After filling my first archery tag Monday morning the 16th I was undecided on whether I should wait to buy a 4th season tag or go get another bow tag. Since our 4th season doesn't start until May 2nd I opted for the bow tag.
I slipped into a piece of property that borders the river and popped up the blind the day before on my lunch hour. Friday morning the weather was far from what you want as a turkey hunter but I was fairly confident there were birds roosting on my side and I have had awesome luck there the last couple years.
I happened to have a trail cam right next to where I set up the blind and caught some action before the shot. I made my way in the dark and had the decoys set and ready to roll by 5:20. (Note that the time on the camera hasnt "sprung ahead" yet
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p525/rfhearn/043_1.jpg)
The wind was really whipping and I knew I wouldn't be able to hear any gobbles outside of 100 yards or so. The first and only gobble came at 6:01. Being in a blind really hinders your hearing so I wasn't sure where it came from. I made a couple fly down calls and some soft yelps and sat back. A short 5 or so minutes later out of the corner of my eye I catch movement and no more than 3-4 steps from my blind a tom is racing to my Jake decoy followed by another. I slowly reached for my bow and hooked up waiting for them to take a break from flogging my decoy. I drew back and strained to find my top pin, once I got everything settled I let the arrow eat. The bigger bird lay next to the decoy as the second tom spent nearly 15 minutes beating his downed partner.
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p525/rfhearn/054_1.jpg)
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p525/rfhearn/059_1.jpg)
What a season! Short but very rewarding as this is the first time I have tagged two birds with a bow in Iowa. I plan on going out with friends here in Iowa until the second annual Kansas trip in May.
Specs: 21 pounds, 7/8" spurs and thick 10" beard
Good luck and stay safe out there guys
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p525/rfhearn/076_1.jpg)
Congrats!
The pics aren't showing, but it sounds like a great hunt.
I like that.... Throat Punched!
But where's the pictures?
congrats
Im working on it. Hopefully it will be fixed shortly.....sorry
Noice!!! :you_rock:
Are the pics showing?
the pics are showing for me, congrats on the nice tom.
Congrats on a great hunt!
That last pic is very nice.
Congrats!!! Thumping turkeys with a bow is fast becoming my new addiction :newmascot:
Congrats! Very cool to have a timeline of your hunt on the trail cam
Very nice going,congrats!!
That is great stuff. Congrats!!
Congratulations!!!!
congrats
Love it!
:icon_thumright:
a very well earned congrats
Congrats. Nice pics.