Central KS Tom

[Dermott]

 
Had a Pacemaker put in 3 days before 2019 season & wondered if end of my shotgun turkey hunting. I have taken 5 Gobblers with my Crossbow In archery only season in KS but clearly a shotgun is what I use most of the time. I have used 12 gauge 3 1/2 inch magnum shells that has more recoil than I wanted to use with the pacemaker.

A friend recommended a Franchi Affinity semiautomatic in 20 gauge. I bought 1 and got back into the game for 2020 Kansas season & took one further out than I estimated (55 steps) and it was a clean kill with TSS #9 shot.  I don't plan to shoot at that range but mis-estimated it.

The Franchi Affinity 20 gauge is my shotgun of choice now.

[Greg Massey]

Glad your health is doing good and those are some nice 20 ga.

[Sir-diealot]

Glad to hear you were able to get out there, lost it for 17 years and would not wish losing it on anybody.

[Dermott]

Sir-Diealot, You said you lost it for 17 years. Does that mean you couldn't hunt for 17 years? I hope I misinterpreted what you posted. Hope you are in great health. Dermott (Steve Earney in Bentonville)

[Sir-diealot]

Sir-Diealot, You said you lost it for 17 years. Does that mean you couldn't hunt for 17 years? I hope I misinterpreted what you posted. Hope you are in great health. Dermott (Steve Earney in Bentonville)

In November of 2001 I was driving cab and was hit from behind so hard it shoved me into the vehicle in front of me. As a result of that I wound up with massive pain and I was not able to hunt really for 17 years. If you were to get a hold of DEC you would see I did try a couple of times, but it was a disaster, I would hunt one day or more accurately a few hours and then be laid up for 3 or 4 days recovering. I did try to hunt the year after my accident, had 3 turkey come in, 2 went to either side of the blind I was in both scratching the blind on either side with their wings and the third went behind the blind and I could hear it's wing on my backpack a foot or so behind me. All 3 came out in front of me and presented shots, the third was a really good shot at maybe ten yards if that, it just stood there picture perfect with it's head held high begging me to shoot it but I could not get the front end of the gun up because my back would not let me. That started me in a really bad depression to say the least. Anyway fast forward through 17 years of trial and error with different medications and 5 years ago I guess it was I was able to hunt again, I can't hunt every day or the way I used to but I can hunt and I am grateful to God for it, made taking my first ever turkey that much better. Best thing is it was a tom and not a jake. (Nothing wrong with taking a jake, but a tom was what kept me wanting to come back) Here I am with my first turkey. IMG_0354 by Sir-diealot, on Flickr
IMG_0364 by Sir-diealot, on Flickr

Here is the story I wrote about that day. The members here were very helpful to me in getting my first turkey.

http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,91525.msg891235.html#msg891235

[Dermott]

Wow, that is a long time to be disabled to the point you couldn't turkey hunt and, I'm sure, other activities. I am glad that you have found a way to get back in the game!

[Sir-diealot]

Wow, that is a long time to be disabled to the point you couldn't turkey hunt and, I'm sure, other activities. I am glad that you have found a way to get back in the game!

Yes, and other things. Thanks, me too

[Turkeyman]

Sir-diealot...when I read accounts such as yours, and many similar, I realize how lucky I've been over the years to be in good health and able to pursue my hunting passions. Hang in there and keep plugging...it's inspirational for the rest of us.

[Sir-diealot]

Sir-diealot...when I read accounts such as yours, and many similar, I realize how lucky I've been over the years to be in good health and able to pursue my hunting passions. Hang in there and keep plugging...it's inspirational for the rest of us.

Thanks.