Title: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 21, 2022, 11:34:52 PM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 21, 2022, 11:34:52 PM
This afternoon I got my first Tennessee gobbler!! He was also the first bird off my property now that I'm a Tennessee resident.
I've seen this gobbler 3 days in a row following 2 hens. He would never gobble, and never come to my calls. He would just follow his hens. Yesterday I watched as he and his hens worked their way to the roost. Gambling that they'd roost in the same general area, I set up there today.
I haven't been using a decoy much this season, but based on this gobbler's behavior, I decided to put decoys out. I set out my DSD's, a feeding hen, upright hen and a 3/4 strut jake.
As I had hoped for, the hens and gobbler used the same general route as before, but they showed up early. The hens were in the lead, and the gobbler was straggling behind. The hens skirted the dekes and passed by on the other side of them. When the gobbler showed up, he stopped, periscoped his neck up, then went into full strut and took off running straight at the jake. He hit the decoy like an All American linebacker, nearly knocking the deke over.
While he was preoccupied with bullying the decoy, I was lining up my shot. The load of 20 gauge Apex Small Town Blend TSS devastated him at 20 yards.
20 lbs 10 ozs
11-1/2" beard
1-1/8" & 1-1/16" spurs
Score - 65.5
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220422/494985f7f75a741e334228aa4f398985.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220422/661dc373b16a6efef49f21d808a1c714.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220422/04a24d0cca8bb80f6e5fc9930bfca7df.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220422/05f42bcc12a06f279fee68f9c2ac7893.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220422/ab65b18cd3476eb8ac8aeec8da0f91f2.jpg)
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I've seen this gobbler 3 days in a row following 2 hens. He would never gobble, and never come to my calls. He would just follow his hens. Yesterday I watched as he and his hens worked their way to the roost. Gambling that they'd roost in the same general area, I set up there today.
I haven't been using a decoy much this season, but based on this gobbler's behavior, I decided to put decoys out. I set out my DSD's, a feeding hen, upright hen and a 3/4 strut jake.
As I had hoped for, the hens and gobbler used the same general route as before, but they showed up early. The hens were in the lead, and the gobbler was straggling behind. The hens skirted the dekes and passed by on the other side of them. When the gobbler showed up, he stopped, periscoped his neck up, then went into full strut and took off running straight at the jake. He hit the decoy like an All American linebacker, nearly knocking the deke over.
While he was preoccupied with bullying the decoy, I was lining up my shot. The load of 20 gauge Apex Small Town Blend TSS devastated him at 20 yards.
20 lbs 10 ozs
11-1/2" beard
1-1/8" & 1-1/16" spurs
Score - 65.5
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220422/494985f7f75a741e334228aa4f398985.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220422/661dc373b16a6efef49f21d808a1c714.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220422/04a24d0cca8bb80f6e5fc9930bfca7df.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220422/05f42bcc12a06f279fee68f9c2ac7893.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220422/ab65b18cd3476eb8ac8aeec8da0f91f2.jpg)
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Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: Tom007 on April 22, 2022, 04:10:40 AM
Post by: Tom007 on April 22, 2022, 04:10:40 AM
Way to go my friend, great pics of a fine bird.....
Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: Mountainburd on April 22, 2022, 04:32:03 AM
Post by: Mountainburd on April 22, 2022, 04:32:03 AM
Great bird Rut! Way to get it done, especially on your new property. Nice upgrade.
Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: eggshell on April 22, 2022, 06:00:28 AM
Post by: eggshell on April 22, 2022, 06:00:28 AM
well done
Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: Will on April 22, 2022, 07:14:45 AM
Post by: Will on April 22, 2022, 07:14:45 AM
That's a great bird. Nice long beard
Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: Dr Juice on April 22, 2022, 07:22:03 AM
Post by: Dr Juice on April 22, 2022, 07:22:03 AM
Awesome bird and congrats!
Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: JeffC on April 22, 2022, 07:39:29 AM
Post by: JeffC on April 22, 2022, 07:39:29 AM
Congrats on taking a fine Tom off your own piece of dirt!!
Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 22, 2022, 09:10:12 AM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 22, 2022, 09:10:12 AM
Thanks guys!!! 
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Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: NJFF6925 on April 23, 2022, 08:57:15 AM
Post by: NJFF6925 on April 23, 2022, 08:57:15 AM
Nice!
Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: TrackeySauresRex on April 23, 2022, 12:52:59 PM
Post by: TrackeySauresRex on April 23, 2022, 12:52:59 PM
:z-guntootsmiley: WTG JimBo! Congrats on that Tennessee Tom
Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: Thebody on April 23, 2022, 07:08:27 PM
Post by: Thebody on April 23, 2022, 07:08:27 PM
Nice job!
Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: g8rvet on April 23, 2022, 08:24:55 PM
Post by: g8rvet on April 23, 2022, 08:24:55 PM
Awesome. I love it when a plan works! Nice pics and bird.
Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 23, 2022, 11:51:59 PM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 23, 2022, 11:51:59 PM
Thanks guys!!
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Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: suburbhunter on April 25, 2022, 01:19:29 PM
Post by: suburbhunter on April 25, 2022, 01:19:29 PM
:jackson: :turkey2: :jackson:
Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: Hayudog on April 25, 2022, 01:41:54 PM
Post by: Hayudog on April 25, 2022, 01:41:54 PM
Looks like a good season my friend. Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: Another state crossed off the list!!
Post by: WildSpur on May 01, 2022, 06:15:22 AM
Post by: WildSpur on May 01, 2022, 06:15:22 AM
Super bird! Congrats!
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