Found this guy wandering alone in the sand hills, I think he was too fat and lazy to go on walkabout in the long grass with his lady friends. He was walking down a tree line at an abandoned farmstead we have permission on. Drove down the road 1/2 mile to get in front of him and walked out to set up. Was out in the shortgrass pasture getting ready to set the dekes when I saw him standing 120 yards out in the treeline looking at me. I stood like a statue for 20 minutes while he stared at me, and when he got a tree between us I laid down. For the next hour and 39 minutes he moved 20 yards, and every time he got a tree between us I would do a barrel roll towards a downed tree to try to get to cover. I had never seen a turkey lay down and fan, but he did it 4 times and would sit there for 5 to 10 minutes picking at bugs/seeds occasionally. Stayed dead silent until the last 5 minutes when he gobbled once. After an hour 59 he started walking toward the DSD jake and the hen he could hear but not see (never could get the hen deke out). and strutted in to 15 yards.
Biggest bird I've harvested at 23 lbs, 1.5 inch hooks and 9 inch beard.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t169/spaightlabs/3979016f.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t169/spaightlabs/848a74bf.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t169/spaightlabs/e40a7845.jpg)
Congrat's those are some killer hooks.
Congrats on a killer bird..Wow!!
He was a big Daddy!
Congrats on a trophy! Worth every minute, wasn't it? :toothy9:
Nice bird, congrats
Mighty fine right there!!!
Quote from: Tail Feathers on April 21, 2012, 10:35:44 PM
He was a big Daddy!
Congrats on a trophy! Worth every minute, wasn't it? :toothy9:
Indeed - wish I was out today doing it again.
Great bird, congrats!
That's a dandy, congrats.
Greg
Very Nice Bird.... Congrats and Kudos to you for having the patience to stay with that bird for such a long period of time. :icon_thumright:
Nice hooks. He's a limbhanger for sure!
Congrats Nice hooks
Congrats!
Congrats on a fine bird!
Very nice going,congrats!!
Now thats a bird. Good Huntin
That's a gooden, Congrats!
Congrats! Those are some big spurs. Nice pics too!
Congrats. Nice bird and alot of tasty meat for the grill.
Awesome bird, congrats :icon_thumright:
congrats on a fine bird
WOW, killer hooks, congratulations!!!
Beautiful!! Gotta love those Merriams!! Sounds like an exciting hunt!! :icon_thumright: