Finally got my bird!

[fasttrack]

I finally shot my turkey this morning. They have been a lot smarter this year (or I got dumber!). I went out behind my house 7 of the 10 mornings of my season so far, albeit only for the first hour or two of daylight. Saw lots of birds everytime but they outsmarted me with every setup. I did pass on a group of five jakes and got to watch a coyote run at my decoys last week and pass about 10' from me (that was cool!). Tried something different this morning. Even though the birds weren't gobbling, I did get a glimpse of some in the hardwoods behind me and got turned around while they were still way 'out there'. A few soft yelps on the slate call and they slowly moved my direction. Once they saw the decoys they turned to come straight towards them - offering me a 25 yard chip shot. While my bird isn't the biggest one I ever shot (just a 5" beard) it had a good sized body and very pretty colors for its age. As the season is winding down I thought I better take it so I can get my mind back on fishing. Great hunt overall.

Not quite done yet, though. I am still trying to get my 10 yr old son a bird in his first year hunting. A little more challenging since his little 20 guage really isn't effective more than 20-25 yards and boys his age don't have the experience to get positioned and stay perfectly still at the critical moments. Maybe this weekend. I am also trying to help my neighbor get a bird too. Their teenage son shot a nice 10"'er last week - now Mom is trying to get one. Dad's hunt is the following 2 weeks. At least I'm having fun and not spending gas money!

[dmills4124]

Man, I thought you were talking about you finally bot you Humminbird SI.

Wish I could get mine soon.  come-on gov stim checks.
don m

[TCook]

nice job on the bird marc, now its time to break out those dusty rods and reels and put em to use.

T

[fiker]

I only hunt with a 20 ga.  I was bummed when I first turkey hunted thinking I needed a 12 full.
I found some turkey load magnums for my wingmaster.

I have shot two toms at a distance of about 35 yards with that set up.  Knocked em right down.

Just wait for the good head shot.....

[fasttrack]

Aah - you raise a good point about the Humminbird! A little rich for me at this point though.

Right on, TCook. Especially after having finished a room for my son in the basement this winter. Drywall dust sucks! At least I have gone through all my tackle and respooled a couple of the reels. I'm on my way....

Fiker - nice to meet you in Lansing at Waynes booth! Maybe I should have let my kid take a 35-40 yard shot on Sunday afterall. He is a little small yet and even game loads rocked him pretty good and made him a little trigger-shy. I don't want to make it too unpleasant and turn him off so I decided not to let him use the Magnum loads I bought (and can't return!). He put on 12 pounds just this past year, so at that growth rate maybe next season he can handle them.

[GotstaFish]

Congrats on a nice bird 

[djkimmel]

I can use more turkey talk a little later too... and pictures!

[GotstaFish]

I can use more turkey talk a little later too... and pictures!

Or even some deep fried Turkey nuggets