Title: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: krm944 on April 22, 2023, 03:45:42 PM
Post by: krm944 on April 22, 2023, 03:45:42 PM
I usually start with a disclaimer that I'm not a Turkey hunter or a Turkey caller but my 9 year old son and I are avid hunters. This year I decided to be a bit more serious and learn to hunt gobblers. I spent countless hours reading old posts. I asked questions in the New Hunter section and I have been 100% successful every day out- we have either seen a bird or heard gobbles and had interactions to my (pitiful) calling. A common theme was getting interactions, but not finishing a bird. I always felt like I was just outside his bubble- but I was completely happy with that as it wasn't an aggressive interaction to make him move on.
This morning we slipped into a spot almost at the center of the property with a couple hundred yards of tough ground at 5 am. As the woods woke up no gobbles. About 7:30 we moved on a few hundred yards and I was made a soft yelp that found a gobbler on the roost! We called back and forth a bit but he went quiet. We relocated to a blind I set up for youth day. It's comfortable and enjoyable even if we don't encounter game.
On the walk in I made a soft Yelp at the edge of the woods with a diaphragm call and had a hen immediately respond! I got my little guy kneeling behind a fallen log and for the next 15 minutes worked her in. I communicated it to him it sounded like a hen, but to point/track the bird in case a gobbler was following. She came in on a string and crossed in front of us as we both searched for a Tom behind her. She was alone and worked off as I continued calling back and forth with her. He was stoked!!! As both of us calmed a bit from the excitement, I asked him how he thought I sounded calling compared to her- his critique was that I wasn't as raspy, not as fast in cadence.
We make it to the blind and played a couple games of tic tac toe on the phone and he wanted to try calling with my slate call. At first it sounded like two cats in the back alley but alas, he got the hang of it. I posted on the forum searching for suggestions for an easy call he could place in his Turkey vest. I typed that message at 9:30. We had to be back at the car by 10:30 to make it to his soccer game.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230422/4bf1f520ea561bcdfb7b7b10a3d8c279.jpg)
At some point I made a soft Yelp out the back of the blind with a diaphragm call I was practicing with and I swore I heard a gobble. I looked at my son and his eyes were as big as saucers! I yelped again and I was CERTAIN I heard a gobble. I gave him some excitement, more volume and he gobbled again! We were certain he was on the move, so my calls were softer and less frequent. I swear the softer I got, the faster and more excited the gobbles.
I got my little guy situated and his gun on a tripod in the blind. I was softly calling and could see the gobbler coming. My son couldn't see him yet. He would almost strut, then come straight for us. He passed in front of the blind at about 15 yards and my little guy didn't get a shot as he only stopped behind a tree. He couldn't quite trail/shoot the walking bird and the gobbler walked off. He may have seen some movement in the blind and I expected he was gone forever. I made some excited yelps and he was soon gobbling his head off and headed back for us. He crossed in front of us further away this time and my attempt to stop him worked.
My 9 year old with his 28 gauge made a beautiful shot on the bird broadside at 30 yards! I was stoked! He was the happiest boy in the woods this morning. Even with pictures, we made it to the car at 10:28!
His first gobbler was 19 lbs, 15.6 ounces, with 1 inch spurs and a 10 inch beard.
I guess we're Turkey hunters now. I guess I'm a novice Turkey caller. We have this forum to thank for it.
From my little guy and myself, Thank you. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230422/165043cf7d5491a5e01ed3a0f8ddbda9.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This morning we slipped into a spot almost at the center of the property with a couple hundred yards of tough ground at 5 am. As the woods woke up no gobbles. About 7:30 we moved on a few hundred yards and I was made a soft yelp that found a gobbler on the roost! We called back and forth a bit but he went quiet. We relocated to a blind I set up for youth day. It's comfortable and enjoyable even if we don't encounter game.
On the walk in I made a soft Yelp at the edge of the woods with a diaphragm call and had a hen immediately respond! I got my little guy kneeling behind a fallen log and for the next 15 minutes worked her in. I communicated it to him it sounded like a hen, but to point/track the bird in case a gobbler was following. She came in on a string and crossed in front of us as we both searched for a Tom behind her. She was alone and worked off as I continued calling back and forth with her. He was stoked!!! As both of us calmed a bit from the excitement, I asked him how he thought I sounded calling compared to her- his critique was that I wasn't as raspy, not as fast in cadence.
We make it to the blind and played a couple games of tic tac toe on the phone and he wanted to try calling with my slate call. At first it sounded like two cats in the back alley but alas, he got the hang of it. I posted on the forum searching for suggestions for an easy call he could place in his Turkey vest. I typed that message at 9:30. We had to be back at the car by 10:30 to make it to his soccer game.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230422/4bf1f520ea561bcdfb7b7b10a3d8c279.jpg)
At some point I made a soft Yelp out the back of the blind with a diaphragm call I was practicing with and I swore I heard a gobble. I looked at my son and his eyes were as big as saucers! I yelped again and I was CERTAIN I heard a gobble. I gave him some excitement, more volume and he gobbled again! We were certain he was on the move, so my calls were softer and less frequent. I swear the softer I got, the faster and more excited the gobbles.
I got my little guy situated and his gun on a tripod in the blind. I was softly calling and could see the gobbler coming. My son couldn't see him yet. He would almost strut, then come straight for us. He passed in front of the blind at about 15 yards and my little guy didn't get a shot as he only stopped behind a tree. He couldn't quite trail/shoot the walking bird and the gobbler walked off. He may have seen some movement in the blind and I expected he was gone forever. I made some excited yelps and he was soon gobbling his head off and headed back for us. He crossed in front of us further away this time and my attempt to stop him worked.
My 9 year old with his 28 gauge made a beautiful shot on the bird broadside at 30 yards! I was stoked! He was the happiest boy in the woods this morning. Even with pictures, we made it to the car at 10:28!
His first gobbler was 19 lbs, 15.6 ounces, with 1 inch spurs and a 10 inch beard.
I guess we're Turkey hunters now. I guess I'm a novice Turkey caller. We have this forum to thank for it.
From my little guy and myself, Thank you. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230422/165043cf7d5491a5e01ed3a0f8ddbda9.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: Dtrkyman on April 22, 2023, 03:57:00 PM
Post by: Dtrkyman on April 22, 2023, 03:57:00 PM
Congratulations, thats a 20lbr where I come from...lol
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: jshark14 on April 22, 2023, 03:58:44 PM
Post by: jshark14 on April 22, 2023, 03:58:44 PM
Congrats! That's a good bird!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: guesswho on April 22, 2023, 04:07:11 PM
Post by: guesswho on April 22, 2023, 04:07:11 PM
Sweet, well done and congrats to the young hunter.
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: eddie234 on April 22, 2023, 04:12:12 PM
Post by: eddie234 on April 22, 2023, 04:12:12 PM
Congratulations
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: ol bob on April 22, 2023, 04:19:16 PM
Post by: ol bob on April 22, 2023, 04:19:16 PM
Congratulations A day he will never forget.
Title: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: Dr Juice on April 22, 2023, 05:07:21 PM
Post by: Dr Juice on April 22, 2023, 05:07:21 PM
Congrats. Awesome Tom.
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: Bridger on April 22, 2023, 05:14:43 PM
Post by: Bridger on April 22, 2023, 05:14:43 PM
Congrats! Great story and pics.
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: Zobo on April 22, 2023, 05:26:03 PM
Post by: Zobo on April 22, 2023, 05:26:03 PM
Congrats, you did it, yes you are a turkey hunter!
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: Turkeybutt on April 22, 2023, 05:26:39 PM
Post by: Turkeybutt on April 22, 2023, 05:26:39 PM
Congratulations!
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: worth612000 on April 22, 2023, 05:36:05 PM
Post by: worth612000 on April 22, 2023, 05:36:05 PM
Congratulations. There's nothing better than taking a youngster hunting. Their smile says it all.
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: Sir-diealot on April 22, 2023, 05:53:35 PM
Post by: Sir-diealot on April 22, 2023, 05:53:35 PM
That's so great to hear, congratulations to both of you. great smile and memories the two of you will always share.
Sent from my moto g pure using Tapatalk
Sent from my moto g pure using Tapatalk
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: Greg Massey on April 22, 2023, 05:56:12 PM
Post by: Greg Massey on April 22, 2023, 05:56:12 PM
Awesome hunting and making lasting memories .. priceless in my opinion .... congratulations to you both....
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: JeffC on April 22, 2023, 05:57:30 PM
Post by: JeffC on April 22, 2023, 05:57:30 PM
Awesome job dad with the story and pictures, Congratulations to your young hunter!
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: randy6471 on April 22, 2023, 06:09:42 PM
Post by: randy6471 on April 22, 2023, 06:09:42 PM
Congrats to both of you!! That's awesome it worked out and something both of you will always remember!!
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: Happy on April 22, 2023, 06:18:59 PM
Post by: Happy on April 22, 2023, 06:18:59 PM
Awsome! Congrats and great pictures
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: snoman4 on April 22, 2023, 06:44:19 PM
Post by: snoman4 on April 22, 2023, 06:44:19 PM
Heck yeah congrats to your son and yourself for getting it done. That is an awesome first bird.
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: aclawrence on April 22, 2023, 06:46:53 PM
Post by: aclawrence on April 22, 2023, 06:46:53 PM
Congrats on an awesome hunt. What's the details on that shotgun?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: Moore on April 22, 2023, 06:54:28 PM
Post by: Moore on April 22, 2023, 06:54:28 PM
That's great
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: runngun on April 22, 2023, 07:10:19 PM
Post by: runngun on April 22, 2023, 07:10:19 PM
That is just FANtastic!!! Congratulations to you, and please let him know that we all said a big Congratulations to him as well!!! Please continue to hang around here with us, there is plenty of things to learn. The folks are very knowledgeable and willing to share!!!
Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: RiverBuck on April 22, 2023, 07:34:05 PM
Post by: RiverBuck on April 22, 2023, 07:34:05 PM
Nice job! Congratulations!!
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: krm944 on April 22, 2023, 07:36:21 PM
Post by: krm944 on April 22, 2023, 07:36:21 PM
Quote from: aclawrence on April 22, 2023, 06:46:53 PMThank you!
Congrats on an awesome hunt. What's the details on that shotgun?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Here in VA we hunt deer with shotguns and Buckshot. Last June I got him a Mossberg youth 500 20 gauge. He shot it once and was afraid of the recoil.
A random trip to Walmart and we saw a Hatfield SAS 28 gauge on the shelf for $268. We looked it over at the store and it's 28" barrel was the biggest obstacle. I reached out to a gunsmith in MA and he confirmed he could cut and thread the barrel for chokes. I had him cut it to 20" and we shortened the length of pull of the wooden stock.
Last fall he proved the lethality of a 28 gauge with TSS BB on Whitetails. That smile was about the same as today's Turkey!!!
It will run Federal, Fiocchi and my reloads with a Cheddite hull through it like a sewing machine. It will not shoot Rio Ammunition. The choke threading is True Size and an xFull or xxFull Turkey chokes are not available. For a youth it has a perfect 30-40 yard pattern with just a full choke.
It's definitely a one of a kind shotgun he will cherish forever.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: krm944 on April 22, 2023, 07:43:30 PM
Post by: krm944 on April 22, 2023, 07:43:30 PM
Quote from: runngun on April 22, 2023, 07:10:19 PMThank you!
That is just FANtastic!!! Congratulations to you, and please let him know that we all said a big Congratulations to him as well!!! Please continue to hang around here with us, there is plenty of things to learn. The folks are very knowledgeable and willing to share!!!
Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk
You have made Turkey hunters out of us. We have flirted with Turkeys so many times all season and it was phenomenal for him to finish it.
He is addicted to hearing them gobble - and like a true hunter points direction he hears the gobble from. He has experienced first hand striking a call and receiving a gobbler respond!
We ain't goin' no where!!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: GobbleNut on April 22, 2023, 10:16:23 PM
Post by: GobbleNut on April 22, 2023, 10:16:23 PM
Yep, I believe you are now hooked! One hunt like that is usually all it takes!
Great story and pictures! Congratulations to the little guy...and dad. :icon_thumright:
Great story and pictures! Congratulations to the little guy...and dad. :icon_thumright:
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: ferocious calls on April 22, 2023, 10:33:39 PM
Post by: ferocious calls on April 22, 2023, 10:33:39 PM
Sweet success!! Congrats!!
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: High plains drifter on April 23, 2023, 02:51:45 AM
Post by: High plains drifter on April 23, 2023, 02:51:45 AM
Well done!
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: Tom007 on April 23, 2023, 07:15:25 AM
Post by: Tom007 on April 23, 2023, 07:15:25 AM
Love to see the youngsters smile. Can't replace that memory. Congrats....
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: tad1 on April 23, 2023, 08:07:10 AM
Post by: tad1 on April 23, 2023, 08:07:10 AM
Great job guys! Thanks for sharing your hunt!
JT
JT
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: zelmo1 on April 23, 2023, 08:37:12 AM
Post by: zelmo1 on April 23, 2023, 08:37:12 AM
These are my favorite stories bro. A huge congrats to you both, you will never forget this day. :turkey2: Z
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: krm944 on April 23, 2023, 09:08:33 AM
Post by: krm944 on April 23, 2023, 09:08:33 AM
One can argue a Hunter is either born or is made- and I am truly blessed to have a little hunter!!
Thank you all for the well wishes. This morning at 2:30 am my bedroom light flips on and Lil Hunter is ready to go!
The alarm isn't due for another 90 minutes but his internal clock told him not to be late!!
We slipped into a new spot this morning. As the woods came alive, he slowly drifted off to sleep. The tree that was once "our" backrest became "my" backrest as my shoulder was a bit warmer and softer than that old southern pine.
About 3 hours on stand and it was cold pizza and chocolate milk time back at the vehicle. A quick ride with the heater blasting and we are trying our luck at another spot.
It's ANOTHER successful day in the Turkey woods.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thank you all for the well wishes. This morning at 2:30 am my bedroom light flips on and Lil Hunter is ready to go!
The alarm isn't due for another 90 minutes but his internal clock told him not to be late!! We slipped into a new spot this morning. As the woods came alive, he slowly drifted off to sleep. The tree that was once "our" backrest became "my" backrest as my shoulder was a bit warmer and softer than that old southern pine.
About 3 hours on stand and it was cold pizza and chocolate milk time back at the vehicle. A quick ride with the heater blasting and we are trying our luck at another spot.
It's ANOTHER successful day in the Turkey woods.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: 762hunter on April 23, 2023, 09:16:36 AM
Post by: 762hunter on April 23, 2023, 09:16:36 AM
That's too cool!!!
Congrats to both of you
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Congrats to both of you
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: Ranman on April 23, 2023, 09:33:02 AM
Post by: Ranman on April 23, 2023, 09:33:02 AM
Way to go.. that is a great memory for sure. Congrats to your son.
Title: Re: All of you helped make this hunt a success!
Post by: Paulmyr on April 23, 2023, 10:01:00 AM
Post by: Paulmyr on April 23, 2023, 10:01:00 AM
Quote from: krm944 link=topic=113904.msg1136336#msg1136336
Thank you all for the well wishes. This morning at 2:30 am my bedroom light flips on and Lil Hunter is ready to go! The alarm isn't due for another 90 minutes but his internal clock told him not to be late!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Poor kid, he's already showing the symptoms of the disease and I'm afraid there's no recovery!
Won't be long now. Ups will be dropping off packages in his name, you'll hear him hooting in the backyard like crazy man, and usually around February each year he'll get this far off look in his eyes like he's somewhere else.
If your lucky you can manage his symptoms but there's no cure. It's best to just let it run its course and not fight it.
Good luck the both of you!