I was wondering how many people still have to run out and stomp a head after the shot since moving over to HTL loads? Just curious?
I don't run and stomp regardless. I rack another round and sit tight. Don't want to spook other birds.
Woooooo Pig nice to see another arkie!
Actually, the only birds I have ever had to go after were birds I shot with Hevi 7's.
Quote from: HogBiologist on March 10, 2014, 01:37:32 AM
I don't run and stomp regardless. I rack another round and sit tight. Don't want to spook other birds.
^^^This usually unless I am on public land. Last year I took a guy from work and his son out hunting (neither of which has ever hunted before) and his son shot a jake. I jumped up and tried to run over to the bird and fell flat on my face HARD b/c my leg had fallen asleep. Just another reason not be jumping up after them...
ditto with hog bio, another load of 5s can get there faster and safer
....Im with o2stk1 and hog bio.... I sit tight and get another round in the chamber incase its needed.
Quote from: HogBiologist on March 10, 2014, 01:37:32 AM
I don't run and stomp regardless. I rack another round and sit tight. Don't want to spook other birds.
I've hunted with a few people that were scared to put their foot on a gobblers neck for fear the turkey might hurt them...there is no way they can.
There's no "run or stomp" involved.....it's tradition and a wise move to get to your turkey quickly and get your foot on his neck.
Putting your foot on a gobblers neck and making him give up his last bit of life signifies the battle is over.
Once you've shot enough turkeys this won't need explaining.
Hunt where I do you won't wait after you shoot. If you do, you'll be chasing a flopping bird bout a half a mile down the mountain!
After the shot, I load another shell in and walk to the bird. Only once did another hunter beat me to my bird, and upon checking his gun, he found he hadn't fired a shot, DUH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They're out there :angry9:!
What i was was getting at is since I started shooting fed HW there was no need to reload or run to the bird because he was stone cold dead. I was just wondering if the people shooting loads such as these are having the same results. And if you are not shooting loads such as these with these results why not?
If I'm on private I mosey my way to the bird, if on public I'm beating the bird stealers to it.
I usually just walk over and watch him flop. Sometimes...Most of the time I still step on his head just for old times sake.
He is just as dead whether lead or Hevi shot went thru his spine and brain. They still flop. I decapitated one that flopped for almost a full minute. I don't usually run to them but I usually do put a foot on the neck.
Quote from: highwaygun on March 10, 2014, 10:43:14 AM
What i was was getting at is since I started shooting fed HW there was no need to reload or run to the bird because he was stone cold dead. I was just wondering if the people shooting loads such as these are having the same results. And if you are not shooting loads such as these with these results why not?
Not saying it won't happen, but I haven't had to since using H-13. I started out using the 3.5" 6's and after the 7's came out that's all I use.
I don't shoot HTL because there's not enough benefit to justify the price. The only time I can kill him with HTL but not with lead is when he's too far. I went through that HTL thing, its not for me. I don't step on heads. I usually just sit and watch him flop. If I see another hunter going to my turkey I'll pump another shell in.lol
People will actually run up and try to steal someone else's bird??? What the heck? This is a hard concept to grasp lol. I've heard of it happening with big bucks on public ground so I guess anything is possible with some people.
Oh yeah by the way I just sit there a d watch em flop for a bit. Whether lead or hevi. They ain't going anywhere. Plus I learned the hard way not to try and pick up a flopping bird early in my career hahaba
Only have killed 4 birds with HTL, but have not had to do any head stomping. Had not really thought about it, though.
But all four of these birds were less than 30 yards and 3 of the four were within 20, so that might have something to do with it.
Quote from: budtripp on March 10, 2014, 01:36:29 PM
People will actually run up and try to steal someone else's bird??? What the heck? This is a hard concept to grasp lol. I've heard of it happening with big bucks on public ground so I guess anything is possible with some people.
Hungry SOB I guess.
Quote from: budtripp on March 10, 2014, 01:36:29 PM
People will actually run up and try to steal someone else's bird??? What the heck? This is a hard concept to grasp lol. I've heard of it happening with big bucks on public ground so I guess anything is possible with some people.
It's not so much the people running off with your bird that I worry about, it's the Squatches. Heard about it on a tv show.....
A few years ago in the fall I had a bunch of gobblers scratch up on me and I shot a 3 year old turkey at about 20 steps. Killed him dead as hammer. When I shot the hull hung in the barrel and the ejector yanked a hunk out of the brass. Long story short the shell was stuck in there and wouldnt come out. I go down to get the turkey and I look about 40 yards further down the hill and there Is a jake with about a 4 inch beard standing there. So that joker woulda been at 60 or 70 when I shot. I walk toward this turkey thinking how weird is this. As I get closer to him, I see that both his eyes a shot out and he is bleeding out of them. I try to grab him and he takes off. I start chasing him and end up belly flopping him. I felt all his life leave him when I came down on him. So, I pick him and the other turkey up and start walking out. I walk for a little piece and stop to wait on my partner. I lay my gun and turkeys down and walk down forward where he was at to whistle for him. I get about 20 yards away and the jake starts flopping around and wait for it. Sucker flies across the holler and crashes into a tree top. I go over there and he flopped and flopped. Long story short, never under estimate a turkey's will to survive. I always try to get on them because if they ever get out of sight and get under something you will never find them. I had lots of them get away over the years. Turkeys that I knew were dead when I shot and they would flop around or a minute in one brush and then come out the other side running. Anybody that can say they have never had one get away hasn't been hunting long enough. I don't care what kind of shell you shoot.
I don't remember who it was but there is a video out there of a coyote running out and grabbing a fresh shot turkey and trying to run off with it before he caught a load of shot himself. I commonly sit maybe 15 seconds with a bead on the bird, then I get up and walk to him. I can't kill but one a day in Alabama so no point in sitting there.
I have picked up a stone cold dead turkey, slung him over my back, walked away and had the bird start flapping and beating me with his wings and jerking the spurs in my hand. Now I'll put a snake boot on his neck till I'm sure he ain't gonna flop any more.
I know an old guy that grabbed one by the leg ang it flopped around in his hand and cut it wide open. Was a 4 year old or older bird with some hooks too. I forget how many stitches he had to have but it was a bunch. Thing got him to the bone.
You shoot one in the fields of a certain WMA I hunt on, you better be getting him before someone comes out of the hedgerow and does
I have never got up and ran to a bird since I been hunting,I rack another shell in the gun and sit there taking in the moment.
I've shot TSS, Hevi Shot, AND lead over the years, and they'll flop with all of them... it doesnt mean they arent dead or that one load is any better or worse. Like someone else said, I've had some that I shot so close you couldnt recognize the head and they still flopped. No doubt that bird was dead, but flopped anyway.
Sometimes, the ones you NEED to step on their heads, you cant tell from the ones that you dont until you're chasing after them... so I step on it most of the time anyway, just for good measure :smiley-char092:
Shoot ones head off and they will flop, beat, thrash, etc..... cut it off with an ax, same thing.
Don't matter what type of shell you are using, dead is dead.
For me in my area it is always best to get up and get close to the bird, step on his neck or grab him by the neck in case he starts to do the death flop so you won't be chasing a flopping dead gobbler through a laurell thicket and loose him.
Not the best image, hopefully will get my point across. :icon_thumright: placing a boot on a flopping bird. Not the best idea, I took one last season, :happy0064: blood all over, he's toast.... flopping a bit. Stuck my right heal down on his partially attached head, you don't think spurs are sharp well they are :o. The image doesn't show it well but you would sware it had a razor attached. Those are a heavy pair of leather snake boots and the cuts are to be seen in real life. He spun around and hit me, cut the leather. Amazing how tough these guys are. Learned my lesson, let him flop until dead "OR" what are your options, hit it again with a 12 (messy) "OR" legal or not, pull out your 22 handgun and nail him in the head. The bird weighted in at 21 lbs with very sharp spurs. I never go out without snake boots, here is a reason way.
(http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af105/fgryncewicz/Boots_zps7cc436c0.png) (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/fgryncewicz/media/Boots_zps7cc436c0.png.html)
Quote from: L.F. Cox on March 10, 2014, 07:48:16 AM
Quote from: HogBiologist on March 10, 2014, 01:37:32 AM
I don't run and stomp regardless. I rack another round and sit tight. Don't want to spook other birds.
I've hunted with a few people that were scared to put their foot on a gobblers neck for fear the turkey might hurt them...there is no way they can.
There's no "run or stomp" involved.....it's tradition and a wise move to get to your turkey quickly and get your foot on his neck.
Putting your foot on a gobblers neck and making him give up his last bit of life signifies the battle is over.
Once you've shot enough turkeys this won't need explaining.
Glad to know I have not shot enough turkeys. I have killed plenty of birds. I don't get a thrill up my leg running with a loaded firearm up to a bird that is no moe than 40 yards away. I don't have to put a ceremonial foot on a neck to signify the battle is over. I love turkey hunting but some people can be a little fanatical at times.
I do the head stomp ritual while im unloading my gun
Was just watching meateater and some guy quickly jumps up to chase a wounded osceola. He did get a second shot off and killed the bird, but had to stop rather quickly after pulling a hami. :z-dizzy: :TooFunny:
Quote from: tomstopper on March 10, 2014, 06:21:31 AM
Quote from: HogBiologist on March 10, 2014, 01:37:32 AM
I don't run and stomp regardless. I rack another round and sit tight. Don't want to spook other birds.
^^^This usually unless I am on public land. Last year I took a guy from work and his son out hunting (neither of which has ever hunted before) and his son shot a jake. I jumped up and tried to run over to the bird and fell flat on my face HARD b/c my leg had fallen asleep. Just another reason not be jumping up after them...
i hate this i thought i broke my leg one time when that happend to me
Quote from: fsu33952 on March 10, 2014, 08:13:18 PM
I know an old guy that grabbed one by the leg ang it flopped around in his hand and cut it wide open. Was a 4 year old or older bird with some hooks too. I forget how many stitches he had to have but it was a bunch. Thing got him to the bone.
Had 9 stiches in my hand from chasing down a customers bird. He was about to flop over into a deep ravine. Next time, I'll just have to go down in the ravine and get him.
Gman
Quote from: highwaygun on March 10, 2014, 01:35:02 AM
I was wondering how many people still have to run out and stomp a head after the shot since moving over to HTL loads? Just curious?
Ive read the posts, I'll borrow a phrase here " a wise move to get to your turkey quickly and get your foot on his neck".
I've hunted a long time and that statement is fact. No running but don't dawdle. It is the best method to guarantee that the turkey you shot at you leave with. Lead, htl, steel or rifle it makes no difference unless one thinks that your chosen load exempts you from pulling a shot, clipping a twig or wire, or the bobs and jerks of a gobblers head. Facts are that things can and will happen to mollify what you feel is a solid shot and the best way to to guard against loss is to reduce that turkey to possession as soon as possible. If indeed the shot was not immediatly lethal, 1) you are closer for a followup and 2) if he does take off you are infinitely more likely to recover him if you never lose sight of him. Ask enough hunters and you will hear enough stories of dead gobblers that ran off to convince you. Sure I've taken my time to get up before but I will continue to advocate to new hunters and old that getting on your gobbler safely but quickly is the safest bet. just my 2 cts and worth it
If he's about to flop into a creek or river, I'll try to step on his neck. But mostly, I just chamber another round, keep my barrel pointed at him, and slowly walk up.
A big ole' foot on the neck is my tradition and will remain so.
I agree with Pickle. Chamber another round, keep my gun on him and walk slowly. I will however step on his neck and grab his legs and pull up if there's anything left in him his wings will hit the back side of mine. It's a method I saw Cally Morris of Hazel Creek Taxidermy recommend on a hunting show I happened to be watching once.
My buddy shot one about 25 yes ago, he jumped up ran to the gobbler stepped on his neck just like he had done all his life, well that old gobbler wasn't quite done yet. He took those spurs and walked up my buddy's leg punching holes every place he hit him. So now when I step on ones neck I make sure to control those legs. I learned a valuable lesson from my buddy's experience.
I will continue to get up and go to the bird and put a foot on his neck, a second shot results in more shot in the meat, you guys do eat what you shoot don't you? Call it tradition if you will but that's what my dad and granddad done it has worked now for three generations.
i go and step on there neck or use my hand. just dont forget to lay the gun down after the shot. cant tell u how many times ive seen people run with loaded guns. i had a buddy who did it he fell and his barrel went straight into the ground luckily no one was hurt.
I don't 'run' after any shot usually.
If the bird needs the boot, he gets it....
mudhen
Quote from: CT Spur Collector on March 11, 2014, 02:04:25 PM
A big ole' foot on the neck is my tradition and will remain so.
+1 I agree. IMO the hunt is not finished until I'm standing over him with my foot on his neck. Then I know I have won the game and the hunt is over.
I normally stand up, walk out, grab their legs, and put my foot on his head as soon as the gun is done going off. I only do this because I want to see his spurs ASAP, it's like Christmas morning when your a kid.
I do even if they appear to be stone dead. Until you've chased a flopping gobbler to the bottom of a hollow in these vertical mountains you haven't lived.
Quote from: appalachianstruttstopper on March 10, 2014, 09:26:24 AM
Hunt where I do you won't wait after you shoot. If you do, you'll be chasing a flopping bird bout a half a mile down the mountain!
X2!
Used to run out to them. Then one day I ran out to one and left an 8yr old with a loaded gun behind me. That changed it for me! I sit tight now and make sure the bird is not going anywhere before WE go and get him.
At my age I don't run anywhere. I do like to get a boot on his neck, to keep the flopping from messing up the tail and wings. Ideally, I get them within 20 yards where they just drop and flutter a bit.
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I've hunted with a few people that were scared to put their foot on a gobblers neck for fear the turkey might hurt them...there is no way they can.
There's no "run or stomp" involved.....it's tradition and a wise move to get to your turkey quickly and get your foot on his neck.
Putting your foot on a gobblers neck and making him give up his last bit of life signifies the battle is over.
Once you've shot enough turkeys this won't need explaining.
[/quote]
Agreed! I look like Carl Lewis in the Olympics running to put my boot on his neck, it's what I was taught and old habits are hard to break. One of these days I'm gonna beat the shot there ;D
Running is for you young guys. I walk to the bird with my gun up ready to shoot again if need be but never have had to shoot again. I did the running routine when I was a lot younger but the older you get the "wiser" you get and slower you get! :icon_thumright:
I've shot a few gobblers I had to finish with a boot on his neck...if necessary I have no problem with it..but the past several years, using Heavy 13 #6's, the birds I've shot are DRT...most just quiver, no flopping..What I like to call SMACKDOWN!
like gobble! said, i jump up and walk quickly to my bird cause i cant wait to get a look at his spurs :drool:
i rarely stomp 'em, but a couple times i've had motionless toms jump up and take off and require a second shot
another time, when one started flopping away down a hill, i stepped on his head and he proceeded to slice several big gashes in my brand new alpha burleys :'(