Better pics and story later
(https://i.ibb.co/N2YW9zYj/IMG-6646.jpg) (https://ibb.co/23KcvBKt)
He's a beaut! Congrats!
CONGRATS !!! :happy0064:
This is only the second time I've been out this year...tornadoes kept me out of the woods opening weekend and a gobbler that had 17 hens defeated me on Monday.
My brother in law got me permission on some property of a good friend of his an hour away from me. I did a map recon on my phone and pinned some likely roosting spots along a gas line right of way.This morning I woke up to a balmy 31 degrees and began the drive. Once I reached my parking spot I gathered all my gear and set out across the pasture in the dark. I found a good hiding spot tucked into some trees with a decent view of the gas line. I crawled in the bushes and waited for daylight.
As darkness gave way to light a pair of geese came by honking away. Immediately a gobbler sounded off about 200 yards directly in front of me. I scanned the treetops and located the bird in full strut on his limb. I gave him just a couple light yelps to let him know I was there, which he responded to. I watched him for about 10 minutes and at 6:42 he pitched down..away from me and onto the neighboring property! I figured he knew where some hens were and wasn't going looking for a girlfriend who may or may not be there.
From that point on he went silent. This particular area is pretty small and I knew my setup was about the best I could do so I stayed put. I called off and on every 15-20 minutes but nothing answered.
At 9 o'clock I see a coyote coming down the lane and gets to within 10 yards of me before he smells me and trots off. I figure he's ruined any chance of a a turkey showing up so I decide to give it 30 more minutes and head home.
At 9:15 I just happen to look up and see a red head making his way towards my position. There's a ditch about 45 yards between me and the bird...he gets to the edge and stops to look around. I'm afraid he's going to hang up when he doesn't see a hen but my fears are put to rest when he walks down into ditch.
I put my red dot in the general area where I think he's going to pop up. I see the top of his head and he walks up and completely exposed himself. By this time he's less than 20 yards and I decide that's close enough. At the shot he just crumples and never flops.
The bird was a good two year old and a pretty bronze color...pretty enough to where I'm going to have him mounted.
It was well worth braving the cold for this one!
View from my setup
(https://i.ibb.co/357wnb64/IMG-6645.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tw4S96jQ)
(https://i.ibb.co/xKcYtX4Z/IMG-6721.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bjyFMQft)
(https://i.ibb.co/p5jYCK1/IMG-6648.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dx48npf)
(https://i.ibb.co/3Gnbv5c/IMG-6770.jpg) (https://ibb.co/skZ4Cpq)
(https://i.ibb.co/PG9hkXrw/IMG-6778.jpg) (https://ibb.co/m5XqpZR6)
Congratulations on your success! That is a beautiful gobbler. I can see why you are getting him mounted. :icon_thumright:
Beautifully done on a beautiful bird! He's even missing some of the barring in the tail fan! Very cool!!
Congrats! Beautiful bird!!
Boy that is a fine bronze bird. Congrats on a great bird we're down to 4 weeks for youth in Indiana. Had a Nader about 20 miles south a few nights a go.
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VERY well-played !!!
He'll make a heckuva mount !!
Congrats!! What an awesome bird! And as others have said....well played
Congrats, Mossy!
Heck yeah, Mossy!!!! Way to get on the board. Great story and a great bird. Congrats.