First time for everything

[mrhays9]

Swing and miss. First time I've ever done this. How long before these birds will be workable again?

[Dr Juice]

They may be wary now but with a little extra TLC, they have the potential to fall victim :-). Good luck.

[Rex]

Happened to me this morning also. First time I have ever missed.

[g8rvet]

Most of us have been there.  The best medicine is fried turkey breast - from one you shoot.

Depends.  If he only heard the shot and left, not so bad. If he saw you, a little longer.  I have had them fly across a creek and not come back for 2 weeks.  Other times, they were gobbling 2 days later. Nephew killed one a couple of years ago he had missed about 5 days earlier.  Assume it was the same two cookie cutter 9" 2 year olds. 

[Farmboy27]

2 years ago I called 3 longbeards in for my cousin. He missed. An hour later they were out in a field strutting only 150 yards from where he shot at them. The next morning all three came in together again and he killed one. I hate missing as much as anyone, but when I miss a gobbler clean I know it's not the end of the world and I'll probably get to work that bird again. Now a nice buck on the other hand, if I miss him he's probably out of my life forever.

[Marc]

I actually think we spook them more bumping them than we do shooting at them...

I did miss one, and he took off running...  But many times, I have shot a bird in a pair or group, and the other birds do not even seem to mind the gun shot...

When I have taken a guest, I always tell them, if they kill a bird in a pair or group, do not move until I shoot as well.

Now, the cursing that generally follows a missed shot might hurt ya'.