A giant lays his head down

LITTLEBIGMAN · April 24, 2017, 11:38:00 PM

After missing the 2016 turkey season in Iowa I vowed not to let that happen again this year.

So last week I made the 6 hour drive to visit a best friend and turkey hunting master.

Friday found me in a large pasture slowly being converted back to native prairie. I was surrounded by deep ravines and restored oak savannas.

I spent 10 hours staring at these 2 out my blinds window.

Meadow larks kept me company. But if not for one bearded lady with a girl friend, the turkeys were a no show.

LITTLEBIGMAN · April 24, 2017, 11:44:00 PM

We pow wowed that night and decided a move of several hundred yards was in order.

3 30 am's alarm was not very welcoming . But the coffee pot was on and we were out the door by 4 am.

We reset the blind on the same old farm road but in the vicinity closer to where I thought most of the prior days roosting gobbles had come from .

I added a bedded hen to the decoy set up. one standing hen at 6 yards, the bedded hen at 8 and the Jake at 10.

LITTLEBIGMAN · April 24, 2017, 11:58:00 PM

I had hoped the birds would be roosted in a 100 to 200 yard radius. They had been in a fighting mood the week before according to my host.

It was about 30 minutes to shooting light when the first roosted bird let out a gobble. He sounded almost too close. As it got closer to pink light more gobbles rang out from birds in all directions. But the first bird , who was the nearest did not sound off again.

I gave a few soft tree yelps and the more distant birds gobbled back at once.

I could now see well enough to shoot and gave a few more soft yelps. Instantly a gobble rang out directly behind me and on the ground!

I had hoped the birds would come in from my right on the road. I picked up my bow , just as a Tom ran in silently from my right. He bumped up against the Jake. He made a few purring noises as he began to push against the Jake decoy. I was temped to shoot but told myself to wait for the perfect shot, This Tom was not going any where.

As he circled around the back it was clear he was a boss Tom.

When he rounded the front of the decoy, I waited for him to be completely broadside. He stopped and I picked my spot and let the arrow go.

At impact, he jumped straight up and fell down landing on his back. He back flipped three times and was dead 8 feet from the blind.

LITTLEBIGMAN · April 25, 2017, 12:06:00 AM

while this was Tom #11 for me , it was my 1st with my Hill country longbow.

He weighed a whopping 29 pounds, 2 oz on the certified scale at the local meat market.

He is one of the most beautiful Toms I have ever seen and I didn't have it my heart to take him apart. He going to be placed in the yurt, flying in the rafters for me to look at and remember a most amazing morning. BTW, legal shooting light was 5:57 am . I shot him at 6: 04 am.

BlacktailBowhunter · April 25, 2017, 12:32:00 AM

Very nice

M60gunner · April 25, 2017, 12:33:00 AM

Real nice bird! Congrats! Looks like a real neat place to hunt

Steelhead · April 25, 2017, 01:21:00 AM

Gorgous bird.I would mount that one as well.I had one mounted gobbling from the roost.Tail fan about 2/3rds spread.Throwing a gobble out.Head low and extended.My favorite mount.

Twenty nine pounds.Holy cow!What a Butterball.
How long were his spurs and beard?
Congrats.

Deno · April 25, 2017, 02:45:00 AM

Well done !!Great post.
Deno

ca · April 25, 2017, 03:47:00 AM

Congrats.

Big Ed · April 25, 2017, 05:00:00 AM

Well done!

KyStickbow · April 25, 2017, 05:36:00 AM

Congrats!

Hopewell Tom · April 25, 2017, 06:14:00 AM

Well that's getting back at it in style.
We don't have turkeys up here, but even I can see that is a dandy.

Thanks for sharing.

mec lineman · April 25, 2017, 06:16:00 AM

If a a 29lb bird was killed in Virginia, you had better called Guinness! Nice job!

Roy from Pa · April 25, 2017, 06:40:00 AM

That's a fantastic gobbler, congrats.

PICKNGRIN · April 25, 2017, 06:45:00 AM

Congratulations!! Thanks for sharing, always enjoy your hunting posts.

mikolay87 · April 25, 2017, 06:58:00 AM

Excellent bird! Thanks for sharing

deerhunter_w · April 25, 2017, 07:09:00 AM

Congrats

Jeff

Huntrdfk · April 25, 2017, 07:31:00 AM

Congrats Jim, that is a great bird, and a nice, quick, clean kill.

David

Longbowlogan · April 25, 2017, 07:48:00 AM

Great bird and he sure is a beauty! Is your Hill Country a 56" Bobcat? I've been playing around with the idea of trying a 56" Bobcat or their new Badger.

April 25, 2017, 08:03:00 AM

Awesome bird!

Congrats,

Bisch