Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: 30coupe on April 24, 2011, 10:07:00 PM

Title: Finally made it happen!
Post by: 30coupe on April 24, 2011, 10:07:00 PM
Well, after four years of frustration, I finally bagged a turkey.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/30coupe/FirstTurkey031.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/30coupe/FirstTurkey034.jpg)

For anyone wondering whether two blade broadheads work on turkeys, here a a couple shots of the damage inflicted by a Zwickey Delta.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/30coupe/FirstTurkey039.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/30coupe/FirstTurkey043.jpg)

The shot was a little lower than I would have liked, but the results were devastating. It severed the leg joint at the knee, sliced the breastbone in half, and sliced the liver. He flopped over the bank I was set up in front of. I gave him 30 minutes and found him face down a few yards behind my blind...quite dead.

I washed the blood off of the Delta and it's still razor sharp...sharp enough to pass the rubber band test. I'm done experimenting with other broadheads. From now on there will be a Zwickey Delta on the business end of my arrows.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Dsturgisjr on April 24, 2011, 10:09:00 PM
:thumbsup:  Congrats!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: zipper bowss on April 24, 2011, 10:09:00 PM
:clapper:  Congrats!That is one beautiful bird!
Bill
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: doug77 on April 24, 2011, 10:10:00 PM
Congrats Russ on the turkey.

doug77
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: term on April 24, 2011, 10:11:00 PM
Very nice!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: ishoot4thrills on April 24, 2011, 10:13:00 PM
Congrats on a fine bird. Quite an accomplishment!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: JohnnyWayne on April 24, 2011, 10:13:00 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: bulldog18 on April 24, 2011, 10:14:00 PM
Good job, nice looking bird.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Pops on April 24, 2011, 10:15:00 PM
Nice,way to go   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: archery j on April 24, 2011, 10:16:00 PM
Congrats! A beautiful bird...
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Jwilliam on April 24, 2011, 10:18:00 PM
Nice Job !!!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Guru on April 24, 2011, 10:19:00 PM
Beautiful!   :clapper:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Whip on April 24, 2011, 10:20:00 PM
Great bird!!  That has to be one of the toughest animals to take with trad equipement - quite an accomplishment!
Congratulations.  :clapper:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on April 24, 2011, 10:21:00 PM
Awesome!   :thumbsup:    :notworthy:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: GRINCH on April 24, 2011, 10:21:00 PM
Congrats,nice pics.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: 30coupe on April 24, 2011, 10:25:00 PM
I didn't have a scale, so I don't know what he weighed...felt like about 80 pounds after carrying him and the blind 1/4 mile across a muddy, tilled-up bean field   :biglaugh:  

He had a 10 1/4" beard and 1 1/2" and 1 1/8" spurs.

I set up my blind at about 5:30 a.m. and shot him at 2:00 p.m. Kind of a long sit, but there were birds in the field almost all day. My cousin was set up across the field and counted 8 strutting toms and about 20 hens at one point. Too many hens  made it tough to decoy them. This tom actually followed a live hen that came through my set. When he got to my jake decoy, he stopped and started to puff up. At about that time Mr. Zwickey arrived! He stopped right in front of my blind at about 5 yards first, but I had to wait for him to move to the jake rather than risking spooking him by moving to draw.

It will get your heart rate up, I can tell you that!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: GrayRhino on April 24, 2011, 10:26:00 PM
Awesome!  Congratulations!  :clapper:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: on April 24, 2011, 10:29:00 PM
Congrats on the Thunder Chicken!

Bisch
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: djohnson on April 24, 2011, 10:31:00 PM
Awsome job!Congratulations.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: RC on April 24, 2011, 10:35:00 PM
Good job.RC
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Three Finger on April 24, 2011, 10:36:00 PM
AWESOME. Great job.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: awbowman on April 24, 2011, 10:43:00 PM
Congrads!  Those thunderchickens are hard to get.  Way to stay at it.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: M. J. Brundage on April 24, 2011, 10:48:00 PM
Nice bird, gotta love those Delta broadheads!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Shedrock on April 24, 2011, 10:52:00 PM
Persistance always pays, good job!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Kurt Miller on April 24, 2011, 11:09:00 PM
Very Nice! Still trying to bag my first trad gear turkey.  Must be a great feeling!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: rastaman on April 24, 2011, 11:14:00 PM
Way to go sir!   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: FAV 52 on April 24, 2011, 11:16:00 PM
Were it worth the trouble pilgrim ? LOL  Congratulations !!!!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: 30coupe on April 24, 2011, 11:20:00 PM
Trouble...what trouble?   ;)
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: 30coupe on April 24, 2011, 11:21:00 PM
Check your email FAV 52
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: wayoutwest on April 24, 2011, 11:21:00 PM
Well done, what bow are you shooting?
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: 30coupe on April 24, 2011, 11:22:00 PM
The Orion with recurve limbs. Nice and short for the blind.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: 4dogs on April 24, 2011, 11:23:00 PM
Way to stick with it, good job...nice bird!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: MarkE2006 on April 24, 2011, 11:25:00 PM
Fantastic, way to persevere!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: LONGSTYKES on April 24, 2011, 11:38:00 PM
Good for you, very awesome. Good Pics
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Bernie B. on April 25, 2011, 12:10:00 AM
Congratulations 30coupe!  That's a nice looking bird!  My time in the woods starts on Thursday of this week.  I got my blind set up this afternoon (Wisconsin) and can hardly wait!  I live only 20 miles from you in Nora Springs so maybe I'll run in to you sometime.

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: B M A on April 25, 2011, 12:31:00 AM
Congrats.  Very nice bird.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: flatlander37 on April 25, 2011, 12:57:00 AM
Congrats! I really miss my blind.  I doubt I'll even get a chance to get after them this year, but it's still nice to see others are getting it done!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: b44mag on April 25, 2011, 03:41:00 AM
big ol ATABOY to you   :bigsmyl:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Jack Guard on April 25, 2011, 03:55:00 AM
Thats fantastic!   Congrats!        :thumbsup:    

I am a big fan of the Zwickey Deltas also.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: on April 25, 2011, 06:00:00 AM
congrats!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Terry Lightle on April 25, 2011, 06:28:00 AM
ATTABOY TO YOU
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: kwc on April 25, 2011, 07:06:00 AM
great bird good shooting
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: 30coupe on April 25, 2011, 07:45:00 AM
Bernie,

I taught my last three years in Nora Springs! In fact, I'm subbing there M, T, Th, F of this week. I sub a lot there. We've probably seen each other and didn't know it.

Russ
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: KentuckyTJ on April 25, 2011, 07:49:00 AM
Very good job, congrats.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: carpenter on April 25, 2011, 08:09:00 AM
I knew you could do it!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: vermonster13 on April 25, 2011, 08:10:00 AM
Beautiful bird! Congrats!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: ti-guy on April 25, 2011, 08:21:00 AM
Congrats  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Builder on April 25, 2011, 08:45:00 AM
I'm envious, great job.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Bernie B. on April 25, 2011, 11:15:00 AM
It's a small world Russ!  My wife and I taught here in Nora Springs 30 years (retiring from public schools in 2004).

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: tradbower on April 25, 2011, 11:21:00 AM
Awsome!!!  Great Job!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Huntschool on April 25, 2011, 12:10:00 PM
Good going...  Love them Delta's
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: varmint101 on April 25, 2011, 12:24:00 PM
Nice job!  Pretty bird too.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: SportHunter on April 25, 2011, 12:30:00 PM
Congrats on a successful hunt, nice bird.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: bretto on April 25, 2011, 01:49:00 PM
Nice Gobbler, congratulations on Your first with Your bow.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Over&Under on April 25, 2011, 01:52:00 PM
Great Bird!!!  Congrats!!  :saywhat:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on April 25, 2011, 01:52:00 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: GO Rogers on April 25, 2011, 02:16:00 PM
Well done, congrats..on a beeeuteefull bird.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: BoonRoto on April 25, 2011, 03:15:00 PM
Congrats!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Blueridge on April 25, 2011, 03:21:00 PM
Good Job !!!!  :clapper:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: wapiti792 on April 25, 2011, 04:06:00 PM
After 4 years for me I hope the albatros is removed from my neck soon too...WAY TO GO!!!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: dragonheart on April 25, 2011, 04:12:00 PM
that is going to be one tasty bird!  Endurance hunting!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: pitbull on April 25, 2011, 04:12:00 PM
That will be some sweet tasting turkey, Congrats!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: redpepper49 on April 25, 2011, 05:59:00 PM
Not a easy task . Congrats
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: swp on April 25, 2011, 06:06:00 PM
:thumbsup:    :thumbsup:  Congrats
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Gerry on April 25, 2011, 06:14:00 PM
Way to go!!!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: drewsbow on April 25, 2011, 06:47:00 PM
:clapper:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: maineac on April 25, 2011, 06:49:00 PM
Very nice. Congratulations!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: glass76 on April 25, 2011, 07:04:00 PM
Good job on a nice gobbler.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: MTArrowLauncher on April 25, 2011, 07:18:00 PM
Awesome job. Don't worry about how long it took, turkeys elude me as well. Lol  :)
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: JJB on April 25, 2011, 09:26:00 PM
Way to go Russ!  I'm a former Nora Springs guy also (Bernie's son).  I'll be out this weekend here in Wisconsin, your story is great motivation.
-Jay
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: 30coupe on April 25, 2011, 09:35:00 PM
Thanks, guys. We sliced and breaded a couple pieces of breast, cooked like tenderloins for supper tonight...very tasty! I finally found some wild game my wife will eat.    :clapper:
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Jason Kendall on April 25, 2011, 09:42:00 PM
Great shooting!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Coonbait on April 25, 2011, 09:44:00 PM
Fantastic!  Congratulations
Glenn
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Ralph S on April 25, 2011, 10:32:00 PM
Great post! Gives me hope...Im in my second year huntin turkeys with the tradbow and have only had hens come close enough. It's only a matter of time. I hope to post my first one soon.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Oliverstacy on April 25, 2011, 10:36:00 PM
Congrats on the bird!

What bow were you using?

Josh
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Old Chief on April 25, 2011, 10:37:00 PM
Outstanding!  Just the motivation I need as I going back tomorrow to see if I can get it done.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Ben A on April 25, 2011, 10:43:00 PM
Congrats!!  Might have to try the Zwickey Delta myself.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: snakebit40 on April 25, 2011, 11:14:00 PM
Congrats!    :clapper:   That is an awesome accomplishment!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: 30coupe on April 26, 2011, 12:10:00 AM
Josh, I was using my Orion with the recurve limbs. It's a pretty slick little bow in a pop-up blind.

Ben A, the Deltas are great heads, easy to sharpen, hold a great edge, penetrate incredibly well, and do devastating damage. They also fly like field points, which is amazing considering their size. They are also affordable.

I've tried Woodsman, Snuffers, Grizzlies, etc. They are all good, but I keep coming back to Deltas. I don't see any need to change again. I may use the others for rabbits and squirrels, but for big game, it will be big old Deltas for me.

For those of you still looking for the first turkey, hang in there. It IS worth the wait. I have to say, even though turkeys are frustrating and I made my share of mistakes, I really enjoyed the experience. I've learned TONS. Turkeys still do what you least expect, but with experience you learn what doesn't work.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: brian brooks on April 26, 2011, 07:55:00 AM
Congratulations, They are so much fun,but can be da$n frusterating to.I've missed 2 so far this spring as a result of not concentrating,but got some excellent video.You did a fine job sir,and again congrats
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: Gen273 on April 26, 2011, 08:15:00 AM
congrats!!!
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: turkey522 on April 26, 2011, 08:20:00 AM
Congrats,nice bird.
Title: Re: Finally made it happen!
Post by: katie on April 26, 2011, 10:31:00 AM
Way to go Russ!  Great bird!
 
I'm not sure I will have an extra minute to chase a turkey this Spring!