I'm working in a new subdivision building houses and got permission from the development company to hunt some of the land behind which hasn't been developed yet. Got the kids up for school and got out a little later than hoped but still managed to get there about 6:45. It was daylight already but decided to do it anyway. Set my doghouse blind up near some cedar bushes and set out a jake and hen decoys. I set the jake about 10 yards in front of me and the hen about 15. Once I got in the blind I thought maybe the jake was too close but too late to change. Started some calling with a couple of mouth reeds and a slate but didn't have much answering. I heard some gobblers but they sounded pretty far off. Kept at it for about an hour without much. About 8:15 I heard a gobbler that sounded like he was 20 yards behind my left. Man, did I freak. I grabbed my bow and waited but nothing. Did some soft clucks with the mouth reed. Picked the slate up and sat it on my lap and did some light scratching with one hand while holding my bow in my left. Still nothing. A few more clucks and a little more slate. Still nothing. Figured my amateur calling did the trick and chased it off. A little more calling and WHOA! There's a gobbler coming into view from the left in full strut! There's a second one with him looking all around. They're moving slow but toward the jake and hen. The one in strut looks to have a good beard. The other may have a longer beard but can't tell for sure. I'd dropped the slate and hooked the release as soon as I spotted them. I wait and they continued to cautiously move toward the decoys. They were now almost directly in front of me. I drew and sat the pin on the one in strut. Release. The bird was hit. It flopped and squawked, knocking the arrow loose. Then it started to hobble off. I jumped from the blind and took off after it. Chase it into some brush and trees. Cornered it a few times and finally it layed up in some brush and twine. I couldn't get at it very good. I looked around and found a tree limb. Tried to swing it to break its neck but couldn't. It wasn't in good shape but still alive. Finally had to squeeze its neck to the ground with the limb. Yes!!!! It was about a 24 lb bird, 8 1/2" beard, and a little over 3/4" spurs. Man, I'm still stoked. Would have made a great mount but, alas, 3 kids and a wife means I will do a tail fan and beard which is fine with me. Some guys at work took some pics so I'll try to post them when I get them.

Not a very good pic. We kind of rushed thru them. Have some a little better and will post later.

Congrats on the first man that is awesome!!

congrats

Good job

Good job. Lots of drama. Great hunt.

NICE! Congrats and thanks for the story I was sitting there with ya. I purchased a Double bull today and will be sleeping in it as soon as my wife finds out. I will be going in a week here. Congrats again, let's see the pics.

Congrat's on your bird .

nubo

Congrates

Congratulations!! I've killed four turkeys with a bow, but they've all been by default... they just happened to wander too close. I can't wait until I really intentionally kill one like you did!

Congrats...I'm heading out next week but will be using a shotgun. I am still waiting to get my first Gobbler.