Title: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: tomstopper on April 06, 2019, 12:14:58 PM
Post by: tomstopper on April 06, 2019, 12:14:58 PM
Today was the opener for youths here in NC and this was going to be my 13 year old daughter Sophia's first ever turkey hunt. We got to the hog farm that we would be hunting at 5am and got in the blind. After shedding our wet top layer and getting her gun mounted to the dead pod, we we're ready to start our day.
No sooner than we started to go through scenarios and reminders of gun safety and ethics, we watched two trucks pull up to the tree line at the end of the field (they couldn't hunt the field but could hunt the woods on that end) with there lights shinning out onto the field.
Sophia got a little discouraged and said "dad I thought you said we were the only ones hunting here". I told her that it would be ok but I could tell she was a little down.
We sat there and talked and to my surprise, we didn't hear any gobbles (I told here that it might be due to the other hunters but just to be patient). At about 7am, turkeys flew into the middle of the field and we're about 150 yards away.
I began to call using my glass call and could tell they heard me but wouldn't fully commit. There were a total of 3 (2 red heads and one bright white one). I decided that my best chance was to try for the two subordinate gobblers so I kept changing between my glass call and my long box.
Soon the two subordinate gobblers began to turn our way. The dominant gobbler seen this and he to began to head our way. It very quickly became a Sprint to my hen and specifically my Jake decoy. It happened so fast that I didn't have time to hit record.
I focused on my daughter and told her to get ready. At 15 yards from my decoys, they all began to gobble. She was like what the heck is happening and her eyes were the size of dinner plates...
When they started to beat my Jake at 20 yards away from us at 7:19am, I told her to kill the white-headed one but quickly realized that I wanted her to shoot what ever one she felt comfortable with and told her to just shoot that one. She focused her red dot on a red head and her Mossberg mini 510 dropped him in his tracks
We we're pumped but because the other 2 we're still outside the blind, we just sat there and hugged each other. One of the best moments in my life. Had it been adult season we would have had a double.
After they left the area, she went to claim her prize and the cheering began. One proud papa and amazed at what a spectacular young lady she is becoming.
19.74lbs, 1in Spurs, 9.5in beard(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190406/43e0623987ad018b7ff1ea7ed1e2a5ee.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190406/209bb937babfb910cc123860e950958d.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190406/f2ceda722f6dcc6c5147ad47c2f62155.jpg)
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No sooner than we started to go through scenarios and reminders of gun safety and ethics, we watched two trucks pull up to the tree line at the end of the field (they couldn't hunt the field but could hunt the woods on that end) with there lights shinning out onto the field.
Sophia got a little discouraged and said "dad I thought you said we were the only ones hunting here". I told her that it would be ok but I could tell she was a little down.
We sat there and talked and to my surprise, we didn't hear any gobbles (I told here that it might be due to the other hunters but just to be patient). At about 7am, turkeys flew into the middle of the field and we're about 150 yards away.
I began to call using my glass call and could tell they heard me but wouldn't fully commit. There were a total of 3 (2 red heads and one bright white one). I decided that my best chance was to try for the two subordinate gobblers so I kept changing between my glass call and my long box.
Soon the two subordinate gobblers began to turn our way. The dominant gobbler seen this and he to began to head our way. It very quickly became a Sprint to my hen and specifically my Jake decoy. It happened so fast that I didn't have time to hit record.
I focused on my daughter and told her to get ready. At 15 yards from my decoys, they all began to gobble. She was like what the heck is happening and her eyes were the size of dinner plates...
When they started to beat my Jake at 20 yards away from us at 7:19am, I told her to kill the white-headed one but quickly realized that I wanted her to shoot what ever one she felt comfortable with and told her to just shoot that one. She focused her red dot on a red head and her Mossberg mini 510 dropped him in his tracks
We we're pumped but because the other 2 we're still outside the blind, we just sat there and hugged each other. One of the best moments in my life. Had it been adult season we would have had a double.
After they left the area, she went to claim her prize and the cheering began. One proud papa and amazed at what a spectacular young lady she is becoming.
19.74lbs, 1in Spurs, 9.5in beard(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190406/43e0623987ad018b7ff1ea7ed1e2a5ee.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190406/209bb937babfb910cc123860e950958d.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190406/f2ceda722f6dcc6c5147ad47c2f62155.jpg)
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Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: renegade19 on April 06, 2019, 12:32:44 PM
Post by: renegade19 on April 06, 2019, 12:32:44 PM
:icon_thumright:
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: perrytrails on April 06, 2019, 12:51:32 PM
Post by: perrytrails on April 06, 2019, 12:51:32 PM
That's great, congrats to you both.
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: Mathews.1 on April 06, 2019, 12:56:35 PM
Post by: Mathews.1 on April 06, 2019, 12:56:35 PM
Congratulations to you both
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: guesswho on April 06, 2019, 01:03:36 PM
Post by: guesswho on April 06, 2019, 01:03:36 PM
Awesome! Good job by you both!
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: Brs2427 on April 06, 2019, 01:09:12 PM
Post by: Brs2427 on April 06, 2019, 01:09:12 PM
Congratulations to you both, such a special moment
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: harleytom on April 06, 2019, 01:21:56 PM
Post by: harleytom on April 06, 2019, 01:21:56 PM
Congrats! Special moment for you both.
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Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: Chris O on April 06, 2019, 01:32:36 PM
Post by: Chris O on April 06, 2019, 01:32:36 PM
Awesome job, congrats to you both
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: Clydetaylor1 on April 06, 2019, 01:33:50 PM
Post by: Clydetaylor1 on April 06, 2019, 01:33:50 PM
Good deal !!!! Glad it worked out for ya'll. Memory of a lifetime.
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: MISSISSIPPI Double beard on April 06, 2019, 01:48:53 PM
Post by: MISSISSIPPI Double beard on April 06, 2019, 01:48:53 PM
Awesome! Congrats to you both!
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: 3bailey3 on April 06, 2019, 01:57:46 PM
Post by: 3bailey3 on April 06, 2019, 01:57:46 PM
Awesome, Congrats
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: dirtnap on April 06, 2019, 02:09:38 PM
Post by: dirtnap on April 06, 2019, 02:09:38 PM
Nothing like it!
Good job
Good job
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: bobk on April 06, 2019, 02:47:28 PM
Post by: bobk on April 06, 2019, 02:47:28 PM
Congratulations to you both!!
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: oakraidia on April 06, 2019, 03:20:01 PM
Post by: oakraidia on April 06, 2019, 03:20:01 PM
Congrats to both of you!
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Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: zelmo1 on April 06, 2019, 03:27:06 PM
Post by: zelmo1 on April 06, 2019, 03:27:06 PM
Very cool bro. Best day ever :funnyturkey:
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: Chordeiles on April 06, 2019, 03:35:48 PM
Post by: Chordeiles on April 06, 2019, 03:35:48 PM
Awesome! Congratulations!
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Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: Wigsplitter on April 06, 2019, 04:16:38 PM
Post by: Wigsplitter on April 06, 2019, 04:16:38 PM
Great job!! My daughters first one last year was about like that it was a rainy cold morning but we got it done —her pictures with the wet turkey look a lot like ours!! Great memory for me and I know you as well!!!
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: tomstopper on April 06, 2019, 04:26:53 PM
Post by: tomstopper on April 06, 2019, 04:26:53 PM
Quote from: zelmo1 on April 06, 2019, 03:27:06 PMThank you. Thats an understatement for sure....... :z-guntootsmiley:
Very cool bro. Best day ever :funnyturkey:
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: tomstopper on April 06, 2019, 04:30:18 PM
Post by: tomstopper on April 06, 2019, 04:30:18 PM
Quote from: Wigsplitter on April 06, 2019, 04:16:38 PMYes sir. When we left the house this morning, I told her not to let a little rain bother her. I have killed some of my best birds in rainy weather. Wish I could just get the sun to come out and find a way to instantly dry the bird for pics though...lol. Congrats to your girl as well for last seasons success.
Great job!! My daughters first one last year was about like that it was a rainy cold morning but we got it done —her pictures with the wet turkey look a lot like ours!! Great memory for me and I know you as well!!!
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: Jroddc on April 06, 2019, 04:47:35 PM
Post by: Jroddc on April 06, 2019, 04:47:35 PM
Congrats!
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: M,Yingling on April 06, 2019, 04:56:36 PM
Post by: M,Yingling on April 06, 2019, 04:56:36 PM
Nice ,,Congrats :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: tracker#1 on April 06, 2019, 06:31:37 PM
Post by: tracker#1 on April 06, 2019, 06:31:37 PM
Priceless.....nice job
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: SteelerFan on April 06, 2019, 07:37:20 PM
Post by: SteelerFan on April 06, 2019, 07:37:20 PM
Awesome! :icon_thumright:
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: gunboy203 on April 06, 2019, 07:53:10 PM
Post by: gunboy203 on April 06, 2019, 07:53:10 PM
Congrats on a great hunt for the both of you..
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: bear hunter on April 06, 2019, 09:07:34 PM
Post by: bear hunter on April 06, 2019, 09:07:34 PM
nice turkey and pics congrats
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: ddturkeyhunter on April 06, 2019, 09:36:49 PM
Post by: ddturkeyhunter on April 06, 2019, 09:36:49 PM
Congrats, we have a new turkey hunter!
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 06, 2019, 10:19:40 PM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 06, 2019, 10:19:40 PM
That's awesome!! Congrats to you and your daughter!! 
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Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: boomer on April 06, 2019, 10:56:54 PM
Post by: boomer on April 06, 2019, 10:56:54 PM
Congrats
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Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: Gooserbat on April 06, 2019, 10:57:02 PM
Post by: Gooserbat on April 06, 2019, 10:57:02 PM
Congratulations, glad I could help.
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: Sir-diealot on April 07, 2019, 12:10:02 AM
Post by: Sir-diealot on April 07, 2019, 12:10:02 AM
Very cool, congratulations.
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: steveo on April 07, 2019, 06:45:06 AM
Post by: steveo on April 07, 2019, 06:45:06 AM
That is awesome !!! I love hunting with my daughter..... quality time together and a lifetime of memories.
Great bird and congrats to both of you!. :icon_thumright:
Great bird and congrats to both of you!. :icon_thumright:
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: squidd on April 07, 2019, 07:19:31 AM
Post by: squidd on April 07, 2019, 07:19:31 AM
Awesome and congrats with a lifetime memory!
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: Wrangler95 on April 07, 2019, 09:16:22 AM
Post by: Wrangler95 on April 07, 2019, 09:16:22 AM
Very nice gobbler,congrats!!! :happy0064: :happy0064: :happy0064:
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: NCL on April 07, 2019, 10:26:40 AM
Post by: NCL on April 07, 2019, 10:26:40 AM
Great story and photos, congrats to both you and your daughter
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: tomstopper on April 08, 2019, 07:08:01 AM
Post by: tomstopper on April 08, 2019, 07:08:01 AM
Thank you guys and gals for your kind comments and congratulations. She has been looking on my phone all weekend and is flying high right now. She is pumped to go back out this Saturday. I love this. I may have found the greatest hunting partner for life now.
Thanks again,
One Proud Dad
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Thanks again,
One Proud Dad
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Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: FANMAN on April 08, 2019, 07:14:40 AM
Post by: FANMAN on April 08, 2019, 07:14:40 AM
Awesome memories made,Congrats. On a great bird!!
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: Ross R on April 09, 2019, 11:51:26 AM
Post by: Ross R on April 09, 2019, 11:51:26 AM
That's great congrats
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: Bowguy on April 09, 2019, 12:02:02 PM
Post by: Bowguy on April 09, 2019, 12:02:02 PM
Great story I'm happy for ya both, congrats!!
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: surehuntsalot on April 10, 2019, 09:29:11 AM
Post by: surehuntsalot on April 10, 2019, 09:29:11 AM
congrats to the young lady and the proud papa
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: Drycreek on April 10, 2019, 09:37:14 AM
Post by: Drycreek on April 10, 2019, 09:37:14 AM
Congrats to the both of you!!
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: NCSWAMPFOX on April 10, 2019, 12:44:48 PM
Post by: NCSWAMPFOX on April 10, 2019, 12:44:48 PM
congrats from fellow Carolinian. had my 8yo daughter out on sat morning as well. played cat and mouse with gobbler for 2.5 hours but he would not step inside of 50 yds. she and I had a blast playing chess with him though.
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: dublelung on April 10, 2019, 03:22:38 PM
Post by: dublelung on April 10, 2019, 03:22:38 PM
There's nothing like hunting with your son or daughter! Congrats to you and yours on her first gobbler!
Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: tomstopper on April 11, 2019, 12:05:34 AM
Post by: tomstopper on April 11, 2019, 12:05:34 AM
Quote from: NCSWAMPFOX on April 10, 2019, 12:44:48 PMKilling one was a bonus for us. Just me getting to sit with her and listen to her talk about what ever she wanted was priceless. They grow so fast and the boys have already begun to show interest in her so before I lose her, I want to strengthen our bond. Scary having daughters...lol.
congrats from fellow Carolinian. had my 8yo daughter out on sat morning as well. played cat and mouse with gobbler for 2.5 hours but he would not step inside of 50 yds. she and I had a blast playing chess with him though.
Good luck to you and your daughter. This was the first time she ever showed an interest in Turkey hunting. Wish she would have at age 8. Good luck and thanks for the congratulations.
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Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: tomstopper on April 11, 2019, 12:06:12 AM
Post by: tomstopper on April 11, 2019, 12:06:12 AM
Quote from: dublelung on April 10, 2019, 03:22:38 PMAmen. Kill or no kill, hunting with them is priceless
There's nothing like hunting with your son or daughter! Congrats to you and yours on her first gobbler!
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Title: Re: Daughters First Turkey
Post by: kyturkeyhunter4 on April 11, 2019, 12:21:21 AM
Post by: kyturkeyhunter4 on April 11, 2019, 12:21:21 AM
Congrats on you first bird that's a nice young young lady