Success!! (pics)

[BRONZ]

Here's the teaser photo...story coming...

 

 

[BMN]

[ksbowman]

Good start! Let's hear the rest.

[Keith Zimmerman]

Looks like another turkey kill!  Sweet!

[tradhunter]

[BRONZ]

Usually I try to make most of my stories concise, but I may drag this one out a little.  Why?  Fellas,  it has been 8 long, patient years since the last time I killed a longbeard and that was with wheels--I've never taken one with my recurve!  Not that I can't get close and haven't flung my fair share of sticks; I just can't seem to bring it all together.  

Today was different...

I'm very blessed to have permission to hunt a small horse ranch 1/2 mile from the house.  There is a growing turkey population (given I'm not impacting it negatively) and this year I have worked hard "hunting" them.  I once heard someone say, when you're in the turkey woods, you're not just turkey "calling", you need to be turkey "hunting".

Way to go Manolito!

I'll be tuned in for the rest of the story and pictorial!

Congrats in advance!

Bisch

[BRONZ]

The ranch has made a few changes over the last couple years including running some tightly linked fencing right up the middle of this rectangular property.  We all know that, even though they can fly, turkey will walk around such obstacles.

My 8 y/o daughter and I had noticed over the course of a couple hunts that the birds roost one the opposite side of the road, fly down and cross over, and would then use a particular gap in this fencing, so Saturday morning that was where I built my hide and was patiently waiting...

I was confident that a shot opportunity was likely until I noticed the rancher had rotated horses into a different corral.  This meant the birds didn't need to travel through my funnel.  They had all the feed they needed under the horse feeders.  Calling only pushed the hens away with my toms in tow...

[BRONZ]

With this knowledge, I formulated a game plan and arrived early this morning.  There were a couple options to hunt near the feeders, but the risk of an errant arrow hitting a horse was not worth it.

Yesterday I watched the toms cross the road, feed a little, exit the corral, pass between the lagoon and the treeline running along the paved road, on their way to a strutting area.  They liked to hang out here and wait for the rancher to dump feed, then they'd return to the corral.  I decided a blind built near this funnel offered the most potential and went to work building a blind in a cedar--my favorite choice.  They have proven themselves this year with the added combo of my homemade ghillie poncho.

 


Here the birds are in the corral.

 

[dhermon85]

[BRONZ]

At first light the birds were on script and gobbled from their roost.  They flew down and  crossed the road, but out of sight and too far for a shot.  They joined up with their hens in the corral for breakfast and I sat patiently.  I avoided any calling and don't have dekes out, just a little corn to divert their attention.

The hens came in and out of the corral twice and the second time they moved toward me a little.  The same hens that towed the boys away yesterday were dragging them to me today.

My heart was pounding as The Three Amigos sauntered my direction heading for my pinch point.  I put three finger tension on my string as the lead tom came into my shooting window in range.  The release was clean, but the broadhead only stirred up mud between his legs.  Surprisingly, he didn't spook badly and I was quick to reload.

[BRONZ]

My attention swung to a different tom who was now closer--approx 16 yds.  Again, I brought my tab toward anchor, rested my nose against the string, and focused on the wing butt just in front of the bronze row of feathers on the broadside bird.

The 46 lb Fox threw the GoldTip with authority and at impact, it knocked the bird over!  He bucked forward trying to get back to his feet while his buddies screamed through the pinch point gobbling; hens not far behind.  My tom brought up the rear and they jogged north of me into the treeline.  I popped out the other side to see if they would cross the road...nothing.

I grabbed my pack and bow, fetched my first arrow, and was surprised to see the shaft that made contact was missing the Woodsman Elite--the bird had broken the arrow shaft.

I went back to the car to unload, calm my nerves, and hit my knees asking God to bless my efforts and help me recover the turkey.

[BRONZ]

After 30 min I returned and found a blood trail!  This is a good sign!

     

Cresting the end of the lagoon I lost blood, but turkey did appear from the treeline-- a hen and TWO Amigos, not Three...another good sign.

     

I slowly walked the edge to the trees peering under every branch.  After walking the entire length, I walked back with the same level of scrutiny.  My heart was starting to sink, but my prayers were getting louder.

Back near the blind, I crossed through the trees and began the same walk next to the road, in the ditch.  My eyes were again searching every small hide that he might have used as a sanctuary.  And then...

     

I hit my knees and raised my arms to give glory where it was due!  Eight LONG years I've waited for a walk back to the vehicle with a bird over my shoulder!  Praise God!


 

[BRONZ]

 

9 inch beard, 7/8 inch spurs...


   

   

One thankful bowhunter!


   


Proud of their Dad!

   

[BRONZ]

Couple other photos...

 

 

 

 

[Rob W.]

Great pics and great job! Congrats!

[bofish-IL]

Nice job congrats.

[Dirtybird]

Great hunt and way to adapt to your situation.

[KSdan]

Very nice.  Congrats for you.

[Lefty]

Awesome!  Great job!!