Another Osceola

[CAPTJJ]

Finally able to do a hunt recap from way back on the March 6th.

Woke up with limited cell service that morning, was able to get the weather to load and saw a chance of thunderstorms, starting at 8am. Was planning on hunting the middle hide, then moving out to the far spot where I killed last time on this WMA in 2022. But with the storms I went to the hide I had made in the oaks, a beautiful clearing and not many like it around. There is a reason I set up a spot there and really should have been my first choice. The storms held off, kept moving them on the forecast. They were really bad that afternoon including a tornado warning.

Wasn't in any hurry with a fairly short hike of .4 mile, got set up and had my coffee, later a snack bar. No gobbles heard, not even in the distance. Luckily, I don't depend on them like most hunters. Kept calling after it got light: clucks, purrs, whines and a few yelps.

Then at 9:30 right after a 3 note yelp a hen answered with the same and I followed right away with another; she was in some oaks behind to my right. Kept calling, tried a cutt/yelp, just wanted to sound like turkeys were there. Then at 10:30 the hen finally stepped out but went around behind the decoys. I decided to try and get a picture, had the video all set up on the tripod... don't know why I didn't start recording. Anyway, got lucky she didn't spook, have seen this with these Osceola hens before, can get away with some movement.



A couple minutes later I heard footsteps to my right, it was loud as the tom was walking over some dry palm fronds, very noisy. I quickly grabbed the bow and got ready. he came into view close to my hide, had circled toward me then looped right toward the decoys while strutting. His fan was up blocking his eyes as he came into my opening and I was able to raise the bow. I began to draw as he turned broadside, got to full draw, concentrated on the spot and released. The shot looked good and he ran off and went down in about 30 yards.



The turkeys came from here, glad for the crunchy palm fronds...



Osceola #4 with traditional gear: 16.5lbs, 9 7/8" beard, 1" spurs







Bow is a double carbon Omega Native, custom made by a young bowyer I met online:

[OJR]

That's awesome! Congratulations!!

[10th Legionaire]

Excellent work!

It pays to bide your time

[blake_08]

That's awesome, quite an accomplishment. Congratulations

[Tom007]

Fantastic! Congrats!

[Greg Massey]

Congrats... making great memories ...

[Prohunter3509]

Congratulations now that's hunting
I hoping next year I can take one next year with traditional

[JeffC]

Congrats Capt on getting it done with stick & string.

[zelmo1]

Congrats on an awesome hunt bro. Z

[Muzzy61]

Congrats

[RutnNStrutn]

Fantastic!! Congrats!!

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[Canadian]

Awesome pics JJ! Was awesome meeting you this spring. Some amazing wisdom in that summary of yours. Hopefully i can learn from my own experience, midday opening morning, and your experience from this hunt, and be ready next time one slips in without any gobbles like that.

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[King Cobra]

Quite an accomplishment! Congratulations!

[Stick]

Well done, sir.  It was tough down there for sure!  Thanks for sharing.

[Cowboy]

Great hunt! Congrats to you on the gobbler.

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