After Eighteen Years of Hunting It Finally Happened

[Fullfan]

lesson learned, you can not quick draw on a gobbler.

[GobbleNut]

Congrats.   Welcome to the big league.  Firing warning shots to make it more challenging is admirable.

Heck, if missing gets you to the big league, then I must be a Hall-of-Famer!  ..Perhaps even the G.O.A.T.!       

[guesswho]

Old Goat!

[Upfold99]

Just returned from an 18 hr drive to which I hunted 6 days on public and heard 2 gobblers for a total of 5 times. Missed the only long beard I put eyes on in 6 days, at 40 yds in the broad open. My first time hunting Rios.

Humbling for sure.

[Swenny]

I had a miss last year for the first time.  I just sat there stunned for a while, lol.

[beauleyse10]

Any particular reason you only load one shell? The only time I've done that was when hunting with the single barrel.

I never stick a shell in the gun until I sit down to try and make a kill. To be honest having never missed a bird I have just been throwing one in the slide and easing it shut. I normally have two shells in my pocket when I leave the truck, just never needed a back up.

[dublelung]

Any particular reason you only load one shell? The only time I've done that was when hunting with the single barrel.

I never stick a shell in the gun until I sit down to try and make a kill. To be honest having never missed a bird I have just been throwing one in the slide and easing it shut. I normally have two shells in my pocket when I leave the truck, just never needed a back up.

You already answered the question but I gotcha.
I guess it's kinda like a person who's never had a flat tire to not worry about carrying a spare tire. One day you're miles from home and have a flat then it hits you. 

[Marc]

I never stick a shell in the gun until I sit down to try and make a kill. To be honest having never missed a bird I have just been throwing one in the slide and easing it shut. I normally have two shells in my pocket when I leave the truck, just never needed a back up.

Like I said, that is some confidence...

Hunting in mountain lion country (and walking around trying to sound like a turkey), my gun is loaded and ready as soon as I leave the truck.