What a great morning in the blind!

The turkey season here in NH has been open for a couple of weeks. I've only made it out a couple of times and it had been frustrating so far. I will admit, I am not a die-hard turkey hunter. I enjoy it but, it doesn't drive me the way big game does.

Last night I drove by a field that had been hammered with hunting pressure, only to find a couple of birds heading to roost. I figured I had nothing to loose and made plans to hunt this morning.

I snuck through the field at 3:45 this morning and set up the blind and decoys in the back corner of the field.

Shortly after I could hear something walking behind the blind. A yearling doe came to within 15 yards trying to figure out what the blob in the middle of the field was.

As it started to get light, I could start to make out dark shapes in the trees about 80 yards away! Turkeys! I hoped I wasn't too close.

I could make out one bird strutting on the limb.

Well....I'm waiting....

The birds held in the trees for quite a while. I could hear several birds gobbling off in the distance but not a peep from these!

After about 15 minutes, a hen pitched into the decoys! Nothing like having the real thing!

A few moments later, the gobbler pitched down into the field edge. There was just enough crown that I couldn't see him.
With the hen in my decoys I didn't call.

The hen eventually, picked her way behind me. After a few minutes, I gave some soft calls. The Tom gobbled from just below. Then, a cranky hen started blasting at me. I gave it right back to her! She was not happy!

Every time she'd start, I'd cut her off! Finally, she stormed over the edge to see who was challenging her!
 

I no sooner put my phone down, and he came right over the edge. He stopped and looked at the decoys from about 25 yards and went into strut. He was a beautiful long beard! When he saw his hen moving off he started to follow her quickly!

With limited space in the blind, I didn't have much window to my right. I swung and called at the same time. He stopped for a second and I dropped the string!

I pulled my shot right and just missed his beard! He exploded into the air and flew up and over the trees! He might be still flying!

I sat in the blind internally screaming at myself for the miss! Another gobble snapped me back to reality! As I looked to my right, I saw three birds running for my decoys!

The biggest ran up and slammed my Jake decoy!

As he turned his back to me, I drew and picked a spot between his wings, and released.

He dropped in his tracks! The Snuffer had severed his spine.

Awesome!!  And with a Whip no less.  Nicely done.  If you weren't addicted before you're hooked now  :D

       

Congrats.  That last photo is great, the lighting and the truck are nice touches.

Way to go sir!      

I am fully hooked now!

Thanks to my good friend Dave (Huntrdfk) for encouraging me to take up trad!



Shot with my 62" Toelke Whip, Heritage 250's and 160 grain Snuffers on a 33 grain adapter.
Thanks for looking!

I bet you are a die-hard turkey hunter now! Thanks for sharing esp the pictures.

Great work ..and awesome pics THXS for sharing they sure are a addiction!!

First is the most memorable!! Good for you!!
 

Super cool!  Thanks for posting and nice pics.

Great job. Congrats!

Congratulations on your first trad success and a difficult one at that!

WAY to Go Seth!!!

Good stuff.  That Whip looks great.  Congrats!