Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 06, 2009, 11:55:00 AM
:D
Promise I'll get it going this afternoon.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas5.jpg)
Post by: ishiwannabe on April 06, 2009, 12:01:00 PM
Post by: oldskool on April 06, 2009, 12:12:00 PM
Post by: Guru on April 06, 2009, 12:21:00 PM
Post by: MJB on April 06, 2009, 12:52:00 PM
Post by: Over&Under on April 06, 2009, 12:52:00 PM
Way to go Charlie!!!
Post by: frassettor on April 06, 2009, 12:52:00 PM
!["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
I hope you tell the story before bed tonight...Cant wait till I hear the story. Congrats bud
Post by: Jwilliam on April 06, 2009, 12:57:00 PM
Bill
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 06, 2009, 01:02:00 PM
;)
Post by: frassettor on April 06, 2009, 01:06:00 PM
thats what I like to hear.....Cant wait, I mine as well read other success stories, since I am "cursed" at getting one of those birds, Sat in the blind for 3 days, 8-12 hrs a day and have been trying for 4 years with NO LUCK, and not even as much as a shot at one. We have turkeys in our area...Im just to "inexperienced" though
Post by: Jason R. Wesbrock on April 06, 2009, 01:14:00 PM
Post by: Ray Hammond on April 06, 2009, 01:30:00 PM
All us mature crowd know the wind cried "MARY". You sure it wasn't Iron Bull calling "turkey"????? :biglaugh:
Post by: Gatekeeper on April 06, 2009, 01:31:00 PM
He saw Jimi Hendrix after a helping of the blue gravy.
Post by: bohuntr on April 06, 2009, 01:37:00 PM
Post by: Jason R. Wesbrock on April 06, 2009, 01:48:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Gatekeeper:Either that or he picked the wrong mushrooms. :cool:
He saw Jimi Hendrix after a helping of the blue gravy.
Post by: bohuntr on April 06, 2009, 01:49:00 PM
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/bohuntr77/00small23435796.jpg)
Post by: BobT on April 06, 2009, 02:00:00 PM
This weekend was youth season, we that remember Jimi gotta wait 2 more weeks! :biglaugh:
Post by: Ray Hammond on April 06, 2009, 02:40:00 PM
Post by: BMN on April 06, 2009, 02:53:00 PM
Post by: Killdeer on April 06, 2009, 03:46:00 PM
I think he's hearing Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving With a Pict.
I'm hungry. :readit:
Killdeer
Post by: Killdeer on April 06, 2009, 03:47:00 PM
:p
Post by: Fritz on April 06, 2009, 04:10:00 PM
Post by: fido dog on April 06, 2009, 04:17:00 PM
Post by: Shaun on April 06, 2009, 05:42:00 PM
Post by: zipper bowss on April 06, 2009, 05:46:00 PM
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on April 06, 2009, 05:48:00 PM
Post by: GregD on April 06, 2009, 06:00:00 PM
Post by: MYSTIKBOW on April 06, 2009, 06:14:00 PM
Jimi was not right eye dominate he was left eye and left handed all the way.
I don't know anything about any blue gravy but I was told not to drink the kool-aid. :bigsmyl:
Post by: wtpops on April 06, 2009, 06:27:00 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Kingwouldbe:
That's a fake, Jimmy was a lefty :saywhat:
Watch out for that blue gravy it will put you in a "Purple Haze" :help: :o
Post by: Killdeer on April 06, 2009, 06:48:00 PM
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Post by: ksbowman on April 06, 2009, 06:53:00 PM
Post by: ishiwannabe on April 06, 2009, 06:53:00 PM
So...about that story?? :biglaugh:
Post by: ChuckC on April 06, 2009, 07:14:00 PM
ChuckC
Post by: ChuckC on April 06, 2009, 07:16:00 PM
ChuckC
Post by: paleFace on April 06, 2009, 07:27:00 PM
Post by: Stickbow98 on April 06, 2009, 07:51:00 PM
Did ya know Turkey feathers weren't even "iridescent" until AFTER Jimmy Hendrix first saw 'em! :saywhat:
:thumbsup: Now THAT'S Cool, man! :D
Rock on, Charlie!!
>>--Ron--<>
:coffee: I'm ready for "The REST of the story"!
Post by: Ray Hammond on April 06, 2009, 08:04:00 PM
You got that right. Killie, you ain't right, girlfriend!
I thought I was the only fool that listened to Roger Waters in slow motion- "that was pretty avant garde, wasn't it?"
Post by: K.S.TRAPPER on April 06, 2009, 08:32:00 PM
Tracy
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 06, 2009, 08:47:00 PM
ooooooo, it's gonna be worth the wait!!!
right charlie??? :D
Post by: Killdeer on April 06, 2009, 08:59:00 PM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 06, 2009, 09:00:00 PM
It had started with a phone conversation with my old friend Rusty from western Wyoming. We'd been out of touch for a couple of years and like old friends often do we fell right into our conversation as if we'd left off only yesterday.
Catching up on old news and the new Rusty mentioned that he'd purchased a little acreage in eastern Kansas and that it had lots of deer and turkey on it.
Why didn't we get together and do a little spring turkey hunting, he'd mused.
Well, you don't have to bend my arm behind me and back over my shoulder to get my attention when it comes to hunting.
SURE!!!
He was renting a place in town where we could stay and the farm was just a few miles outside of town... even better!!
I'd looked forward to our visit ever since that first call and as time neared we talked again to firm up plans. My schedule would put my arrival at the day before opener.
For Kansas, that is the first day of April this year and it was archery only for the first week. Gee! Why couldn't my home state of Missouri be that thoughtful.
I wondered how hunting this early would play out. Missouri's own season didn't open until almost three weeks later and that's the way it had always been.
There were plenty of questions and I'd be pleasantly surprised by the answers.
First of all I wondered about the terrain. What in the world would it be like. I know there are those who imagine Kansas as this wide, windswept, featureless, place. With only one tree per 8 million acres. Not even close!
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 06, 2009, 09:03:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Killdeer:jes' down the road a spell at red house ...... :saywhat:
Been on the Turnpike, Rob? :D
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 06, 2009, 09:18:00 PM
I'd find plenty of all three on Rusty's place. Of course Rusty's little place took up a complete section. A thousand acres of prime whitetail and turkey habit.
I get a little dizzy just considering the possibilities.
Rusty gave me the quick tour the first day and it seemed that if I wasn't stumbling along some rutted deer trail or getting poked in the eye by the nibblid off end of a branch hanging over a bare spot of ground along that trail, I was spotting turkeys at every turn.
In a short couple of hours of walking we must have seen forty or fifty birds. I thought that if this wasn't heaven then it was darn close.
Gleaning as much information as I could from my buddy I formulated a plan which I hoped would put me in range of birds.
I knew I'd be seeing them, I just didn't know how close I could get them. I had almost no experience hunting turkeys this early in the season and I wondered how responsive they would be to a call.
At the end of the day I'd set up house keeping in the Double Bull blind along the edge of a food plot that showed a ton of sign. Cast off feathers, tracks and the J shaped castings of gobblers littered the field.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas4.jpg)
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 06, 2009, 09:23:00 PM
Looks like many of you here had way too much fun during the sixties. I don't think I did... at least I can't remember if I did.
:p
Post by: Gatekeeper on April 06, 2009, 09:23:00 PM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 06, 2009, 09:43:00 PM
A couple of "Dr. Rusty's" hand made margarita's would round out the evening. Couple that with a hot supper and great conversation and I'd be ready for beddy bye.
I carefully set my alarm and was soon fast asleep dreaming of crusty old gobblers with paintbrush beards tripping them as they walked.
I don't think I moved a muscle until sometime early I heard Rusty call my name. "You going hunting?"
I looked around the room and realized the alarm hadn't gone off and gray light was sifting through the bedroom curtains.
Post by: Over&Under on April 06, 2009, 10:11:00 PM
Post by: Shaun on April 06, 2009, 10:14:00 PM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 06, 2009, 10:40:00 PM
:wavey:
Post by: bowhunterfrompast on April 06, 2009, 10:45:00 PM
Post by: Killdeer on April 06, 2009, 10:56:00 PM
Oh, I get up before you do. :(
Killdeer
Gold and rose, the color of a dream I had, not too long ago...
Post by: SouthMDShooter on April 06, 2009, 10:58:00 PM
Post by: Chris Surtees on April 07, 2009, 12:57:00 AM
Post by: Mo. Huntin on April 07, 2009, 02:49:00 AM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 07, 2009, 09:04:00 AM
Fortunately Rusty's better half, Rosemary, had prepared the coffee pot the previous evening so all I had to do was punch the button and get dressed.
That only took a minute and I stepped outside to check the weather and get some idea how many layers I'd need for the morning chill.
Imagine my surprise and chagrin, when a lusty gobble reached my ears from just the other side of town.... did I mention it is a small town?
Soon no less than three different birds were sounding off at different points of the compass. I was more than a little miffed, but tried to take it as a good sign.
Just as soon as the coffee maker gurgled that finishing sound they make I had my Thermos filled and was racing out the door.
It would only take a few minutes to make the drive out to the property, but I'd have a good twenty minute walk to the blind and and I was burning daylight.... BAD!!!
Maybe it was a good thing that I had overslept. The morning light that I had cursed now made negotiating my way to the blind for the first time easier than it might have been.
Down the two track I went, across the three little water courses, left along the brush after the third one and up the hill.
As I crested the rise a slight movement ahead caught my eye. The unmistakable "PUTT, PUTT, PUTT" of alarmed turkeys slammed against my ear drums.
The next few seconds went by slowly as I kicked my own butt up the hill to the blind. As I approached my hide I could clearly see no less than 20 birds running off to who knows where.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas2.jpg)
Post by: Roughcountry on April 07, 2009, 09:07:00 AM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 07, 2009, 09:12:00 AM
With nothing to do but wait, I settled in. The little Coleman Sport Cat heater was fired up and began to take the chill off the morning quickly.
My calls were laid out on a white bucket which was there for just that purpose. And my little chair was arranged just right so I could shoot with little movement in the direction I planned to have a shot.
After that I arranged the window in the Double Bull Matrix with screen up and open to about twelve inchs for a full 180 degree view.
I poured a cup of coffee and let the morning wipe away my stress.
Post by: Guru on April 07, 2009, 09:15:00 AM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 07, 2009, 09:33:00 AM
I added my own calls to the chorus figuring that even if breeding wasn't in full swing I could at least make the local bird think there were buddies in the food plot.
They are like that, you know. Turkeys like to be around other turkeys and I believe they will often come to a call just to see who's around.
The answer to my oversleeping debacle came to me while I was sitting there. I'd last used my little travel alarm before the spring time change and I'd never reset it.
I'd checked it's accuracy against Rusty's computer the night before and it was right on. Of course Rusty is from another time zone and he'd not changed the time on the computer to match the time zone eastern Kansas.
I guess it wasn't totally my fault, but I'd sure be addressing that problem before I went to sleep tonight.
I watched a lone fox squirrel, fat and auburn red in the morning light hop along the edge of the forest where it dropped off into the creek bottom. Here and there he'd stop and scrounge through the grass and leaves for some unseen tidbit.
Two little birds landed on the roof of the blind and I was in the midst of messing with them (I reach up and poke their little birdy feet and giggle like a school girl when they blast off like they were shot from a cannon) when the calling of a hen got my full attention.
This one was close and from the sound of it, getting closer. Where there are hens there are likely to be toms this time of year so I made ready for action.
That action wasn't long in coming either. A long corridor of food plot ran between bristling rows of honey locust trees and down the middle of that avenue came no less than fifteen hens.
I watched intently and at last bringing up the rear of the band came five gobblers, beards swinging to and fro as they waddled along behind the girls.
Post by: MI_Bowhunter on April 07, 2009, 09:40:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Killdeer:Ummagumma, that may be one of the most obscure references I ever seen here. LOL
Hendrix?
I think he's hearing Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving With a Pict.
I'm hungry. :readit:
Killdeer
I'm liking this turkey story. :thumbsup:
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 07, 2009, 09:57:00 AM
I really didn't have that much experience with the Double Bull and open windows. I'd hunted for deer from them a lot, but always with the screens down. This was a learning experience for sure.
The lead hens didn't pay attention to me as I sat there watching from mere feet away. What would happen when I had to move?
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas1.jpg)
The question was about to be answered and answered soon. The gobblers were now just a few yards to my right and on a course that would bring them right where the hens were now passing. My bow was already in position and all I had to do was wrap my fingers around the string... which I now did.
Post by: frassettor on April 07, 2009, 10:10:00 AM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 07, 2009, 10:25:00 AM
Turkeys were going in every direction like feathered shrapnel from a weird avian bomb. Out of the corner of my eye other movement caught me eye. DEER!!
Brown, four legged, non open window liking, deer!
Apparently the deer had come along from the opposite direction out of my line of sight. That wouldn't have been hard to do with my full attention devoted to the gobbler in front of me.
When they got enough angle on the blind to see the black hole of the window they freaked out,
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas19.jpg)
which in turn freaked out the turkeys, which left me alone in my blind with nothing but the gentle sighing of the wind blowing through the trees.... and the wind whispered...turkey!!
(CONT.)
Post by: broketooth on April 07, 2009, 10:29:00 AM
Post by: Guru on April 07, 2009, 11:00:00 AM
Post by: NorthernCaliforniaHunter on April 07, 2009, 11:33:00 AM
Good God what a tease!
Post by: Randy Morin on April 07, 2009, 11:50:00 AM
Post by: bohuntr on April 07, 2009, 11:52:00 AM
Post by: Bear on April 07, 2009, 11:55:00 AM
I already had a poster of Jimi on a Harley (my other love) in my shop. This will go nicely. Nothing beats tillering osage to "Villanova Junction". I think we would have gotten along famously!
Carefull with axe, Killi.
Post by: Kingwouldbe on April 07, 2009, 12:03:00 PM
Post by: frassettor on April 07, 2009, 12:09:00 PM
Post by: frassettor on April 07, 2009, 12:31:00 PM
Post by: SouthMDShooter on April 07, 2009, 01:31:00 PM
Post by: Chris Surtees on April 07, 2009, 01:38:00 PM
Post by: Gatekeeper on April 07, 2009, 01:45:00 PM
Were you hunting without a decoy? You didn’t write anything about setting one up so I’m assuming you didn’t have any decoy’s set out. Is this your normal way of hunting turkeys? I don’t have a lot of experience hunting turkeys so I’m wondering if there are times when decoys shouldn’t be used or have you found them to be ineffective in the past so you don’t bother with them.
Good story… I know you had a blast. I always appreciated it when our members take the time to share a hunt with us. The story telling can be time consuming but these stories are one of the things that make this site such a jewel.
:thumbsup:
Post by: SouthMDShooter on April 07, 2009, 02:37:00 PM
Post by: frassettor on April 07, 2009, 02:39:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by SouthMDShooter:How do you get them in?? Just calling :confused:
gate keeper I havent used a decoy in years and kill at least two every year. I feel that they hang the birds up, but then again other people use them with great success.
Post by: Littlefeather on April 07, 2009, 03:01:00 PM
Post by: SouthMDShooter on April 07, 2009, 03:06:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by frassettor:Thats it. I find them on the roost the night before, get near there early the next morning and call them off the roost. thats an extremely simplified way of doing it. Or if I dont find one the night before I use an owl call in the morning the locate them. Im not a defensive hunter when it comes to turkeys, I like to move on them then when I get them to gobble and know they are coming then it turns into a waiting game.
QuoteOriginally posted by SouthMDShooter:How do you get them in?? Just calling :confused: [/b]
gate keeper I havent used a decoy in years and kill at least two every year. I feel that they hang the birds up, but then again other people use them with great success.
Post by: Mint on April 07, 2009, 03:36:00 PM
Post by: BobCo 1965 on April 07, 2009, 03:41:00 PM
Post by: Fritz on April 07, 2009, 06:30:00 PM
Post by: K.S.TRAPPER on April 07, 2009, 06:31:00 PM
Tracy
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on April 07, 2009, 06:45:00 PM
Post by: frassettor on April 07, 2009, 06:53:00 PM
Post by: Ted Fry on April 07, 2009, 07:00:00 PM
Post by: Harmless on April 07, 2009, 07:07:00 PM
Post by: Guru on April 07, 2009, 07:36:00 PM
Post by: Tater on April 07, 2009, 08:18:00 PM
I am so pumped up our Turkey opener is this Saturday and I can't wait!
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 07, 2009, 09:59:00 PM
I had no decoys out as I was hunting a known travel corridor and decided to call sparingly and let nature take it's course.
As long as the tactic continued to show me turkeys, I'd leave the decoys in the truck.
It seemed like I was constantly hearing turkeys calling somewhere. Hens, gobblers, whatever, they seemed everywhere.
Rusty had told me there were huge numbers of birds on his place and I'd hardly dared to hope or believe there could be that many.
My pickins around home could be pretty lean at times and the later season in Missouri meant that the big winter groups were broken up.
I would find that Rusty's evaluation was spot on.
Hardly an hour passed and I once again had turkeys working my way. I'd just happened to peak out the back side of blind as they crossed an open area 70 yards distant. Snatching up my slate call I gave a couple of muted clucks and a short series of yelps.
I kept my eyes glued to a narrow slit in the window.
Soon the birds, mixed hens and jakes filtered into the edge of the food plot headed my way. Once again my hand found the familiar checkered grip of my 63# Sunbear. Once again I pressed against the back of the blind and turned slightly side ways on my chair... shooting position.
I would notice during the trip that the hens were always in the lead with the toms bringing up the rear.
It was how it was shaking out this time.
I counted hen after hen until fully 15 had passed through my shooting lane. I was dazzled.
In no hurry to be anywhere in particular, the jakes slowly fed past at fifteen yards.
If I they would only give me a quartering away or straight away shot I'd be a happy hunter. I don't care much for broadside on turkey. It hasn't worked out well for me in the past. Just seems like there are too many ways to hit them wrong.
Post by: BRONZ on April 07, 2009, 10:07:00 PM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 07, 2009, 10:11:00 PM
At that point all became a blur of motion and confusion as turkeys jumped, ran and flew everywhere.
I saw my arrow careen across the ground beyond my target bird and the bright orange line whirred out of my string tracker. He was headed for the timber on the far side of the food plot a brown and buffy tan blur of motion.
The line peeled out of the little cannister for what seemed an eternity and then abruptly stopped.
What a ride that little string gave me! All my hopes and dreams were laying at the end of that string and I watched it for even a quiver of movement. Nothing!
Knowing I could follow the string to my prize I decided to give him plenty of time. A hot cup of coffee from the thermos seemed appropriate at that moment.... and a cigarette to sooth my nerves.
Post by: trashwood on April 07, 2009, 10:13:00 PM
rusty
Post by: fatman on April 07, 2009, 10:13:00 PM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 07, 2009, 10:27:00 PM
Maybe if I was younger I'd have skipped on down, but my skipping days are long past.
I plodded along next to the string and into the brush.
With each step I scanned the timber and brush ahead for sight of my bird, but at last came to a heartbreaking sight.
The doubled orange line (the fifteen pound test stuff) lay broken in a patch of Sumac. The bird was gone.
I don't care much for stories about lost game. It's a fact of hunting regardless of the arm we chose to hunt with, but it's a sad and useless tale in most cases.
And this would be too except for the lessons learned from it.
The first of course is about the shot placement and my own problems with broadside birds. I don't like that shot and took it anyway. I knew better.
The easy pass through on the bird was an indicator that all was not well with the hit. Turkeys are tough critters and often as not stop a well placed head... if you are using a big one like I do. Magnus I with the big bleeder.
The second lesson was that I should have taken that light test line out of the tracker and replaced it with the 30# stuff I had in my pack. Once again my fault.
I searched high and low for my bird but I would not find him. It is a bitter pill.
The search ate into the day and by late afternoon I'd had a few more encounters with the birds, but no shots taken.
I stayed in the blind until I heard the sound of birds fying up not far away down in the creek bottom.
A hot meal, a toddy and the comanionship of my friends sounded real good right about then, so shouldering my pack I headed for the truck vowing to be on time in the morning.
(CONT.)
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 07, 2009, 10:29:00 PM
See ya all tomorrow morning for coffee.
:coffee:
Post by: gregg dudley on April 07, 2009, 10:35:00 PM
Post by: bowhunterfrompast on April 07, 2009, 10:40:00 PM
Post by: SouthMDShooter on April 07, 2009, 10:53:00 PM
Post by: BRONZ on April 07, 2009, 11:14:00 PM
Reading your story, I am reflecting on your principal of not taking broadside shots and can sympathize with your rationale. I may have adopt the same policy.
Post by: Shaun on April 07, 2009, 11:29:00 PM
Post by: Mo. Huntin on April 08, 2009, 12:32:00 AM
Post by: frassettor on April 08, 2009, 07:43:00 AM
Post by: Gatekeeper on April 08, 2009, 07:53:00 AM
Post by: Tater 2 on April 08, 2009, 07:56:00 AM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 08, 2009, 08:48:00 AM
One hour later I was throwing my pack on and preparing for the walk to my blind in the pitch black.
All went according to plan except the part where I missed my cut off spot and kept walking up the two track.
When enough time had gone by that I should have reached that spot I realized my mistake. I stopped right there and dug the GPS out of my pack.
I wasn't off by much, but ended up coming at the blind from the opposite direction. The GPS walked my right to it. Ya just gotta love it.
This would be the warmest day of the hunt, but there would be no shot opportunities this day.
Once again I called to the birds I could hear roosted nearby. Once again there was a veritable parade of turkeys starting just after fly down.
First came a flock of hens that had to number twenty birds. Not a beard in the bunch.
Shortly after two huge old monarchs strutted past behind the blind following a lone hen. They wanted nothing to do with my calls and she had other places to be. I watched them disappear over the rise to my west.
The rest of the day went pretty much the same way.
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 08, 2009, 09:03:00 AM
I arrived at my blind in time to hear the birds calling from the roost area.
It must have been a huge roost as everything seemed to start there in the mornings and ended there in the evenings.
Again a group of hens numbering in the teens flowed past just after fly down. Again there were no males with them.
I'd buttoned up the Double Bull pretty tight this morning. The wind was substantial and increasing. There was the damp feeling of rain hanging in the air and low, gray clouds raced across the sky.
I'd donned an extra layer this morning and kept the little heater close.
Somewhere around 9 o'clock two hens showed up unexpectedly in front of me. In what had become and almost reflexive move I leaned over and raised the right hand flap of the blind to check for more birds.
What I saw brought my heart into my throat and my breath started coming in short, jerky gasps.
Two gobblers in full strut were just outside the blind and set to pass in front of me at about 12 yards.
Trying to keep from getting busted by the ladies in front of me I hurriedly put on my Big Shot glove (yeah, yeah, I wasn't ready!) and scooched around in my chair. Without thought my bow had come to hand and I watched the approaching gobblers appear in the corner of the window.
Post by: maineac on April 08, 2009, 09:11:00 AM
Post by: wollybear on April 08, 2009, 09:20:00 AM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 08, 2009, 09:22:00 AM
At one point the closest gobbler stretched out his head and let loose with the loudest gobble I'd ever heard.... can't say I'd ever been that close to a turkey when he gobbled.
For a moment an evil thought crossed my mind as the first birds head was superimposed over the vitals of the second bird. "Hmmm! If I head shoot the first bird, I'd hit the second in the goodies."
Two with one shot!! I immediately thought better of my greedy ambitions and set about anticipating reality and the ONE bird I wanted to shoot.
As so often happens the shot opportunity would be decided for me. The tom furthest away "depuffed" and stepped ahead of the closer tom and at the same time turned quartering away.
I imagined my arrow slipping under a particular feather and without further thought found myself at anchor. When my draw settled and I knew the arrow could go no other place, I released.
Three of the birds erupted in motion as I was aware of my white fletched shaft smacking solidly into the target tom and him going down hard.
He suddenly raised his head and stretched it straight out. "NOT GOOD!", I thought to myself. I fumbled beside me for the Bullhead tipped shaft I had waiting for just right opportunity.
It never made it to the string.
In that split second the bird rose from the ground and began a running flopping attempt at getting airborne. I watched him enter the brush some fifty yards distant and go down again.
I knew he was hit hard. I just didn't know how hard.
Post by: mjc on April 08, 2009, 09:26:00 AM
Post by: SouthMDShooter on April 08, 2009, 09:45:00 AM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 08, 2009, 09:47:00 AM
As I got closer there seemed to be a lot of commotion going on where my bird was. It was soon evident that his traveling partner had come back and was trouncing the crap out of him.
Once again greedy thoughts crossed my mind, but the other tom spotted me and left the scene in short order.
As I approached the downed bird I could see there was some life left in him so at ten yards I sent a second broadhead through his brain. It was now officially over.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas6.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas7.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas8.jpg)
After the picture taking session I shouldered my trophy and headed for the truck.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas9.jpg)
The wind was clipping along briskly now and held the promise bad weather to come. And the wind called... turkey.
Post by: mjc on April 08, 2009, 09:50:00 AM
Post by: frassettor on April 08, 2009, 09:50:00 AM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 08, 2009, 09:51:00 AM
:readit: ;) :campfire:
Post by: BobCo 1965 on April 08, 2009, 09:51:00 AM
Post by: tradtusker on April 08, 2009, 09:51:00 AM
Awesome been a while sine we had one of your adventures
thanks for sharing charlie
Post by: DW on April 08, 2009, 09:54:00 AM
Post by: Over&Under on April 08, 2009, 09:55:00 AM
Felt like I was right behind you in the blind!!
Great story indeed!!
Looking forward to the rest!
Post by: Shaun on April 08, 2009, 09:55:00 AM
Post by: turkey522 on April 08, 2009, 10:12:00 AM
Terry
Post by: Joseph on April 08, 2009, 10:19:00 AM
Post by: SpikeMaster on April 08, 2009, 10:41:00 AM
Post by: Blasterjdh on April 08, 2009, 10:43:00 AM
Post by: hunt it on April 08, 2009, 10:47:00 AM
Post by: Guru on April 08, 2009, 10:50:00 AM
Post by: BobT on April 08, 2009, 11:27:00 AM
Post by: trashwood on April 08, 2009, 11:28:00 AM
rusty
Post by: wollelybugger on April 08, 2009, 11:29:00 AM
Post by: BMN on April 08, 2009, 11:31:00 AM
Post by: bowhunterfrompast on April 08, 2009, 11:35:00 AM
Post by: Ted Fry on April 08, 2009, 12:34:00 PM
Post by: swp on April 08, 2009, 12:53:00 PM
Post by: Charles Sorrells on April 08, 2009, 12:54:00 PM
Did you shoot through the mesh or through an open window?
Post by: Jason R. Wesbrock on April 08, 2009, 01:15:00 PM
Post by: Chris Surtees on April 08, 2009, 01:40:00 PM
Post by: maineac on April 08, 2009, 01:47:00 PM
Post by: Arrowslinger on April 08, 2009, 04:23:00 PM
Post by: KentuckyTJ on April 08, 2009, 04:57:00 PM
Post by: Fritz on April 08, 2009, 05:51:00 PM
Post by: Stickbow98 on April 08, 2009, 07:19:00 PM
Hmmmm...Maybe THAT was the wind you heard?? :archer:
Post by: hormoan on April 08, 2009, 08:36:00 PM
And now the rest of the story :D
Post by: ductape on April 08, 2009, 09:19:00 PM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 08, 2009, 10:05:00 PM
One morning I was greeted with heavy frost on the windshield of my truck and the little heater was working overtime in the blind.
Rusty being the thoughtful host he always is, knew I was low on propane cannisters for the heater and brought some from town one evening... I was not only pleasantly surprised, but silently relieved. I was getting a cold chill just thinking about the blind without my trusty heater.
It was more that damn Kansas wind that kept hunting slow during that time. I believe the turkeys and deer were spending a lot of time down in the creek bottoms. I'd seen that behavior before in north Missouri.
I did have a few encounters, but the blind was rocking violently even though it was staked at the corners and the hub lines were tied out securely.
A couple of times I had birds approaching and ready to do the deed when a gust hit the blind and sent them putting away.
One of the days I stayed put all day long. I'd decided to get out and head for town around 10 a.m. when the sky opened up and turned on the faucet.
It seemed to be the better part of valor (just dang smart) to stay put and out of the deluge...which lasted most of the midday hours.
I buttoned up tight in the blind and only opened the windows a crack from time to time to conserve heat.
Finally in the afternoon the rain let up and it started snowing. What a treat that was. Mostly it just stuck to the net windows and piled up a little around the base of the blind. The wind never let up a little bit.
With time running out on my visit I had just about resigned myself to not filling my second tag.
I think it was Saturday in a pouring, howling rain that I decided I'd just pack up and leave for home in the morning.
The last hour in the blind was spent organizing and packing all my gear so I wouldn't have to come back in for anything the next morning. It was Rusty's blind so I could leave it set where it was.
I was more than a little disappointed. It wasn't that I wanted a second bird that bad, but this was the best turkey hunting I'd ever experience and I just wanted to keep going, and going and going. You know? Kinda like the Energizer bunny, but old and slow.
The truck heater felt really good since I'd gotten pretty wet and very chilled walking out. The gusty wind even fought me all the way out making my pack and mood seem all the heavier.
That night at dinner Rusty and I talked about it. I told him my plans and he suggested I wait and see what the weather was doing in the morning and if it wasn't raining to give it another half day.
To tell the truth, I was already looking forward to sleeping in and getting nice relaxed start the next day, but I figured it wouldn't be that big a deal to wake up at huntin time and check out the weather.
We each stayed up a little longer that night and had an extra Margarita. I'd miss my Rusty and Rosemary and I knew it.
Soon it was off to bed and I'd sleep like a rock.
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 08, 2009, 10:47:00 PM
The next morning was just like that. When I awoke I pulled the little travel alarm down off the bed post and squinted hard in the dark to see the tiny hands.
I had 3 minutes before the alarm sounded. I pushed the button and got up.
Soon I was standing on the front porch gazing at the cloudless sky. The wind was blowing, but not bad compared to what it had been.
YEP!!! I went back in to turn on the coffee maker. I'd be hunting this morning.
I was back in the blind plenty early. I'd stripped all non essential items from my pack and left the little heater in the truck.
When it was time to leave I'd get out of there without hauling a ton of gear and with luck have room in the pack for a turkey.
The last two mornings I'd listen to the birds gobble on the roost and then move slowly off in the opposite direction after fly down. I thought that it was about time that they fed off in my direction.
I did my best tree calls and when I thought it was about time did a fly down cackle and some light yelping.
It wasn't long and I could hear turkey talk and it seemed to be getting closer.
Soon I had hens approaching and they seemed to come out of the timber forever. I counted twenty in the end and not a beard in the bunch.
I'd seen a bearded hen a couple days prior and I'd have shot her in a heart beat if she'd have shown up... she didn't.
As the last hen fed out of sight I sat back to relax a little. I'd refined my set up so that I had the window open for a full 180 degrees, but kept most of that covered with the netting. Only a small slit was kept open that would give me clear shot out front.
Brush and trees made shooting to the sides nearly impossible anyway.
It was inevitable that time would pass way too quickly this morning. That's how it goes for me. The last day just seems to fly by and the more I wanted it to drag on the faster it seems to go.
I looked down at my watch and forty five minutes had gone by since the hens had visited. As I looked up I could see the head of a turkey moving just beyond a strip of burr oaks headed my way. Soon it was joined by 4 others. Here we go!!
As they came into the open I thought they looked too big to be hens and the colors were darker than the hens. It had been a little hard for me to tell at the beginning of the hunt. These turkeys were pretty heavilly hybridized. Some looked like easterns and others had a more bronze look to them.
Staring hard I wished I had my binoculars with me, but I'd jetisoned those from the pack. It took a while but soon I could see short little beards sticking out high on the chest of each bird....JAKES!!!
"That will do", I thought to myself. Heaven knows I'm not a true trophy hunter and especially not for turkeys. Maybe another time, but not now. Not here.
I picked up my call and did a short series of very soft yelps. They angled my way.
All five of those jakes ended up 12 yards in front of my blind and one was dead center in the middle of my shooting lane.
As if on cue he turned to walk away.
The Carbonwood shaft slid silently across the velcro and I buried into anchor as I held for an instant at the top of his drum stick.
When I shoot at game I never seem to consciously release. The string just slips away when the shot is lined up and pointed at the spot I want to hit. That is exactly the way it happened this time.
Once again the arrow flashed out of the blind trailing string which flowed effortlessly from it's spool. (I'd replaced the light orange line with the white thirty pound stuff earlier in the hunt)
Once again all was confusion with birds going in every direction. Mine went almost straight away, my arrow buried half it's length in him.
Almost immediately he was airborne, climbing high into the wind which had gotten stronger with each minute as the morning passed.
Just when I thought he would fly off over the tree tops beyond the food plot, he started swinging back around still climbing. I watched in awe as the white string trailed through the air behind him.
Finally he disappeared off to my left where the blind was tightly buttoned down. At almost the same moment the string stopped ripping out of the holder.
DANG!!! That was either really good news or really bad, but I wasn't going to rush anything and give the big Magnus time to do it's stuff if it needed it.... it didn't!!
After fifteen minutes I got out of the blind and could see the jake immediately. He'd piled up right in the same tree line my blind was in.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas11.jpg)
As I retrieved my prize I said a little prayer of thanks over him as is my habit. By the time I got around to the picture taking the wind had reached gail force and it was snowing.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas12.jpg)
Was it really that cold out that I was shaking so badly. Maybe it was... only I know for sure.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas13.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas14.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas15.jpg)
Post by: fatman on April 08, 2009, 10:52:00 PM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 08, 2009, 10:52:00 PM
It was still blowing a gail and icy snowflakes stung my cheeks, but I was somehow warmer as I plodded along.
And the wind cried... turkey!!
Post by: Widowbender on April 08, 2009, 10:52:00 PM
David
Post by: DW on April 08, 2009, 10:55:00 PM
Post by: Gatekeeper on April 08, 2009, 11:14:00 PM
I do the same…it seems only right to do this.
Congratulation on a great hunt, Charlie, and thanks again for taking us along. The Missouri opener is coming up!
Post by: bowhunterfrompast on April 08, 2009, 11:21:00 PM
Post by: beachbowhunter on April 09, 2009, 12:52:00 AM
Post by: BobT on April 09, 2009, 02:19:00 AM
Good luck!
Post by: hunt it on April 09, 2009, 07:26:00 AM
Post by: doctari on April 09, 2009, 07:48:00 AM
Post by: Guru on April 09, 2009, 07:54:00 AM
Post by: Chris Surtees on April 09, 2009, 08:11:00 AM
Post by: Tater 2 on April 09, 2009, 08:17:00 AM
Thanks for taking us along! A fine story and pictures as well.
I am headed out to the river bottom tomorrow for a few days of chasing some birds.
Post by: Charles Sorrells on April 09, 2009, 08:18:00 AM
Post by: Shaun on April 09, 2009, 08:23:00 AM
Post by: Littlefeather on April 09, 2009, 08:44:00 AM
Post by: Jim Jackson on April 09, 2009, 08:57:00 AM
Post by: Morning Star on April 09, 2009, 09:29:00 AM
Post by: BMN on April 09, 2009, 09:33:00 AM
Post by: Over&Under on April 09, 2009, 09:46:00 AM
Post by: hormoan on April 09, 2009, 09:55:00 AM
Post by: ksbowman on April 09, 2009, 10:35:00 AM
Post by: BRONZ on April 09, 2009, 10:38:00 AM
Post by: maineac on April 09, 2009, 10:42:00 AM
Post by: Mint on April 09, 2009, 11:09:00 AM
Post by: Killdeer on April 09, 2009, 02:31:00 PM
I like how it takes a while for you to spit it out, as we get to sit around the campfire and gab amongst ourselves while we wait for you to come back from the johnny house or whatever. :D
Killdeer :wavey:
Now I want a margarita. :cool:
Post by: J. Holden on April 09, 2009, 03:10:00 PM
Jeremy
Post by: BobCo 1965 on April 09, 2009, 03:38:00 PM
Post by: Whip on April 09, 2009, 04:57:00 PM
Great stuff Charlie! :thumbsup:
And another chapter in the book is complete! ;)
Post by: AZStickman on April 09, 2009, 05:00:00 PM
Post by: Whip on April 09, 2009, 05:01:00 PM
I have to use Wikiopedia just to figure you out! :help:
Post by: just_a_hunter on April 09, 2009, 09:13:00 PM
Thanks for sharing that hunt with us.
Congrats on the well earned and deserved birds.
Todd
Post by: Fletcher on April 09, 2009, 11:06:00 PM
Post by: Billy on April 10, 2009, 12:03:00 AM
She's a gurl! You ain't gonna figure her out!!
That'd be like Charlie tellin' a story in one paragraph....
Congrats and Thanks for the ride ,Charlie.
Post by: JC on April 10, 2009, 07:57:00 AM
Thanks for taking the time to share another good one Charlie.
Post by: 4runr on April 10, 2009, 10:18:00 AM
Post by: K.S.TRAPPER on April 11, 2009, 09:59:00 AM
Great story telling as always, Thanks Charlie!
Tracy
Post by: Randy Morin on April 11, 2009, 05:01:00 PM
Tryin the string tracker this year for the first time...but with 15lb test. Guy said thats all he was able to get the last few years. They stopped making the 30# he said. Let me know if you know a spot I can order some 30#. Pretty Please.
Oh-yeah....you-da-man! Almost forgot. :clapper:
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 12, 2009, 12:20:00 PM
:notworthy: :campfire:
I'm going to list a few equipment particulars just for reference and hope that I see the same from other story tellers. I think it can only help the newer guys in our ranks.
Bow... recurve of my own make. 63# @ 30" Shelf rest fuzzy Velcro, side plate thin leather over cushion plunger.
Quiver... Selway 6 arrow side mount bolt on.
Arrows... Carbonwood 4000, aluminum insert (35 gr.), steel broadhead adapter (125 gr.) Magnus I w/large bleeder (150 gr.) Main blade 1 1/2", bleeder 1 1/4"... razor sharp from heel to tip, main blade and bleeder.
Double Bull Matrix, open window. (in the future I will use darker arrows/fletching to blend in better and paint bow hand.
String tracker unit.
Big Shot glove
Post by: fatman on April 12, 2009, 01:25:00 PM
thanks! :archer:
Post by: Arrowslinger on April 12, 2009, 01:33:00 PM
Post by: Guru on April 12, 2009, 02:23:00 PM
Post by: Roughcountry on April 12, 2009, 04:44:00 PM
I guess you'll just have ta go huntin again.
Congrats on the two birds. I've seen firsthand what your setup can dish out. True believer here :thumbsup:
Post by: Charlie Lamb on April 12, 2009, 06:19:00 PM
I screw the adapter into the shaft and clamp it all lightly in a vise. Then I line up the head the way I like it and mark the adapter. Cut the slot and that's it.
It doesn't change the weight of the adapter enough to matter.
I've also done it with a metal cutting blade on a bandsaw and by hand with a hacksaw. Slow but gets the job done.
Post by: fatman on April 12, 2009, 08:10:00 PM
Post by: razorsharptokill on April 12, 2009, 08:39:00 PM
Post by: SKYLER W on April 12, 2009, 09:51:00 PM
Post by: Big Ed on April 12, 2009, 11:11:00 PM