Drove 6.5 hours from my home in Southwest Wyoming to the Wyoming black hills. Stayed in a hotel last night an hour away so that I wasn't setting up camp in the dark. Got to my predermined public land spot and immediately heard a gobble down on private property, then answered by a bird that seemed to be roosted right on the public/private line. I hurry back to my truck to get my stuff ready. Everything is still pretty much packed tight. I hurriedly get ready, start my way down the hill toward the birds and see them pitch out of the tree! It's still 15 minutes until shooting light and 45 minutes until sunrise! Had there been no snow I would've never known those birds pitched out.
This causes me to swerve and set up 200 yards from them. One hen flew out on my side of the fence so I crawl a strutter decoy out to the top of the hill and she comes in on a run and brings the flock with her. Only problem is the tom is "stuck" on the other side of the fence. Hens all around me and a tom strutting back and forth 80 yards away on the other side of the fence gobbling and strutting away. After 45 minutes he finally finds a hole that he'd walked by 6 times and comes into 30 yards but behind some brush. He turns to leave so I move a little, shoot, miss, and then roll him with the second shot. Almost a major screw up. Headed to Nebraska now!!! Hope everyone had a great day of hunting!
http://imgur.com/R3NAG5r
http://imgur.com/AXkCbWp
Nice one. Congrats
Can't beat that :icon_thumright: Didnt even have to unpack.
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on April 14, 2018, 03:02:54 PM
Can't beat that :icon_thumright: Didnt even have to unpack.
Don't encourage him, he'll start thinking he planned it that way. :TooFunny:
Congrats on the fine snowbird!!
Nice job, Congrats
Congrats!! Good luck in NE!!
Congrats, good luck on your next state!
Way to go, Congrats
Well done. Beauty of a bird
Congrats!
Sounds like an awesome hunt. Congrats!
Quote from: Tail Feathers on April 14, 2018, 03:15:17 PM
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on April 14, 2018, 03:02:54 PM
Can't beat that :icon_thumright: Didnt even have to unpack.
Don't encourage him, he'll start thinking he planned it that way. :TooFunny:
Congrats on the fine snowbird!!
Hahahahahaha! Planned it the whole way!
Thanks guys. Got birds roosted for the morning! :turkey2: :turkey2: :turkey2:
What a beauty of a bird!! Congrats and good luck in NE!!
Laid the smack down on a double this afternoon in the hills! Check the thread for my pics.
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Fine bird!
Congrats!
:icon_thumright:
congrats on a well earned bird
Sweet! Good looking bird.
Thanks fellas!
Congratulations
Nice work!
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Congrats!
Never seen one in person, but Merriam's appear to be the prettiest birds... In the prettiest country...
I keep thinking I want to do a turkey hunting trip out of state, and it would be for Merriam's both for the birds and the country to hunt... Looks like you had both in your hunt... Great job on harvesting a beautiful bird.
Nice, Congrats
Great Tom :icon_thumright:
Quote from: Marc on April 29, 2018, 11:48:23 AM
Never seen one in person, but Merriam's appear to be the prettiest birds...
I agree, followed by the Gould's
Thanks guys!
Marc they are awesome. Even when not in full strut, I love the look of those white tips folded over a black body.