Last years Tom, and my first.
 

Hey, this is my first tom that i got last year on april 29, 2005. Second day of the season. The first day that i hunted was a thursday i beleive. I went out early morning, heading for the spot i'd picked out, low and behold i kick out a bird going in, but i set up any way. I stayed for about an hour, with no gobbling or sign of turkey any where. So i decided to take a walk, I started walking toward the backside of our land. Calling every 50 yards or so. I get to the far back, and call, and i get a gobble. I quickly set up my hen decoy and waited. Suddenly i see his head poking up from the ridge. He came closer, about 45 yards. HE then circled the decoy, strutting, but wouldnt' come in any closer. Finally he was about 30 yards, in thick brush, i pulled the trigger. He took of running and i found no blood feathers, or anything. So here i thought that i'd screwed up my season. The second day, i slept in accidentally and didnt' get out there till 20 min after daylight. So i did the same thing, calling every 50 yards, and stalking real slowly, I got back to the spot i had the tom in the previous day, and i called again. No gobbling, so i continued walking, and i got about 70 yards past the previous spot, and called, I heard a gobble in the far distance, soudning about 200 yards away. So this time i set up my hen and jake decoys, and hid behind a tree. I waited 5 minutes and called again. He gobbled again sounding closer. Soon i could see him at about 50 yards. I waited, he cam in and started strutting at about 40 yards, as he came closer i think he noticed the jake decoy, and picked his head up, and seemed like he was looking at what was there, that was my chance, and BANG!!!!,, i let him have it at 30 yards, he dropped. 10 inch beard, 22lbs. 1 inch spurs, MY FIRST TOM!!!

RE: Last years Tom, and my first.
 

Great story. I love hearing these stories from the past and am looking forward to hearing the stories from this year which will start in a little over a month! I'm getting excited!

RE: Last years Tom, and my first.
 

ver nice.thanks for sharing

RE: Last years Tom, and my first.
 

Good looking bird. What state are you in?

RE: Last years Tom, and my first.
 

Nothing like calling in your very first longbeard!! WTG!!! Neat pic as well, congrats on a nice bird!!;)

RE: Last years Tom, and my first.
 

Very nice Gobbler for your first!!! Congrats:)

Like said before, what state are you from???

RE: Last years Tom, and my first.
 

Yeah i'm from central wisconsin here.

RE: Last years Tom, and my first.
 

Dandy bird for sure,congrats on a fine "first gobbler'....:)

RE: Last years Tom, and my first.
 

Nice Bird!Great story also!

RE: Last years Tom, and my first.
 

Nice bird I will take em like that anytime