Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Haven't seen this thread yet this year, but let's see everyone's favorite turkey picture they have as everyone is getting fired up for the season. Mine is from May 2020 season. Let's see them!
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(https://i.imgur.com/B8pzjM1.jpg?1)

My favorite actually consists of two pictures.  I call it Full Circle.  One picture is of my first longbeard that my Dad helped me kill, the next picture is of a longbeard I helped my Dad kill forty years later.  This is about as good as it gets for me.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51929088545_bd2f3680ec.jpg)

good stuff!

That's awesome [mention]guesswho [/mention]!


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My son got his first bird on a public land hunt.  That was a big moment for me. 

(https://previews.dropbox.com/p/thumb/ABc626QZz1-z8TP1SQGZT-vii1lTLQFyQVeL1_8t2In9PNAzuPNObD7VCrsWc6xQCZwOnrsj887LRcN3awAxR0yCvdG43XcdesVwBNORhfrSsSdGTM1Cu0sdPQKrIOV01hU839Q0J_PjVfZmEQbnxkheS6Z0X3YJ-Jda9I2ISGBOCnEHMULDAmG_oMon4AYYYIhA0PsjgOBQ9yt7hJTBlQ2QIY6nZ246M5gLNySaRD0hwtW10puKuART2bd1imZaDzNNMAP89h8Zmu0Zee3j8rrf-YDBSKzeeEcPvJlyVekCQq6gNrCOgDB0tJJdYkUnqX8GrhemRrtB6qZtTd9M_WkXVfXrDluxsVfIBoMfqwPgAwM8B9bG50YVZWd_OQbBaj0/p.jpeg?size=2048x1536&size_mode=3)

Probably this one for me and it's not my bird. Real memorable Osceola hunt, though, two years ago on what turned out to be the week before COVID changed the world. Was reminded of the timing of that hunt the other day and just can't think of anybody else I'd have rather been tromping around the woods with or anything else I'd have rather been doing at that moment knowing how things would go soon after.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220309/9f3835150a4c9062b44d01601244b583.jpg)


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David that the bird you wrote the article in GaG?

This has been my favorite, SO many memories in this one picture but there are a lot of them!


MK M GOBL

Quote from: 3bailey3 on March 09, 2022, 02:27:15 PM
David that the bird you wrote the article in GaG?

That's the one Raymond killed. That mouthy old hen was still toting the ones I was chasing all through the orange groves I never stood a chance!


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It is not the best picture but means a lot to me. After my last car accident I did not think I would ever hunt again, after 17 years I was able to get back into the woods on my own with the help of some medication for the pain and while there I snapped this picture on my junky cell phone to let my GF know I had made it there alright. It was my first day back and an emotional one.

My brother and I got our Osceola's together. It was a special day, special photo memory.

Quote from: Sir-diealot on March 09, 2022, 02:50:21 PM
It is not the best picture but means a lot to me. After my last car accident I did not think I would ever hunt again, after 17 years I was able to get back into the woods on my own with the help of some medication for the pain and while there I snapped this picture on my junky cell phone to let my GF know I had made it there alright. It was my first day back and an emotional one.

Great story, congrats.....

Quote from: Tom007 on March 09, 2022, 02:56:11 PM

Quote from: Sir-diealot on March 09, 2022, 02:50:21 PM
It is not the best picture but means a lot to me. After my last car accident I did not think I would ever hunt again, after 17 years I was able to get back into the woods on my own with the help of some medication for the pain and while there I snapped this picture on my junky cell phone to let my GF know I had made it there alright. It was my first day back and an emotional one.

Great story, congrats.....

Thanks.

This is a old county store that was on the first hunting club I was in, after I had taken the bird and was driving back to the camp house I thought it would make a good pic.
(https://i.imgur.com/LnHlvBO.jpg)

Quote from: 3bailey3 on March 09, 2022, 03:28:21 PM
This is a old county store that was on the first hunting club I was in, after I had taken the bird and was driving back to the camp house I thought it would make a good pic.
(https://i.imgur.com/LnHlvBO.jpg)

Great pic...

Got a bunch of pics that are pretty special to me but this one may be the best. Its my avatar pic.

The DNR was doing a 3 year study in an area I hunt and banding turkeys as part of it. For 7 seasons I was hoping to get a banded turkey without luck. By the 8th season I figured I was out of luck...the youngest a turkey could be that was banded would be 6 years old.

I had 2 tags for the area that year and killed a banded turkey on my 1st tag. He was 6 years old. Then a couple of weeks later I got another turkey and to my amazement he was also banded. This old boy was 7 years old! I think his spur was deformed a bit by the band. You can see it grows somewhat down instead of up and has a little bump in it.

That is awesome!

Rare bird for sure.   He beat the odds.    Would love to hear his stories.

What makes it special? Public land, out of state and the Model 12.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220309/31450ee008588cc7f546916dc9367e6d.jpg)

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Probably a my favorite picture. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220309/08c0251dd3042362ff8440865e8100a0.jpg)

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This was 30 years ago & about 150#'s lighter. This old Gobbler flopped around in the Bottomland mud.

Quote from: dswmsn on March 09, 2022, 06:36:29 PM
This was 30 years ago & about 150#'s lighter. This old Gobbler flopped around in the Bottomland mud.

Still the finest pattern ever made!


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One of my favorites for sure. My wife with a bird she took last year. An awesome hard gobbling bird that came in through the hardwoods from a long way off


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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220309/58e35e0274f5844a79aef15f19d146ed.jpg)


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My son some years ago. I sometimes laugh and I sometimes cry when I look at this picture.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220310/fb667f68819a76f1d9c271e405d0e109.jpg)

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Great picture Zobo, I fully understand your statement..

These are some great pictures guys. Capturing some of what turkey hunting is all about.

One of my favorites would have to be the wife's first tom. Tough public land ridge runner that kicked my butt quite a few times. She had no idea how lucky she was that morning.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220310/e0ff124be22be6197c304d7a8af80460.jpg)

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Quote from: guesswho on March 09, 2022, 07:24:05 PM
Great picture Zobo, I fully understand your statement..


Thanks, I was motivated to post it by the very moving, priceless pictures you posted of you and your dad. Special memories.

I have a bunch, mostly of me and my grandad or my kids hunting together. My grandad is the closest thing I ever had to a father and mentor. Still make sure and visit and talk to him often as I know it won't last forever.

I'm about 18 in this picture. We had a good morning. 4 birds in the truck

My boy Clyde on a successful fall hunt.

I like Clyde.

Fun thread.

The best part is, I wasn't parked in middle of road

Very interesting, two different letters taped together on UA letter head..

Quote from: 3bailey3 on March 09, 2022, 10:31:12 PM
Very interesting, two different letters taped together on UA letter head..

I guess this is what those Bama folk consider to be the middle of the road...

This is one of my favorites. My Dad and Grandpa on a successful morning back in the 70's. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220310/1bf14a9ca1eecbef7f54bde1c9698feb.jpg)

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One of my all-time faves..................


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For me, no other pic would have happened had it not been for this one. My cousin and I both killed our first gobbler that morning. The man on the left is our Uncle. He played a big role in why we both came to love turkey hunting. Sadly, he died unexpectedly a little over 14 yrs ago. I still miss him dearly and try to pay tribute to him every time I'm standing over a dead gobbler.
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Great hunt!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220310/4c1164ea9bbdc728ad36a925f86d0c20.jpg)

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My youngest daughters first bird


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The first turkey on my own property.. My grandfather hunted this land well before I was born and he killed the last one here in the 80's.. Growing up, I never thought I would ever own the land.. Once it was mine, I never thought it would hold turkeys..

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Went in blind and sealed the deal on this old mountain monarch 5 mins after he hit the ground. The fog, scenery, and show he put on was beautiful that morning...I wish it could have lasted longer.


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Quote from: guesswho on March 09, 2022, 01:53:48 PM
My favorite actually consists of two pictures.  I call it Full Circle.  One picture is of my first longbeard that my Dad helped me kill, the next picture is of a longbeard I helped my Dad kill forty years later.  This is about as good as it gets for me.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51929088545_bd2f3680ec.jpg)

Great pictures Ronnie!!!

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Quote from: TurkeyReaper69 on March 09, 2022, 10:27:03 PM
The best part is, I wasn't parked in middle of road

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I don't really have a favorite picture, so I'll post a few of my favorites.
My SC double (back when it was legal). 2 longbeards with one shot.
Last day of a FLA WMA hunt when I got a nice Osceola that came in on a string. Biked in and out several miles every day.
My Ohio gobbler with an almost 14" long beard, after a pellet severed multiple strands of beard. Worked this bird from fly down til I killed him with 10 minutes to go to the end of shooting hours.
My NW Nebraska Merriams gobbler.
My Royal Slam Mexico Goulds gobbler on a hunt in beautiful and rugged mountain country. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220310/0aa6c806240ba00062c2899a483fd706.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220310/44982ae099b204da768c71122401289d.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220310/10e17e481dcc5af56283e7b11df200f9.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220310/10d88443f1b84e8cef53aca3dfa34c94.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220310/9eabc6282dc1f476ee5e1bbd16e50e31.jpg)

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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220310/afede2a539fd70242cfa36929a8f3d81.jpg)
Here's a funny picture of my son whose front teeth had fallen out. He got his feet wet and was so cold that he just curled up in his chair. He told me to shoot it so I quickly did. This was a big ole triple bearded Tennessee gobbler that weighed 21lbs 15oz.  I think he would have been just as excited if it had been a Jake. Also I bought him some muck boots right away.


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Here is another favorite of mine. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220310/91a8f76c9762ed471e23faf656f3dd25.jpg)

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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220310/e32b8542eff93beee375ee210689f947.jpg)


One of my fav photos...


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Nothing like that Spanish moss in the sunshine

Youngest first one and one from last year plus a bonus

Kansas Rio with sunrise in the background (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220311/6355f551cd7067676d666b681536c5a9.jpg)

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This was one of the last times my grandfather was able to get outside before passing away at the age of 97 in 2017

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Best friend and I on a veterans hunt for osceola turkey down in Florida.  Hunt of a lifetime and couldn't have had a better friend to experience it with. Btw - my dad had always wanted to hunt Osceolas and never got the chance to.  I harvested this bird with his gun and could hear his voice telling me to aim small and miss small


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My buddy's first turkey and I killed a Jake in a tribute with my dads gun after my dad had passed away.

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My daughter with her first turkey that came in gobbling and strutting

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My son with his first turkey.  A group of 6 jakes came into our setup and he said dad, I can't stop shaking.

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My dad and I.  My first bird, too. 


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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220311/c04a1f7d142165ae392c475dbd3eaf3b.jpg)
My uncle and I with our turkeys.  This was the last year he was able to turkey hunt before he passed away. 

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Last, I really like this stone fence and thought it would be a great picture. 


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Hands down, best day of my life. You can't count births of children etc.

Quote from: Treerooster on March 09, 2022, 05:51:21 PM
Got a bunch of pics that are pretty special to me but this one may be the best. Its my avatar pic.

The DNR was doing a 3 year study in an area I hunt and banding turkeys as part of it. For 7 seasons I was hoping to get a banded turkey without luck. By the 8th season I figured I was out of luck...the youngest a turkey could be that was banded would be 6 years old.

I had 2 tags for the area that year and killed a banded turkey on my 1st tag. He was 6 years old. Then a couple of weeks later I got another turkey and to my amazement he was also banded. This old boy was 7 years old! I think his spur was deformed a bit by the band. You can see it grows somewhat down instead of up and has a little bump in it.

Wow, turkeys that old are a special kind of trophy. No doubt you had to be on your A game to tag those bruisers. Thanks for sharing.

Son's first bird
(https://i.imgur.com/qXUvJDk.jpg)

Great Great grandfather
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Here's one of mine form opening day Kentucky 2017

A pic of my Dad when he went on his first turkey hunt.  He never got a chance at a bird but he only went a few times only because
his boys were getting into it.

Quote from: MISSISSIPPI Double beard on March 12, 2022, 03:03:04 PM
A pic of my Dad when he went on his first turkey hunt.  He never got a chance at a bird but he only went a few times only because
his boys were getting into it.

I bet he could handle that gun if the opportunity had presented itself. I've been watching Toxey Hass from Mossy Oak take his father hunting the past few years and is pretty special. I think Mr. Fox Hass is on year number 72 or 73 in the turkey woods and has killed turkeys every single season. Seeing the picture of your Father brings back a lot of memories of days in the woods with my family and I would give a pretty penny to be able to spend another day with my Father and Grandfather in the woods chasing critters. Those were the days and life was so much simpler.

My first one, that Ashby gobbler box is still in his vest every spring. Fella taught me how to play the game and in the process taught me alot about life. I think I was 14 there. Last year I called him one to the gun and he said it was the first one anyone aside from himself had called for him. I didnt even fill a tag(close many times) but it was a successful season anyway.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220313/ff7c1967785232c73d15df4e2ee1ef79.jpg)

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One of my turkey spots around home.. this is also one of my favorite places to sit and pray, when time allows to stay for a while

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My son and I with my daughter on her last youth hunt. I've hunted with my wife and kids forever.


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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220313/e7c13d948d79eaa9aa74bdc5d0b573e3.jpg)
My wife 8.5 months pregnant and still chasing them.


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My sons first bird he worked by himself.


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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220313/ce59bb2178e4247e686930f6378662ae.jpg)
My son & I pulled A double on opening weekend last year. Had them at 6 yards behind us, they looped around and gave us our shot at 18yds. Turkey hunting has brought me so much joy and so many special memories I hold near and dear.love seeing others happy and successful memories!


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(https://i.imgur.com/YLF4GRj.jpg?1)

One I'll never forget.  I scouted this bird for 5 days before youth season started.  He was consistent but was roosting 75yds from one the the most heavily trafficked national forest roads in the area. 
Clark and I set up super early and I cringed every time I heard a truck drive by.   He put on a show for us and I watched Clark shoot him at 25 yds about 45 min after fly down.  I don't think I've ever wanted
a gobbler to stop gobbling so bad in my life.

Here's another favorite.  Her first gobbler. She was 11 years old at the time. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220314/27be1c7027cf8cbf05ef1232227d8902.jpg)

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Awesome stuff guys..

I envy you guys with the family pictures, only went deer hunting once with my father and that did not turn out well, hyperactive kid in the woods that can't keep his mouth shut or sit still is not good for hunting. I am still glad I had that one time with Dad though. You guys have no idea how much I wish I had that family heritage of hunting like you do, cherish it, love it and soak it in, one day you may no longer be able to do it with them and you will wish you would have paid more attention to the little things. I am the lone hunter in my family and the only turkey hunter among my group of friends so I also envy those of you making memories with your friends as well, you guys will have some great stories to share together when you get older and with your kids.

My daughters first Longbeard

Daughter's first bird

My daughter Sophia's first gobbler (hopefully in a couple weeks, I will have a tie as my youngest daughter is going out for the first time)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220321/ef4bbc6900ab09245a4098688eae62cf.jpg)

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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220322/f461d79d01c269b6e3417aa4034f325b.jpg)My old man after I got to call him in a beautiful eastern after about 8 years of him not harvesting a bird. I decided I would set out mg 2020 season to get him a bird. Best part was it was only a few hundred yards from our pickup. A memory I will never forget because of a man that instilled such a passion for these birds. I had a canvass done of this photo for the huntin room and it brings a smile to my face every time.


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The offspring's 2nd turkey, April 2021. This one was pretty bittersweet because we lost his grandpa (my dad) on March 28th and we couldn't continue the tradition of going to show grandpa what we got

Hunt last season.  Guy on left just killed his 1st spring gobbler.  We worked all season to get his 1st.  We roosted a handful the evening before.  Got in a good hour and half before 1st light.  While we stood just waiting an owl light up directly above us.  Scared the crap out of us, then about 7 birds starting firing off.   Finally we setup and was ready for fly down. Val gave a couple light calls and all the birds responded.  Then this bird fired off really close to us.  Shifted bodies a touch and the show began.  Val worked him in with just light purrs.  Took him about 10 minutes and he showed up in the road at full strut.  I started videoing it, he strutted right in range to the decoy.   And then his day ended.  Great early April hunt in Florida. I believe that morning was below freezing.  We made him sit another 5 minutes before he could get his hands on him.  Pretty awesome morning when the plan came to fruition  we took a bunch of pictures but this is 1 of the best.  They didn't even know I was still taking photos as we all walked out.  (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220325/88fa69ee9d9d4e4816b5aec074e4d9c5.jpg)

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Quote from: Sir-diealot on March 16, 2022, 10:14:07 AM
I envy you guys with the family pictures, only went deer hunting once with my father and that did not turn out well, hyperactive kid in the woods that can't keep his mouth shut or sit still is not good for hunting. I am still glad I had that one time with Dad though. You guys have no idea how much I wish I had that family heritage of hunting like you do, cherish it, love it and soak it in, one day you may no longer be able to do it with them and you will wish you would have paid more attention to the little things. I am the lone hunter in my family and the only turkey hunter among my group of friends so I also envy those of you making memories with your friends as well, you guys will have some great stories to share together when you get older and with your kids.

Your ever around Kentucky I'd love to share A morning in the woods with you sir.


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Quote from: justin.arps on March 28, 2022, 08:33:30 PM

Quote from: Sir-diealot on March 16, 2022, 10:14:07 AM
I envy you guys with the family pictures, only went deer hunting once with my father and that did not turn out well, hyperactive kid in the woods that can't keep his mouth shut or sit still is not good for hunting. I am still glad I had that one time with Dad though. You guys have no idea how much I wish I had that family heritage of hunting like you do, cherish it, love it and soak it in, one day you may no longer be able to do it with them and you will wish you would have paid more attention to the little things. I am the lone hunter in my family and the only turkey hunter among my group of friends so I also envy those of you making memories with your friends as well, you guys will have some great stories to share together when you get older and with your kids.

Your ever around Kentucky I'd love to share A morning in the woods with you sir.


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Thank you much Justin.

In 2019 my oldest decided he would like to go turkey hunting and asked if I would take him.  He had went once before when he was probably around 10. He has always been a fisherman but no desire to hunt to speak of growing up.  Long story short we had a bird that had apparently read the script.  Gobbled on the roost pitched out our way. Marching 600 yards down the field edge crossed through barbed wire fence. Popped up in front of us 45 yards away strutting inside of 20 yards and gobbled in our faces just before my son pulled the trigger. One of the most memorable a certainly one of my favorite hunts in my 45 years of chasing spring Gobblers. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220329/519034eb7d762c57d86ce293bbdbdafb.jpg)

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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220401/a2752989548efbd49d08b484d41158aa.jpg)
Last year opening day double with my son! By far the best hunt we could ask for!! Lifetime of memories!!!


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Not so much the dead bird as the opening day story with my son.  We had struck a bird early that was closer to my nephew and BIL, so we stopped calling and backed out.  Worked our way around and no calling.  We started to head back to truck and heard one gobble late.  Walked back to him, figuring he was on the wrong side of the river, but just had to check to be sure.  We got down there and sure enough, he was on the wrong side.  Crawled up to the edge and looked across the 100 yard wide river. Heard a crazy racket and realized it was two birds fighting. Got them all fired up to the call, really just enjoying hearing the sounds.  About that time one appeared on the far bank.  I said to my son, that may be the loser and he might just fly across.  Sure enough, he took off towards us.  I stepped below the ledge and stood, son just crouched and bird lit about 5 yards below us and walked up the bank just to our right. he appeared at about 15 steps and I told son to kill him and he whispered back he had no shot. The bird knew something was up and I squeezed the trigger. He had just stepped out enough that my son had a shot and he squeezed at the exact same time.  My nephew heard the shots and said it sounded like one very loud boom.  Was very cool to share a hunt with my grown son and neither of us cared in the least it was a shared bird.  Oddly enough the other bird flew across and veered at the shot and neither of us shot because we were on public and both thought we were the only ones that had pulled the trigger.  Could have doubled, but he was flying so we were both cool with not shooting him. 

My son's first bird
Doubt we'll ever forget that morning.

Long story but this was my friends and I walking out on my family's land that has since been sold to the county. It was basically just us screwing around and all 3 of us calling it in. My most memorable hunt. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220429/afbc72dcbc11262eecf082c48dffec05.jpg)

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