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On the board finally, story to follow:
Updated 2019 Leaderboard:
1. parkcity - 107.5
2. huntitall - 102.5
3. CD94 - 98.125
4. Lenny - need to re-measure
5. Dilly - 82.5
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Not a monster by any means, but a bird in the hand...
20.2 Lbs
7/8" and 1" spurs
7.5" beard
No bonus.
Shot at 36yds with a 12g. Funny enough, first time I've ever taken a turkey with a 12g... I typically only use 20g...
The little dog wouldn't leave it alone when I got it home lol https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6b2138dcb2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2856f74e60.jpg
Support your troops. We support you.
B.
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Nice job Buzz, your score is 77.5
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Had my father down for the weekend, plan was to hunt both days if necessary to fill his tag, something he hasn't done in years and years. He just left for home, without a bird, but my season is over (at least as a shooter).
Went out to a new place yesterday morning, hadn't scouted much, but got lucky and ended up hearing a gobbler near where we set-up on a nice little regenerating field. I was behind my Dad, under some pines and behind several large boulders. He was all set up in the turkey lounger with my 870, plan was for me to call and video. Wouldn't you know it, the turkey flew down, hit the ground, and ran, and I mean ran in behind our set-up. It was all I could do to turn around, and get my back-up Versamax duck gun (loooong barrel) up and around the tree and it was all over. Turkey/Coyote full choke and 3.5" Longbeard #6. He never saw the decoys, and sure didn't read the script. 6:18 am and a nice first bird on this property, 1-1/8" spurs and a beard that went 11.25" (a few long ones, most of his beard was broke off shorter), so 101.25 with the 12 ga:
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/QvuQWdp.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/RSCSpCM.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/FRdpXS7.jpg[/IMG]
Tried two other spots, blew it not waiting long enough at the second and ran into a nice tom coming to see us just as we had decided to try and stalk closer to him. Next place had a distant gobbler, then nothing till lunch, so we called it a day.
Back to spot #2 this morning with the crossbow early. Got busted on the way in, spooking a hen off the roost - not good. Her flushing departure alerted a nearby gobbler, who started gobbling his head off. So we hastily set-up short of the intended open area, behind a large deadfall. Same strutter with a trimmed beard and a real fan, arranged as a Jake fan, and an Avian laydown hen in front. The tom hit the ground, and spent the next hour with real hens in the field. Eventually he began to search for that other hen hung up back in the woods, and I cut him off every time he gobbled. I couldn't see, as I was again behind the shooter, behind a big log. The sun was in our face, so I didn't film, not wanting to risk a reflection. He came in strutting, spitting and drumming, full strut (I could only hear, sorta like listening to a baseball game on the radio), and I knew it was going well when I heard him trash the decoy. I risked a peak as the old man raised my Micro and fired, and the tom just stood there, staring at the toppled tom decoy. He slowly deflates, and I ask my dad what happened. He says "it went right through him, give him a sec". Well, a that was a long second, and then another and a third, and he starts strutting and talking to the decoys. It was under 15 yards, and a clear shot, what the? Now, have you ever tried to a micro by hand? I managed, got in another quill, and sealed the deal, second tag filled, and still no bird for my father.......
1-1/8" spurs, 10.5" beard, and a crossbow bonus gives 102.5
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/6R0jx7C.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/FUaDWC2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/WsNCHkt.jpg[/IMG]
After we get up and take a good look around, we find a fresh gouge right across the top of the log - the first shot looked clear through the scope, but the quill being a bit lower down was just low enough to hit the top of the log and deflect. Never did find that quill or broadhead, but happy we got a second chance on that tom <<I checked Excalibur's webpage, and the advertised draw weight of the Micro is 270 lbs! Amazing what you can do when a tom is standing in front of you! Don't forget your cocking rope..........>>
Updated 2019 Leaderboard:
1. parkcity - 107.5
2. huntitall & Lenny - 102.5
3. Lenny - 101.25
4. CD94 - 98.125
5. Dilly - 82.5
6. Buzz Killington - 77.5
Two Bird Totals:
1. Lenny - 203.75
Parkcity is still well out in front with that opening day monster.......
With today's weather, I am hopeful that a few more people got out and enjoyed some success on the first nice day weekend day of the season so far.
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Thanks Dilly, it was an exciting 24.25 hours! Best part was when I got home and pulled the cards on my trailcam, I already had 2 toms at my place right off the roost this morning, while I was hunting somewhere else......
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/MqIvgSy.jpg[/IMG]
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Nice birds Lenny congrats. I’ve been the hen whisper for the last week. The area I’ve been hunting is loaded with them this year. It’s been hard trying to get the boys away from so many hens
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It often seems like that in the early season. I have found a few strategies that can work when there are lots of hens to compete with:
A- get in tight and get him right off the roost, before any live hens can interrupt
B - wait till mid to late morning after the action slows down
C - use a strutter, and make him think there is some competition invading his territory
D - just wait till later in the season.
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Went out Saturday morning in the fog and as i was walking the gobbling started.
I got the decoys set up quickly and sat down made a few call and 2 to 3 toms were gobbling over and over.
A big hen came out yelping and purring all the way to the decoys and then 2 jakes came out shortly after and made their way also.
In the meantime the toms were still goblling so I passed on the decoys and waited to see if i could coax them in but nothing at first.
The hens and the jakes made their way down the field away from me and 2 of the toms followed them.
They all made to about a hundred yards in the middle for the field and i could barely see them thru the fog but they were still gobbling at my calls.
just in behind them i could make out a group of deer making their way to my set up they got to within 50 yards and stared feeding all the while keeping on aye on the dekes.
So I got aggressive with my calling and did some fighting purrs and one of the toms started making his way to my dekes.
He came in to my dekes and started strutting around the jake decoy so i gave him a loud call and he lifted his head and i took the shot and down he went.
91/8" beard, 3/4" spursClick image for larger version.
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Great story Articcat, sounds like your persistence paid off. Your score is 75.625
Updated 2019 Leaderboard:
1. parkcity - 107.5
2. huntitall & Lenny - 102.5
3. Lenny - 101.25
4. CD94 - 98.125
5. Dilly - 82.5
6. Buzz Killington - 77.5
7. Articcat - 75.625
Two Bird Totals:
1. Lenny - 203.75
