catman529
Well-Known Member
4th turkey I have killed, 1st longbeard. (1 jake last spring, 3 hens last fall)
21 lbs
12.5" beard
15/16" and 7/8" spurs (might as well say they are an inch)
How old you think he is? 2 or 3?
The story -
Set up in a good spot near the river where they like to roost. Heard lots of gobbling and hens before fly down. Some of the birds flew down across the river though.
Not too much longer after daylight some birds started hammering fairly nearby but they were very plainly across the river. Sounded like they were coming closer though. They responded well to my calls and finally I saw them at the edge of the river, on the other side. I think it was 3 of them total. Well my hopes came true and they flew straight across the mighty duck river. Then I saw why - a hen came sneaking in from the right and she was looking for me. Then another hen busted out of nowhere and flew into a tree cackling (I still don't know why). Then a 3rd hen snuck in as well. The gobblers were down the river bank out of sight but gobbling quite a bit.
Suddenly a twig snapped and something was definitely coming up the bank. My gun was almost ready but not quite - a red and blue head popped up and took a look at me and my camera on the tripod (nope, video wasn't rolling). I didn't move a bit but he knew something wasn't right and went straight back down, putting. Dang it, that's not the first time this season one has busted me while I sat still as a rock.
I waited a while and then decided to peek into the field and see if they had gone into the field, or stayed down in the river bank. Either way I was going to sneak around them to set up an ambush. When I looked into the field, however, I saw a pop up blind and 2 decoys 350 yards across the field. Darn, I hope there's nobody in there and they just left their blind overnight. Then I saw at least two strutters and a few hens... of course, they were making their way over to the blind. Not too much longer, I heard a shot.
But the birds did not fly - they just kind of stood around and then appeared to head my way. One hen in particular was closer to me than the rest so I had to be careful not to get busted by her while getting situated. I didn't bother with my camera at this point - just had to get set up right and have the gun ready.
Finally a head filtered through the grass easily in range. I think it was a hen and her head was barely visible from my point of view. But I knew more were coming and then here came a red head... he wasn't in a hurry and I put the bead on top of his head and popped him. He dropped and I ran to grab him - good thing cause he was still breathing, had to stomp him and then ultimately put him out with a knife.
Few minutes later the other hunter had come out of his blind and was coming my way with his turkey. Turns out he has been visiting from Arkansas because the turkey hunting sucks up there. Someone recommended Yanahli to him and I bet he's glad he chose to hunt there. His bird had bigger spurs, but a smaller beard than mine. We talked a while, filled out our tags, packed up and headed back. It was a great hunt and shows that even another hunter in the same field on public land might not ruin your hunt. Oh and he had't arrived until 15 minutes later than me so I was the first one in there, and he had no idea I was set up in the end of the field until I fired the shot. He also said he saw a big ole hog walk by his blind early in the morning. Doggone pigs...
Now for the pics, here is the bird and also a pic of my bird next to his. I already have the breast and leg meat cleaned and chilled, and am boiling one wing to make a wingbone call, and have salt on the tail, beard and spurs so I can make a wall mount of my first longbeard.
Additional details -
Gun - H&R Pardner Pump 12 gauge (heavy as lead)
Ammo - Winchester Supreme High Velocity 3" #5
Shot distance - 22 yards
Call used - homemade tube call I made last year
Yanahli WMA, Maury County TN
21 lbs
12.5" beard
15/16" and 7/8" spurs (might as well say they are an inch)
How old you think he is? 2 or 3?
The story -
Set up in a good spot near the river where they like to roost. Heard lots of gobbling and hens before fly down. Some of the birds flew down across the river though.
Not too much longer after daylight some birds started hammering fairly nearby but they were very plainly across the river. Sounded like they were coming closer though. They responded well to my calls and finally I saw them at the edge of the river, on the other side. I think it was 3 of them total. Well my hopes came true and they flew straight across the mighty duck river. Then I saw why - a hen came sneaking in from the right and she was looking for me. Then another hen busted out of nowhere and flew into a tree cackling (I still don't know why). Then a 3rd hen snuck in as well. The gobblers were down the river bank out of sight but gobbling quite a bit.
Suddenly a twig snapped and something was definitely coming up the bank. My gun was almost ready but not quite - a red and blue head popped up and took a look at me and my camera on the tripod (nope, video wasn't rolling). I didn't move a bit but he knew something wasn't right and went straight back down, putting. Dang it, that's not the first time this season one has busted me while I sat still as a rock.
I waited a while and then decided to peek into the field and see if they had gone into the field, or stayed down in the river bank. Either way I was going to sneak around them to set up an ambush. When I looked into the field, however, I saw a pop up blind and 2 decoys 350 yards across the field. Darn, I hope there's nobody in there and they just left their blind overnight. Then I saw at least two strutters and a few hens... of course, they were making their way over to the blind. Not too much longer, I heard a shot.
But the birds did not fly - they just kind of stood around and then appeared to head my way. One hen in particular was closer to me than the rest so I had to be careful not to get busted by her while getting situated. I didn't bother with my camera at this point - just had to get set up right and have the gun ready.
Finally a head filtered through the grass easily in range. I think it was a hen and her head was barely visible from my point of view. But I knew more were coming and then here came a red head... he wasn't in a hurry and I put the bead on top of his head and popped him. He dropped and I ran to grab him - good thing cause he was still breathing, had to stomp him and then ultimately put him out with a knife.
Few minutes later the other hunter had come out of his blind and was coming my way with his turkey. Turns out he has been visiting from Arkansas because the turkey hunting sucks up there. Someone recommended Yanahli to him and I bet he's glad he chose to hunt there. His bird had bigger spurs, but a smaller beard than mine. We talked a while, filled out our tags, packed up and headed back. It was a great hunt and shows that even another hunter in the same field on public land might not ruin your hunt. Oh and he had't arrived until 15 minutes later than me so I was the first one in there, and he had no idea I was set up in the end of the field until I fired the shot. He also said he saw a big ole hog walk by his blind early in the morning. Doggone pigs...
Now for the pics, here is the bird and also a pic of my bird next to his. I already have the breast and leg meat cleaned and chilled, and am boiling one wing to make a wingbone call, and have salt on the tail, beard and spurs so I can make a wall mount of my first longbeard.
Additional details -
Gun - H&R Pardner Pump 12 gauge (heavy as lead)
Ammo - Winchester Supreme High Velocity 3" #5
Shot distance - 22 yards
Call used - homemade tube call I made last year
Yanahli WMA, Maury County TN
