Short story for a longbow... and a turkey.

[BeNoIt]

Congratulations on the one - or is it two - bird(s).    Looking forward to the rest of the story.

You seriously should consider writing a book. Something like "Campfire Hunting Stories with....".

Thanks for sharing.

     

[Terry Green]

[kennym]

   :cool:

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Drats, I was hoping for the conclusion.

Good stuff Charlie.

[bowhunterfrompast]

Congrats on the jake!      

[swp]

Congrats!

[Charlie Lamb]

There was a moment of razor clarity as the arrow made contact and then everything was instantly a blur of motion.
Instead of a flopping mortally stricken bird I watched as he raced away with the rest. In just a few steps he and two others were airborne making for tree top height. And then he was gone.

While the last of the hens strode quickly toward the trees, putting in alarm every step of the way, I settled down to try and resolve the confusing events that now filled my head.

Knowing that often what we think we saw and what we actually witnessed are two different things I still felt positive that the arrow had been well shot and had contacted the bird.

I needed the arrow. Perhaps I'd glean some clue from it.

[maineac]

Can't wait to find how this turns out.

[Charlie Lamb]

I scanned the ground in front of the blind but could not see the wayward arrow. I thought it should be close. I certainly hadn't seen it hanging from the bird as it flew away.

Soon I was scouring the ground inch by inch walking farther from the sight of the hit with each step.
Finally near 30 yards from the blind I came upon the arrow laying behind a burnt cedar which had been left in the field.
 
One blade was bent back at a 45 degree angle from the others. It was obviously the impact blade. There was no trace of blood or feather on the arrow anywhere.
The blade itself was still razor sharp and showed no dings or dulling as it might from a glancing blow along the ground.

I searched the ground along the path of the departing bird through the open field and into the wood beyond to no avail.

It had been a costly experiment which left a lot of unanswered questions in my mind. Of one thing I was sure. I'd not do that again and would stay with solid body shots.

Though I continued to hunt the remaining days of the hunt the weather deteriorated as did bird sightings.
There would be no more opportunities and all too soon the decoys would be packed away and the blind folded up and slid into it's travel bag.
It was time to go home dry out equipment, sharpen broadheads and regroup.

The Missouri season would soon be starting and I already had plans for that.  
 

[Mudd]

[snakebit40]

Thank you for sharing!        

[Arkansaslongbow]

Well Charlie, as always you pulled it off again; that my friend was a great story (as usual) and a great bird to boot; thank you sir for yet another thrilling ride and another "camp fire get togther"; no one else does it better; God bless;

Oh yea, BTW, those longbows have a "strange" allure to them; approach with highest caution.....    

 

[Blaino]

Charlie, congrats on a good start to your turkey season!

Do you have a picture of the broadhead that let you down?

[Shaun]

Two and a wake up for us here in Iowa. Thanks for the story Charlie.

[turkey522]

[wapiti792]

WOW what a hunt Mr. Lamb! Thanks for taking us along on this one  

[Guru]

Dang it bud, that definitely was a costly experiment...sorry it didn't work out!

I've been on the fence to try them for a few years now myself, just never could bring myself to do it.

best of luck to ya in Missouri  

[Jim Jackson]

Great story as always Lamb!  Congrats on the Jake.

[joe skipp]

Congrats Charlie on a great hunt, story and shot.    

[wooddamon1]

Awesome read as usual! Congrats on the jake!