Tagged out with the crossbow.

[catcher]

Well there are some things I like to shoot with a crossbow like deer and big game animals. And some I like to shoot with a gun like ducks , geese and turkeys. But I have only ever shoot one turkey with a crossbow and that was about 15 years ago. So I decided this year to give it a go again and film it with the Go-Pro. So I have been watching a clearing with 2 Toms in it every afternoon and they had been showing up everyday before 4 :00 . So I set the tent blind up at about 11 :30 and sat and waited. At about 12: 30 a hen showed up and she was quite content and was purring and waliking around 10 yards from the tent. So I guess the tent was not going to spook them. At about 1:00 I heard a distant gobble and then 10 minutes later another and it was closer this time. I did not want to call to soon due to a lot of hunting pressure from where they were comming from. so eventually after about an hour or so they were in the clearing although I could not see them I could hear them gobble. I did not want to make my move to soon so I resisted all tempatations to call. Finally at about 2:15 I figured they were about 100 yards or so, so I let out a few purrs and soft clucks on the Gobble Stalker 3 reed phantom. Instant gobble and I think I peaked their attention. And they started comming my way. A few more purrs and it was all over they were hooked. After a few minutes I could here the spitting and drumming and then I saw them for the first time and they were close 20 yards. I hit record on the Go -Pro and up goes the bow , the strutter was the one I wanted so I gave a loud cluck hopefully to break his strutt. ( only because not sure where to shoot them when they are strutting. ) It worked and he stood right up and soon the lighted firebolt with a 150 grain boltcutter was off the rail. And whack it looked good but he flew and man I am not used to that. Usually when I shoot them with a gun they do not move from where they were. Anyhow he flew like nothing happened and I watched him fly out of site. And I thought to myself I am never going to see you again. But then I thought I heard him crash into some trees but it was far. So that gave me some hope at least. I had earlier been emailing Unclefester and told him I was hunting at the time we were talking. So I quickly emailed him back and told him what had happened hopefully for some advise on what to do next. But being the patient guy I am after 2 minutes of no response LOL I went for a look. First I could not find my arrow but I knew the direction of flight. And instead of a blood trail the turkey left feathers all long his flight path. Which worked out perfect because at about 75 yards or so there he was at the bottom of the tree he was trying to make it over when he flew. That is where I heard him crash. Whew what a releif to find him. So I emailed Unclefester back and said that I had found him. I got him home and took the pictures and measurments and he was 20.7 pounds and an even 10 inch beard and one spur was 1 1/8 and one was 1 1/16. Although it was thrilling to take a turkey with the crossbow I like to eat them and man was there a lot of blood clotting and damage from the shoot. I ended up putting the broadhead right through his heart. But I think from now on I will go back to my trusty 20 gauge for these birds. Less damage in the breast area. Although once I took the time and pealed back the skin and carefully cleaned out the clotting he looked fine but if you did not do that it would be messy when you cooked him. My 2 cents anyway. good luck to everyone else out there in the turkey woods and now to do a little guiding for some anxious friends.

[j.krug]

Congrats on another great bird. Way to go.

[Mark Rainbolt]

Congrats on a Great Bird and Story!!!
God Bless,
Mark

[agingcrossbower]

Great story Catcher! Did'nt know they could do that with a heart shot. WoW! Congrats to you.\ AGAIN!

[Big John]

Congrats again Catcher.
Very well written and finished. Good looking Bird.
I've took them with both gun and bow, they taste the same!!
Way to go !!!

[Sandman]

Congrats and a great story.

[Big58cal]

Congrats on the bird Catcher! Just something to think about, but I saw the side of a gobbler's head once with a perfect "X" in it from a Slick Trick launched out of an Excalibur. You wouldn't ruin any meat that way and there wouldn't be anything to clean up or anything to chase.

[Normous]

Congrats and I'm glad you found him.

[maple]

Way to go catcher!! Great hunting!!
Just like a deer, they can go a distance after being hit hard. Good tracking!

[MADMAX2]

CONGRAT!! Great way yo end your season!!

[Ont_Excal]

Shot placement is key for a quick dirt nap.
Here are a few pics of where to aim with a bow.
There are a few good broadheads designed for beheading the turk.











http://blog.stickemarchery.com/?p=2445

Congrats on your success.

[mr meat]

congrats on the bird and tracking job!

[denisdendenis]

congrats !!! nice bird
thanks for sharing your story
Denis

[onebigskittle]

Great story ...congrats on the crossbow kill ....did you have the camera on ?

[Bullzeye]

Great story, but would love to see the vid also curious how well the go pro worked on the bow.