Like the title says, I shot my first turkey this morning. This was my first time really hunting turkeys other than a few hours in a blind last year that ended in no sightings. Back to today. I was hunting a property that my buddy and I deer hunt as well. Due to work I wasn't able to scout and I only had three days to hunt. The first day out was yesterday. I setup on the edge of a smaller field that has a opening into a larger field. (pic below) I had a large tree to sit at with shrub offset to the front left and a small creek to my back with a tree line on the other side of that. I brushed my sides in a little and set the decoys out about 15 yards in front of me . I heard 2 different birds to the front left and right of me but they roost across the this small field on the neighbors property. They have a few different paths to get from the neighbors into this small field. So I was setup in the ideal spot if they came out of the timber or from the larger field they would see my decoys. The morning went by and I saw a few hens and kept hearing gobbles but off in the distance now. It stayed that way the rest of the hunt. So first day out no toms in sight but I knew they were there. It was a hot and really windy day so I feel like that kept them in the timber for the most part. Now onto day two. I went out to the same spot again since I knew the birds were there. This morning was cooler (50*) and not as windy. I got the decoys out and sat down about 4:45. At around 5:15 I hear a gobble directly in front of me no more than 50 yards out. I hear him fly down probably half hour later. He flew away from me and was 100 yards out roughly. He stayed away for a little while. It was constant gobbling, multiple times a minute until around 6:00 when he took a break. He slowly started getting closer with each gobble. I had a general idea of where he would come out out based on the area he was coming from and sure enough I see him through the tall grass breaking the timber line and he is full strut. He spots the decoys and slowly starts making his way towards me. At this point my heart is racing and Im trying to stay still. He is about 25 yards out and gobbling. He finally gets to the decoys and and is again full strut but he is facing me. after a couple minutes of him gobbling and spitting he turns his back on me and I shoulder my gun. It wasn't 30 seconds later that he turned back around and BANG! I pulled the trigger and dropped him in his tracks. I couldn't believe my plan worked out and I just shot my first turkey. I am super happy I was able to get in done in the short amount of time that I had. The bird ended up weighing 22#, 10 inch beard, and 3/4 inch spurs. I have it on a table drying out now so I can mount in later. Now time for the good stuff. I did the best I could picture wise since I was by myself but enjoy. Thanks for looking.
Pretty awesome man, congratulations. I kick myself about every spring for not trying to get a turkey.
Congratulations! That'll be a hard bird to beat for it being your first! Our season opens Saturday. I will be going out sitting by myself on the edge of a field while my husband takes my brother to the back of the woods where they roost! Hoping for an outcome like you!
Yeah it will be tough to be but I got it lol good to you guys. Post some pictures if one of you connect.
Thank you again. I have the fan, beard, and spurs out on cardboard with borax drying out not. Can't wait to get it mounted. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
