RE: What do you do?
 

I pretty much do the same thing that JW! does. I never run towards a bird. Most of the time I hunt fields and can easily see what is going on with the bird after my first shot, so I can follow up with a second shot if needed.
To tell you the truth, with me anyways, once you pull the trigger and the bird is down,it's kind of a bummer because the hunt is now over.

RE: What do you do?
 

It depends on the set up. A lot of times my brothers, father and i will hunt in tandem and if their are a couple gobblers we usually try for a double. This all depends on the reaction of the bird that got shot, if it is a bang flop we stay put, but if the shot appears the slightest bit questionable we don't worry about the double and get someone stepping on that bird asap...one in the hand is worth two in the bush as they say.

As for short stroking the 870, i don't know about any spring being worn out it is possible. It could be you are just going a little too easy on her, 870s are rugged and i was taught that you should slam that action back as hard as you can and forward as hard as you can, they can take it. To be honest i never consciously remember working the action in any hunting situation, it's always after the fact that i look down and see i have a round in the chamber that i realize i did it, i guess in the heat of the moment i'm too focused on the animal and my hands just go to auto pilot

RE: What do you do?
 

I'm a runner...

RE: What do you do?
 

I think that the jumpin' up and running thing was from back in the day when the load and guns had a hard time knocking them down. It was kind of necessary.

I enjoy the casual stroll up to the bird. I take my time to savour what just happend.

RE: What do you do?
 

There's no running here. Eject the shell, assess the situation, if immediate 2nd shot is not needed, safety the firearm and intently move to the bird. Being ready to take a second shot should the need arise.

RE: What do you do?
 

After reading some of these posts, I think I'm going to change my ways! I am a runner. I usually don't cycle the action on my 870 after the shot, I just put the gun down and get to the bird and step on its neck.Last year though, TWO, not just one, but TWO of my longbeards took off after the shot! I've been kicking myself in the head since last May about it. Had I chambered another round and kept on the bird, the outcome might have been different.

RE: What do you do?
 

It isnt the running with the gun that bothers me. Most people who hunt turkeys for very long will one time or another need to run with a loaded shotgun for various reasons. To reposition, or make a quick move on a gobbler, or tryto work around in front of were a bird may be going. When making a move like this even though you are running you areconcentrating on what you are doing, you are probably trying to be quiet, and watching where you step, and your finger is probably not on the trigger. But if you are running after a shot the addrenaline is flowing prettyhard and youonly have one thing on your mind, the bird.You are focused on one thing which can sometimes be a recipe for desaster. I aggree with JW and some of the others who said it is better to stay seated. If a second shot is needed you will probably be able to get aimed at the bird quicker if you are not getting up and aiming at the same time. My advise would be always act as if the bird could get up and run at any minute. Do notever asume the bird is dead. If you stay seated and prepare for the secondshot you will pobably be alot calmerand make a bettershot than if you try to jump up and run.

RE: What do you do?
 

I killed one this spring and I ran to it and found my saftey off after about 10 min. of excitement (and I had a shell in the chamber).You just have to be careful.

RE: What do you do?
 

After I shoot a bird, I stay seated and immediately start calling again, usually an assembly call on a diaphram. I don't want to spook the rest of the birds anymore than the shot, as I may want to hunt them from this set-up again that season. The jakes and two year olds may not get educated, but those old longbeards catch on real quick.

RE: What do you do?
 

I make sure my safety is on before I go after my bird. Its just a reaction of mine that I have always done...