Post by gwinnman on May 9, 2011 9:40:40 GMT -5
I've been at this for about 11 years and finally got first tom. He was two year old weighed in at 22 lbs and had 9 inch beard with 3/4 inch spurs. I've shot two jakes and one bearded hen over the years. I live central Indiana and usually have to drive 2 hrs to get to turkeys so some of my turkey seasons might only be 4 or 5 hunts. I couldn't imagine being 20 minutes away from property to hunt. I'm jealous of you guys that live in gods country.
This hunt was awesome. The way the terrain laid we were able to set up and he was only about 60 yards away right in front of us and he was going nuts gobbling. We couldn't see him but we figured he was on his way. 20 minutes into I heard some purring behind me and to my left. I mean 10 yards or so then I heard them jump a small creek. I was sitting on the ground and thought great here comes the hens to lead my turkey away. I've had this happen several time over the years. Off to my left here they came at 7 yards two Toms that made their way to my decoy. They both looked to be 2year olds and they put on a show for my decoy. I wanted to let it play out longer but I figured 11 years no Tom quit messing around and let him have it.
So I did!! He was down flopping around and I start calling and couldn't believe it the bird we set up on was still there gobbling. We keep calling to him and about 5 minutes later we could hear another bird spit and drumming behind us. We thought great now its my hunting Buddy's turn. We were in the bottom of two ridges. The tall ridge was behind us and small ridge was in front of us. That bird didn't walk down he flew from behind us to small ridge in front of us where the original bird was still gobbling. We thought we spooked him but he went over there to fight with the other Tom. We couldn't see the fight but we heard it. It went silent and then nothing. We got up to take a look at my first Tom gobbler. FINALLY !! I don't even want to think how may miles and gas and lack sleep I've endured just to get a Tom.
If I can figure it out I'll try to post pics.
This hunt was awesome. The way the terrain laid we were able to set up and he was only about 60 yards away right in front of us and he was going nuts gobbling. We couldn't see him but we figured he was on his way. 20 minutes into I heard some purring behind me and to my left. I mean 10 yards or so then I heard them jump a small creek. I was sitting on the ground and thought great here comes the hens to lead my turkey away. I've had this happen several time over the years. Off to my left here they came at 7 yards two Toms that made their way to my decoy. They both looked to be 2year olds and they put on a show for my decoy. I wanted to let it play out longer but I figured 11 years no Tom quit messing around and let him have it.
So I did!! He was down flopping around and I start calling and couldn't believe it the bird we set up on was still there gobbling. We keep calling to him and about 5 minutes later we could hear another bird spit and drumming behind us. We thought great now its my hunting Buddy's turn. We were in the bottom of two ridges. The tall ridge was behind us and small ridge was in front of us. That bird didn't walk down he flew from behind us to small ridge in front of us where the original bird was still gobbling. We thought we spooked him but he went over there to fight with the other Tom. We couldn't see the fight but we heard it. It went silent and then nothing. We got up to take a look at my first Tom gobbler. FINALLY !! I don't even want to think how may miles and gas and lack sleep I've endured just to get a Tom.
If I can figure it out I'll try to post pics.
