Florida Tom

[tarponnut]

(This was posted in the wrong spot by our good friend and client Jim Hoffman:)
Just returned from a hunt with irv and jim at true south adventures.after 3 days of hard hunting finally was able to pattern a bird, who gobbled exactly once and left his hens ten minutes before fly up time.was able to entice him to my decoys and put what looked to be a good shot on him at about 5 yards. A thorough search and no bird. Hard to accept but they all can't be Disney endings.the sight of that 3-4 year old gobbler strutting for his five hens and then intimidating my jake at 3 yards, priceless. Ps I also shot at a bobcat stalking my decoys that same morning. I want a rematch!

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jim hoffman

[tarponnut]

Jim  is too modest, he called that big tom away from five hens and shot it at four yards!
He actually had it in sight for 45 minutes before it came in. I'm kicking myself for not sitting with him to video the whole thing.

We looked for two hours the first evening and Irv, Jim, and our friend Chris looked for several more in the morning to no avail:(

[Dirtybird]

Boy that is a bummer.  Those birds can be tough if the shot is not right on.  Where did he hit the bird and what broad head was he using?

[beaunaro]

I am in hopes Jim may go into a detailed story about his hunt and I started a thread in the Pow Wow to encourage him.

We had a great time.

Jim is a very accomplished and determined turkey hunter.

Well, that stinks! I bet it was an awesome feeling though, to get that tom away from his hens!

Bisch

[james hoffman]

Thanks for the kind words guys.as far as equipment goes ,I was using a 57 lb lil creep with abowyer whitetail broadheads on ash shafts frm bill bonczar.bird was in full strut  broadside. The hit was just above center and foreword of the legs. Should have been good.his reaction was odd.jumped in the air, flapped a cole times and knocked the arrow out. Came down and slowly walked away. Kept himin sight for about 400 yards then it got to dark to see him.

[Jayrod]

Darn sorry to hear the luck but it happens they are one tough bird but sounded like a slam dunk shot in my opinion THXS for sharing story it happens to the best of us

[SheltonCreeker]

Unfortunate ending but we have all been there. Sounds like a good hunt! Thanks for sharing.