My daughter decided to hunt spring turkeys for the first time this year. She really wanted to kill a nice mature tom. She has hunted hard and put in several early mornings and many miles on many trips. She had 2 toms fighting and gobbling which came in, but she moved to much to get the gun on them and didn't get a shot at them. After being a half step behind the gobblers all season, she finally had this bird come into range. He was with a hen, white faced, gobbled once, and doing his best 1/2 strut. Everything about this bird and his behavior said he was a tom except his beard and he never fanned out. I mentioned it is possible that their beards can break and he might be a tom, so she decided to take him. The 28ga went 3 for 3 this year with my TSS loads. Ended up being a Jake, but still a decent reward for a challenging hunt. We heard lots of gobbles on several mornings and I think she is hooked. Hopefully next year she can finally take a mature tom. Aldo Leopold said "The value of any trophy from the field depends not on its size, but on the magnitude of the effort expended in its pursuit". This really is a trophy, she worked hard for this bird.
First Spring Hunt Persistence Pays Off...
Re: First Spring Hunt Persistence Pays Off...
I bet she is nearly as happy as she would have been if it were a longbeard. All those hours in the woods make it that much sweeter. She won't forget all the time put in and will definitely remember this bird. Congratulations!
Re: First Spring Hunt Persistence Pays Off...
Congrats to her. Nothing like a hard earned bird.
TURKEYS
COYOTES
DEER
SQUIRRELS
(all in this order)
COYOTES
DEER
SQUIRRELS
(all in this order)
Re: First Spring Hunt Persistence Pays Off...
Nothing wrong with that, congrats
I was not his father but he was my son,,MAK IV, 10-15-1993 - 4-22-2007
"Rest in Peace my Little Buddy"
"Rest in Peace my Little Buddy"
- Hoobilly
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Re: First Spring Hunt Persistence Pays Off...
its the size of the hunt! spurs and beards are bonus! glad she was able to connect and she will be looking forward to next spring as much as you!
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Re: First Spring Hunt Persistence Pays Off...
Congrats on her first bird! That smile tells how she felt about it all.
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- turkeyinstrut
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Re: First Spring Hunt Persistence Pays Off...
Congrats to the young lady, my first bird was a jake and I remember that hunt better than any longbeard I have killed.
Re: First Spring Hunt Persistence Pays Off...
Awesome!!!! WTG young lady you did a fine job!!! My first turkey was a jake 37 years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday!!!! Congrats to you both!!!
Re: First Spring Hunt Persistence Pays Off...
That’s the best. Congrats to you both!!!
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Re: First Spring Hunt Persistence Pays Off...
That's awesome, good for her for sticking it out.