my dads first turkey

Stories of your favorite gobbler hunts.
Post Reply
pedro
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 2190
Joined: June 6th, 2012, 9:21 am

my dads first turkey

Post by pedro »

today was the north zone illinois opening day. i have been trying to get my dad a turkey for some time now, 7 years, with lots of action but no chances to pull the trigger. my dad suffered a fall off a roof while working eight years ago, and now is disabled to the point of only being able to handle flat ground. This public land we hunt is part of the driftless area in the midwest. that means the glacier missed this area 10000 yo. the topography of this place is compromised of steep ridges some nice valleys and atop some of the ridges is agriculture. we have always had good action, but not being too ambulatory our strategy is limited. i have killed some nice birds here before, just not dad. we set up on an edge of a round bale field in a 40 yard narrow that connects two ridges. we position ourselves so we can see down the short ridge and the other ridge is to our left. last night some strong storms came through, i love hunting after rain. as the woods start to waken i hear one gobble way off, maybe on the short ridge...maybe on the other? this place is about 2400 acres. then three gobbles 500 yards away, but on our ridge. things are pretty vocal with consistent gobbling from both locations, so i like our chances so far. after fly down the we see the group of birds that were gobbling, a seven pack of jakes! they worked the field strutting and gobbling about 175 yards away, they left and returned with two long beards leading the way right passed us and down the lane we came in on. the jakes are still milling around, and i see a fan coming up the short ridge right at us. as he approaches i notice two hens leading. the hens lead and one strutter and one non-strutting long beard followed. i would call and he would respond, but since they were on track i was not pushing the calling. when the strutter came to 35 yards i told my dad to put the red dot on his red part and... my dads first turkey ever! my father never turkey hunted until i started taking him. he enjoys being with me and that is alright. he would hunt by himself. me, i live for this stuff!!! even though he is not die hard, he was shaking like a kid when i handed him the gun, told him where to aim and killed that bird. he likes hunting and was really excited for his first bird. not to often in life does a son teach his 62 year old father much of anything. but today i was so proud of him, like i am sure has been of me throughout my life. one month ago my wife (35) lost her mom (60) unexpectedly. i understand the fragility of life, so today is special for me. thanks for reading.

pete

p.s. i tried to get him to shoot my twenty gauge with tss, but was more comfortable with the big gun.
Attachments
DSCN0071.JPG
DSCN0071.JPG (241.16 KiB) Viewed 3293 times
DSCN0069.JPG
DSCN0069.JPG (241.62 KiB) Viewed 3293 times
DSCN0063.JPG
DSCN0063.JPG (237.96 KiB) Viewed 3293 times
User avatar
guesswho
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5426
Joined: July 11th, 2011, 7:50 pm
Location: Bumpass VA, moving to Fuget KY

Re: my dads first turkey

Post by guesswho »

Nice, congrats to you both.
Double Naught Spy!
RCD's Owner----------------Badonka Deke Prostaff
MoHo's Prostaff-------------Lighter Than HTL Shooter
The Storm Whistle Prostaff
Official Member Of The Unofficial Firedup Turkey Calls Prostaff
User avatar
GLS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 3566
Joined: May 16th, 2012, 11:29 am
Location: Lowcountry, GA

Re: my dads first turkey

Post by GLS »

that's one for the all-time memory bank. Great hunt and bird. Gil
pullit
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 1363
Joined: June 27th, 2012, 1:58 pm
Location: Middle/West TN

Re: my dads first turkey

Post by pullit »

Way to go, congrats
I may not be smart but I can lift heavy objects

I have no need for a 30-06, I have a shotgun
User avatar
Shooter
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5488
Joined: April 19th, 2012, 1:29 pm
Location: Deep South, Middle, TN

Re: my dads first turkey

Post by Shooter »

Pedro, your story brought back some sweet memories.
I'm telling you now, and you listen!!! You get that man in the woods with you, every day you possibly can,... Do you hear me???!!!
I'm glad the two of you got a good show put on, before it was hammer time. He will never forget it either. Congrats on a Nice Gobbler.

The last time I was able to take my father after his fall from a ladder was in 2010.
Thank God for a Gobbler close by, cause he could not motivate hardly at all.
I even had to get behind him to hold him and his gun up. He did do the aiming and trigger work.
After that fantastic hunt, he went downhill fast, and was never able to leave a hospital bed again.
My mother will try all day to get him to talk, but is too weak and unable to.
I can always start telling the story of the Gobbler, and will get a response everytime from him.
Never underestimate,... The Power of Turkey Huntin!!!

Take care Pedro!
User avatar
HuntnMa
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 3040
Joined: August 27th, 2011, 8:06 am
Location: Florida

Re: my dads first turkey

Post by HuntnMa »

That's awesome, great pics too :)
Image
User avatar
Grumpy
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 4858
Joined: January 22nd, 2012, 12:03 pm
Location: N.C. Montana

Re: my dads first turkey

Post by Grumpy »

Good job on getting your father a turkey.
I was not his father but he was my son,,MAK IV, 10-15-1993 - 4-22-2007
"Rest in Peace my Little Buddy"
User avatar
Shotgun Dave
Posts: 225
Joined: September 6th, 2012, 8:22 pm

Re: my dads first turkey

Post by Shotgun Dave »

Congrats . I know either one of you will wont ever forget that Day !!!
User avatar
Turkey Talker
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 3665
Joined: June 7th, 2011, 9:20 pm
Location: Green Swamp Florida

Re: my dads first turkey

Post by Turkey Talker »

congrats man! Way to make memories!
Image
Image
Image
User avatar
gophert
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 1448
Joined: April 19th, 2012, 10:14 am
Location: Middle TN
Contact:

Re: my dads first turkey

Post by gophert »

That was awesome! Thanks for sharing and congrats to your dad!
User avatar
GOLD HUNTER
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 4595
Joined: September 1st, 2011, 10:07 pm
Location: BIG LICK VA.

Re: my dads first turkey

Post by GOLD HUNTER »

:thumbup:
LET'S GO TROUT FISHING
Post Reply

Return to “Huntin Tales”