To say this was a lousy turkey season, would be too kind. The weather here has been rainy, no monsoon-like. We have been getting "inches" of rain almost daily. And it has been cold. So cold that I barely got my blind set up. At first the snow would not melt. Once the snow finally melted, the cold weather kept the frost in the ground, so I could not get my stakes in to hold the blind in place. I finally secured it with some rocks a day or two before my season. Wisconsin has weekly seasons in the spring and mine ran April 10th to the 16th. I usually get it out weeks prior to the season.
Ok enough whining...but I had to set the stage that my first time out, was my last chance to get out as I abhor sitting in a wet blind at 33-34 degrees. For me that damp cold is the nastiest combination there is...I would rather have 20 degrees and dry. The damp - and the combination of the blind - makes for some bone chilling - no fun - cold. So I didn't even get out until the 16th at 1:00 PM. Most days, were horrible as I noted, and other days work or family kept me from hunting. Tues. was even a last minute thing as the weather briefly broke and my work schedule opened up - so the afternoon was available.
:campfire: :pray:
:coffee:
With the lack of decent prep, I wasn't expecting much but a nice spring sit in the outdoors. Again that has been long in coming, as the winter was long here too.
My plan is simple...set the blind in good spot, two Avian X decoys; one jake, one hen courtesy of Cabela bucks as I would have had a tough time justifying the cost straight-up, and lightly call every half hour until I get lucky or 4:30 rolls around when I have to go to my daughters soccer game. Felt really good to be out and made me sad that this was the last of my season and realizing I was ever so close to missing it or just lucky that I didn't miss it.
Pick one I guess.
First call nothing...no big deal. About 1:20 I hear something...not sure what it is...as several crows were close-by doing that crow thing...One piece of woodsmen-ship advice I never forgot is, if you ever hear a sound of something in the woods that sounds odd, and you really cannot place it, odds are very good that it came from a crow as they have an amazing amount of vocalizations. I am sure that doesn't work 100%, but is sure works as a good rule-of-thumb.
QuoteOriginally posted by lt-m-grow:
if you ever hear a sound of something in the woods that sounds odd, and you really cannot place it, odds are very good that it came from a crow as they have an amazing amount of vocalizations.
I'd say that statement is spot on!
Waiting for more!
So I am hearing something that sounds like a cross between and hen and a gobble or more like a baritone hen. Not mixed together, but from the same bird. At first I thought she must be uuuuuggggly... but then I begin to wonder whether it was the crow...Right now, I am thinking the latter...though as the story plays out you may not think so, so feel free to let me know I am full of it, or at least full of it on this idea.
Anyway, not knowing what it is and being close enough to a turkey sound, I lightly call to "it". On and off for about 10 minutes - we chat a bit - it more than me, by design. I also hear one hen at a distance and in the same direction as the bird I was chatting with...so I figure the gig is up regardless. So when the chatting stopped, I didn't think much about it and continued to enjoy the sit.
When the next half hour rolled around, I called again. Didn't hear a thing... In fact, as a sidebar, I have not heard a gobble yet this year. I live in a wonderful place and always hear turkeys throughout the spring - March thru June at my house. I don't know if it is the weather, but they are quiet this year - though I know they are around. So getting back to the calls, I didn't really expect an answer anyway or at least a super vocal tom.
And then.......
:campfire: :coffee:
About ten minutes later, I hear footsteps behind the blind. When you look at the pictures, the back is up the hill into the woods. I have all the ports closed in the back, and try not to peak back there as there isn't a shot there anyway. BTW: I have used this spot for the blind about the last three years, so I know the limits of the location fairly well.
The walking I hear I am sure is a turkey. Good stuff, but thinking this is likely a hen as this is a prime dusting spot too. Soon I hear a heavy footed stumble or at least it sounded like that and wonder if it is someone - a person - walking in the woods as it sounded that heavy. I wait, again not peaking behind the blind, and I hear a little more walking, a step or three. Then a few more...waiting ...then I hear the awesome sound of the whoosh a tom makes going into full strut. Excellent.
I have my bow up. Have the bow shield on (look at pics). Yes in the blind. I bought it to try some running and gunning this year, but with the horrible weather that didn't happen. When I went into the blind, I thought - what the heck - leave it on, cannot hurt. As it turned out, that was the case I think it helped some, or made me think it helped some which has value as I had the window screens open (just like pics).
So finally I see the tom. He is close. 8 yards or so as I set my decoy close. He is focused on the jake deke. His fan...it is junk and I am thinking, my first turkey with a longbow and it is ugly. The fan had feathers missing and two were broke and bent forward. Ohh well, not going to be picky and settle in to wait for a good shot. As I wait, the tom is giving the deke the stink-eye. The next I know, he lights into the deke and proceeds to show it who is the boss. His first attack made me jump. Fun stuff. I wait for a shot hoping he spins some so I can draw.
He attacks several more times. The Avian X is holding its ground. I am proud of it. :-) BTW: this is off to the side of the blind, where the pictures are taken so kind of in my periphery versus straight in front of the blind.
:campfire:
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Next I know there is another tom along with the first. Then another and another. Four mature toms together. I have seen jakes do that, but not mature toms during the season. Seems the first tom on the scene must have taken the brunt of the wrath of others, hence the broken tail feathers. He was obviously trying to find someone lower than him in the pecking order as all four were ok with each other but not with the deke.
Sounds like a great hunt so far.
Your last day, man I hope you got one!!! :campfire:
I'm tuned in! Keep it coming.
Bisch
:thumbsup: :campfire: :coffee:
:thumbsup: :campfire: :coffee:
:campfire:
:thumbsup: :coffee:
This story takes place in my back yard...
He's got me in suspense...
Irv Eichorst
www.truesouthadventures.com (http://www.truesouthadventures.com)
For a one afternoon turkey hunt you sure know how to stretch out the story! :thumbsup:
:campfire:
QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
For a one afternoon turkey hunt you sure know how to stretch out the story! :thumbsup:
My thoughts exactly.
looking forward to the rest. :thumbsup:
Charlie, oops, I mean Dave...
how bout the rest of the story?
:campfire:
Sorry for the delay guys, had to help a friend plan 600 trees yesterday...long exhausting day but rewarding....
On with the story...
So I am waiting and yes, I had a chance to pick out another tom with a full fan. As I am waiting, they begin to coo at each other and the decoy -- kind of like morning doves. That was a neat sound I don't think I have heard before. Reminded me of chickens on the roost.
So I am still waiting and the four seem to want to leave the deke and not, so I begin to think I better take a shot or they may just be gone in a sec. This is where I believe the shield helped. They were so close and faced in all directions, yet I drew, anchored, and held for a bit -- undetected. Finally the one I wanted turned its back to me and I looked right up its spine, knowing that the Centaur battle-axe is lots-o-head and not going to miss this close. I released, and all heck broke loose as you would expect. I didn't see the arrow fly because I used my Dad's turkey feathers from last year to make the fletching. I normally use bright yellow, but wanted camo feathers for the turkeys. So between the camo shield and fletching it was anybody's guess where the arrow went.
Yes, and then what happened? This is getting almost too exciting for me. My Wisconsin season opens this week and this is getting me fired up! Keep it coming! :thumbsup:
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Yet I knew I had a solid hit. All I could see was blood flying in the air and the turkey cartwheel down the hill with its head - well let's just say, not upright. It died in ten yards. Got it right where I was looking.
To say I was happy was an understatement. I also remembered what my friend RC taught me. When I shot a pig with him he said, "let's just sit here and appreciate our success for a while, as hunters, I don't think we do that enough." His words were spot on. We hunt, sit, practice, scout so long just to get to this moment and many of us "push right on through it" including me....I sat for a half hour and thought a lot of things, including RC, many other hunting buddies, and many other hunts. Thanks for that gift RC.
Well that's it...I am getting it mounted as I said I always would once I got my first turkey with the bow. I know many of you have had regular success, but success on a turkey was a long time in coming.
Here are the pics...and thanks for listening and hope you enjoyed the hunting story...
The prize and a good shot of the shield I spoke of...
(http://i.imgur.com/xiVZsOI.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6nPGmbD.jpg)
The entire team:
(http://i.imgur.com/jPZnTGX.jpg)
I like this one as the jake deke has this "That is what you get when you screw with me" look... :-)
(http://i.imgur.com/38ustcu.jpg)
:clapper: :clapper: Great hunt thanks for sharing.
Great shot! Congrats on a fine trophy
Thank you for a well-told tale. This one has it all! I really enjoyed reading it.
Killdeer
Congrats...nice story and great bird.
Im going out with my grandson just south of Mt. Horeb on May 4th. I have 60 acres just off Perry Center and Keller Roads
Irv Eichorst
www.truesouthadventures.com (http://www.truesouthadventures.com)
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: way to go sir!
Sounds like a great hunt. Congrats on your success. I have rushed through those moments after the shot myself. Thanks to you and RC for pointing that out, great advice. :thumbsup:
Great story. Congrats.
Congratulations, good shooten, and good story !
That's good stuff! Way to go!
Good job Brother. I look forward to our next hunt together.RC
Excellent Dave, Great hunt and well told. That RC is the sh#$ isn't he? I always sit down after a kill and take some time to revel in the moment. Great advice RC. Congrats on your Tom, Dave :thumbsup: :clapper:
:thumbsup:
Great story and pics, congrats! The RC quote is a good reminder. :thumbsup:
Thank you all... Like the start of the story, I have enjoyed so many of your stories, that I was long over due to share one...so thank you again for the nice comments.
And yes, RC is a wonderful teacher and person. I was lucky to win a St. Jude hunt he graciously offered. If he does it again, bid high and often, because I want to win.