First with a Recurve!-- trky pics

[BRONZ]

Took our annual trip north of Topeka.  We pulled 6 birds into bow range and each shot two arrows over the last couple days...one of Dad's connected in a mortal way.

[BRONZ]

Thursday evening we got out of the truck at camp and birds were thundering off the roost all around camp!  One in particular was across the road and obviously a longbeard.  We anticipated that he was without hens and decided to make him the object of our affection.

[Stone Knife]

[BRONZ]

Friday morning we placed a strutter in view of his bedroom and our jealously setup with easy bow range.  That's a jake in the background to the right of PeeWee.
 

Here's the view of camp from our blind with a hen in the foreground:

 

[BRONZ]

I gave one soft yelp followed by a flydown cackle and Dad simulated wingbeats with his hat (broke it in the process   )  The bird responded instantly.

I waited until he sounded like he was out of the tree and gave him some purrs and soft yelps.  His responses let us know he was closing the gap slowly.

[wooddamon1]

Oh yeah!  

[BRONZ]

I heard him drumming and could see his feet.  "He's com'n Dad, get ready..."

His attention was locked on Sylvester (jake), mounted on Gertrude (my "easy" hen).  He sauntered into Dad's window and I said, "Kill him Dad".
He placed the arrow perfectly!  The big Rio jogged in a wide circle with his wings out stretched trying to keep his balance, and piled up within 50 yds.

[BRONZ]

Although we have each taken deer consistenly for decades, we have been trying to put a turkey down with our recurves for years unsuccessfully.  Needless to say, there was a lot of hugging, back slapping, and dancing in our blind!


10.5" beard


3/4" spurs


1 pair of happy bowhunters!

[BOWMARKS]

Sounds like a good one!!!

[BRONZ]

[Rob W.]

Doesn't get much better than that. Congrats!

[Cookus]

AWESOME! I'm glad you got to share it with your Dad!

[BRONZ]

Not 30 min later, I called in another longbeard with 3 hens.  Obviously, with Dad's tag filled, I was called from the bullpen.  

I admit that the thought of doubling on the same morning was in the back of my head giving me some added pressure.

He too was locked in on my juvenille lovers, but caught me drawing and turned to leave quickly.  I had to lean forward, aim, and release in one motion.  The arrow went over his right shoulder.

Here's a video of him.  I think his tongue is sticking out and if you listen close, you can hear him saying, "Nanny nanny na na..."

 

[Fritz]

Very nice bird! Congrats!  

[JJB]

Congratulations on a great hunt!
-Jay

[owlbait]

Great memories right there! Congratulations and thanks for sharing!      

[Gen273]

Congrats on a great hunt!!!

[Converml]

Can't wait for NY's season. Nice birds

[koger]

Congratulations to you and your father, never forget the first one with trad gear!

[KentuckyTJ]

Absolutely fantastic hunt, congrats brother!