How many still,run to get the bird...
 

..just a question??how many here (still jump up and run like a wild person)when you
shoot that big gobbler,as for me i left it behind because i try to stay calm in the turkey
woods,what i mean is,i have missed a couple big turkeys do to getting in to big of a hurry
and being calm has paid off for this ole boy,not saying i dont get excited but i try to
control it,and the gobbler goes over the shoulder....:eek:[:-]

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

that's funny you should mention that.....I, stay pretty calm, but after the shot, I sprint to get my foot on the turkey's head, whether it's flopping or laying stone dead....my dad(he's the one who taught me that) told me one time that I needed to be careful when I get up and break-neck to get to the gobbler...I shrugged it off and assured him that I wouldn't fall or anything....He told me that he wasn't worried about me falling, he said he was afraid that I was gonna shoot myself in the back....LOL

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

Ditto rather get to him and give him a little help leavin' this world by hand rather than throw more pellets his was if nessecary;)

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

A lot of it depends on the reaction of the bird. A turkey can flop, jump, get in the air, or run after getting shot and can cover quite a bit of distance in just a few seconds. In these cases I will try to get to the bird as quickly as SAFELY possible. However, most of the birds I've killed have done little moving around and most of the time I like to sit still and savor the moment. Also, if there are other turkeys around I like to stay as still as I can, most times they will not know exactly what has happened, therefore you are not TRAINING additional turkeys, and sometimes they will come right back in or will gradually leave the area without being spooked too badly. These can be hunted another time which is what we all want... uneducated turkeys.

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

I'm still quick to the bird, even if someone else along with shot the bird, but I never did sprint. I can't imagine I'd ever feel nonchalant at that time, and casually stroll over. I guess if I did, I'd give up the game, because the thrill would be gone. Besides, I do believe in standing on their heads/necks if they are still flopping, and getting there quickly prevents a lot of feather loss.

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

I try to get to him as fast as these old bones will let me.When I was younger I used to get to them too fast.I still carry a few scars left by long sharp spurs.

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

I have no desire to see the bird I just "killed" get up and take off. I get to it as soon as I can to be sure that doesn't happen.

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

It usually depends on the reaction of the bird. If there is a lot of flopping, I get there asap, otherwise I take my time and enjoy the moment.

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

I quit running along time ago!!I do get to the bird in a quick fashion but a safe one too!I guide hunters throughout the year and you'd be surprised to see what guys/girls can do in there excitement to get to a downed bird!I'm all for getting to them quickly but in a safe fashion.I've seen guys forget to shuck another round in there gun,forget to put there safety back on,trip and fall over there own 2 feet,leave there gun behind,loose calls, even drop there gun jumping up, all as result of there overexuberence to get to the bird!;)HMMMMMM With all this talk of how great shotgun patterns are nowadays whats the rush!!![:-]Unless we're taking marginal shots!!:eek:

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RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

Early in my carear, i hustled after the first bird to crack a beak. But experience, being a vet, will teach u to slow down and realize that the timetable usually isn't of your choosing! Most of us have all day, so don't push or rush a bird! Yea, i know that the run-n-gun crowd will gather up thier share, but in the long run, the patient crowd will prevail!!!

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

I have posted before about enjoying the moment of a kill. Following the shot, assuming the bird is down, put your gun on safety unload the remainders and lay the gun down or prop up the gun against a rest of some sort (tree). Next, gaze in the direction of your gobbler. Remember the way he looked before the shot took away his strut. Picture the sun gleaming of his feathers. Picture that white softball size head begging for attention with every gobble. Remember every ounce of energy and each thought that went through your soul the split second before the tom last gobbled. After rewinding time walk to your bird slowly. Looking at every tree, bush and leaf you pass. If you are hunting with someone look at them and imprint in your mind their ear to ear grin that is probably a mirror image of your own. As you reach the bird thank the Lord that he gives us a life full of opportunity. Thank the all mighty for the life given up so we can experience redemption. The toms as well as Jesus'. Bottom line is, you have to be there while you hunt. You never know your last call, gobble, or harvest. Time has a way of taking away the newness of memory. This Spring what ever you do BE THERE IN THE MOMENT!

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

From my experience, bowhunting turkeys
creates another potential problem -
I've made the mistake of rushing out of my blind
on a couple of bow shot gobblers....this will not
happen again. Both birds flew off with my arrow.
This also spooked the other birds and made future
hunts in the area difficult as I believe they may
become "blind shy". Since, I now remain in my
blind and wait. Being as they prefer not to fly, I
usually find them close by:).

...never had this dilema when I was using my
Benelli;).

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

HEY! HEY! HEY! !!! thats just part of the sport ! if you don't do that then you may's well stay at home. I've seen guys run right past the Bird right Scrapper1 We had more of a laugh at that then the hunt ...BT

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

I don't run to 'em any more, but I get there pretty quick! I've had more than one pull a Houdini on me.[8D]:(

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

...P.S...THIS WAS TRULY MEANT TO BE....BE CAREFUL POST...:eek::eek::eek::eek:

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

Whatever it takes to keep him from puttin distance between me and it.

RE: How many still,run to get the bird...
 

I Shoot And Run Up To Em,And The Steping On Head Part....
Well Now I Know To Do That,My First Turkey I Shot I Was Never Told That It Would Flop And Jump (Crappie Flop) And All That, So I Had My Gun Up And Was Gona Shoot It To Kill It.... Now I Know Now To Step On There Head lol.