Went to same area this morning that I saw a gobbler fly down yesterday.
I moved about 100 yds further and set up at 6 a.m. this morning. At 7:10 he gobbled to my right and flew down a few minutes later. I could see him gobbling and struting, he eventually started my way, creating a left hand shot (I'm right handed).
I had to wait on him to pass a couple of trees at about 35 yds, then he stoped and started to putt. I was afraid he was about to run, so I shot. Now, as bad as I hate to admit it, it got comical. Shooting left handed, I must have pulled the gun, he went down, jumped up and started to run, I shot again and missed. He turns' around runs back across in front of me. I shoot again and again he goes down, then back up and running, but, running in circles. Now that's all the shells I have with me, I'm about to panic, his circle gets larger and he is running into trees and bushes. When he runs into a tree, he changes direction. I realize he's blind and contemplate trying to hit him with my gun if I get close enough.
He finally runs in a straight line into some vines and then he squats. I stood there trying to decide what to do. I mark the area with paper and take off to my truck which about 1/2 mile away. I jump in the truck and drive as close as I can. I go after him with a pocket full of shells, he's still there. I couldn't get a clear shot to his left or right and when I move closer he lifts his head, I'm afraid he's about to run. So I take aim, use my mouth to cluck and he lifts his head, hunt over.
Here's the stats if the NWTF calculator worked right or I put them in right.
Weight: 20 lbs 9 oz.
Beard: 10.5 inches
Left spur: 1.0 inch
right spur: 1 and 3/16 inches
20.5625 + 11.875 + 10 + 21= 63.4375
I was proud to take this bird, even though it seriously comical, however, in the process I lost my favorite call. I have a habit of puting my call and striker down in the top of my snake boot when a bird starts toward me, in the excitement, I jumped up and took off after the bird and lost my call and striker. I looked for them in the leaves for an hour and never found it. That's ok, Cabelas' sales them buy the piles.
I sent JW! the photos' if he can post them for me.
dog1
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It ain't the killing, it's the going and doing.
and he is hosting a Team 5 member soon and I will help dog post pictures..........
So far dog 1 me nuthin - but I hope to change that....goal is to git him laffin so much he swallows his mouth call! hehe....then he goes and names a bird who he pested! Seasonal Mouth is htis birds name.....man already made him call shy and told me that is all I git......so I had better reach up mysleeve .....to see how good i am....after all we all are wizards in our own mind right? hehe
Georgia is about to git invaded by a camoed Yankee Yelp-yelp Ya'll!
JW
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Turkey Hunting! ~ One Turkey Calling Another!
4th day, Went this morning, had two gobblers within 100 yds and what sounded like a herd oh hens took both of them away from me. Oh well, another marked bird for when JW! gets here.
dog1
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It ain't the killing, it's the going and doing.
Team 9 Bird.
