This morning started with a late wake up and I got to the woods late and the birds were already gobbling. I had to stand on the edge of the woods and wait for the Tom I was trying to set up on to fly down. After he flew down into the creek bottom I was able to slip into the natural blind that I built yesterday and I was almost able to call him in. Instead he took his buddy and walked across the field past my pop up blind. That is not what was supposed to happen! I waited about ten minutes and was able to slip in behind them into the pop up and get my decoys set up. They continued gobbling behind me so I sat tight and called just enough to let them know I was still looking for love. After about an hour they seemed to moving in my direction so I called again and got an answer from a different Tom across the field. Ten minutes passed and then this bird sounded off closer. A quick peek out the window and I could see him coming across the field. He never made another sound and I couldn't see him anymore. Then I heard him strutting in from the right side of the blind. It probably only took 30 seconds for him to reach my decoy in full strut the whole time. I thought my heart was going to explode and was sure he would hear me hyperventilating. When he turned broadside I drew and realized he was still to far to my right and I couldn't shoot till he took another step. This is when I hit freak out mode and when he took that step I dropped the string. The arrow was a complete pass through but low just in front of the wing. The bird went straight up about 10 feet and came down in my other shooting window. I was reaching for another arrow when he walked out of range across the field. My arrow had very little blood on it so I waited 45 minutes before looking for him. I spent almost 3 hours looking for him but never found any sign of him. I hope that I just grazed him because he didn't act hurt to bad as he walked away across the field. All in all it was a great morning but I just couldn't make the shot when it counted. No matter how many times you tell yourself "pick a spot" sometimes your brain just shuts off. Two inches right and today would have been my best bowhunting day ever.
Turkeys are tough.. Hes probably fine.. I almost missed mine last year.. I pulled my shot high and cut his throat..I was extremely lucky.. I hope you get another shot at him..
Seems to me that virtually any time there is a pass thru on a gob, shot placement could be in question.
I admire any of you who hunt them with a bow. Tough birds with a small target area.
How much string did he take out of your string tracker?
Bowmania
Bowmania, I wasn't using a string tracker. I know I should be but I tried one when I was a kid for deer hunting and didn't like it. I think my dad might still have one around his house so maybe I'll try it again.