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Post by goosepondmonster on May 3, 2019 22:14:27 GMT -5
Went out to a farm that I have permission to hunt that is close to the house. I've hunted there a few times and usually have turkey encounters, so I figured I would at least get something to talk. This farm seems to be covered in poison ivy, so it is tricky to find a tree to sit against. I finally found a decent spot and got set up. Did some calling and finally heard a gobble. Kept calling, he kept gobbling, but didn't seem to be closing the distance. I glance to my left and thought I saw him walking along the corner of the field, so I shut up. I looked down and realized I forgot to put my turkey choke in the gun. The only other times I've been out this season I'd been set up in the blind at my grandma's trying to get one with my bow, so I hastily got the gun ready at the house and totally spaced the choke. I look up and see three birds coming my way. The closer they got I realized they were jakes, but at this point I was willing to shoot anything with a beard to break my six-year drought. The lead bird got to the edge of the field, but started going to my right, so I swung the gun around and took a shot. Between the brush, rushing the shot and him spooking a bit when I moved he flew off. The other two hung around, so I took a shot, but between the distance of the bird and the brush in front of me I couldn't get any pellets on him.
The other two jakes hung around for a while, but they were well out of range and were too skittish to come back to my calls. The gobbler I heard never showed, so I'll give it a day and head back out there on Sunday. Needless to say, but I switched out the choke on the gun as soon as I got home. I also learned to wait until the birds are in my opening before trying to shoot, but when you're on a drought you tend to get antsy.
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Post by goosepondmonster on May 5, 2019 22:29:23 GMT -5
Redemption...  Went back to the same spot this evening that I was at on Friday. I picked up a new HS Strut feeding hen decoy since my other decoys were at my grandma’s in my blind. They’re inflatable and starting to lose air fast, so it’s time to start replacing them with something a little more solid. I figured if the group of jakes came back the hen decoy would draw them into my shooting lane. I got set up and did some calling, but nothing was talking. After sitting a while I decided to play on my phone. While I was browsing FB I worked the mouth call...and heard a gobble. I put the phone down and grabbed the slate call. I worked the bird for a bit and shut up. I saw a bird enter the edge of the field and could tell he was heading my way. He had a buddy with him as well. I put the call down and got my gun ready. It took a bit for the two birds to work my way, but as soon as the lead bird cleared the tree in front of me I let him have it and dropped him in his tracks. I’m not sure what he weighed, but he had 1.5” spurs and a 12” beard. His buddy had a nice beard too and spent two minutes pecking at him after I shot the first bird. Got him home and little guy wanted a picture as well...  |
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Post by Greenedog on May 6, 2019 6:39:36 GMT -5
Awesome Eli! Congrats!!!
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Post by goosepondmonster on May 6, 2019 6:53:31 GMT -5
Thanks, Troy.
I forgot to mention, that now makes four counties where I've killed a bird...Sullivan, Greene, Owen and Monroe. I guess I'll just have to keep adding to the list.
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Post by Greenedog on May 6, 2019 8:46:27 GMT -5
Thanks, Troy. I forgot to mention, that now makes four counties where I've killed a bird...Sullivan, Greene, Owen and Monroe. I guess I'll just have to keep adding to the list. That's pretty cool. I believe everyone of mine has been in good ol' Greene County. It's funny, I was just telling Chase that I hadn't heard or seen a bird in Owen County since season started and then yesterday I heard birds gobbling in 4 different directions while I was outside working. |
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Post by natahka72 on May 7, 2019 11:04:24 GMT -5
Love the picture with your son!! Congrats on your redemption.
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Post by goosepondmonster on May 7, 2019 19:56:37 GMT -5
Love the picture with your son!! Congrats on your redemption. The first thing he asked me, “can I touch its feet?” |
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Post by natahka72 on May 7, 2019 20:52:18 GMT -5
That is funny!!
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Post by Chase on May 8, 2019 17:12:49 GMT -5
Congrats man!
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wtl
Full Member
Posts: 135
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Post by wtl on May 9, 2019 6:08:43 GMT -5
You should dry those feet & hang them somewhere. I have taken one fan feather from each bird I’ve shot to make a fan out of them . I think I get more excited about turkey hunting now than deer hunting. I see many memories to come with your little one ! Thanks for sharing
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Post by Chase on May 11, 2019 13:02:45 GMT -5
The hunt I had this morning reminded me why I do it in the first place. I was getting a little down in the dumps lately. Mostly because I was struggling to find time to hunt with a one year old and job that is the busiest this time of year. I had two close calls with toms this year. The first weekend of season I called in a bird but it came in directly behind me. I could actually feel it strutting it was so close. It busted me though. On another hunt I had a tom sneak behind me in range but there was no way to swing around and get a shot off. This morning I was going to try a new place I just got permission to hunt. I was getting ready to load the car and go but I though I might as well listen for gobbles behind the house before I left. I'm glad I did. I heard two bird sounding off down in our woods so I grabbed my gear and headed that way. I put the hen decoy out and sat along the field. I was hearing at least four different turkeys close. One was a lot closer than the others. They were super fired up today. One of the birds farther away was actually lured into the bird that was gobbling close to me, but they would all answer when I called. My usual tactic of minimal calling didn't seem to be working. I don't find calling like crazy usually works. After around a half hour of the birds sounding off in the same spot I decided to let loose on the calls before they shut up for good. All I brought was a slate call so I just starting yelping myself. I started yelping and using the slate call at the same time and they got super fired up. Within a few minutes I had a tom strutting in front of me. He turned to block his view with his fan and I was able to get the gun up. Popped him at 17 yards. One of if not the coolest hunts I've had. I didn't bring any cameras. I was planning on running and gunning all day so I didn't bother. I did get a clip of me calling to them with my phone.  [/a] |
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Post by Greenedog on May 11, 2019 18:18:04 GMT -5
So glad you were able to get it done!! It's like those birds know the weather and figured they better get busy this morning before the rain sets in.  |
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Post by goosepondmonster on May 11, 2019 19:16:40 GMT -5
Nice bird, Chase. I’m starting to think the birds might be more receptive to calls later in the season with more hens on their nests.
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wtl
Full Member
Posts: 135
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Post by wtl on May 12, 2019 7:00:01 GMT -5
Nice bird ! I’ve always used woods & water time to clear my head & cleanse my soul as life can be rough at times . I to take the minimal call approach & it’s working for me . Congratulations 👍
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Post by natahka72 on May 12, 2019 18:03:09 GMT -5
Nice story! Congrats on your great experience.
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Just another night at work for me and Monty will be back here again bright and early. 
