Spring fling High Country Gobblers-Bird down!

[Gehrke145]

Well I haven't  haven't been out Turkey hunting at all!  Been holding off until I can hunt with my dad next weekend.  Well today I got caught up on everything I've been putting off, because fishing has been so good.  Looked at the clock 4pm, figured I'd pack in a blind and see if any birds were around.

Hit the trail head and started hiking, after about a mile with the double bull on my back I realized I needed to start working out!  I've been getting lazy over the cold months.Well I finally got to one of my favorite little benches and set up the blind.  

The view to the east
     
Got the blind organized and settled in.
     
Deer were everywhere and looked in good health.  Saw 10 during the sit.
     

Well as the sun started to set, I let a few yelps out.  No sooner did I set my slate down 4 different toms sounded off.  After a few more minutes I see 3 jakes down the draw, a few more yelps had them at four yards from the blind.  It was hard to do but I left them alone, they flew up in a tree about 60 yards from the blind.  One of the jake right before he flew into the roost.  
     
Then a bird gobbles right by the blind, game time.  I nock and arrow as a nice tom struts into view, about 30 yards away.  I draw pick a spot and send a simmons right over his back.  He takes off and lands in a tree 80 yards from the blind and the night is over.  I let it get real dark and slipped out with the birds in the tree.  Going to head back in the morning with the girlfriend, to see if she can get her first bird.  More to follow!

[wooddamon1]

Cool pics, good luck in the morning!  

[tradhunter]

Man,now it's times like that, that make it all worth while.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

Hey Adam been wondering what you been in to of late,
thanks for the update and good luck today

[Steve O]

Good luck!  Hey, you should just leave that blind up all summer for September    :D

[bohuntr]

What a beautiful spot to hunt turkeys!!! Good luck!

[Gehrke145]

Hey Jim, been busy fishing basically.  Did make a trip to Texas with some buddies and took a few hogs.  None with the recurve, got home and got ride of everything I own compound wise again lol.  Felt like I cheated myself with the compound, finally got to the point where I'm ok not killing something...........

Steve O deer are looking great!  The draw is coming up soon so hopefully I'll be giving you a good PM saying you got a few tags.  Been looking around a bit and found a few great places in 751 for you and your buddy.  

Ok back on track, this morning came way to early!  Hit the mountain around 430, got to the same spot as yesterday around 530.  Birds were way quiet, guessing because of the cold front.  They were slow out of the roost and paid no attention to my calling or Decoys.  Only heard 3 gobbles, did see a few smaller toms that my girlfriend would of gladly blasted but couldn't get them any closer then 60 yards.

A pic of a hen that apparently had a thing for my BTD.
   

Hen and the BTD in the same shot, with the ever present muleys
   

Some bucks that will hopefully not get nailed by the mountain lion thats been in the area lately.
   
   

[Mike Gerardi]

Great pics. Wishing you the best for the rest of your hunt. That is one awesome view.

[Shan]

those ARE great pics. looking forward to seeing more. looks like you guys have plenty of game over there!

[DGF]

Great pics and story.  

Dan

[Gehrke145]

The truck is headed up to the front range, now the turkey hunting is full force.  Any of you guys in the Denver area?

[Gehrke145]

Well after the 6 hour drive to the Denver area I was eager to get out and try to locate some birds.  Met up with my dad and it didn't take long to find a few toms.  Watched them fly up to the roost, then hit the hay.  

First morning out we had issues do to a little berm that the birds just did not want to cross.  Did take a few pics of this guy, who ended up being a bird that I had my sights on.  He acted is if he owned the fields and did hesitate to gobble at just about anything!
We let the birds get out of sight an repositioned the blind for the evening.  Two hours before dark he came out and gave us a show.  I was able to get him into range, with my dad being up to shoot first.  The old guy gave him two shots resulting in two misses.  Here he is

[Gehrke145]

Again we let the birds get into the roost, and moved the blind to give the now educated birds a new look.  

Got up extra early and was in the blind well before light.  I set up my jake decoy on top of the hen to change it up.  As the dark gave to light all was quiet.  I grabbed a slate and gave out a few yelps, right away 4 birds gobbled back.  Followed up with a few purs and set back and waited.  About 5 minuted passed and I see two toms coming down the opposite side of the berm, not allowing them to see the decoys.

When the birds cleared the berm, they saw the decoys and instantly went into strut and by the time I nocked an arrow they were within 30 yards.  The birds closed the last 25 yards dragging there wings on the ground (I love this!)  When the lead bird stepped out into the window of the blind 5 yards away I drew and picked a spot.  When I let the string slip, he jumped in the air landing on his back.,

[Dirtybird]

WOW!  Great pics and can't wait to hear more.

[Dirtybird]

Great shooting and hopefully your dad has some luck roll his way.  Good shooting on the bird.

[Gehrke145]

After the shot my dad was able to get a shot at the other but the alert tom was to fast.  While we were waiting for the rest of the birds to get over the ridge allowing us to get out of the blind, this little guy showed up.  
He also liked my decoy setup as he stood next to them for over 2 minutes.    

[Gehrke145]

When the rest of the birds cleared we got out and I was able to finally collect my biggest merriam turkey (bow is 60 inches nock to nock.
 

[Gehrke145]

And the hero shot of the bird and me.

[Dirtybird]

Beautiful bird!!!      

I love turkey hunting.

[Converml]

Great job