Sweeeeett bird buddy,, way to go and great story..
Way to go John.RC
Congrats :thumbsup:
congrats nice bird :clapper:
Very Nice Bird!! Way to go.
Probably weren't feeling much pressure or rushed on the second shot, eh John? :D
Way to pull it out of the fire! :thumbsup:
Excellent :thumbsup:
Sweet!
Wow I can't believe you got two shots off,Way to go. :clapper:
Congrats on a nice bird.
Tracy
Happy for ya, John!
Eat hearty!
Great bird and photo-story.... Congrats!
Congrats on your bird. Hard to beat the gobble of a tom turkey closing in.
JKMO, you are a turkey killin fool my man. Dude, your heart had to be just POUNDING for the 40 minutes he strutted around you. That had to be somethin for sure!!!
I want the full story at Cloverdale around the campfire. You know, where the spurs and beards get longer with every beer.
Cool Story...way to go John!! :D :thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper:
Steve, You'll hear the story again ad naueseum :)
I'm sure by then he will have another spur, his beard will be longer and he will have gained a few lbs. hehehehee
Ferret said he was looking at me sitting in a chair at Cloverdale. That happens alot with me :)