Just returned from my first N/W Nebraska, Merrians turkey
Hunt. Had a great time and a productive hunt, always fun to
Go somewhere different. Although I have shot many Rios,
Easterns and one Osceola, this was my first time for the Merrians. They are a beautiful bird and live in some spectacular country, they gobble a lot, but can be a challenge to hunt, especially this time of year.
Most of the grown Gobblers were with hens from fly down on through the day. But the Jakes were eager to answer your calls and would seem to almost race to see who could get to
That sweet sounding hen first. First morning I called in 9 jakes
At once straight off the roost. Some had full gobbles but most had that crazy half Yelp half gobble and we're making plenty of noise. They came running on the scene and immediately attacked my Jake decoy, after each one had his share of roughing up my decoy they wandered off.
That's how it went every morning, no matter where I went the Jakes came running in first thing every morning. I called in 23 in all in 4 days hunting.
Finally called in a hen by her self early one afternoon, I new
My luck would change. If a hen was by herself that probably
Means the Gobbler is too. Went to a wheat field where I had seen birds before, put out three decoys and a blind and heard a gobble while setting up. The gobbling continued and even increased, I usually call sparingly in the afternoon but today I thought this one might be looking for some company and really poured it on. It doesn't always work but it did today.
After about 20 minutes I heard another gobbler join in and they were definitely headed my way. After a few minutes and many gobbles later they came strutting into view. Went straight for the Jake and surrounded him still in full strut, they were both about the same size so I was going to shoot whichever gave me the first shot. Happened really fast as one came in front to face the decoy this gave me the shot up the back that I prefer. I can't beleive that in all this excitement with my first grown Merrians standing right in front of me and knowing this would complete my grand slam, I was able to pull off the shot.
I guess my hunting instincts went on auto pilot and made the shot for me. Next thing I know he is flopping on the ground right in front of me. The other Tom immediately jumps on him and starts spurring him really good. I have seen this many times,I guess he was the dominant bird and his subordinate was getting a little pay back.
All in all a great trip and the best part of it is all those jakes will be two year old birds next year, Game On.
Best of luck to all the Turkey hunters this spring. A few pics from the trip.
RW
Coldest day I've ever Turkey hunted
North West Nebraska Pine Ridge area
I just love those three blade heads
The bird and my old Morrison
This is my blind and field I shot the bird in, but notice something standing in the field, it's a white Coyote, a first for me.
Topic: Jakesville (Read 997 times)
