Hunting public land with my longbow, an Omega Native hybrid, and shot a nice tom this morning. Haven't heard much gobbling except 3 early opening day. Had a tom come in to roost that evening with a hen and heard him spit/drum and got ready. He knocked my jake decoy over and was on top of him, pecking the head repeatedly. I decided to try headshots far a change this year, and finally he raised his neck at 6 yards, hit him good, right in the neck and bending a blade but the arrow tumbled on past and did no damage to him. He was strutting again right away, only out of range and too many trees. I was dumbfounded, guess the bow doesn't have enough energy, 41# but more like 43-44 at my draw length.
A couple pics right after the shot:
(https://i.postimg.cc/LX9vPV7M/20210401_195653.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/X7R8LWhL/20210401_195648.jpg)
Same area but up higher up this morning where the ground was torn up with scratching, when they don't gobble I like to hunt sign. Calling regularly, mostly clucks and light yelps on a mouth call. Around 9:30 I heard footsteps behind me, look out and see him coming 20 yards away with a smaller tom following. Just enough time to grab the bow, this time with big 3 blade Snuffer tipping the arrow.
He heads right for the jake decoy while strutting. I am trying to be patient and let him attack the decoy, when I rush I usually screw up. Well, he folded his wings back and started heading away, so I drew, concentrated on the spot and released, hit him square in the back. He runs off arrow sticking out and legs are wobbly, he quickly gets out of sight as it is downhill. I see wings flapping briefly then nothing. Second smaller tom goes right to him. No reason to wait, jumped out of the blind and the other tom took off, my tom was on his back feet up, didn't go more than 30 yards.
(https://i.postimg.cc/W40YxhV3/20210405_093238.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9f9sVLdc/P4054575_(2).jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/T3L4qtHn/20210405_095914.jpg)
Outstanding
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Modern day Robin Hood !
Congratulations
Now that is a feat unmatched. A trophy of a lifetime........
Congratulations!
As much as I love to bow hunt, I have never had the desire to turkey hunt with a bow
Wow! Nice.
Congratulations , heck of a story and accomplishment.
Congrats on a fine stick and string Tom.
Good work
Perfect shot!!!
That is awesome, I loved the back shot when bow hunting!
Great job! Congrats
Impressive
That's awesome congrats!!!
Nice! I wonder if the first shot you took, the arrow maybe malfunctioned, or struck something before it got to the turkey? Stick and string bows are all i shoot, they are the most fun, in my opinion! Congrats on a fine gobbler, and for sharing your hunt.
Unreal! Congratulations!
Thanks all, appreciate it.
Quote from: the Ward on April 06, 2021, 08:28:46 AM
Nice! I wonder if the first shot you took, the arrow maybe malfunctioned, or struck something before it got to the turkey? Stick and string bows are all i shoot, they are the most fun, in my opinion! Congrats on a fine gobbler, and for sharing your hunt.
The arrow is just fine and can still be shot, one blade was bent back slightly, not really bent but twisted where the screw holds it. Nothing in the way of the shot, it was aide open and 6 yards, he was on top of the jake decoy, here's a pic:
(https://i.postimg.cc/TPqChst9/20210401-200347.jpg)
Quote from: CAPTJJ on April 06, 2021, 09:35:02 AM
Thanks all, appreciate it.
Quote from: the Ward on April 06, 2021, 08:28:46 AM
Nice! I wonder if the first shot you took, the arrow maybe malfunctioned, or struck something before it got to the turkey? Stick and string bows are all i shoot, they are the most fun, in my opinion! Congrats on a fine gobbler, and for sharing your hunt.
The arrow is just fine and can still be shot, one blade was bent back slightly, not really bent but twisted where the screw holds it. Nothing in the way of the shot, it was aide open and 6 yards, he was on top of the jake decoy, here's a pic:
(https://i.postimg.cc/TPqChst9/20210401-200347.jpg)
Ok i understand now. I think i would have had "turkey fever" and been shaking too much to draw the bow lol! One of these years i'm going to try for one with the bow.
High 5 !
Congratulations! Bowhunting Turkey is the ultimate challenge, such a rush. And the fact you used a Longbow takes it over the top.
:z-guntootsmiley: :z-guntootsmiley: :z-guntootsmiley: Very nice,congrats!!
Way to go Cap!!!
Being a long bow shooter for over 30 years, I can appreciate what you accomplished by taking a gobbler with a traditional bow. Congratulations!
Congrats :icon_thumright:
Well done
Well done. Taking an old bird with a longbow is the ultimate accomplishment in hunting, imo
Nice job. Never thought they would walk up to a blind just sitting out in the open. I know in my area I have to brush them in or they veer off.
Very nice, congrats!
Good for you, that is impressive!
Congratulations
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That's awesome. Always wanted to knock one down with my longbow.
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Way to stick with it!! Congrats!!
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.