After taking a gobbler the first Illinois season with my Remington 12 gauge 870, I took my Remington 1889 12 gauge hammer double barrel the next season with no luck. Determined to get a bird with it, I took it again the final Illinois season and drew a blank the first day. I was starting to get concerned as this was the last season and the 870 had a much greater range, out to 50 yards while the 1889 would function out to 30 yards maximum because of having to shoot reduced handloads. The next day I once again took the hammer double barrel and before 6 a.m. I had a gobbler on the ground with 1 1/2" spurs, the only one in the past 25+ years of turkey hunting that I've managed to bag with 1 1/2" spurs. Hang in there. The opportunity will present itself and you'll be glad that you had patience.
