Congratulations to Sue and to her support staff. You two are having a great season so far. Do you only get one tag each or can you hunt some more?
Dan
2023 Hunting Season
- Thread starter JD338
- Start date
Dan
Congratulations on a fine bird. What load did you use? Dan
- Thread starter
- #63
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,208
- 8,516
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 3,288
- 5,318
Congrats to Sue on a very fine bird. It looks as big as her. I see you had the easy job , taking pictures.
- Thread starter
- #65
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,208
- 8,516
Good luck to your son-in-law. Will you be assisting with the calling?
rjm158
Handloader
- Oct 15, 2009
- 704
- 607
Our spring turkey season opened April17 but I hadn't been hunting yet. All the gobblers I'd heard were miles away and the only turkeys I'd seen on our farm had been hens.
After lunch today, I was in my recliner and my wife headed outside. She came back inside quickly and said, "There are turkeys in the yard!" I got up, looked outside , and saw a gobbler with three hens where the yard met the pasture.
I ran to my safe, got my 870 Express 20 ga, put two rounds in it, and went through the house to the living room door. I eased it open and saw the gobbler with the hens just beyond him. I raised the gun but had to wait until the hens were clear. The gobbler apparently noticed something was different (door open) and raised his head /neck for a better look. I floated his head above the front bead and pulled the trigger. At the shot, he hit the ground, flopped a few times, and that was all.
I later determined the shot was 32 yards, his beard was 10 inches, one spur was an inch, the other just under. It was a bucket list moment because I had long wanted to kill a bird with a 20, and this gun was given to me by my two stepsons 4 or 5 months ago .
Edit: i only had bathroom scales to weigh him with but they indicated 20 lbs.
After lunch today, I was in my recliner and my wife headed outside. She came back inside quickly and said, "There are turkeys in the yard!" I got up, looked outside , and saw a gobbler with three hens where the yard met the pasture.
I ran to my safe, got my 870 Express 20 ga, put two rounds in it, and went through the house to the living room door. I eased it open and saw the gobbler with the hens just beyond him. I raised the gun but had to wait until the hens were clear. The gobbler apparently noticed something was different (door open) and raised his head /neck for a better look. I floated his head above the front bead and pulled the trigger. At the shot, he hit the ground, flopped a few times, and that was all.
I later determined the shot was 32 yards, his beard was 10 inches, one spur was an inch, the other just under. It was a bucket list moment because I had long wanted to kill a bird with a 20, and this gun was given to me by my two stepsons 4 or 5 months ago .
Edit: i only had bathroom scales to weigh him with but they indicated 20 lbs.
Last edited:
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,328
- 6,020
Wow! That is hard hunting. So, your call was the "squeak" of your recliner? 
rjm158
Handloader
- Oct 15, 2009
- 704
- 607
Pretty much. If you look at the photo with me in it you'll see my high tech camo 
gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
- 6,866
- 1,664
Glad you were able to keep your family safe from such a dangerous creature hope you enjoy eating your turkey!
hope you enjoy eating your turkey!
wvbuckbuster
Handloader
- Nov 5, 2015
- 2,643
- 2,306
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Congratulations on checking one off the bucket list. Dan.
hunter24605
Handloader
- Apr 30, 2016
- 2,532
- 4,177
Ugh! Finally get an open weekend to hit the Turkey woods and i get slammed with a double whammy of bronchitis and strep throat. If it was warmer and sunny I might sneak out, but drizzle and 30’s, I better stay in. 
Congratulations on a fine bird. Once in a while the stars, the moon, and the sun line up for an easy hunt. We all deserve one of those once in a while. Dan
hunter24605
Handloader
- Apr 30, 2016
- 2,532
- 4,177
It that a call you made?
hunter24605
Handloader
- Apr 30, 2016
- 2,532
- 4,177
Yes, it’s an oldie, he’s beat most of the finish off it LOL.
hunter24605
Handloader
- Apr 30, 2016
- 2,532
- 4,177
Thunder and drizzle all day yesterday, but they were “talkative”. At least three different Toms, talking back, but they stayed just out of sight. Finally the last 20 mins of legal hours and he came in and hung up about 45 yards out only giving me glimpses through a bush. Finally he hopped up on a log and That was the end for him. The 3” longbeard XR #5 did the job. Smaller Tom with 5” beard. The Zebrano crystal call got them talking. Thank goodness I had my shooting stick, I held a bead for probably 3 minutes, without the stick I would have been pretty shakey. 
Last edited:
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 3,288
- 5,318
Good job 
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,328
- 6,020
Excellent work! Congratulations.
