Author Topic: Dark Archer + BIG Snuffer=Nice Iowa Tom (Read 15595 times)

Steve O · « **on:** April 17, 2009, 09:59:00 PM »

I've been trying REAL hard the past couple years to get a turkey with my stickbow. I've done pretty good with my shotgun, but never had the urge to bowhunt them until recently.

I always put in for Iowa turkeys. Typically those hunts are an excuse to go scout areas for deer. I've been telling my tales of despair to my friends and this year they decided to take pity on me...I had great hunting spots lined up for the next 4 days. "Uncle" Gene Wensel was to take me today, my buddy Gary Wissmeuller (Chimaster) was taking me to his best spot Saturday, Brian Wessel (TallTines) had a farm lined up for Sunday, and Mike Mealey (mlmealey) was my ace-in-the-hole for Monday. What great friends; all excellent woodsman that when I am in their company I do a whole lot of listening and learning...

Shinken · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:00:00 PM »

Okay Steve O!

Bring it OOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!

:~)

Shoot straight, Shinken

oneshot-onekill · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:01:00 PM »

congrats steve....good people...might want to practice alittle..no pressure with those guys looking over your shoulder....good luck

joe skipp · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:07:00 PM »

Nice going Steve...hard to beat those large Snuffers on Turkeys. They really hit hard!

Steve O · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:13:00 PM »

In my little quest, I've spent an awful lot of time in various ground blinds and have been thru a lot of bows looking for a good short one I could shoot out of the smallest (T2) Double Bull. I just got a Bob Lee Dark Archer a few weeks ago and have reaaly grown to like this little recurve.

Gene Wensel · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:40:00 PM »

Oh Steve,
Don't tell me you're one of those carrot dangling dudes that prolong stories to extend the suspense! Show 'em your butterball so guys can go to bed early. They have to get up early tomorrow to hit the woods. By the way, when I went in this afternoon, there was a whole herd of them standing right where I had that jake this morning. I had moved the blind!

Steve O · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:51:00 PM »

I meet Gene this morning at our rendezvous point at 5:00. We drove out to his spot, he gives me directions where to go and we agree to meet back at the truck at 9:30. I got to my spot, set out the decoys, and waited for another beautiful day to start. Things started out well...gobbles to the right up the ridge and to the left down. Once everybody flew down, things started going south; none of the birds were in the field I was watching. So I made some calls every few minutes and eventually 2 toms and 4 hens ended up WAY out there. They didn't pay much attention to my pleading...but I kept it up.

THEN, off to the right, I catch some movement in my peripheral vision. It is a another tom coming in silently to check out the decoys. He eyes each hen and then comes up and intimidates my tom decoy. He is strutting, then dodging and jumping to break the intruder's stare. As he struts up again, I wait for him to turn so his tail blocks his eye and draw my bow. As he comes out of strut, I pull that last little bit more on the string and the arrow is away.

PERFECT!

He went a very wobbly 30 yards and tipped over

Herdbull · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:54:00 PM »

Congratulations Steve! I’m so happy for you. Leave the shotgun at home and grab that sliver slinger. That Dark Archer is made for a cover blind. Nicely done! Mike

mparks · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:54:00 PM »

Looks like a perfect "Iowa heartshot".

Nate Fikkert · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:56:00 PM »

Nicely done Steve!

Nathan

Steve O · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:56:00 PM »

Hang on...I am over visiting with Wessel breaking to him the bad news I'm all tagged out and he isn't saddled with me Sunday and he is making me watch all his videos of him hunting Africa, mountain lion, all his turkeys, ect...it is hard to type and still be polite

vermonster13 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:57:00 PM »

Over&Under · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:05:00 PM »

Way to go Steve!!! Glad you decided to take the plunge!

Steve O · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:06:00 PM »

How about it gets light and what do I see sitting on the floor of the blind...

That is the Chimaster there on the cover of the Compton magazine. I took that picture last year on our trip to Kansas. Gary got stuck at work and would not be out here till late tonight. I thought it was kind of cool that he was still able to share my hunt with me!

Steve O · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:21:00 PM »

This a photo I am very happy to have. I'm pretty proud that Gene thought enough of me to share a hunt. I've got pictures like this with Gary and am looking forward to having them with Brian and Mike real soon. Thanks guys.

Steve O · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:24:00 PM »

Oh, he was 23 1/2 lbs, 10" beard, and 1" spurs.

My best bird ever!

Kingwouldbe · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:26:00 PM »

Nice shot Steve O

talltines · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:35:00 PM »

Great job Steve.

By they way Gene, my wife is ticked that you won't let her come to the cookout tomorrow. Now I have to deal with it. Thanks.

Shinken · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:38:00 PM »

Great shot and nice recovery Steve O.!

Thank you for sharin' a great day afield!

Shoot straight, Shinken

jcar315 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:43:00 PM »

Nice bird. Nice pics. Nice story. Congrats!!

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Author Topic: Dark Archer + BIG Snuffer=Nice Iowa Tom (Read 15595 times)

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