First Fall Bird!

[jblackburn]

I have threatened to go fall turkey hunting for a few years now, but I always get too busy and spend free time chasing deer.  Since I moved to Washington state and deer season is over for me, I decided to try to get a bird for Thanksgiving.  I scouted a flock of 23 last weekend, but they have been nowhere to be found since the late season opened. 

Saturday on my way home, I decided to drive down come gravel road to see if I could find any birds and do some door knocking.  Boy did I find them!  I counted over 140 birds out in a field behind a farmhouse, but no one was home.  After doing a little digging, I found out who owned the place and got permission.  They actually hate the birds because they are so numerous!  I said I would do my part to help them out!

I got there this morning and there were at least 60 birds in their yard!!  I busted them back toward the woods as best I could and set up under a big willow.  After just a couple minutes, they started calling, then flying back and forth from one side of the draw to the other.  I started throwing out assembly calls and kee kee runs and I have never heard so much turkey talk in my life, I wish I would have had my video camera!!

Anyway, part of the flock came through at 80 yards, but would not break closer.  There was a really nice bearded hen in the group.  Suddenly, I heard wing beats, looked up and say a young hen right above me.  She landed about 60 yards out and went to the rest.  I could still hear some birds where she came from, so I stayed put. Then another hen flew up, I yelped at her and she landed about 20 yards from me stood there yelping and kee keeing. I was debating on taking her when I heard something back left and I saw 4 birds walking in, 2 young jakes and 2 hens.  They stopped about 8 yards from be and began to drink from the little ditch.  I eased up the 870 and took the bigger jake and turkeys went everywhere!! 

He was not very big, but I plucked him and I plan on deep frying him on Thursday!  I think I am hooked on fall hunting!  Not the same as spring, but still really fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[Gooserbat]

Congrats! 

[va wingbone]

Awesome!!! 140 birds!?! I've got to get out west and chase some of those Merriams!

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[bbcustomboxcalls]

Nice job on calling in that jake.  Fall is a great time to hunt turkeys and can be just as much fun as hunting in the Spring.

Bill

[jblackburn]

Awesome!!! 140 birds!?! I've got to get out west and chase some of those Merriams!

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These ares actually Rios in SE WA, Merriams up north and easterns a couple hours west.

[va wingbone]

Oh ok, sounds like Washington is the place to go to work on a slam!

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[beagler]

Congrats!

[T-town]

Congrats! Good story to read on this cold Thanksgiving day

[Gooserbat]

Btw Dad said congrats but you need to shave n clean up...your not helping our image.

[renegade19]

 

[jblackburn]

Btw Dad said congrats but you need to shave n clean up...your not helping our image.

Hey, now!  leave my classy beard alone!  I may leave it until April, now!  always wanted an all natural face mask!

[tomstopper]

Congrats....