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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Nole on March 30, 2011, 04:14:00 PM

Title: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Nole on March 30, 2011, 04:14:00 PM
I wanted to share this sooner but I have been real tied up with work this week.  I took my first bird with my recurve last weekend.  It was a classic early morning hunt and as turkey hunting goes it will never happen again.

So here's the story... I put my blind up a few weeks ago hoping the birds would get used to it being there.  This spot traditionally holds a lot of birds but I still went to listen a few days before the opener to make sure they were there and were they.  

Opening morning I got to my blind early, put out my strutting decoy and hen at about 10 yards from my blind.  While waiting for first light an owl hooted then boom one gobbled and it sounded like he was on top of my blind.  It turns out he was about 50 yards behind me in a big pine tree.  I was thinking "I am in the chips right here."  Then the woodline in front of me started to come alive every time he gobbled with hen sounds the length of it and in my head my chances were decreasing.  I did not call to him at all while in the tree but knew when he hit the ground that I needed to give it to him to compete with the hens.  So he pitched down in front of me about 75 yards away and I let him have it.  He was responsive to every yelp and started to cut me off when I called excitedly.  The hens were talking too but none on the ground yet, I was just trying to be louder than them.  When he got in the road in front of me he saw my strutter and came right to him and strutted the whole way.  My heart was pounding and up in my throat.  I drew my bow when he and my decoy were nose to nose, picked my spot and released the arrow.  He was down right there and hunt over.  I am hooked now on bowhunting for turkeys.  Last year I killed two birds early with my shotgun and hunted the rest of the season with my recurve and missed a bird at the end.  This year I said that I was going entirely with my bow.  Here is a picture of my bird.

 (http://images.imagelinky.com/1301515548.JPG) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1301515548.JPG)
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Sean B on March 30, 2011, 04:17:00 PM
Awesome, congratulations! Nice bird
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: yellow bow on March 30, 2011, 04:19:00 PM
Nice bird,congrats. Nothing like turkey hunting.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: SheltonCreeker on March 30, 2011, 04:19:00 PM
Congrats! I will hopefully be joining in your success next week! Great shooting and good looking bow.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: swampthing on March 30, 2011, 04:20:00 PM
:thumbsup:  You just kiled me, our season doesn't open till MAY! Looks like you just created a reason to take-up taxedermy.  

Notice you got some moc boots on, they would'nt happen to be Russel's? waterproof good enough for ya?  :p
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: kbetts on March 30, 2011, 04:27:00 PM
Nice. Can't wait for the 9th.  Florida O's are next on my list.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: DannyBows on March 30, 2011, 04:28:00 PM
Congrats!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: BA on March 30, 2011, 04:29:00 PM
Congrats!  I am just up the road from you so your picture looks like home.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Nole on March 30, 2011, 04:36:00 PM
Thanks Guys, I live in Tallahassee but do all of my hunting in South GA.  Swampthing those are Danner boots, very comfortable and waterproof.  I've had them about 5 years now and wear them throughout turkey season and early deer season.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Dirtybird on March 30, 2011, 04:38:00 PM
Way to go and congrats on the dirtybird.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Gary Logsdon on March 30, 2011, 04:38:00 PM
Good job Brian!  By the way that's a nice looking quiver.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: BobCo 1965 on March 30, 2011, 04:39:00 PM
Very nice! Congratulations!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: rice on March 30, 2011, 04:48:00 PM
Congrats. Nothing like it when the bird commits to your strutter. Best of luck on the rest of the season.

CKR
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: bornagainbowhunter on March 30, 2011, 04:50:00 PM
Sweet!!  You gotta love an earned trophy!

God Bless,
Nathan
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Stone Knife on March 30, 2011, 04:51:00 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: xia_emperor on March 30, 2011, 04:51:00 PM
great job!!!!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: ishoot4thrills on March 30, 2011, 04:59:00 PM
Excellent! Great accomplishment!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: KentuckyTJ on March 30, 2011, 05:08:00 PM
Great job, and beautiful Cheyenne.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: zwickeyman on March 30, 2011, 05:25:00 PM
Way to go, it's always great when a plan comes together.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Mudd on March 30, 2011, 05:52:00 PM
You done good!

Congratulations!!

Thanks for sharing.

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: wv lungbuster on March 30, 2011, 06:00:00 PM
Congrats.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: hitman on March 30, 2011, 06:09:00 PM
Did you shoot his head off? Looks like it.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Shedrock on March 30, 2011, 06:19:00 PM
Congrats! Nice story, thanks for sharing.  :cool:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: tracker1 on March 30, 2011, 06:22:00 PM
NOLE, What kind of bow are you holding very nice poundage and broadhead combo ?
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: treetoppredator on March 30, 2011, 06:26:00 PM
Way to close the deal on a nice time!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: jonsimoneau on March 30, 2011, 06:30:00 PM
NICE!  I can't seem to make it happen with turkeys.  Hopefully this will be my year!  Sounds like a classic turkey hunt...that is what I am hoping for this season!  Congrats!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: turkey522 on March 30, 2011, 06:33:00 PM
Congrats on a nice bird,thanks for the story and pic.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: swifty99 on March 30, 2011, 06:34:00 PM
Congratulations
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Doug in MN on March 30, 2011, 06:36:00 PM
Great job!!

Got to love Turkey hunting.

D
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: GWV on March 30, 2011, 06:36:00 PM
Congratulations!  Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: PICKNGRIN on March 30, 2011, 06:41:00 PM
Fine job!  Our season opens April 11.  I'm hoping this year won't be a repeat of unfilled tag soup.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Magilla on March 30, 2011, 06:54:00 PM
Congratulations !
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Hooper on March 30, 2011, 06:57:00 PM
Nice shooting and that's a nice bird! Congrats Brian!!!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on March 30, 2011, 07:01:00 PM
Nice bird   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: JJB on March 30, 2011, 07:09:00 PM
Congratulations on a great hunt!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Oliverstacy on March 30, 2011, 07:21:00 PM
Very very nice!!!

Awesome job!

Josh
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: GRS on March 30, 2011, 07:28:00 PM
Excellent job! Congrats
Gerald
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Over&Under on March 30, 2011, 07:36:00 PM
Congrats on a great bird!!  :thumbsup:  

How bout some setup specs for us bow nerds???  :D   (bow, arrow, head)
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Shoregobbler on March 30, 2011, 08:04:00 PM
Great job brother. Awesome hunt, awesome Gobbler!!!!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Otto on March 30, 2011, 08:06:00 PM
Very nice.  Congratulations!!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Carcajou on March 30, 2011, 08:11:00 PM
Awesome Osceola! Congrats!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Nole on March 30, 2011, 08:13:00 PM
Sorry guys for not posting the setup... I was shooting a 55#@ 28" Morisson Cheyenne with a 150 grain VPA Terminator and my arrow was an Axis 400 with a 75 grain insert.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Nole on March 30, 2011, 08:16:00 PM
Carcajou,
I wish I was hunting Osceola's but I hunt in south Georgia and we only have Eastern's here.  Thanks for your post.

Brian
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: tukudu on March 30, 2011, 08:42:00 PM
Great hunt   :clapper:
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: redpepper49 on March 30, 2011, 08:47:00 PM
thanks for sharing the hunt. congrats.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: on March 30, 2011, 09:03:00 PM
Congrats!

Bisch
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: bolong on March 30, 2011, 09:27:00 PM
:thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: rastaman on March 30, 2011, 09:45:00 PM
Way to go sir!!   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Claym on March 30, 2011, 09:59:00 PM
Way to go! Congrats on a great bird    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: smoke1953 on March 30, 2011, 10:08:00 PM
Great job!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Spurs on March 30, 2011, 11:31:00 PM
Congrats on a fine bird and great shot.  I commend you for hunting solely with bow.  I have not been able to put the shotgun down for MS season opener, but I am going on my Texas hunt tommorrow.  The only weapon going with me is my Morrison ILF.  i have been waiting on this for a year.  I am taking the step and leaving the gun behind.  I hope that I have your kinda luck.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Blueridge on March 30, 2011, 11:40:00 PM
Congrats! I've committed to the bow this spring but so far we've been rained out here in N. GA.
Good job on your bird
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: raghorns on March 30, 2011, 11:58:00 PM
Awesome...I want to go trad bow right from the start this year here in Missouri also...thanks for the encouragement to go for it.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: BRITTMAN on March 30, 2011, 11:59:00 PM
That is very nice ! Excellent trophy   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: JDunlap on March 31, 2011, 12:09:00 AM
Good job. Our season opens April 6. Just got some new decoys and calls. Be my first time to go after turkeys on purpose...and it'll be with my bow. Thanks for sharing your story and pic!
Blessings, Joe
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: crotch horn on March 31, 2011, 01:42:00 AM
Great bird!!!!!!
Good luck Spurrs
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: BoonRoto on March 31, 2011, 02:34:00 AM
Good on ya!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Bow man on March 31, 2011, 05:13:00 AM
:clapper:  Congratulations
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: CavScoutArcher on March 31, 2011, 05:58:00 AM
Awesome!
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Dave Thaxton on March 31, 2011, 08:04:00 AM
Great Job  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: recurve3 on March 31, 2011, 08:12:00 AM
Great Job, congrats. Our season starts April 11, can't wait!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Guru on March 31, 2011, 09:14:00 AM
Congrats!  No better feeling than having it all come together and putting a good shot on a gobbler...it'll never get old!

Way to go man    :clapper:
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: maineac on March 31, 2011, 09:22:00 AM
Fantastic.  Congratulations. Great story thanks for sharing it.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Bighornangler on March 31, 2011, 10:00:00 AM
Great job. Our season doesn't start for a few more weeks, but you definately got me fired up now. Thanks for sharring.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: misfire on March 31, 2011, 10:25:00 AM
Congrats on the nice bird! Can't wait till the season opens here...25 days to go!
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Thumper Dunker on March 31, 2011, 11:53:00 AM
Way to go ,nice one.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Nole on March 31, 2011, 12:44:00 PM
Spurs,

Good luck in Texas.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: Earl Jeff on March 31, 2011, 06:02:00 PM
AWESOME, I'm headin to Kansas inless than three weeks.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: twitchstick on March 31, 2011, 06:45:00 PM
Awsome! Thanks for the story.
Title: Re: Opening Day Gobbler
Post by: bowkevin on March 31, 2011, 07:03:00 PM
Congratulations!! I hope to do as well as you this year. I just started trad shooting in Februaury but I'm planning to carry my recurve for spring gobblers this year.