2025 was a different year. After trying to destroy my foot on February 26 I wasn't sure how much I would be able to hunt. I did my best to follow Dr's orders and let it heal.
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My MS season was almost non existent due to not being able to walk. I did ride and listen quite a few mornings and never found any birds. I never even sat down on a turkey in MS this year. Even after I could walk some I never found a gobbling turkey.
I had drawn a tag for a reservation hunt the 2nd week of April. I planned to go but wasn't sure I would be able too until right at time to leave. I was still slow and bad out of shape. I could hobble 1-2 miles in the morning and a little bit in the evening. Day 3 I made about a .8 mile hike in mid day and sat down. I rested about 10 min. I stood up and called before heading back out and I heard a bird gobble way down in a gully. He was ready and came in hot. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250521/586ccb50974eeb73aaddb7241a20cedc.jpg)
I filled that tag and headed on to the next state. I got there only to find one of the most beautiful places I've ever hunted turkeys burned by a wildfire. I did find a bird on a different piece of land the 2nd morning of my 2 day tag and I was done.
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It was on to the next state for a day of scouting before opening day. While trying to find my way to some public I got permission to 2 different places about an hour apart. Opening morning found me a couple hundred yards from the roost because they were pretty close to houses. I was able to call two stud birds away from the flock and that was a wrap for that farm. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250521/79b47f68be1eae350c2059b5dde6888b.jpg)
The next day was absolutely crazy how many birds I was around but a neighbor shot and I was left scratching my head while the birds headed for the thick woods. Day 3 found me tight to the roost and I was headed home. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250521/f65353aeb291a4fb176702cd1af0383d.jpg)
After working a couple shifts it was time to hit the road again. The first morning looked like it would be a bust and then one gobbled close. Probably the most unique place I've ever killed a turkey. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250521/76fc3c0746b43abff49aa64acf6b0155.jpg)
The final stop for me was one state over. It was big country and I was still slow. Me and Scott chased them a couple days and then decided to split up for the last morning. He killed early and I found a new bird but he got spooked by some elk. Scott had to get home but I decided to stay because I still had a few days till I had to be back at work. My new friend didn't gobble on the roost that evening but I was back close the next morning. He was several hundred yards from the previous roost but right off the side of a big canyon. There was a big cedar between us and I sat down close. He dropped off the limb at about 35 yds strutted around behind a few bushes for a couple minutes until I had a clear shot. Unless something major changes that was my last trigger pull for 2025.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250521/995e6bf7c5411807255209ac50fcab16.jpg)
Me and my two boys are supposed to be heading back to the last two states I hunted later this week. I'm tagged out so I will be 100% focused on helping them.
Fantastic wrap up for an awesome season that was really destined to be dead in a ditch. Very heroic Bradley.
Cheers ;D
FC
Congrats on a fine season. Just imagine if you had two good wheels.
Not a bad year, was happy to get to share a mountain with you again Hope y'all get in them later this week. Safe travels and good luck .
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You nailed it bro. Awesome job. Z