Thread: 4-5-09

What can I really say?Since last saturday I have walked nearly 60 miles,spent about 35 hours in the woods,and been whipped by 7 or 8 different toms.I hunted in the down pours,I hunted in the wind.I gave birds everything I had,and they just wouldn't play with me.I worked birds that I found out other people were already on,and had people work birds I was already on.I got busted slipping around 5 or 6 times.I was just about to my wits end...then...

Friday I saw a hen...and behind her I saw a big strutter!Things were looking up.I tried to get him that evening and had no luck.Saw 3 different hens.Saturday I went to some new territiory that just became available,and evidently 60 or 70 other people had the same idea.Saw quite a few people sat,and even the same guy 3 different times in two different areas.He was just riding,and calling..blam blam blam beating down the road,...stop slam a door...yelp yelp yelp..,then a good old crow call..1 time he gave his best owl impersonation..woooo...

So I was a little worried I made a bad decision,and he may be gone.But all my worries were washed away at 7:01 am this morning when he cranked out 1 gobble about 200yds away from me!I was suprised I was so lucky to have found him on the roost.I actually thought he would have been roosted behind me.I sat a few minutes without a word,and just before flydown time I let out a few soft clucks,and soft short yelps.A minute later I saw a hen fly down about 100yds away,and then the big boy.

A few minutes later I glimpsed him strutting behind them..of course...going the other way...Here we go again...So I decided to tag behind them in hopes of slipping in,but something just told me to back out,so I did.It was a little too open in there.I figured he would work his way around the strand and eventually wind up where I had seen him Friday.

I decided to sit in the area for a little bit,but my mind was quickly changed as thunder rolled in the distance,and I heard a gobble about 3/4 mile away.Well..Might as well go try that bird!SO off I went.Leaving the big tom alone.I had an idea where I heard the gobble,and as I slipped into the clearing I saw 5 birds.I got to crawling,and into position.I was 35yds away when thunder struck,and he hammered down...the jake that is..lol..He had a gobble on him most mature toms would be envious of!!!LOL..So with that said,and 5 jakes 30yds from me I decided I would go back to the big tom.

On my way back I heard a woodpecker scream,and my tom stroked off right behind him.He was 400yds away from where I had seen him the other day,so I slipped in as fast as I could.No longer than I had gotten settled down I saw a hen darting around in the opening chasing bugs.I looked very hard for him,but he was nowhere around.About then she decided to chase a bug going on past me,and then I saw him pop out!He was in full strut,but in a hurry.He would break strut to run to her,pop back in strut,and then back out to try and run her down again.I knew they were seperated,so I decided to call,but couldn't remember which way the zipper on my vest went.lol

All I could do was get my gun up as he closed in at an angle.Lucky for me his path brought him within range anyways.At 60 steps I squeezed the trigger on my 870 super mag with .665 kicks GT choke,and the 3 1/2" winchester 2oz #4 high velocities did the job.He dropped like a sack of rocks.

I walked up to him,and believe it or not he never flopped,or anything.He kicked a little,but that was it.He was a nice bird.About 17 1/2lb 10 1/8" beard,and just about 1 3/16" and 1 1/4"spurs.I will take one like that any day of the week.

very very nice! and you earned that one

Cograts PLP! That's a nice looking bird.

Nice work bro.!!!!!!


NOW...Go get you a SWAMP BIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lololo

Originally Posted by capt stan

Nice work bro.!!!!!!


NOW...Go get you a SWAMP BIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lolol

This was a swamp bird,he just got flooded out of his home...lol

I enjoyed the story- you're a writer AND a hunter. Thanks.

Looks like the magic is gone or maybe he'd already seen your tricks..........

Can we all say "BUSHWHACKED"

Congrats!!!!!!

Originally Posted by The Man

Looks like the magic is gone or maybe he'd already seen your tricks..........

Can we all say "BUSHWHACKED"

Congrats!!!!!!

Call it what you want.I had him patterned.It is turkey hunting,not turkey calling...Do you call in every deer you shoot?I rest my case..lol..Y'all pass up every turkey that comes in range that wasn't called in.I'll take 'em to the house.

PS he was just in time for the magic show..lol

Bushwacking NO I don't think so... Thats turkey HUNTING.....


So what is shooting deer/ hogs over corn, or on their way to it?? THATS BUSHWACKIN>>> Think about it...

Nice bird man. Some birds just dont play by the rules and ya have to get nasty with em. Those are 3 and 4 year old veterans that could care less about a hen calling a hundred yards away. It takes skill to pattern or to get in front of a big bird like that..lot more than calling up a suicidal 2 year old. Pretty bird man..I think you found your mojo again..lol.