Exciting/Sad Day

[TRKYHTR]

Today I had one of the best hunts of the season. I was set up on a gobbler 150 yards away, couldn't get any closer, and had at least 3 other birds gobbling off in the distance. At flydown I heard a hen with the gobbler I set up on and when they flew down they went the other direction. I was still hearing turkeys gobble and I was in a good set up. I had my Mama decoy set out on an old dirt road. I called a couple times and got the furthest turkeys to gobble a couple times and then it sounded like one of them was getting closer. I went quiet. After a few minutes of silence I called again. 2 birds gobbled back at about 150 yards. Then I really went silent. They gobbled 5 more times in the next 20 minutes while getting closer each time. The last gobble was 30 yards and about blew my hat off. Then I started hearing the spittin and drummin. He finally poked his head up at about 20 yards. I could see his tail real good and it looked like a full fan but I wasn't sure. So I waited. If he followed the same path to the decoy he was going to be in my wheelhouse. I still wasn't sure it was a mature gobbler and I wasn't going to shoot a Jake. After what seemed like forever he came into full view but was quartering away slightly. I still hadn't seen a beard. My crosshairs were on his head, then I looked over the scope to see if I could see a beard. Nothing yet. He was inching one small step at a time towards the decoy, spitting and drumming with every little inch. It seemed like he was inside 20 yards for 20 minutes. Finally he turned straight broadside to me and I saw his long beard. I settled the crosshairs on his head at 15 yards and with the recoil of my buddies gun I ended my 2012 turkey season. He was a beautiful turkey with 9 3/4" beard, and 7/8" spurs. The Medusa turned him to stone. Another season is in the books. I was only going to kill one turkey with my buddy Marvin's Remington 870 but decided I would take it the whole season. I killed 5 gobblers with it and my best turkey ever. Don't know if I want to retire it now. I might just retire my Benelli. I hope everybody has as wonderful an end to their season as I did.

TRKYHTR













Looking forward to next year already.

[Wrangler95]

Very nice going,congrats!!

[FANMAN]

Congrats. on a great season ,Joe , I'm glad you could honor Marvin in that way.

[Gold Spur]

Congrats on a great season Joe! 

[Spring_Woods]

Congrats! Enjoyed the story

[Flydown]

Great read Joe, and congrats on a action packed season!!!

[stone road turkey calls]

thanks for the pics and storys this year, like being there with you

[vaturkey]

Congrats Joe on an awesome season ! Beautiful pics ! 



  Take Care

  Hope to see you next Feb . @ the convention.

             Ricky   

[hookedspur]

Congrats and thanks for allowing us to enjoy it with you .

[mossy835]

Nice hunt for you this year, as to the shotgun I would not retire it completely but use it each year in his honor.

[TRKYHTR]

Congrats Joe on an awesome season ! Beautiful pics ! 



  Take Care

  Hope to see you next Feb . @ the convention.

             Ricky   

Yep I might need another ride. Lol Thanks,

TRKYHTR

[renegade19]

Beautiful bird Joe!  Congrats!

[sugarray]

I too know the sweet seductive ways of the Medusa.  She sure can put one in a trance.

Great hunt and a great season!!

Congratulations!!

[Shotgun]

Congrats on an awesome year

[surehuntsalot]

beautiful pic's
congrats on the bird