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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Mike Yancey on April 19, 2012, 10:40:00 PM

Title: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Mike Yancey on April 19, 2012, 10:40:00 PM
Just got back from my Wyoming turkey hunt and got my third bird in my Traditional Turkey Slam with a traditional bow.
I will tell more later, but this was one heck of an adventure in the wilds of Wyoming

(http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/mikeyancey/Wyomingturkeyhunt002.jpg)

Mike
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Bowmag on April 19, 2012, 10:43:00 PM
Congrats. Reading your story about turkey hunting down here in Texas. Good stuff.
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: rastaman on April 19, 2012, 10:59:00 PM
Way to go Mike!   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Mike Yancey on April 19, 2012, 11:16:00 PM
(http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/mikeyancey/Wyomingturkeyhunt007.jpg)
Lot of snow in the mountains earlier this week
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Mike Yancey on April 19, 2012, 11:18:00 PM
(http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/mikeyancey/Wyomingturkeyhunt004.jpg)
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Bel007 on April 19, 2012, 11:24:00 PM
Awsome job Mike   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: JamesKerr on April 19, 2012, 11:43:00 PM
Nice job Mike!
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Mudd on April 19, 2012, 11:47:00 PM
:archer:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Shinken on April 20, 2012, 12:07:00 AM
Congrats on the Trad Turkey Slam Mike!

  :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:    

Looks like it was my kind of hunt - I love bowhuntin' in white stuff!

Keep the wind in your face!

Shoot straight, Shinken

  :archer2:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: cacciatore on April 20, 2012, 07:12:00 AM
Mike,it looks some hunting in the hard way!Congrats,I wait for the story.
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: redant 60/65 on April 20, 2012, 07:43:00 AM
Sweet ! It's a beauty   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: bansheewins on April 20, 2012, 08:20:00 AM
That is a nice bird and very awesome pictures.  Congrats.
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: trad_bowhunter1965 on April 20, 2012, 08:25:00 AM
Awesome Mike!!!
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: centaur on April 20, 2012, 08:36:00 AM
Waiting for the story.   :campfire:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: KentuckyTJ on April 20, 2012, 08:41:00 AM
Beautiful bird, love those Rio's. Good job Mike!
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Mike Yancey on April 20, 2012, 09:11:00 AM
(http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/mikeyancey/Wyomingturkeyhunt019.jpg)

Went up to Wyoming a week ago today with Roger from Black Widow for some turkey hunting in the mountains. We camped at 7000 feet in as pretty a spot as you could find with birds gobbeling the first night in camp.
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: centaur on April 20, 2012, 09:17:00 AM
Mike, that pic looks like you were in the Black Hills. Lots of birds over there. Let's hear the rest of the story!
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Tater on April 20, 2012, 09:30:00 AM
:campfire:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Mike Yancey on April 20, 2012, 09:36:00 AM
Birds were tough to work but would gobble good on the roost, then shut up after they flew down. They would fire up around 3:00 and worked pretty good then. The first day I called in one single longbeard that came into bow range but never a good shot angle offered. He walked off after struting for about an hour.

Later that same afternoon I called in two more mature birds that came to within 15 yards but never stopped or gage a chance for a good shot. Later that evening we had birds all around camp talking before they flew up, which gave us hope for the next day.

(http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/mikeyancey/Wyomingturkeyhunt016.jpg)
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: coachA on April 20, 2012, 09:38:00 AM
congratulations!!!!!
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: wapiti792 on April 20, 2012, 09:38:00 AM
Awwww right Mike!!!  
:clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:  

WAY TO GO!!! Beautiful pics man!
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: FerretWYO on April 20, 2012, 09:49:00 AM
I sure wish we could have met up Mike. many congrats on your Turkey and with one more to go you will be in the Grand Slam of turkeys histroy in no time.
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Mike Yancey on April 20, 2012, 10:15:00 AM
(http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/mikeyancey/Wyomingturkeyhunt006.jpg)

Day two of the hunt found us waking up to snow. the birds sounded off on the roost but that was it. We got this bird going about 4:00 PM and he came in running to the decoy. I told Roger to get ready since he was coming from my side of the blind I could see him before he could.  

The bird was at a dead run and came up to the decoy and stopped in a full strut, but only for a second. He saw something he didn't like and came out of the strut and started to walk off. I told Roger that he had to shoot now but he said he couldn't shoot since the bird had walked off to his left to far.

I had only a second to come up and took the shot as the bird was almost to the side of the blind. I hit the bird just below the wings broadside. Taking out both wings with a Woodsman head and Traditional only shaft and my Black Widow PCH II.

It looked like it would be a short tracking job in the snow.

Randy,
There just is never enough time to do all you want. I did get to visit my buddy Jerry Bowen while out there one day. He has been in real bad health and it was good to se him doing better.
Mike
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Gen273 on April 20, 2012, 10:20:00 AM
Congrats on the bird!!!

The pictures are great as well. What was it like killing a spring turkey in the snow?

I think it would be cool....."no pun intended"
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: bohuntr on April 20, 2012, 10:24:00 AM
Very cool, congratulations!  Really nice pictures also!!!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: turkey522 on April 20, 2012, 10:28:00 AM
Congrats Mike,beautiful bird.
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Fritz on April 20, 2012, 10:32:00 AM
Congrats! Nice bird and great pics! Is that a rio or a merriam? Looks like a merriam, nice bird either way.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Mike Yancey on April 20, 2012, 10:39:00 AM
Gen273 it really was cool, I told by buddy in WY that I was as happy as if this bird was a 6x6 bull elk. It has always been my dream to take a Merriam turkey in the mountains with snow on the ground.

We waited about 20 minutes to take up the trail of the bird and found he had went about 50 yards but got up. I found the arrow about 10 yards past that. We took up the blood trail and tracks in the snow and followed this trail for about a half a mile before finding the bird laying on a huge rock.
I would have never found this bird had it not been for the snow. The shot was good, hitting the bird just below the wing and took out both of them. I just can't belive that he went that far, just shows how tough they are. I always try to break the back but was an inch below that.
Anyway it is a great bird and a great hunt.
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Mike Yancey on April 20, 2012, 10:40:00 AM
Fritz its a Merriam turkey
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: raghorns on April 20, 2012, 10:51:00 AM
Mike, What a hunt! Congrats...I got my first trad turkey this week...I agree that the thrill is right up there with elk.

Thanks for sending my jacket from Ojam.

Lyle
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: PA Bones on April 20, 2012, 12:22:00 PM
Congratulations Mike.  Great story and photos.  
Bill
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Dirtybird on April 20, 2012, 12:23:00 PM
Mike congrats on the bird, I always love the coloration of the Merriams.
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Mike Yancey on April 20, 2012, 03:06:00 PM
(http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/mikeyancey/Texas2011014.jpg)
Here is my Texas Rio from last year

 (http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/mikeyancey/Kansashunt1083.jpg)

(http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/mikeyancey/Wyomingturkeyhunt003.jpg)

This years Merriam

and my Kansas Eastern from earlier this month.
All I need now is a Florida bird next year and then think about going to Mexico for a Royal Slam
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: steadman on April 20, 2012, 03:11:00 PM
Congrats Mike!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Bernie B. on April 20, 2012, 03:57:00 PM
Beautiful pictures!  Congratulations...you certainly know how to get it done!     :clapper:

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: rushlush on April 20, 2012, 04:12:00 PM
Very cool! Congrats!
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Hud on April 20, 2012, 04:14:00 PM
Congratulations, great story and all. Hope Jerry Bowen makes full recovery. Your story in Primitive Archer Apr/May 2008 says a lot about a gifted and talented gentlemen.
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: JJB on April 20, 2012, 08:14:00 PM
Congratulations Mike!
-Jay
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Coonbait on April 20, 2012, 09:26:00 PM
Those are the prettiest. Great bird and fantastic picture. Congratulations!!
Glenn
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Jmgcurve on April 20, 2012, 09:56:00 PM
Congratulations!!!!!! And Thanks for the hunt-a-long...
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: bowhawk archer on April 20, 2012, 10:26:00 PM
Awesome hunt and pics Mike.
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: K.S.TRAPPER on April 21, 2012, 12:19:00 PM
Way to go Mike!   :bigsmyl:      :thumbsup:  

Great pics too!

Tracy
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Smeans on April 21, 2012, 12:24:00 PM
Congrats Mike!

Awesome quiver you are using. Details please?
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Mike Yancey on April 21, 2012, 01:41:00 PM
Smeans, the quiver is one of my Plains Style quivers. You can check them out on my website at  www.pinehollowlongbows.com (http://www.pinehollowlongbows.com)

Mike
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Ulysseys on April 21, 2012, 04:30:00 PM
Awesome! Can't wait to get out in the "mountains" of New Jersey this week myself!    :D
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on April 21, 2012, 05:08:00 PM
Congrats Mike!
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: swp on April 21, 2012, 07:57:00 PM
Congrats Mike!! I need a Rio and Osceola for my trad slam. So I guess Roger ate tag soup??? Guess I better go to the shop and get a full report on Monday.    ;)
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Converml on April 21, 2012, 09:40:00 PM
Nice job   :jumper:    :jumper:    :archer2:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Mike Yancey on April 21, 2012, 09:52:00 PM
SWP I called some good birds in for Roger and he called one in for himself that he couldn't get the shot he wanted. We had two jakes come in once and he fired a warning shot, just clipping some back feathers, another inch lower and he would have had him.
Had one big bird that I called in for him several times that was in shotgun range every time he came in but would not offer a good bow shot. I told Roger that I had spent whole seasons on birds like that one. He really gave us a show though!
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: BMN on April 21, 2012, 10:04:00 PM
Congrats Mike on a fine turkey! Great job   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: maineac on April 21, 2012, 11:36:00 PM
Great job!  Looks like a great hunt in beautiful country!
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: DEATHMASTER on April 22, 2012, 09:17:00 AM
Nice bird
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: Shedrock on April 22, 2012, 11:05:00 AM
Good job Mike! Good luck on your slam.
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: charles suttles on April 22, 2012, 11:56:00 AM
Congrats Mike and good luck on your 4th bird of the slam!
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: swp on April 22, 2012, 05:43:00 PM
Know what you mean about the tough to kill ones Mike. I called one in this morning for my daughter and told her to draw on him when he was about 10 yds away from us and 5 from the decoy and he turned and hightailed it. You just never know with turkeys.
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: wooddamon1 on April 22, 2012, 05:52:00 PM
Congrats, great pics and story!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: tarponnut on April 25, 2012, 09:04:00 AM
Great job. Cool pics!
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: collofthewild on April 25, 2012, 09:09:00 AM
Great pics, awesome bird! Congrats:)
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: elkken on April 25, 2012, 11:38:00 AM
Congrats Mike .... yes those turkeys can be tough and arrow placement is really important. Great story and pics, best of luck on the rest of your quest for the Royal Slam     :archer2:
Title: Re: Wyoming Turkey Hunt
Post by: razorsharptokill on April 25, 2012, 07:18:00 PM
Awesome! Great pics!!