Do feathers count? Added some pic's...

Oliverstacy · May 10, 2009, 12:00:00 AM

Well if they did then I'd be in the chips...but they don't so I'm going in the morning.

I went to an area that they roost and waited for them to come in, that they did, about 15 birds. I had a bunch of hens flying up to roost but a Jake couldn't resist the decoy and came for a look and I missed clean but was quick on the reload. He wasn't spooked bad but was starting to walk away as I started to draw then a long beard came into view...WOW where did you come from? He zipped around to about 15 yards and finally stopped for a split second...I remember saying to myself to pick a spot and did but I was almost to full draw and as I picked that spot, I finished the draw and released as I think he was taking a step. Arrow looked and felt great but only zipped a few feathers off his back.

oh so close!

Wow was that a good first night to the season (truly exciting but a tad frustrating)...they all ended up going to roost on the small ridge I was on so I stayed to dark and snuck out. I'll be back in the morning to see if I can even the score

!!!

This is still more fun than hunting with a gun or compound (I'd had a bird if I had one of those but I'm glad I didn't).

Josh

jacobsladder · May 10, 2009, 12:07:00 AM

GRINCH · May 10, 2009, 12:07:00 AM

I know that got your adrenaline going,great experience,hopefully the next time you'll nail him.

Leo L. · May 10, 2009, 12:09:00 AM

Darn it! Those feathers would have made good fletching for someone!

Oliverstacy · May 10, 2009, 12:36:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by GRINCH:
I know that got your adrenaline going,great experience,hopefully the next time you'll nail him.

Yes indeed the adrenaline was flowing...I wasn't going to shoot a Jake this year either but when they're that close you throw your initial plans out the window. When the longbeard came into view he looked huge only five yards (distance I first spotted him at) but he was jittery and moved out.

Why would you want to be chasing them with anything other than a longbow or recurve? This is fun!

I went outside and shot some and as I suspected it was operator error! Couldn't blame it on "Wormy" <-- this is what I named my bow. I'm dialed in now...I think I was earlier but it's hard to pick a spot on a jittery bird.

Josh

GRINCH · May 10, 2009, 01:22:00 AM

Josh love the name of your bow,usually it's me thats wormy,or at least my shooting.

4runr · May 10, 2009, 05:35:00 AM

Get him next time Josh.

Oliverstacy · May 10, 2009, 10:54:00 AM

Went back this morning and they were gobbling their heads off...wow what a show. Nothing came my way though.

Well here is what about 16,000 shots get ya:

Different view:

Another:

Shot was about 16 yards...just a touch high, next time!

Josh

paleFace · May 10, 2009, 11:44:00 PM

memories! how wonderful they are....

JoeM · May 11, 2009, 07:01:00 AM

Kind of like a long foul ball. Looks great but doesn't count.

Joe

Guru · May 11, 2009, 11:35:00 AM

Just wondering...how did you shoot high and cut a wing feather off?

Oliverstacy · May 11, 2009, 01:42:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Guru:
Just wondering...how did you shoot high and cut a wing feather off?

He was waking to my right and I can only guess as he was almost completely upright with his wings folded over his back...he might have been slightly quartering away. If you can imagine a turkey just standing with it's wings folded back. I watched his sorry butt fly up to roost, which was insult to injury since I had to wait until dark to walk out.

Here is what I think he looked like when I shot, his wings were back like this one:

Found the arrow the next morning and not a speck of blood on it.

Josh