Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

I harvested my second turkey ever this morning. A 20lb Tom with a 10 inch beard. WWooooo WWeeeee, he's in the oven right now. What a hunt, hit the woods around nine, saw a couple does (I guess you can't tell them apart around this time;)) and this Ostrich snuck up behind me without even calling once:)! I didn't really hear him either, just saw movement, we both made eye contact, and that good old RED,WHITE,and BLUE headed pillow came on in letting me get the draw on him:D!

Here's a bunch of pics, hope you enjoy him as much as I do.

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

:)congrats to ya ;):D

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

What I ment by "not calling once" was he didn't gobble at all, I was hit'en my box call.

He's got one inch spurs, which by the way almost taught me a lesson about not mess'en with the bird until it Stops kick'en;)!

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Congratulations. Were abouts you located in Va?

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

I have a really cool mount on a board curing. I saved the tail, wings, feet, beard, and I'm trying to dry the head seperateso I can add it as well.

Solid 10 inches[8D]!!

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Thanks ma and 270! I'm stillin Stafford.

You know seriously, I know the Turkey was almost the national bird but do you think they picked our colors from them:D?

RED,WHITE,and BLUE guys and gals!!!

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Way to go good buddy! Congrat's

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

All right, one more shot and I'm going to check out everyone else's birds.

Looks like one pellet hit him in the head, and a couple more in the neck and chest area. Once I rolled him he did'nt get back up;)!

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Thanks Rebel! Where is DD at, he still around? I think I should have done a full body mount. Hopefully I will harvest another one as good as this;)!

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Congrats!!!Great bird and nice pics!!!

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

congrats man i hope i have that luck on thursday

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Thanks again everyone who posted, remember to stay alert, this bird did not make a sound at all;)!!!!!

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

congrats man. where in VA are you?

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Nice one Dave. Let me know about tomorrow.

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Congrats on a great bird man!!

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Droptine - how's the hunting in the 'burg? My bro went to JMU and I've got a couple spots down that way, 1 right off 33 a couple miles off 81. It's a hundred acre farm that backs up to Massanutten Mtn. and there are some birds up that way.

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Awesome!!!!!

Congratulations, and thanks for the pictures.

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

nice bird. congrats.

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Congrats

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

nice congrats

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Way to go Dave. Did you take this bird in the Stafford area? I called one in for my father in law on Saturday. Not as nice as yours, but it's always exciting. I am going out to Loudon County tomorrow AM and hope for a good morning. Congrats and I agree with the full body mount. If I take a nice one, that's the way I'm going!

Be Safe,
Mike

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Thanks again for the complements. Ihavetwo more tagsand with the second part of the season legal to hunt all day I think I just might use'em;).

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Yes Mike it was near Stafford, kind of, sort of, well in the Northen Va. area. HeHeHe, don't want to give out too much info, the turkeys are running around like squirrels out here!

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

My family owns some land a few miles off 33 near massanutten as well. Its a great area to hunt. theres also a ton of GWNF access around harrisonburg too, out 33 towards WV.

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Whats up CoolBrze0 did you get in the woods this morning? Sorry I couldn't hook up with you guys[:@]! Hopefully these showers coming in this weekend move through quickly;).

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Nice Dave, I am in VA in Southhampton and I am not able to go until Wed. Congrats and I hope I have news to give.

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Dave, never made it out today, got caught up w/ things, mtg. at work, errands, etc. Hopefully the weather will cooperate Fri. and Sat.

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Keep us posted Allen. I think Va. has a very healthy flock. How many other states let you hunt only until noon? The conservation seems to be working.
One more thing, if this bird was all alone I wonder what the gobbler looks like hang'en with the hens[8D]?

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Congrats Davester, nice bird, you said it was in the oven do you do anything to tenderize a old bird like that.

Tar Heel

RE: Big Tom down in Va.!!!!
 

Not really. It was soooo delicious! It does not taste "gamey" at all. The meat is very juicy and tender. First I cooked the giblets (neck,heart,liver, and of course the gizzard) and made turkey gravy MMMMMMMMMM:D!! That held me over until the bird was done about four and a half hours later:). I skinned the bird, a lot easier and cleaner. You have to remove the thigh shield plates in the legs after cooking, I eat everything;)!