Title: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: eorlando on March 06, 2021, 04:39:28 PM
Post by: eorlando on March 06, 2021, 04:39:28 PM
FIRST BIRD on her first turkey hunt ever!!!!! What a morning!!! We couldn't have asked for a better morning. Scouted this bird a couple weeks ago and had a pretty good idea where he was roosting at. Slipped in there this morning and got setup 30 min before shooting light (a little later than I hoped). We got settled in and waited for legal light.
As the sun came up and the woods came to life. We heard song birds chirping, a bull gator in the distance bellowing, and barred owls hooting. The only thing missing was that gobble we longed for. 5 min after legal light and still nothing. I was starting to 2nd guess my choice of spots. A few more minutes go by and we finally hear a gobble off in the distance, then another bird fires off. 10 min go by and there are now 3 different birds hammering down but nothing close. I tell my wife we are going to have to make a move and go to the birds off in the distance. Before we make a move I hit the call one last time. BOOM, a bird hammers off 150 yards from us in the opposite direction. Change of plans.......
I tell my wife to get her gun up and ready, that he is on the ground and probably headed this way. I wait a minute, hit the call again and he hammers back at half the distance now. He hammers again and is even closer. My heart is beating out of my chest as I know it's about to go down. I make a couple soft calls and he hammers again this time at 15 steps..... one of those ground shaking gobbles you can feel in your bones. He steps out at 5 yards in full strut. He makes a B-line to the decoy, walks around it, and then kicks the out of it. I hit the call, he periscopes, and then the 20ga rings out. Bird down!!!!! I was hooting and hollering. I'm not sure who was more excited me or her....oh wait, definitely me. Definitely a hunt I will remember as long as I live. Next up is my daughter in a few days. Maybe she can get her first too!!!!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009942322_09d4216426_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzhGb)DSC_1094 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzhGb) by Eric Orlando (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185912774@N08/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009932317_7b5ea03656_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzeHF)DSC_1105 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzeHF) by Eric Orlando (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185912774@N08/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009934107_9557a6f7ab_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzffx)DSC_1133 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzffx) by Eric Orlando (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185912774@N08/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009935987_7cad471ae6_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzfNX)DSC_1108 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzfNX) by Eric Orlando (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185912774@N08/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009946182_b852c1c455_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHziQJ)DSC_1079 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHziQJ) by Eric Orlando (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185912774@N08/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009853191_478afd9f3c_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHyQcr)DSC_1084 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHyQcr) by Eric Orlando (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185912774@N08/), on Flickr
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
As the sun came up and the woods came to life. We heard song birds chirping, a bull gator in the distance bellowing, and barred owls hooting. The only thing missing was that gobble we longed for. 5 min after legal light and still nothing. I was starting to 2nd guess my choice of spots. A few more minutes go by and we finally hear a gobble off in the distance, then another bird fires off. 10 min go by and there are now 3 different birds hammering down but nothing close. I tell my wife we are going to have to make a move and go to the birds off in the distance. Before we make a move I hit the call one last time. BOOM, a bird hammers off 150 yards from us in the opposite direction. Change of plans.......
I tell my wife to get her gun up and ready, that he is on the ground and probably headed this way. I wait a minute, hit the call again and he hammers back at half the distance now. He hammers again and is even closer. My heart is beating out of my chest as I know it's about to go down. I make a couple soft calls and he hammers again this time at 15 steps..... one of those ground shaking gobbles you can feel in your bones. He steps out at 5 yards in full strut. He makes a B-line to the decoy, walks around it, and then kicks the out of it. I hit the call, he periscopes, and then the 20ga rings out. Bird down!!!!! I was hooting and hollering. I'm not sure who was more excited me or her....oh wait, definitely me. Definitely a hunt I will remember as long as I live. Next up is my daughter in a few days. Maybe she can get her first too!!!!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009942322_09d4216426_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzhGb)DSC_1094 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzhGb) by Eric Orlando (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185912774@N08/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009932317_7b5ea03656_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzeHF)DSC_1105 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzeHF) by Eric Orlando (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185912774@N08/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009934107_9557a6f7ab_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzffx)DSC_1133 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzffx) by Eric Orlando (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185912774@N08/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009935987_7cad471ae6_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzfNX)DSC_1108 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHzfNX) by Eric Orlando (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185912774@N08/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009946182_b852c1c455_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHziQJ)DSC_1079 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHziQJ) by Eric Orlando (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185912774@N08/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009853191_478afd9f3c_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHyQcr)DSC_1084 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHyQcr) by Eric Orlando (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185912774@N08/), on Flickr
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Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Hobbes on March 06, 2021, 04:47:45 PM
Post by: Hobbes on March 06, 2021, 04:47:45 PM
That's awesome ????????????. Congrats to you and the wife.
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Goblen on March 06, 2021, 04:52:47 PM
Post by: Goblen on March 06, 2021, 04:52:47 PM
Congratulations, thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Rzrbac on March 06, 2021, 04:54:32 PM
Post by: Rzrbac on March 06, 2021, 04:54:32 PM
Congrats to you and her. Fine looking bird and some great pics.
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: 3bailey3 on March 06, 2021, 05:03:31 PM
Post by: 3bailey3 on March 06, 2021, 05:03:31 PM
Awesome, congrats.
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Snood Life on March 06, 2021, 05:19:50 PM
Post by: Snood Life on March 06, 2021, 05:19:50 PM
Awesome, congrats!
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: zelmo1 on March 06, 2021, 05:23:21 PM
Post by: zelmo1 on March 06, 2021, 05:23:21 PM
That is awesome bro, congrats to you both. :turkey2: :turkey2:
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: JeffC on March 06, 2021, 05:23:51 PM
Post by: JeffC on March 06, 2021, 05:23:51 PM
Congratulations Mrs. E and Eric, pictures are great, smile says it all. I hope you got it on video? Good luck getting your daughter a bird. All that scouting and hunting with the camera pays off...thanks for sharing..
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Yoteduster on March 06, 2021, 05:25:24 PM
Post by: Yoteduster on March 06, 2021, 05:25:24 PM
Congrats on a nice gobbler
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Tom007 on March 06, 2021, 05:25:41 PM
Post by: Tom007 on March 06, 2021, 05:25:41 PM
Awesome, congrats...is that the one you had a pic of on the roost?
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: guesswho on March 06, 2021, 05:29:54 PM
Post by: guesswho on March 06, 2021, 05:29:54 PM
Nice! Congrats to you both. I have to ask, what kind of Camo is that. Reminds me of the old DK Flatlands or whatever it was called.
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: 310 gauge on March 06, 2021, 05:36:47 PM
Post by: 310 gauge on March 06, 2021, 05:36:47 PM
Now that's what good livin' will get ya!!! Great pictures of even better memories! Thanks for taking us along and looking forward to sharing in your daughter's success also! Very cool camo Mom!!!
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: boomer on March 06, 2021, 05:50:27 PM
Post by: boomer on March 06, 2021, 05:50:27 PM
Congrats!!
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Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: eorlando on March 06, 2021, 05:51:34 PM
Post by: eorlando on March 06, 2021, 05:51:34 PM
Quote from: guesswho on March 06, 2021, 05:29:54 PMThanks!!! It is called Florida camo. Perfect for down here.
Nice! Congrats to you both. I have to ask, what kind of Camo is that. Reminds me of the old DK Flatlands or whatever it was called.
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Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Swenny on March 06, 2021, 05:58:48 PM
Post by: Swenny on March 06, 2021, 05:58:48 PM
Nice bird!
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Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: joey46 on March 06, 2021, 06:19:19 PM
Post by: joey46 on March 06, 2021, 06:19:19 PM
Congrats!
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Yoder409 on March 06, 2021, 06:26:32 PM
Post by: Yoder409 on March 06, 2021, 06:26:32 PM
OUTSTANDING !!!!!
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: gobblers roost on March 06, 2021, 06:29:18 PM
Post by: gobblers roost on March 06, 2021, 06:29:18 PM
Good deal...What it's all about.
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Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Sixes on March 06, 2021, 06:31:54 PM
Post by: Sixes on March 06, 2021, 06:31:54 PM
Congrats to her on a fine bird!
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: strum on March 06, 2021, 06:32:40 PM
Post by: strum on March 06, 2021, 06:32:40 PM
Congrats!! Thats what its all about..
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: eggshell on March 06, 2021, 06:36:07 PM
Post by: eggshell on March 06, 2021, 06:36:07 PM
Great job, I am so jealous
FYI you can resize your photos for better viewing here
https://picresize.com/
FYI you can resize your photos for better viewing here
https://picresize.com/
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: hoythunter on March 06, 2021, 06:41:36 PM
Post by: hoythunter on March 06, 2021, 06:41:36 PM
Huge congrats!
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: g8rvet on March 06, 2021, 08:21:38 PM
Post by: g8rvet on March 06, 2021, 08:21:38 PM
Awesome job Eric and Mrs. Eric! Love the Crocs too!
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: jmart241 on March 06, 2021, 08:26:45 PM
Post by: jmart241 on March 06, 2021, 08:26:45 PM
Congrats to both of you
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: bear hunter on March 06, 2021, 08:28:48 PM
Post by: bear hunter on March 06, 2021, 08:28:48 PM
congrats on nice bird
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: skimerhorn on March 06, 2021, 08:30:19 PM
Post by: skimerhorn on March 06, 2021, 08:30:19 PM
Congratulations. Awesome pics as usual
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: RutnNStrutn on March 06, 2021, 09:14:41 PM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on March 06, 2021, 09:14:41 PM
Congrats!! You are fortunate to have a wife who shares your passion.
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Flgobbler on March 06, 2021, 09:25:08 PM
Post by: Flgobbler on March 06, 2021, 09:25:08 PM
Very nice bird, congrats!!
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Jimspur on March 06, 2021, 09:47:16 PM
Post by: Jimspur on March 06, 2021, 09:47:16 PM
Way to go!
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: El Pavo Grande on March 06, 2021, 10:34:00 PM
Post by: El Pavo Grande on March 06, 2021, 10:34:00 PM
Congrats!!
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: cutt down on March 06, 2021, 11:36:40 PM
Post by: cutt down on March 06, 2021, 11:36:40 PM
Congrats to you both! My wife killed her first turkey 2yrs ago & I felt the same way as you did. I enjoy her hunting with me. Your picture taking skills are top notch btw. Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: sendero558 on March 07, 2021, 02:19:11 AM
Post by: sendero558 on March 07, 2021, 02:19:11 AM
Congrats to you all that's awesome
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Mathews.1 on March 07, 2021, 02:56:11 AM
Post by: Mathews.1 on March 07, 2021, 02:56:11 AM
Congratulations to you guys
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: WAGinVA on March 07, 2021, 07:22:18 AM
Post by: WAGinVA on March 07, 2021, 07:22:18 AM
You certainly married up, congratulations all the way around.
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Cut N Run on March 07, 2021, 07:51:29 AM
Post by: Cut N Run on March 07, 2021, 07:51:29 AM
Great way to start the season! Congratulations. Good Hunting & have fun the rest of the way.
Jim
Jim
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: justin.arps on March 07, 2021, 08:03:31 AM
Post by: justin.arps on March 07, 2021, 08:03:31 AM
Congratulations! It's awesome to share the woods with family,Beautiful bird and great pictures.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: WV Flopper on March 07, 2021, 08:38:50 AM
Post by: WV Flopper on March 07, 2021, 08:38:50 AM
Congratulations to the both of you! Awesome pictures.
BTW, those shoes..... Not typical shoes we wear up here in WV for a turkey hunt. I love it.
BTW, those shoes..... Not typical shoes we wear up here in WV for a turkey hunt. I love it.
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: tazmaniac on March 07, 2021, 10:58:19 AM
Post by: tazmaniac on March 07, 2021, 10:58:19 AM
What a hunt! Great pics as always!
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Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Beards and Hooks on March 07, 2021, 01:15:42 PM
Post by: Beards and Hooks on March 07, 2021, 01:15:42 PM
Congrats to the wife and you EO, and great pix like always!
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Sent from my moto e6 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: owlhoot on March 07, 2021, 04:05:52 PM
Post by: owlhoot on March 07, 2021, 04:05:52 PM
Congrats to you all. Nice pics. That side shot behind the kind of blurred fan is excellent. :icon_thumright:
4th pic down $$
4th pic down $$
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: eorlando on March 08, 2021, 08:50:33 AM
Post by: eorlando on March 08, 2021, 08:50:33 AM
Thanks for all the positive comments guys!!!! I am still on cloud 9. Hoping my daughter can get her first on Wednesday!!!!
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Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: eorlando on March 08, 2021, 08:51:06 AM
Post by: eorlando on March 08, 2021, 08:51:06 AM
Quote from: owlhoot on March 07, 2021, 04:05:52 PMThanks man!!! Definitely one of my favorites as well!!!
Congrats to you all. Nice pics. That side shot behind the kind of blurred fan is excellent. :icon_thumright:
4th pic down $$
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Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: albrubacker on March 08, 2021, 09:05:02 AM
Post by: albrubacker on March 08, 2021, 09:05:02 AM
Congrats to the lucky Mrs and you both!!! Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: SwampRooster17 on March 08, 2021, 09:18:07 AM
Post by: SwampRooster17 on March 08, 2021, 09:18:07 AM
Heck yea! Congrats to you and your wife!
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Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: derek on March 08, 2021, 09:56:30 AM
Post by: derek on March 08, 2021, 09:56:30 AM
Congrats to both of you!
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: cracker4112 on March 08, 2021, 10:01:32 AM
Post by: cracker4112 on March 08, 2021, 10:01:32 AM
Congrats E! Hopefully many more.
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Haypatch on March 08, 2021, 11:51:17 AM
Post by: Haypatch on March 08, 2021, 11:51:17 AM
Congrat's to yal!!
Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Ozarks Hillbilly on March 08, 2021, 12:00:02 PM
Post by: Ozarks Hillbilly on March 08, 2021, 12:00:02 PM
Congrats to you both.
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Title: Re: Opening day success (First bird for wife)
Post by: Muzzy61 on March 08, 2021, 02:06:21 PM
Post by: Muzzy61 on March 08, 2021, 02:06:21 PM
Congrats!