I posted in the team forum but realized I hadn't shared my exciting morning with everyone else.
Today started off quite again and it's really puzzling me.
I tried something I'm not good at, that's just sitting for longer periods of time.
Since nothing gobbled on the roost I just stayed put in my listening perch and called a couple times.
After 45 minutes I couldn't take it so I eased farther out the ridge and set up again. I stayed for awhile and called some again.
Still haven't heard a bird so I decided to make my way to the spot I called in the first silent bird last Saturday.
I picked a different tree this time and got set up and called rather aggressive trying to fire one up.
I could barely hear the back end of a Gobble when I would stop calling.
I had a idea that the bird was in the bottom I was trying to pull one from last Saturday.
I tore out and got to top of the last ridge and called.
Immediately got an answer in the bottom of a different property and another on a ridge I had just passed by.
I can't set up on that bird on the ridge because our side is too narrow there.
I decided to try the bird who had been answering me that was in the bottom and he was a long way off.
It didn't take but two series on the Double Glass and he was heading my way. I'm set up just like last week where the bird can come from the other property across the line. After a little silence I was afraid to reach for my call and use it because I didn't know how close he had got.
I scratched in the leaves and he hammered. He was still 150 yards or so. Wasn't long I could hear him drumming and I could see him out the ridge briefly 125 yards strutting. Back and forth back and forth.
When he would go away I would call on my Mouth call he would answer every time and come back. I'd then scratch leaves.
This went on for 45 minutes starting at 9:00.
I'm beginning to think defeat is in my future again.
At 9:45 a different Gobble answered his Gobble under the hill. It sounded very weird and low pitched. Then the Gobble came from the top of the hill.
Ok maybe they will race each other to me.
Nope this second bird means business. He runs in and clotheslined this bird I've been working. I mean to tell you it was one more fight. They fit all over that point and down the other side. I ain't heard such a racket. It was something else. I could see the commotion when it first started they were up in the air and then rolling on the ground.
After a few minutes it got quite. I'm thinking well they have wore each other out and they ain't interested anymore.
I reached and got the Double Glass again. Boom double Gobble
The original bird was back towards the bottom and the intruder is closer to the top.
Hit him again and he gobbled again.
I coaxed him the rest of the way with my mouth call.
Suddenly I heard him drumming and he emerged from the timber in full Strut.
I broke nervous watching him close. He kept stopping and looking
80 70 60.....
He crossed the line in full Strut 37 yards and I couldn't stand it anymore I'm about to have a heart attack. The 6's hit him and he never twitched.
I had a feeling he was a mature bird and I rolled him over and I was very excited.
Finally killed a Limbhanger off this property.
21.8 pounds
1&5/16 spur
1&3/8 spur
8&3/4" beard.
I love how his Spurs curl
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On the way to the truck I stopped and took some really cool pictures of him and found a good mess of Dryland Fish. Hard to beat a day like that.
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Great bird. Our season did not even start here I saw two big Toms this morning and a nice one Sat morning it's killing me to wait.
Those are some hooks! Very nice.
Awesome hunt and a great bird. Congrats! :icon_thumright:
Congrats on a fine bird!
Congrats! He probably wasnt an intruder but rather a dominant bird and that is the reason that other one wouldnt close in. I am willing to bet the gobbling increases now that he is dead. Seen it many times. One dominant bird keep the rest quieted down.
Congrats!
awesome story its something to watch them battle they really trash each other don't they??
Quote from: TauntoHawk on April 10, 2017, 04:00:08 PM
awesome story its something to watch them battle they really trash each other don't they??
It was definitely wild. For sure a hunt I won't forget
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Quote from: snapper1982 on April 10, 2017, 03:22:10 PM
Congrats! He probably wasnt an intruder but rather a dominant bird and that is the reason that other one wouldnt close in. I am willing to bet the gobbling increases now that he is dead. Seen it many times. One dominant bird keep the rest quieted down.
Yeah you're right he's definitely a dominant bird. I probably used the wrong term when describing him. It's been 5-6 years since I killed one like him it definitely has a different feel about it toting one like that out lol.
I hope the Gobbling improves. I'm not used to this in the area. It holds a healthy population of turkey. Just weird they are being so tight lipped.
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Congrats!!
Great job!
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nice bird, congrats
Sounds like a fun hunt. Congrats!!
Great bird and awesome story, I was super excited reading it. Opened up a can of memories for me. Thanks for sharing.
congrats on a beautiful bird
Great bird and great story. I was right there with you watching the show.
What a bird!!!! Congrats! :turkey2:
Nice bird. Others might be more apt to gobble since he's out of the picture now.
Great bird
:icon_thumright: congrats!
congrats on a great bird
Great write up and awesome bird! Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
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Nice bird and good story. I love it when there are two or more gobblers competing for the right to come to what they think is a willing hen. The peck order really works to the hunter's advantage in these instances.
Nice, way to take your time and work him in, one heck of a beard
Thanks everyone
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