On field or clearing edges when using a decoy spread, but in the quoted post, I was referring to "running and gunning" in the timber without decoys, calling back and forth with the tom, and constantly repositioning... it is a very effective way to hunt, but you do run the risk of being "busted"... but it is a tactic that works well on big, old, call-shy gobblers.
2018 Wild Turkey Season
- Thread starter 1963beretta
- Start date
On field or clearing edges when using a decoy spread, but in the quoted post, I was referring to "running and gunning" in the timber without decoys, calling back and forth with the tom, and constantly repositioning... it is a very effective way to hunt, but you do run the risk of being "busted"... but it is a tactic that works well on big, old, call-shy gobblers.
1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
A cold and wet day for us. Action heated up at around 10:30. Five birds came in, 1 bird went down. Picture to follow
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Cold, wet, miserable day... six locations, saw lots of birds, including some bruiser toms, but not one gobble, only a couple strutting, and very little response to calling or decoys... we should have had birds down, but alas, a comedy of errors and bad luck... we will get 'em tomorrow.
I tried 3 locations ... First one is the only place I heard the Toms gobbling from flydown til about 8:30... But they were on the private side of the field. :-/ what's worst are the pair of BIG Toms walking along the roadside in, again, private property.
But I did see the herd of deer come in and feed. On my way home I ran into other hunters that shared the same experience
1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
Yes he did!!!! Details to follow....
Called in a jake for my friend's first ever wild turkey (and first hunting success period) this morning. We had 10 birds roosted, but things were very quiet on the limb with only a few gobbles. After flydown, two longbeards showed limited interest in my two hen / one jake decoy spread and calling off the roost. After two hens swung through to check out the decoys/calls a jake broke from the group and came in. My friend missed his first shot at 15 meters, but kept his cool to down the bird on his second shot at 35 meters . He was pumped! I love calling birds for newcomers - the excitement is infectious.
What a day! I can officially say that I have harvested my first Turkey. I was out with 1963beretta and as he mentioned, it was a cold wet day. We heard a few gobbles and a few shots from nearby properties but didn't see anything. Then around 10:30 I got the text "Oh my God...that gobble is super close". I was using a slate call and it had the attention of a Tom. After a few more calls I spotted a hen at 125 yards and then another hen and then a Tom. In total I had 2 Toms on 3 hens come in to my decoys. The smaller of the two Toms finally stepped into a shooting lane and gave me a shot (paced it out at 24 yards). I was lucky that it took them a while to come in because it gave me a chance to slow my heartbeat down to about 200. Holy crap what an adrenaline rush.
21.5 Pounds, 1 1/16" spurs and a 9" beard.
A huge thank you to Alvaro (1963beretta). Shared his hunting spot, set me up in a great layout, put me on a great bird and best of all, shared a lot of knowledge. An awesome day I won't forget.
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21.5 Pounds, 1 1/16" spurs and a 9" beard.
A huge thank you to Alvaro (1963beretta). Shared his hunting spot, set me up in a great layout, put me on a great bird and best of all, shared a lot of knowledge. An awesome day I won't forget.
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What a day! I can officially say that I have harvested my first Turkey. I was out with 1963beretta and as he mentioned, it was a cold wet day. We heard a few gobbles and a few shots from nearby properties but didn't see anything. Then around 10:30 I got the text "Oh my God...that gobble is super close". I was using a slate call and it had the attention of a Tom. After a few more calls I spotted a hen at 125 yards and then another hen and then a Tom. In total I had 2 Toms on 3 hens come in to my decoys. The smaller of the two Toms finally stepped into a shooting lane and gave me a shot (paced it out at 24 yards). I was lucky that it took them a while to come in because it gave me a chance to slow my heartbeat down to about 200. Holy crap what an adrenaline rush.
21.5 Pounds, 1 1/16" spurs and a 9" beard.
A huge thank you to Alvaro (1963beretta). Shared his hunting spot, set me up in a great layout, put me on a great bird and best of all, shared a lot of knowledge. An awesome day I won't forget.
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That's awesome! Congrats, Pat... you are hooked now... what were you shooting?
Thanks Hoyt. I was using a Browning Silver Hunter with a Browning Full Strut Turkey choke. (And one of those #6 3 1/2" Long Beards that were on sale at CT)
1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
Despite the weather, it was an awesome day. Fingers crossed I can get Sebastian on a bird on Saturday.....and if luck is on our side, it will be that massive Tom that eluded the end of your barrel. Maybe if you were using a Mossberg........
1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
Haha...Legendary guns for legendary birds. In all seriousness, Patrick’s bird was a 21.5lbs bruiser and it was the smaller of the two by a long shot! The bigger bird could be a bird of a lifetime.
As for the bird that was harvested, it was very impressive. A fantastic first bird that anyone would be proud of harvesting. Now Patrick has the pleasure of chasing another turkey to try and top his first. No easy feat now that he set the bar so high.
