No blind turkey gang!

[Looper]

I had a fantastic hunt a couple of week ago. The first day I had 17 birds within 30 yards of me and heard no less that 12 separate gobblers. There were so many birds around me, I couldn't draw without being seen. When I did decide to take a shot, I got busted by a big gobbler that was only 10 feet behind me. I didn't know he was there, until he started making his alarm putt. It was pretty funny. About 6 birds all started putting loudly, but they never did figure out exactly what I was. They eventually moved off and out of range. I had to end my day's hunt at noon, so I didn't get another shot.

The next day, I set up in a little better spot. I ended up calling in a huge tom from about 400 yards away. Long story short, I worked him right into my setup and shot him right after he spurred my jake decoy. The shot was at 15 yards and right where I wanted, high and right behind his wing butt. After flopping around for a few seconds, I thought he was down for good, my arrow remaining in him.

Right as I was congratulating myself, he hopped up, ran a few yards and took to flight. He flew maybe 100 yards, never getting more than 15 feet off the ground. He went straight into the thickest part of the swamp. He was definitely going down for the count the last I saw.

After waiting an hour, I went and got a buddy to help me find him, but after 2 hours of intense searching, we were unsuccessful. I have no doubt that we were right on top of him, but it was so thick that, unless we were standing on him, we couldn't see him. It made me sick to lose that bird. That is actually the first game animal, other than small game, that I've not been able to recover.

I called it a day and went back to the hotel to find a string tracker. My hunt ended up being cut short due to a death in the family, so I came home empty handed.

[smoke1953]

Great stories everyone. I get to "fowl" up without blind beginning Wednesday.

[hitman]

I would be afraid to put anything resembling a turkey on my person. There are too many gun toting, trigger happy fools running around where I hunt. Nothing against gun hunters, its the bad ones I'm leery of. I try to pick my spots away from other hunters but you never know when one is around.  

[joebuck]

0-2

[Dave Thaxton]

I've made the mistake of getting obsessed with one old tom that I know is 4 yrs old. I've been on him the last 4 weekends (well been on him is an overstatement)...he has been within 50 yds for 4 weekends and I can't get him to close the distance. I had him coming to the dekes this past Sunday...in an open pasture (I was set up just inside the woodline)...gobbling, strutting,spittin and drumming... he's at 10 yds, I draw...and get busted by a doe that was walking the field edge. I never heard or saw her until she blew... right into my right ear...I just about messed myself...she barrelled outta there like I stuck a hot poker to her butt...the tom about turned himself inside out scrambling from the commotion...and I'm left holding the bow at full draw wondering what the heck just happened. I still ain't sure who was more buggered up...me,the doe or the tom!

[Rob W.]

I've got 3 spots picked out for the opener wed. Not sure what the plan will be. Birds were vocal this morning.

The woods are more like a jungle around here than any other year I can remember. Had a couple field spots picked out that are way too tall now.


Rob

[monk]

Wow it has been memorable for this Illinois first season NO blind Turkey chaser. Remember to take the best shot your presented, not necessarily the PERFECT shot you imagined.