NH "Dirt Nap"

[MKMGOBL]

After hunting "Old Two Beards" since opening day, I just couldn't take it any longer. I only had a total of 8 hours hunting him so I'm pretty pleased I lasted that long trying to single out one bird which is something I never do. I heard 2 birds gobbling this morning on roost on the other property across from me (over tree line in Jakes near decoy photos). Decided to move in on them & went I took off across the open field, one gobbled 100 behind my set up. So back to the tree I went only to hear another one gobble 150 yards to my left. I'm sure he saw me heading out into the open field.

I sat with my Pretty Boy "Ole Leroy" with a Jake fan set up about 15 yards in the field. I didn't hear anything until 9:55. I gave a few clucks & yelps & he gobbled again a lot closer. I saw a turkey moving running along the field right for my set up. Then I saw another, another, another & another. Those 5 Jake my son missed are standing at my decoy! I put the gun down & got out my camera to start taking photos. I called a little just to MKMGOBL & they did...a lot of gobbling. So much I called my buddy John just so he could hear what was going on.

Well the gobbler I shot got into the action to my calls so I decided to stand up & run off the Jakes. They went 50 to 60 yards & still came back to my calling with the other gobbler coming in. It was a single beard gobbler so he got a free pass from me at just 20 yards in the woods as he skirted the Jakes & my decoy. I had my sights on him the whole time & thought after he was gone, he was a good bird & I should have given him a "dirt nap".

Anyways, off he went & the Jakes walked off too. I heard the gobbler a few more time about 200+ yards away. About 20 minutes went by I heard another gobbler sounding off to my call in the same area the other birds all came from. He worked closer & as soon as I heard he was with hens, I started hammering them. After what seem a long time, a lot of cutting, yelping & a few moves on them. I got the hen(s) pissed enough they were coming in with two birds gobbling behind them. I think 4 hens crossed the opening looking out to the field & 2 were still in the woods about 30 yards away from me. Then I heard the spitting & drumming from just over the stone wall. I moved the barrel over & I think one of the hens saw it. It didn't matter because that powder blue head was already out in the open & about 2.5 seconds from going nite nite. I thumped him at 20 yards. He wasn't "Old Two Beards" but I'll take him  I've got VT to hunt, bird for Jake & might even try NY if VT goes well. Anyways, he checked in at 20lb 10 1/8" beard 1" spurs.

Old Two Beards is still alive & running around. I'm waiting for the right time to get my son on him. He would be a heck of a first bird for 6 year old.

Jakes near decoy


Another photo of Jakes


Again, the Jakes


A great photo of a "Dirt Nap" taken less than a minute after shooting. He folded as is


Photo at home with my boys


A Photo scouting of "Old Two Beards" strutting his stuff

[Hognutz]

Way to go, MKM.. Now I get the nickname..Dah. Great pictures. Good luck on your quest to get ol' Two beards...Well done..Mike 

[hobbes]

Congrats!

[Basser69]

Congrats on a nice bird and good luck on getting on old two beards for you sons!

[barry]

Nicely done!
I gather you have a 1 bird limit in NH as the reason for waiting on ol 2 beards.

[MKMGOBL]

Thanks I apologize about my posted hunts being long & loaded with photos. I just like to make people that are reading them to feel like they were right there with me.

[MKMGOBL]

Nicely done!
I gather you have a 1 bird limit in NH as the reason for waiting on ol 2 beards.

Yep It really blows but that's our great NH F&G department at their finest. A ton of birds running around NH & F&G will not change it.

So if my son doesn't get him in the next 2 weeks & he's survived the 2 knuckleheads that have been trying to do drives or pushes on him, I'll have another chance this fall with the bow I've got a decent track record bow hunting fall gobblers so he'll be in trouble

[Preacher]

good story and great pics.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TRKYHTR]

Really nice. Congrats,

TRKYHTR

[mmusso]

Congrats and good luck with ol two beards! He looks like a stud!

[JVA54]

      Congrats!!

[chatterbox]

Congrats on a great NH longbeard!
He's a fine, fine bird!

[surehuntsalot]

congrats on the bird