Title: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 23, 2020, 10:46:09 PM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 23, 2020, 10:46:09 PM
Had to go up to SC after a tornado hit on Easter night in the town I hunt outside of. Fortunately our camp and hunting property were unscathed. Unfortunately there was lots of damage, 5 people were killed, and many were injured and left homeless. Prayers for them.
Spent the weekend working on the property, then spent a few days hunting.
Went out Tuesday morning and had an awesome hunt!! Saw 10 different birds, half of which were gobblers and heard 3 more gobblers that I didn't see.
Set up on a couple of roosted gobblers, but they skirted me and walked off. About 5 minutes later one of them gobbled at about 200 yards, heading away. I slowly followed, keeping track of them by crow calling to get shock gobbles.
Finally they went into a field for a while, and I stealthed towards them inside the woods. I stopped and crow called again, and the dominant bird gobbled to my call, and stepped out of the field into the woods in full strut at about 80 yards. I froze and leaned against a tree. Then several satellite gobblers, a couple of hens and a jake followed. The strutter wouldn't leave his group. I soft called and one of the satellites broke off. He came to about 40 yards. Popped into strut, looked around but saw no hen. Then he dropped back out of strut and turned to leave. I already had the green dot on his head, so I squeezed the trigger, and dropped him at 40 yards. I shot him off hand standing up. The first gobbler with my 20 gauge build!!
He weighed 17 pounds 2 ounces, with a 9-3/4" beard, and 7/8" & 15/16" spurs.
Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200424/efd311616a4bcc7f513fa368281ed5cb.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200424/91be98c6831ea0ac414afeb3386150fa.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200424/bcef1bef9d01bdc6ee0a4dc26b7225d6.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200424/7949d83df2758c3f5b26a9bb5e198a2b.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200424/04f68eee8b6472906c10b778f50c2607.jpg)
Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk
Spent the weekend working on the property, then spent a few days hunting.
Went out Tuesday morning and had an awesome hunt!! Saw 10 different birds, half of which were gobblers and heard 3 more gobblers that I didn't see.
Set up on a couple of roosted gobblers, but they skirted me and walked off. About 5 minutes later one of them gobbled at about 200 yards, heading away. I slowly followed, keeping track of them by crow calling to get shock gobbles.
Finally they went into a field for a while, and I stealthed towards them inside the woods. I stopped and crow called again, and the dominant bird gobbled to my call, and stepped out of the field into the woods in full strut at about 80 yards. I froze and leaned against a tree. Then several satellite gobblers, a couple of hens and a jake followed. The strutter wouldn't leave his group. I soft called and one of the satellites broke off. He came to about 40 yards. Popped into strut, looked around but saw no hen. Then he dropped back out of strut and turned to leave. I already had the green dot on his head, so I squeezed the trigger, and dropped him at 40 yards. I shot him off hand standing up. The first gobbler with my 20 gauge build!!
He weighed 17 pounds 2 ounces, with a 9-3/4" beard, and 7/8" & 15/16" spurs.
Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200424/efd311616a4bcc7f513fa368281ed5cb.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200424/91be98c6831ea0ac414afeb3386150fa.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200424/bcef1bef9d01bdc6ee0a4dc26b7225d6.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200424/7949d83df2758c3f5b26a9bb5e198a2b.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200424/04f68eee8b6472906c10b778f50c2607.jpg)
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Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: Greg Massey on April 23, 2020, 10:55:28 PM
Post by: Greg Massey on April 23, 2020, 10:55:28 PM
Awesome , glad your camp wasn't damage .. nice bird congrats
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: Yoteduster on April 23, 2020, 11:02:32 PM
Post by: Yoteduster on April 23, 2020, 11:02:32 PM
Congrats on a really nice bird
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: JeffC on April 24, 2020, 06:35:37 AM
Post by: JeffC on April 24, 2020, 06:35:37 AM
Congrats on the bird.
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: Tom007 on April 24, 2020, 07:05:21 AM
Post by: Tom007 on April 24, 2020, 07:05:21 AM
In a big way, nice bird.......with the new gun...congrats......
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 24, 2020, 11:32:09 AM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 24, 2020, 11:32:09 AM
Thanks guys!! 
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Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: Hobbes on April 24, 2020, 11:43:47 AM
Post by: Hobbes on April 24, 2020, 11:43:47 AM
Congrats Strutn! Good looking bird.
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: NCL on April 24, 2020, 03:28:31 PM
Post by: NCL on April 24, 2020, 03:28:31 PM
Very nice pictures, story and bird
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: Harty on April 24, 2020, 03:51:41 PM
Post by: Harty on April 24, 2020, 03:51:41 PM
Congrats.sounds pretty exciting with all the birds you had around you!!
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: Swenny on April 24, 2020, 04:39:51 PM
Post by: Swenny on April 24, 2020, 04:39:51 PM
Nice bird, thanks for sharing. Tell me more about your 20 ga build?
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: greencop01 on April 24, 2020, 04:58:25 PM
Post by: greencop01 on April 24, 2020, 04:58:25 PM
Congrats, nice bird, nice shot!
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 24, 2020, 06:56:26 PM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 24, 2020, 06:56:26 PM
Quote from: Harty on April 24, 2020, 03:51:41 PMIt was the most exciting hunt of the season for me.
Congrats.sounds pretty exciting with all the birds you had around you!!
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Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: SwampRooster17 on April 24, 2020, 06:59:43 PM
Post by: SwampRooster17 on April 24, 2020, 06:59:43 PM
Sounds like a great hunt!
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Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 24, 2020, 07:08:41 PM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 24, 2020, 07:08:41 PM
Quote from: Swenny on April 24, 2020, 04:39:51 PMI bought a used single shot H & R Topper in 20 gauge. I had the barrel cut down to 22 inches, and tapped to take a choke. Then I had the barrel drilled and tapped for a scope rail. Next I replaced the old wood stock with an AR style stock. I topped it off with an Indian Creek choke with .562 constriction and a Trijicon dual illumination (tritium and fiber optic) RMR green dot scope.
Nice bird, thanks for sharing. Tell me more about your 20 ga build?
She weighs in at only 4 pounds 12 ounces. I made her specifically for long walks in and hunting in the mountains.
I'm shooting Apex 3" TSS Small Town Hunting Blend, a duplex load of #7.5's and #9's through it. Gun patterned well at 40 yards, and OK at 60 yards. I'd say ethically it is a solid 50 yard gun, and that's fine by me.
Here she is.....(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200424/0739e48263e54256315be9c9e1b2fc10.jpg)
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Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: SteelerFan on April 24, 2020, 07:36:35 PM
Post by: SteelerFan on April 24, 2020, 07:36:35 PM
Fun hunt - congrats!
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: Tail Feathers on April 25, 2020, 10:03:35 AM
Post by: Tail Feathers on April 25, 2020, 10:03:35 AM
Congrats Jim! Way to break in that new gun. :funnyturkey:
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 25, 2020, 01:20:14 PM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 25, 2020, 01:20:14 PM
Thanks guys!! Hope your seasons are going well!! 
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Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: Vintage on April 27, 2020, 05:58:36 PM
Post by: Vintage on April 27, 2020, 05:58:36 PM
Congrat's Jim.
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 29, 2020, 01:20:39 PM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on April 29, 2020, 01:20:39 PM
Quote from: Vintage on April 27, 2020, 05:58:36 PMThank you!!
Congrat's Jim.
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Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: tomstopper on May 03, 2020, 09:29:21 PM
Post by: tomstopper on May 03, 2020, 09:29:21 PM
Congrats
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on May 04, 2020, 09:17:02 AM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on May 04, 2020, 09:17:02 AM
Thanks tomstopper!!
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: Gooserbat on May 05, 2020, 10:21:36 PM
Post by: Gooserbat on May 05, 2020, 10:21:36 PM
Well done
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on May 05, 2020, 10:57:29 PM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on May 05, 2020, 10:57:29 PM
Quote from: Gooserbat on May 05, 2020, 10:21:36 PMIt was a Corona shortened season Sam. I'm just glad to have gotten that gobbler.
Well done
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: knifeshark on May 06, 2020, 05:27:49 AM
Post by: knifeshark on May 06, 2020, 05:27:49 AM
Congratulations on your bird, that's a nice looking 20 you built there also, glad it all worked out for you
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Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: Ctrize on May 06, 2020, 06:53:36 AM
Post by: Ctrize on May 06, 2020, 06:53:36 AM
Nice job!
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: kyturkeyhunter4 on May 06, 2020, 08:12:26 AM
Post by: kyturkeyhunter4 on May 06, 2020, 08:12:26 AM
Congrats :icon_thumright:
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: GobblerReaper on May 08, 2020, 04:14:44 PM
Post by: GobblerReaper on May 08, 2020, 04:14:44 PM
Awesome man and cool shotgun!
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: Tom007 on May 08, 2020, 04:56:33 PM
Post by: Tom007 on May 08, 2020, 04:56:33 PM
Fantastic my friend. Great job, fine bird......
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on May 08, 2020, 05:47:13 PM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on May 08, 2020, 05:47:13 PM
Thanks guys!! I really like my 20. It's so light you don't even know you are carrying it.
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: firedup on May 08, 2020, 05:51:40 PM
Post by: firedup on May 08, 2020, 05:51:40 PM
Well done Jim!! Glad you finally got that 20ga build done and that she got to speak alittle mojo magic to a nice gobbler!!! Still time for another one ..... somewhere!?
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on May 08, 2020, 11:53:28 PM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on May 08, 2020, 11:53:28 PM
Quote from: firedup on May 08, 2020, 05:51:40 PMThanks LT, but unfortunately not. At least for me this season. I'm back home, no more hunts planned. I'm working on fixing up the house to put it on the market so I can move the heck out of FLA. Already planning an awesome season for next year, as long as no new viruses pop up.
Well done Jim!! Glad you finally got that 20ga build done and that she got to speak alittle mojo magic to a nice gobbler!!! Still time for another one ..... somewhere!?
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: salukigobbler on May 13, 2020, 06:17:24 PM
Post by: salukigobbler on May 13, 2020, 06:17:24 PM
I lucked out probably 10 miles from where you were 2 days later. Congrats! (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200513/097e433994b701f51c84ab28a06c0c63.jpg)
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Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: Tom007 on May 13, 2020, 06:26:57 PM
Post by: Tom007 on May 13, 2020, 06:26:57 PM
Fantastic, congrats
Title: Re: Finally got it done in SC!!
Post by: RutnNStrutn on May 13, 2020, 09:53:58 PM
Post by: RutnNStrutn on May 13, 2020, 09:53:58 PM
Quote from: salukigobbler on May 13, 2020, 06:17:24 PMGood for you!!! :icon_thumright:
I lucked out probably 10 miles from where you were 2 days later. Congrats! (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200513/097e433994b701f51c84ab28a06c0c63.jpg)
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Thanks Tom007!!
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.