Kinda worked, the setup did anyway

[fratri]

Well I stuck to the plan, getting to the farm around 5:40 am.... Started walking toward the bush as the gobbling already started.... I went as close as I could to the birds on the roost.... I figured I was about 100yds away and setup.... Placed my Jake decoy out about 20 yds away from me..... Stood instead the tree line and waited a bit before I started calling.... It sounded like there were 2 gobblers in the bush with me with some others (I could hear) in the far distance.....
They sure took their time coming off the roost. The first bird a hen came down just after 7am..... Landed in the field about 40 yds away from me and 60 yds away from my decoy.... A short minute later the Tom came down out of the tree and into the field....
He seen my decoy and started strutting making his way toward the decoy. As he reached about 20 yds from me, I took the shot..... to my surprise, he just jumps up and moves a few yards, looks like he is saying "what was that"..... Yup I missed..... My mind is now trying to figure out how I missed at the same time trying to rack the pump action as quietly as I can to get another shell in...... I managed to rack the other shell in, the Tom and hen still in the field just looking around, I take another shot and he just moves over another yard or two and says to himself again "what the heck is that"..... At this point, my Tom starts moving further away in the field with the hen..... They were in no hurry, she kept eating and he kept following her.....
Looking back, I know what happened..... My shotgun shoots a little high, I have fiber optic sights on my barrel. When I took the shot, I remember the bead pointing toward the turkey but both times the bead was over it's head, so even at 20 yds the pattern is pretty tight, went right over its head.... In the excitement I forgot to put the bead on the beard, instead my eyes were on the beard and my sight was not..... Man I should get a scope on that gun.....
It was fun but also frustrating..... I will be out again this afternoon and remember to aim at the beard....
Good luck and be safe....
On a side, did notice quite a few cars (people fishing) around the creeks in my area....

[MikePal]

Thanks for sharing your adventure....success is measured in the fact you went out, saw and called one in. With a season that is a month long...no rush ending that kinda fun the first day.

[Lenny]

There are two groups of turkey hunters - those who have missed a close bird with a tight choke, and those who haven't - yet! I know I am in the first group.....

[SongDog]

Yup! What lenny said. Cant believe it when it happens, Almost stunns ya lol

But its doable, done it twice and still shake my head thinking about it lol

Lots of time left Frank!

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[Deer Hunter]

Ya been there done that. Sucks. Well lots of time to redeem yourself. Good Luck.

[tom gobble]

At least you got out and enjoyed the morning. You only miss a %100 of the shots you don't take. Think positive you get to have another day hunting

[rick_iles]

I have missed as well....tight choke and bird too close.
I have always aimed where the ugly meets the feathers....put a scope on years ago. That solved the miss problem....today, a big jake got a pass !!

[Hawkman]

Always a surprise when you miss a target that you thought you "couldn't miss".
Happens to the best of us and I have missed a Jake before myself.
Season just starting fratri, and I myself only saw birds a mile away today!

[js4fn]

Too bad you missed but Like others have said lots of days to go
Not sure what your weather is like but absolutely beautiful day here

See crazy amount of deer. And hear gobbles Neighbour is working a farm down the road with big Steiger tractor you know what they sound like. And lake just ruff enough can’t pin point gobble location

[fishfood]

Better shooting next time good luck next trip out.

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