First Trad Turkey

tjfish · April 10, 2011, 05:43:00 PM

Well I finally was able to connect on a bird this year in Nebraska after three years of trying. Last year was the first time we were able to call in some birds close enough for a shot, but couldn't seal the deal due to some misses.

The first place we called produced two toms, but they hung up at about 50 yrds directly behind us. I was a little disappointed, not a bad start and it was only the first afternoon. The next day we went in to a place where I missed a jake last year and there seem to always be birds in there. Sure enough there were hens yelping as we were setting up the blind. After and hour of calling off and on two gobblers showed up with four hens. The hens were interested, drawing the gobblers close. They came to 30 yards, but never presented a shot in the cover. I was disappointed, but we went back to the area we called the afternoon before.

We set up the blind and as I was climbing in I could see a tom strutting through the trees about 150 yards away. We got to calling to the yelping hens, but they showed no interest and moved off. Once again I was disappointed, but continued to sit. About 30 minutes later a tom all of a sudden came into view strutting at 50 yards all alone. He moved closer strutting and drumming the whole way into 4 yrds where the decoy was. Being so close to the blind I was afraid to draw so I waited this he turned to face the hen, shielding his eyes with his fan and I took the shot. He ran a few yards and tipped over. I couldn't have been any happier and my dad was there to witness everything. A great weekend. We hunted the next day trying to get my dad a bird, but didn't succeed after spooking two jakes just before sunset on their way back to roost.

How found him

The arrow

Walking out with my prize

Few Hens not happy with the decoy

steadman · April 10, 2011, 05:53:00 PM

Congrats!

Over&Under · April 10, 2011, 05:53:00 PM

Excellent Trophy!!!

NIGEL01 · April 10, 2011, 05:55:00 PM

Congrats!! This will be my second year trying with traditional equipment. Been shooting for the last three months, think i'm ready. Now I just have to wait until my license is good. Sweet pics

GWV · April 10, 2011, 05:56:00 PM

Congratulations!!!

Mitch-In-NJ · April 10, 2011, 06:01:00 PM

Nice work. Congrats!

Txnrog · April 10, 2011, 06:02:00 PM

Congrats! Beautiful bird

Jerry Jeffer · April 10, 2011, 06:11:00 PM

Nice bird. Congrats! Good photo quality too.

SEMO_HUNTER · April 10, 2011, 06:24:00 PM

Great Job Tim!

Gary Logsdon · April 10, 2011, 06:33:00 PM

Nice photos. Love the iridescent colors in the feathers!

Dryfired · April 10, 2011, 06:35:00 PM

Good work! Nice turkey, bet he tasted great!

Friend · April 10, 2011, 06:40:00 PM

Just shows how some of the best things come in small packages. Sure, I am the odd man out however ,for me, a gob with trad gear is the ultimate.

Congrats!!

archer66 · April 10, 2011, 06:47:00 PM

Those are some of the BEST field photos I've ever seen and trust me I've seen a LOT.

Congrats on a beaut of a gobbler.

ishoot4thrills · April 10, 2011, 06:53:00 PM

Very nice! Well done sir.

Mudd · April 10, 2011, 07:05:00 PM

Great job!!!

tjfish · April 10, 2011, 07:10:00 PM

Thanks for the kind works guys. I had a great hunt. I need to find some time to get out there again now.

xia_emperor · April 10, 2011, 07:12:00 PM

great JoB!!

wv lungbuster · April 10, 2011, 07:16:00 PM

Well done. What the specs on your bow and broadhead?

Red Tailed Hawk · April 10, 2011, 07:24:00 PM

Very Cool

snow leopard · April 10, 2011, 07:30:00 PM

beautiful bird!!