Tom at 3 yards, no blind!!

[the longbowkid]

I have said that to kill a turkey with a trad bow without a blind, the stars have to alighn. the bird has to do what you want him to, like turn ans strut allowing you to draw and shoot.
this saturday the stars aligned.
 As i walked into my setup, I was startled by thunderous gobbles from two birds on the roost. what was startling was they were roosted very close to my setup, too close for comfort.  I chcanged course slightly, and setup about 60 yards away from the roost tree.I set my decoy in the feild to my right, and there was a path to my left. I was on a hedgrow of staggered trees, bordering a field
As light came, the birds flew down, and the closer bird went silent. I was dissapointed, but continued calling to the farther tom about 80 yds away,to no avail. at 6:13, i heard a noise like someones car starting, at about 5 yards away. i slowly peeked around my tree into the path to see what made the noise, and was face to face with a large to in full strut at 9 feet.  
my heart leaped, and i ever so slowly crept back behind my tree. I raised my bow behind the shelter of the tree, and saw a hen step into my view around the tree. she would prove to be a problem later.  I came to full draw as i leaned out from behind the tree to se the tom still struting and drumming. as i reached my ancor, my facemask moved and covered my right eye, obscuing my view of the arrow. i knew it was over, but I did my best and released, sending the eclipse-tipped arrow low in front of his chest.  he fluttered, and went back into strut.

[rastaman]

[wv lungbuster]

[Killdeer]

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Congradts!    

[bolong]

Congrats!!!  

[Mudd]

So? He died? If so, congratulations! Where are the pictures?

God bless,Mudd

[KentuckyTJ]

Oh yeah Luke bring it brother.

[John Dill]

Luke

You and your brother keep at it....bring pops along too. You fellas will have some good luck very soon! Remember my bet with you. (LOL)  :D      

God luck!!!

[BUFF]

Attaboy

[RunninWild77]

???? It doesnt sound like its a dead bird, but dang 5 yards and no blind. Thats a great experience!

[Ben Maher]

Very cool effort ...but gee that is close !

[blazelefty7]

So it missed him?  Still a crazy experience

[sou-pawbowhunter]

What a rush!

Does that tom have any relatives in Iowa?  Sounds to me like it was a good setup, they were not looking at you.

[Don Batten]

Good start to the season Luke. Alot of folks kid me for painting my face, but my paint has never obscured my vision while trying to draw on an animal. Got to put it on good for turkey though. DB

[Duckbutt]

That is excitement right there!