Silent Tom success

[yorgi]

I must admit that this year's Turkey season has been odd for me. Early scouting and gamecam pics were dismal to say the least but the game must go on so I forced myself to make it out a number of times. Each outing was identical in that no gobbles were heard nor birds (other than a lonely hen) were seen.

Such was the scenario yesterday when at about 8am a speck appeared by the bush line at over 100 yes away. Glassing revealed it to be a Tom and the old hand trembling started...a couple of purrs and he was not at all interested. Full strutting and making stationary circles continued on for about ten minutes. All this time, not a single vacolization was made. After his little dance, he started slowly making his way towards my decoys, 15 yds in front of me. Halfway through his journey is when I noticed a shiny hen contently following him, she in all likelihood was the object of his affections and the target of his little dance recital earlier on. I had the opportunity to laser a convenient spot along his projected route towards my dekes, it measured 50 yards. Lazily walking and occasionally pecking along the way, I shot him at a distance of 32 yds, he was DRT.

My biggest bird so far, although I was perfectly content to take even the smallest jake. As for the particulars,
21.4 lbs with a 9" beard and 7/8" spurs. Gorgeous colouring, just a perfect specimen. Used a Browning BPS with a Primos Tightwad choke and a 3" Win Longbeard #5 shell.

 

[BAC4]

Congrats. Nice to see it finally worked out for you. Bac4

 

[Runningfool]

Great photograph and your story gives me hope. I must say my season so far has been odd as well...almost a carbon copy of yours (except for the part that happened yesterday at 8am ). Here's hoping that my season continues to follow the trajectory of yours!
Congrats.

 

[yorgi]

Great photograph and your story gives me hope. I must say my season so far has been odd as well...almost a carbon copy of yours (except for the part that happened yesterday at 8am ). Here's hoping that my season continues to follow the trajectory of yours!
Congrats.

I have no doubt that you will score and expect pics from you soon! Keep slugging away, it's a numbers game, more time afield equals better chances for success, you don't need a flock just a lonely beard is plenty. Good luck to everyone out there, seems the season is getting better as it progresses.

 

[BAC4]

I have no doubt that you will score and expect pics from you soon! Keep slugging away, it's a numbers game, more time afield equals better chances for success, you don't need a flock just a lonely beard is plenty. Good luck to everyone out there, seems the season is getting better as it progresses.

I sure hope so! I've only had 3 hens come in on opening day. Still have until the end of the season though. Cheers Bac4

 

[Jim870]

I must admit that this year's Turkey season has been odd for me. Early scouting and gamecam pics were dismal to say the least but the game must go on so I forced myself to make it out a number of times. Each outing was identical in that no gobbles were heard nor birds (other than a lonely hen) were seen.

Such was the scenario yesterday when at about 8am a speck appeared by the bush line at over 100 yes away. Glassing revealed it to be a Tom and the old hand trembling started...a couple of purrs and he was not at all interested. Full strutting and making stationary circles continued on for about ten minutes. All this time, not a single vacolization was made. After his little dance, he started slowly making his way towards my decoys, 15 yds in front of me. Halfway through his journey is when I noticed a shiny hen contently following him, she in all likelihood was the object of his affections and the target of his little dance recital earlier on. I had the opportunity to laser a convenient spot along his projected route towards my dekes, it measured 50 yards. Lazily walking and occasionally pecking along the way, I shot him at a distance of 32 yds, he was DRT.

My biggest bird so far, although I was perfectly content to take even the smallest jake. As for the particulars,
21.4 lbs with a 9" beard and 7/8" spurs. Gorgeous colouring, just a perfect specimen. Used a Browning BPS with a Primos Tightwad choke and a 3" Win Longbeard #5 shell.

I don't believe it, this photo must be staged, everyone knows it takes a fully camouflaged gun with a barrel 24" or shorter and either a scope or red dot to kill a turkey. Kidding aside, great bird and sounds like a fun experience. I may have to take a trip to chase turkeys next year since my province has no interest in supporting a turkey hunt.

 

[yorgi]

I don't believe it, this photo must be staged, everyone knows it takes a fully camouflaged gun with a barrel 24" or shorter and either a scope or red dot to kill a turkey. Kidding aside, great bird and sounds like a fun experience. I may have to take a trip to chase turkeys next year since my province has no interest in supporting a turkey hunt.

LOL, the truth is that I'm fidgety so I've resigned myself to hunt out of a popup, almost exclusivey. Camo is not an advantage but a shorter barrel in the small confines of the Ameristep Gunner would sure come in handy.So if anyone out there knows where I can get a 24" threaded BPS barrel for less than the price of a complete gun, please help out a brother...

 

[Runningfool]

I have no doubt that you will score and expect pics from you soon! Keep slugging away, it's a numbers game, more time afield equals better chances for success, you don't need a flock just a lonely beard is plenty. Good luck to everyone out there, seems the season is getting better as it progresses.

Well Yorgi you were right! Today was the first time this season I heard any gobbling at all and I got a bird! Had two hens fly down practically on top of my decoy and walk around for about 15 minutes before disappearing. Then one hen came back and made her way in my direction. This tom was hot and his gobbling was less frequent than it was when he was on the roost but he seemed to be getting closer. Hen and my decoy was in view when from my left came this tom, full strut, heading straight for my Avian X decoy and paying no attention to the live hen about 15 yds to his left. 10 yds away and I let him have it and he hit the dirt! Just over 22lbs, 1" spurs, 9.5" beard that's nice and thick.