The girls woke up early today so I figured I would take advantage and go out for a little. IF you all have read my reports you know that the public land I have been hunting has not been very kind to me. I have been cut off, set up on, you name it.
I took the advice that was given to me today and went out away from any crowds. I was out of my truck at 5 and started my walk. I went to a few areas that had birds in the past and couldn't buy a gobble. I was have afraid my gobble tube wouldn't even work.
After walking from 5:00 to 6:30 I finally heard a bird about 400 yards or farther out. I was on an opposite side of the hollow. At the top is a powerline and I figured it I could get to the powerline and beat feet in that direction I could close the distance. I figured the bird was at the end of a trail with a field on it. This is probably the hardest hit area for pressure, so my game plan was to walk out the powerline and see if anyone was there. There was a trail that would connect me right to my vehicle if I saw any one and it would only add about 5 minutes, so I figured lets give it a go.
I got out to the power line off of the small field at the end of the trail and I sit and listen for calling as I did not see any vehicles. After not hearing anything i decided to give out 3-4 yelps and see if my hypothesis was correct.
"Yelp, yelp, yelp"......GOBBLE-OBBLE-OBBLE about 80 yards out
YES!!
I jumped into the woods about 50 yards. Sit down check the phone and it is 6:45. I check the area over and sit down. I decided to let out some excited cuts with a few yelps.
"yelp yelp yelp, cut cut yelp yelp yep"
"GOBBLE-OBBBL-OBBLE -OBBLE, GOBBLE-OBBBL-OBBLE -OBBLE,GOBBLE-OBBBL-OBBLE -OBBLE, GOBBLE-OBBBL-OBBLE -OBBLE"
4 answer and are coming in hot. I can tell they are coming in a bit different and quickly change my position.
After about 30 seconds I start seeing white heads coming. THe bird on the left has a swinging beard and is on a Bee- line for me.
THen they hang up on a brush pile at about 50 yards. They kept pacing back and fourth. I am about ready to choke on my mouth call I am so pumped.
I do a few soft yelps and the pop over the brush pile.
I see the long beard hopethe brush pile and start strutting. There is a large diameter oak tree out in front about 35 yards. He gos right behind it. I am set up with crosshairs on the opposite side of the big oak.
"When he comes out I am wacking him" I think.
I see a red white and blue head come strutting out behind the oak.
BOOOM!
the 870 and hevi shot ring out. I see some birds running and see one has a rope. I see my bird flopping. I run up and put my foot on his head and check the phone. 6:48. MY whole hunt took 3 minutes. I flip the bird over and don't see my long beard.
Here the jake cut in front of the long beard. "WHat the heck is this? Really?"
I was a bit bummed but still elated with how everything laid out. I called in 4 turkeys right to me. I learned from last year though and didn't want to wait for the 20 yard shot. I was a bit exposed on the tree so I decided to take him.
His stats are probably .25" spurs, 4.875" beard, and 16# Definetly not what I was expecting but my son was just as happy to see the turkey.
I filled out my tag and took off back to the escape. I snagged a few in the woods pics.
(http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g346/mrichardson06/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/6EF99B08-7538-4294-A344-617F94883BD3_zpsox0siphr.jpg)
I snagged a in the back of the escape pic as well. LOL I don't have a tail gate.
(http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g346/mrichardson06/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/D46C6D39-8C6E-40D8-A75F-DF089F99F119_zps6vpeg60k.jpg)
notice the mandatory fly rod and spot light in there.
I flew home, and ran in the house. MY wife was up with the twins and Corbin was still in bed. I went in his room and he woke up crabby and hid under his buck pillow pet.
"DADDY GOT A TURKEY BUDDY"
HE Pops up full of excitement.
"You got a turkey daddy? I go see him"
I grabbed him and ran out side.
Momma came and snapped a few pictures.
(http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g346/mrichardson06/jake5_zpsbxayuzil.jpg)
(http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g346/mrichardson06/jake6_zpsn2omlctw.jpg)
"he's a jaked daddy, he's just a little guy"
This helped my ego, let me tell ya.
Here are a few other shots.
(http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g346/mrichardson06/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/EE819C1E-D5B1-4C84-BBB4-3BB3A2414818_zpsfj357rro.jpg)
(http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g346/mrichardson06/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/E3C6D3D5-B6C1-4ED7-ABB3-D6E9BA945CC9_zpsgcm4tzry.jpg)
My wife would not let me get the twins in a picture with the jake ;)
I got the bird cut up, beard and such removed and hopped in the shower. I was a half hour late to work but let me boss know ahead of time. He had no issues with it.
I love turkey hunting and it is part of my soul. After my first day fiasco my mind has been drained. I am thankful so many of you on here did not let me get down, and gave me solid advice for public land hunting. In a way even a jake on public land is an accomplishment. I had not intensions of shooting a jake but have no regrets either. MY son is so happy and will be talking about daddy's turkey all day. I have really put the miles in this season, and may take a break tomorrow and sleep in. Lord knows I need it.
I have been very blessed with a great family, loving and "supportive" wife, a new job, and even twin girls. I was unsure how much I would get out this year and feel blessed to have had such an exciting and quick hunt. I have worked hard at my calling and listening to advice that is given on this site. I want to thank you all for being a part of this bird.
WIll be going long beard or bust now. Good luck everyone and thanks for the read.
Mike
Congrats! On the turkey
Congrats!
What a story! Dang birds pulled a switcharoo on you behind that tree. That old gobbler knew what he was doing. Congrats on the bird. :icon_thumright:
THATS A GREAT WAY TO START THE DAY :icon_thumright:
CONGRADULATION :icon_thumright:
:icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
Congrats on the bird!
If you've turkey hunted much you can understand how that can happen. Multiple birds, weaving and bobbing thru cover...it's bound to happen sometime.
I know that next time multiple birds are coming in I will double check :funnyturkey:
first time ever calling in that many birds at once.
Well, that's a bummer. But, you aren't the first, nor will you be the last to make that mistake. Congrats anyway on your bird!! :icon_thumright:
About the same thing happened to my Dad this season when I called in several birds in some thick tall ferns. Even I was totally surprised to see him pick up that jake . Dad was pretty bumbed too but you just gotta take it in stride and keep on keeping on.
Congrats on a public land kill none the less. The way I see it, if you had the long beard in range then you won the hunt regardless, he just got a lucky pass.
Very nice going,congrats big time!
:icon_thumright:
Quote from: RutnNStrutn on May 06, 2015, 05:32:24 PM
Well, that's a bummer. But, you aren't the first, nor will you be the last to make that mistake. Congrats anyway on your bird!! :icon_thumright:
^^^This. Congrats on your bird and I love that you got your boy out there to see it.....
Great story. I know your son is ready to bag his first bird.
congrats
Way to go! I enjoyed the story. Congrats!
good job!
back to back on public land in PA. Check my NO REST FOR THE WICKED GOBBLER POST. Got my best bird this morning :turkey2: :funnyturkey: O0