I took my son out today for the Iowa youth opener, we got the blind setup well before sunrise and then the wait began. The only gobbling we heard on the roost were a ways away on another property. Right at sunrise we had some hens near us, but out of sight in the tree line. Fast forward to 35 minutes after sunrise, my son looked out the back of the blind and saw a Tom with 2 hens in the picked bean field about 200 yards away working towards us. A few minutes later they disappeared behind the steep hill we were set up on. 10 minutes later one hen reappeared as she came up the hillside in front of us to the left and the Tom popped back into sight to our left, but not in a shooting window. He dropped back below the hillside and worked around us and then reappeared 40 yards in front and to the left of us. He came strutting right in and my son took the shot at 25 yards. It was a heck of a bird for his first! 26 lbs 2 oz, spurs both 1 1/8" and a 9.5" beard. This was my favorite hunt yet. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250411/d053312bd62cf0946256082f75b984ed.jpg)
Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk
A tirkey hunter is born
:turkey2:
Congratulations to the young man and to you for taking him hunting.
His smile says it all and I know you are very proud!
Awesome!! Congratulations to the young hunter, Awesome job dad!! Is this his 1st?? Great picture, thanks for sharing.
Quote from: JeffC on April 11, 2025, 03:55:59 PMAwesome!! Congratulations to the young hunter, Awesome job dad!! Is this his 1st?? Great picture, thanks for sharing.
This was his second time as the hunter and his first bird. I've taken him along 3 other times when I've been the hunter and got a bird each time. Hunts with him have a 80% success rate. I'm getting spoiled hunting with him!
Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk
Quote from: oakraidia on April 11, 2025, 04:02:26 PMQuote from: JeffC on April 11, 2025, 03:55:59 PMAwesome!! Congratulations to the young hunter, Awesome job dad!! Is this his 1st?? Great picture, thanks for sharing.
This was his second time as the hunter and his first bird. I've taken him along 3 other times when I've been the hunter and got a bird each time. Hunts with him have a 80% success rate. I'm getting spoiled hunting with him!
Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk
Congrats to both of you guys! It is so gratifying when you introduce a NEW hunter to this sport and everything falls into place. GREAT MEMORIES is why we do this!
Awesome! congrats!
That's awesome, congratulations
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Awesome. Congratulations
Sent from my motorola edge plus 5G UW (2022) using Tapatalk
Congrats to the young hunter and you as well. Love that Big smile.
Congratulations!. My Daughter took her first this season and my oldest son took his first last season and there is nothing like it!. It's a great feeling dad!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Congrats to both of you!
Great stuff there!
:happy0064: congratulations and great story.
congrats to you both .. making memories