Blew it

catman529

catman529

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Got there early had trucks pass and turn around so I had the spot to myself. 2 toms 1 hen roosted very close. They fly down to a nearby field so I go down and set up and call. After a while they are finally getting close, the 2 toms. Got the bead on one and missed. Hiked a couple miles, bumped some hens, then on the way back bumped a gobbler that gobbled as he ran away. Went to check another spot and got to the first field, hens flushed. Slowed down but not enough, there was a lone longbeard running away. Walked all fields and woods and set up where I thought the tom may have gone. Nothing would gobble and I had a mangy coyote show up. At about 25 yards or so I shot him in the face and watched him run off into a thicket never to be seen again. Walked some more and bumped more hens. Sporadically calling through the day but nothin gobbled after that one I bumped earlier. The two that were roosted close were fired up. They came in on a string and I was ready and then I either misjudged the distance or I pulled the shot.

Sorry to vent I am just a bit down right now. Missed a perfect shot on a textbook gobbler hunt and then lost my first coyote. There is Monday and Tuesday to look forward to.
 
Man something don't sound right. You missed which happens but a yote at 25yds with a turkey load shouldn't even kick. You sure everything's good with your gun/ammo?
 
I also thought that 3.5 inch turkey loads would drop a coyote at close range until this morning..I shot 2 yotes that came sneaking in between me and the turkeys I was after.. I shot the first one at 35 yds and the second one at about 40 with Winchester extended range 6 shot,they both ran out of site but I bet they won't be eating anymore turkey's..
 
35yds is much different then 20-25. I've shot a few at the 20 range and it stone cold folded them up! 40yds I can see as a possible issue but even that with a well placed shot will kill them
 
Rough morning for the turkey hunter. I feel, you will look at his day in June/July and you will remember it as a good day in the woods. I can imagine your frustration. It's opening day, most of us are in a downpour and you encountered more than one gobbler...
 
REN they are 3" Winchester #5s and it was probably no less than 25 yards but no more than 30. Didn't step it off. I shot paper a couple weeks ago and everything was good.
 
catman529 said:
REN they are 3" Winchester #5s and it was probably no less than 25 yards but no more than 30. Didn't step it off. I shot paper a couple weeks ago and everything was good.
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Did you actually aim at the face? You may not be shouldering it right and shooting high which will cause the misses. Anyways just slow down and don't get too down over it
 
Shrug it off limiting out in the first week spoiled you last year. We all blow it from time to time, it happens.

One way to avoid doing it a bunch is wandering big when the birds are quiet.
 
scn said:
Re-read your post and see how many "bumps" you count.

Slow down. Get a small pair of binos to check out those fields better before you step into view.

Slow down.
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slow down is right, I was in too much a hurry to cover ground

REN said:
catman529 said:
REN they are 3" Winchester #5s and it was probably no less than 25 yards but no more than 30. Didn't step it off. I shot paper a couple weeks ago and everything was good.
Click to expand...

Did you actually aim at the face? You may not be shouldering it right and shooting high which will cause the misses. Anyways just slow down and don't get too down over it
Click to expand...
I thought I was shouldering it right, but I have missed because of the bead before, so it is a slight possibility.

What really messed me up on the gobbler was the turkey fever kicking in, I threw out some of the things I told myself to do not to miss, and I don't think I let them get close enough and then rushed the shot.
 
All that comes with experience man just keep your head up. This is exactly why some folks like optics though takes all the guess work out.

Looking down at the bead is a common problem especially in turkey hunting where the shooting stance is usually not optimal. Just got to practice proper eye alignment and get a quick checklist system going forward. If you have to rush the shot then pass and try for another one or hunt him another day.
 
REN said:
All that comes with experience man just keep your head up. This is exactly why some folks like optics though takes all the guess work out.

Looking down at the bead is a common problem especially in turkey hunting where the shooting stance is usually not optimal. Just got to practice proper eye alignment and get a quick checklist system going forward. If you have to rush the shot then pass and try for another one or hunt him another day.
Click to expand...
checklist is what I need and I seem to forget about any such list when there is a turkey in front of me with its head in the air looking for me.
 
It is easy to miss with just a bead. If your shotgun has a ribbed barrel, you may want to check this sight out:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting ... t105574680


It is a Beard Buster sight from Cabelas for $25. Your eye naturally aligns with the ghost ring, and it will keep you from "peeking" and shooting high. I mounted one on my backup shotgun last year and like it.
 
catman529 said:
REN said:
All that comes with experience man just keep your head up. This is exactly why some folks like optics though takes all the guess work out.

Looking down at the bead is a common problem especially in turkey hunting where the shooting stance is usually not optimal. Just got to practice proper eye alignment and get a quick checklist system going forward. If you have to rush the shot then pass and try for another one or hunt him another day.
Click to expand...
checklist is what I need and I seem to forget about any such list when there is a turkey in front of me with its head in the air looking for me.
Click to expand...

When it gets to where it isn't exciting and a huge adrenalin rush that makes you forget checklists, it is probably time to do something else.

Hang in there!
 
scn said:
It is easy to miss with just a bead. If your shotgun has a ribbed barrel, you may want to check this sight out:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting ... t105574680


It is a Beard Buster sight from Cabelas for $25. Your eye naturally aligns with the ghost ring, and it will keep you from "peeking" and shooting high. I mounted one on my backup shotgun last year and like it.
Click to expand...

I bought one of those sights this year and really like it. It lined up quick on todays turkey and was very easy to line up the dot on the head. I actually have a spare if someone wants a deal on it.
 
scn said:
catman529 said:
REN said:
All that comes with experience man just keep your head up. This is exactly why some folks like optics though takes all the guess work out.

Looking down at the bead is a common problem especially in turkey hunting where the shooting stance is usually not optimal. Just got to practice proper eye alignment and get a quick checklist system going forward. If you have to rush the shot then pass and try for another one or hunt him another day.
Click to expand...
checklist is what I need and I seem to forget about any such list when there is a turkey in front of me with its head in the air looking for me.
Click to expand...

When it gets to where it isn't exciting and a huge adrenalin rush that makes you forget checklists, it is probably time to do something else.

Hang in there!
Click to expand...


That's where I disagree. Hunting is about training your mind to have control of the situation. You have to learn to think and process thoughts properly. Proper eye alignment is easy achieved with practice to the point it is just habit but you have to get your mind trained to think and make sure you are set up and lined up correctly before you squeeze one off.
 

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