ok finally got one in the national forest. details 19lbs, 3/4/ " spurs, 9.5 inch beard.
saturday i went down to the swamp road in the forest and got 2 gobbling. called them in to about 100 yards and they wanted to go away and leave me, so no joy yesterday. i went back this morning with that being only the 4th time i have been to the forest this year. i didnt hear anything at dayligh so i headed to the spot where they were at yesterday. just about the timer i get there they stasrt gobbling back across the road. of course on the other side of the roadfrom where i parked the truck. so i headed back and got in and drove about 400 yards down to an old logging road. this road runs up a ridge line up hill all the way . so when i got up to about the very top of the ridge i was gonna get a drink of water and catch my breath. well when i get a drink they gobble about 80 yards away just on the very top of the ridge. so after this as just been burnt, first week of season it is pretty wide open. i pick a pine tree to set up next to. done a little light calling and they start gobbling and headed my way. when they get just on the otheer side of a small finger that runs off the ridge i hear them drumming and gobbling. then after 10 minutes they just want to go away again. i hear them at the bottom of the draw and goning away from me. i gave them about 10 minutes and went after them. as i get tnear the top of that next ridge they gobbling a few more time to the left and over the ridge. so when i get on the top of the ridge i heasr one to the right, they should have traveled that far in that short of time,.
so i heade to the one to the right which was about 80 yars away. after i went about 100 yards that way he gobbles again. at this point i pick me out as tree to set up on. i find it and as i am easing my way toward it i stopped and looked off the ridge to see if i see anything. about thias time i see something move up and go back down. i couldnt figureout what it was then i hear drumming.it is the gobbler strutting not 35 yards away. i ease down to one knee retrack my v-pod shooting rest and turn on the holo sight. the birsds head and most of his body was behind a big pine, so i am gonna take a couple of steps towards him and step out from aroung the pine and close the deal. well at this time he comes out from behind the pind so i drop back to one knee and get him in the site. bird goes down then he gets back up i try to get off second shot but safety is on. so i get the safety off and finish the deal.
thisr was strutting and gobbling in a small deppression. i figured he was getting tired of having his butt whopped so he was hiding doing his thing.
with this being my first forest bird in 3 years i am a happy camper right now.
When i got home i called my uncle to tell them and my aunt said they still wasnt home but my other cousin had killed one too this morning. so after i few pic at the house i headed up to their house and on the way called them and they had killed a good one too and was alomst home. so i head that way and the story of thes birds #1 21 lbs 3/4 spurs and 10,5 bead. the second one was 21 lbs also with a 1.25 spurs and 11 3/4 beard. so the moore boys had them stacked up this morning. yesterday morning another cousin killed the biggest bird i have seen in a while 22lbs 1 7/16 spurs and 12 inch beard.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/hootn/PICT0021.jpg)
from right- me matt and lance
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/hootn/202.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/hootn/205.jpg)
Congrats to you and your family on a fine morning. Go
Great lookin birds ,,,,Congrats :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
:you_rock: :you_rock:
:icon_thumright: Congrats!!
Nice lookin'birds, congrats
congrats :z-guntootsmiley:
:happy0064:
Congrats on the great hunt Scott!!
:anim_65:
Very nice,congrats!!!
Congrats ! Awesome pics !
:z-guntootsmiley: :you_rock: :you_rock:
:z-guntootsmiley: :icon_thumright:
Congrats!
Congrats Scott!!
Congrats!!!
Congrats. Love the camo shirt on the guy in the middle WAR EAGLE
Congrats!!! :z-guntootsmiley:
War Eagle!!!
Congrats to all. You guys really stacked 'em up ..Well done..Mike :you_rock:
Way to put the "smack down" on um Scott!!