Tagged out in Iowa!
05-03-2007, 05:15 PM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,670
Tagged out in Iowa!
Well back in Iowa's 1st season I shot my bird 18 minutes into legal shooting hours, my 4th season tag didn't take much longer. Shooting hours opened on May 2nd at 5:35 am for our 4th and final season and I pulled the trigger at 6:04 am. What a year here for me! 47 minutes of hunting and 2 birds. Anyways here's the story. I originally wanted to hunt this new property I just got permission for, but a buddy wanted to go out so I was supposed to hunt with him at a different place. When I arrived at his place in the morning, the lights were off and he wasn't answering so I went out alone. Since I was alone I thought I'd hit this new property. I had never been there before and had no Idea of the lay of the land. On my way out I got into a marshy area and got into water above my boots. I really had no expectations, just mainly wanted to scout for the rest of the season which runs through the 20th. Anyhow, I hit and owl call and got one to gobble. I thought, SWEET!! I didn't even know if there would be a bird here. I thought I knew where he was so I pick a spot to try to get to in the dark. When I got there and hit the owl call again I relized where he really was roosted, which was about 20 yards from where I was standing. I quickly backed up about 20 yards and sat down. I knew I was about 40 yards from him but couldn't see him. Shortly after getting set, I saw some hens roosted like 15 yards from me, when they flew down they flew to the other side of this pond they were on and I thought I was done. He hit the ground last, but because of his position hit the ground in view of me. He quickly went to strutting and walked away right towards the hens. I immiediately called to him and he gobbled twice, the second time sounded further. I decided to follow him. I got up and took 2 steps when I saw him coming back. I knelt down and readied my 11-87. I came around some trees into the open field in full strut right to me. At about 30 yards he saw me (I was knelt down in the open) and stuck his head up. I let him have it! What a fun hunt, he must of gobbled 75 times on the roost, which is awesome at only 40 yards. He was a real nice 2 year old. 25lbs, 7/8inch spurs and a good thick 10 inch beard. Score was 62.5. Hope you enjoyed the story and pics.
