Ohio Opening Morning 2012

Stories of your favorite gobbler hunts.
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HunterGKS
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Joined: January 2nd, 2013, 5:12 pm
Location: North Central Ohio

Ohio Opening Morning 2012

Post by HunterGKS »

I got up about 4:50 this morning with the start of a sore throat & not feeling very well. I went out on the front porch to check the weather & it was fairly cold but the wind was light. I thought about going back to bed but decided that, since it was opening day, I needed to get into the woods if only for a few hours. I got dressed in my deer hunting clothes (warmer than my turkey hunting clothes), drove to my buddy’s, got the 4-wheeler off the truck & loaded. I sat in the truck until 5:45 when I put on my insulated face mask & shooting mittens, & rode back to the woods.

I found an area that looked promising, put out the dekes, set up my blind (it’s not a big blind, just a 12’x3’ piece of camo cloth with stakes, & set up the Gobbler Lounger. This is the 1st time I used the lounger & I really like it. I have a problem with my back leaning against trees so this was a welcome change. I was ready to go a little after 6 & it was already starting to get light.

About 6:15, a single gobble broke the silence. It was the 1st sound I heard in the woods this morning, even before the song birds woke up. It sounded like he was out towards the edge of the woods near where I had parked the 4-wheeler. Tom & I held a conversation until about 6:40 when he shut-up. This must have been when he flew down. About 10 minutes later, he gobbled again, sounding further away. The wind had picked up considerably & it was hard to pinpoint where he was. One gobble it sounded like he was in front & the next way behind me. He responded to everything I said to him but it didn’t sound like he was getting any closer. I even used my gobble tube hoping to PO him & get him coming in. Nothing seemed to work.

Finally, I heard him gobble fairly close in front & to my left. I scouched down a little & got my knees up, putting the butt in the shoulder sling of my vest. I waited & waited & waited, calling a little with no response. I wondered if he had seen my movements & headed out. Then I wondered if he might be sneaking in from behind me. Then, about 15 minutes after the last gobble, I heard a “PFHTT” behind me to my left. Then another, & another. I moved my eyeballs to the left & there he was, in full strut coming towards the dekes. I eased my fingers out of the mitten slot, took off the safety, &, when he stepped behind a tree, moved the gun up & my head down. When he stepped out from behind the tree in half-strut, I sent a load of Federal #7 HeavyWeight Magic Pixie Dust into his noggin & sent him to gobbler heaven at 7:35. He was at 13 paces.

I called Ron & Brian to let them know I had killed a gooder un. I guessed his beard at 10 ½ to 11 inches, spurs at an inch, & weight at 18-19. Actual figures were 10 ¼” beard, 1” spurs, & 22 pounds 14 ounces. Beat last years bird by 14 ounces & now ranks as my heaviest bird. I figure he was a 2 maybe 3 year old bird. Any thoughts on that?

I took the 1st pic while still sitting down. When he stepped behind the tree & stump to the left is when I got ready to shoot.


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The battery in my camera died after only 3 pics in the woods. I had swapped out the battery a few days ago & it should have been good. Ticks me off as I had a really good pose with the tail spread & the wings open. I tried to get some better shots at the house but it was way too windy.

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I zeroed the scale with the tub on before adding the bird, 22 pounds 14 ounces.

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George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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MAK
Posts: 532
Joined: April 13th, 2015, 8:08 am
Location: Southern PA

Re: Ohio Opening Morning 2012

Post by MAK »

1" spurs pointed - 3 yr old, but one things for sure - he ain't getting any older...........

heavy, nice bird - great pics - reminds me of PA woods - 73 days for me........sigh.

I'm gonna start strutting soon if i don't get out and take a walk...........
MAK
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HunterGKS
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Joined: January 2nd, 2013, 5:12 pm
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Re: Ohio Opening Morning 2012

Post by HunterGKS »

I was leaning towards 3 but it's nice to get confirmation.

This woods seems to always produce 20+ pounders. In
2014, I killed my heaviest bird there, 24 lbs 10 ozs.

Thx. I did see a g-hog Tues so it's getting closer.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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