TN Larry
Well-Known Member
It's been a good day for us and glad to be back in the turkey woods after getting sidelined way too early last year. We got on some birds roosted in the exact same spot that he killed one last year. It was a pretty good walk and right at fly down time when we got set up. They were roosted where two ridges come together, and they were on the right hand ridge. We came up the left hand ridge and set up about 30 yards from the top opposite of where they were roosted. I wanted to be on top but way too risky. They had gobbled several times in the tree but hushed about the time we set up. I thought maybe they had still saw us, went silent, and went the other direction. I had called a few times with no response. There was another gobbler going crazy across the deep hollow to our left. I was partly looking that way trying to pinpoint him for plan B when I heard "vroom, thump, vroom, thump". It was the loudest spitting and drumming that I've ever heard and for some reason thought it was a truck on the highway above us and didn't instantly clicked what it was. Anyways I turned my head just a little as 3 redheads popped up over the ridge to our extreme right about 30 yards. I had him setup where we could see down the ridge where they were "supposed" to come from. We couldn't hear in the leaves due to it being wet, and some dummy didn't realize that he was hearing spitting and drumming. Anyways, they didn't like what they saw and eased on up the ridge before he could turn and get on one. They didn't really spook as they finally all gobbled but wouldn't work again. I didn't fool with them a whole lot as there wasn't a good way to get in front of them, and I know where we will be in the morning. Still exciting............
So, the plan B gobbler across the hollow didn't work, but we did get on a couple more. I have no idea where they went. We finally heard another gobble to an owl. It was an easy set up from where we were. They were at the head of a drain towards the top of a ridge. We got on the flat headed to the head of the drain and could see fresh scratchings. I was just hoping they didn't have hens. We got set up where there was a little high spot that broke over to where we thought they were at. We got everything settled, called, and nothing. We set there for a few minutes, changed calls, and nothing. Crap, I hate turkeys, I thought.
I kept thinking that I could hear something to our right but not sure if it was actually something or me wanting it too. I found out later that my son had heard the same thing. After a few more minutes, he said there they are, can I get my gun up? I said that I couldn't see them and where. Here came 4 up the hill in front of us. The lead bird went behind a tree, and he made a slight adjustment with his gun to get on him. He popped out behind the tree about 30 yards walking slowly away and looking for the hen. I called to stop him, but he wouldn't stop. I told him to go ahead and shoot him as he was about to get out of our window and not sure where the other 3 had went. He rolled him. The bird went to flopping over the hill, and I said you've got him and go get him. This is where I should have been videoing. He was so excited when he finally ran him down and let out a big Indian yell and saying "Yes". That was real, raw emotion and really fired me up as well.
All that I can say is wow on the TSS. That is probably the most blood that I've ever seen from a turkey. Sorry for the long read but an awesome day for us. I would much rather see him pull the trigger than me. The only thing that could have been better is if it would have been next weekend. The other three birds ran to about 40 yards and stopped to look. It would or at least should have been an easy double. We will see what happens in the morning as I know where we will be setup well before flydown.
22 lbs, 7/8" spurs, 10.25" beard
870 youth model with hand rolled TSS #9
So, the plan B gobbler across the hollow didn't work, but we did get on a couple more. I have no idea where they went. We finally heard another gobble to an owl. It was an easy set up from where we were. They were at the head of a drain towards the top of a ridge. We got on the flat headed to the head of the drain and could see fresh scratchings. I was just hoping they didn't have hens. We got set up where there was a little high spot that broke over to where we thought they were at. We got everything settled, called, and nothing. We set there for a few minutes, changed calls, and nothing. Crap, I hate turkeys, I thought.
I kept thinking that I could hear something to our right but not sure if it was actually something or me wanting it too. I found out later that my son had heard the same thing. After a few more minutes, he said there they are, can I get my gun up? I said that I couldn't see them and where. Here came 4 up the hill in front of us. The lead bird went behind a tree, and he made a slight adjustment with his gun to get on him. He popped out behind the tree about 30 yards walking slowly away and looking for the hen. I called to stop him, but he wouldn't stop. I told him to go ahead and shoot him as he was about to get out of our window and not sure where the other 3 had went. He rolled him. The bird went to flopping over the hill, and I said you've got him and go get him. This is where I should have been videoing. He was so excited when he finally ran him down and let out a big Indian yell and saying "Yes". That was real, raw emotion and really fired me up as well.All that I can say is wow on the TSS. That is probably the most blood that I've ever seen from a turkey. Sorry for the long read but an awesome day for us. I would much rather see him pull the trigger than me. The only thing that could have been better is if it would have been next weekend. The other three birds ran to about 40 yards and stopped to look. It would or at least should have been an easy double. We will see what happens in the morning as I know where we will be setup well before flydown.
22 lbs, 7/8" spurs, 10.25" beard
870 youth model with hand rolled TSS #9
