Turkey 2021

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Doe Master
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Turkey 2021

Post by Doe Master »

Waited until figured the season was over to post this .
May 25th started with me not carrying a gun . Decide to hunt with my nephew . Day started with a bird gobbling on the roost but when he hit the ground he walked away from us despite my best efforts . So we got up and moved to where I thought he may head . We were treated to a bunch of gobbling but he hit one of the many trails to go around us . So we got up and moved on him again . When we set up once again I got a bird down the trail from us interested . But while we were having our conversation with him , the original bird came up on our right side . John being right handed could not get the shot . So we watched and prayed but to no avail .
The week for the most part was like a bad rendition of Groundhog Day . Gobble on the roost , hit the ground and shut up .
On the Sunday I had a repeat once again . So sitting in a spot they had came to before I floating out some occasional sweet talking . I was hoping for one to sound off or come in silent . So I was watching around me for the silent approach . Instead I had a silent intruder hunting me . When it got to about 15 yards I took the shot .
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May 4th changed . :)
I had a bird sounding off on the roost like normal but several hundred yards off the property . I guess he must have been separated from his usual girlfriends . Instead of walking away he came towards me . :) Problem is when he got to within 45-50 yards he put the brakes on behind some trees . I gave him some content purrs and scratching but he went silent plus hidden . Finally I had to make some yelps . He sounded off to my left . He was circling me . But when he cleared a tree at about 40-45 yards I ended his circling .
I took a few pictures at the scene . I now put two feathers out for people from my past and present in remembrance since Dad passing .
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When I met up with my brother and SIL got a few more pictures .
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Two days later I was driving back from another hunting spot and got a phone call from my brother . The last couple of years he has had a tough time with birds not cooperating . He has had lots of opportunities , just something doesn`t work out . Well he was hunting a spot close to the house for him and he gets a bird gobbling like crazy . He sets up and it turns out it was two birds . But they proceed to do their dancing in some tight stuff on his right slightly . After about an hour of coaxing one of them hits a open spot for him . Monkey is off his back . :)
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We go back to that spot a day or so later . Upon inspection it was not quite as clear as thought . But who has not done that . With shotgun not as big of a deal . While standing there though we have a bird gobble . So set Rhonda up on the same tree but with a bit of extra pruning this time in the direction of the bird . I worked this bird for a while but he stood his ground not committing the final bit .
All that did was put him up at the top of my list now . :)
I spent every day I had off hunting him to no avail . But he did have a sort of routine .
On Saturday May 22nd I had a loose plan formulated . The birds that morning didn`t wake up until about an hour into the day . Finally one gobbled so I moved on him . Set up and waited with some soft calls . Ended up with two birds showing up but one was a brown back and she did not want to share her man . She guided him away across the field from me . :?
But then my target bird gobbled behind me some . So moved into a spot I had scouted before . This time I was going to wait not calling to a spot he liked to come to . He moved across the field towards me inch by agonizing inch gobbling all the way . He got to within 60-70 yards then all of a sudden started to run from left to right . :shock: Turns out another gobbler had come out to the field without me noticing . The first gobbler proceeded to chase the second all the way back across the field away from me . But I did notice 4 birds on the side of the field . Figured they were 4 hens but turned out they were 4 Jakes . At this point I am thinking I have only 2 weekends left and if one presents itself . Well the lead bird came into about 30 yards . So I offered him a ride in my truck .
I took a few pictures in the bush of the bird and reflecting on the season so far . Then when I got to the truck used the tripod for a couple more .
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Now for the best part in my opinion . My SIL is a trooper . She works for Canada Post as a trainer so when not teaching she can work from home making up lesson plans . So she has been going out by herself a lot of mornings . She had been hunting a certain bird close to their house . She would sit here and he would be there . The only constant was he would stand in the middle of the field and gobble .
Well on Saturday she got up once again to another beautiful sunrise despite a lack of sleep . Her bird played the same dance routine . Being tired and hungry she went home .
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She decided she was going to lay down for a nap to a bunch of ribbing from her husband about not shooting a bird while hugging a pillow . :)
She had her nap then rushed back out . While walking in she ran into an individual on one of the trails drinking a beer . She was going to ask which way he came from but decided to get to her destination . While approaching a break in the trees by the field she decided to take her gun off her shoulder . Upon reaching the break she is surprised to see a gobbler standing very close to her unaware of her presence . I guess with the wind moving everything around he never even noticed her approach .
He ended up weighing 24 pounds , 10.5 inch beard and 1.5 spurs . Her persistence paid off . :D
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My nephew didn`t make it out anymore due to other commitments .
A good season for sure . :)
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janesy
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Re: Turkey 2021

Post by janesy »

Excellent season Kev. Great stories and pics. Thanks for sharing
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Re: Turkey 2021

Post by Cardinalsfanforever »

great story, thanx. missed my bird year
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Re: Turkey 2021

Post by Normous »

Especially like the dead yote!!
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Re: Turkey 2021

Post by longbow joe »

Awsome season Kevin Great pictures and stories as usual.
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Re: Turkey 2021

Post by flinthead »

Congrats!! Some nice hooks on that bird!!
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Re: Turkey 2021

Post by wheelsquad »

Nice write-up! Congrats on a very successful turkey season to you all!
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Re: Turkey 2021

Post by mr meat »

Congrats to all
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Re: Turkey 2021

Post by ihunt »

Nice going thanks for sharing :thumbup:
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Re: Turkey 2021

Post by Ontario Savage »

Awesome season thanks for sharing
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