Always Learning

[H-MAN]

I've been hunting turkeys for 14 years now with some decent success. Lots of days with nothing happening and some days with non stop action! Last Saturday I was at one of my favorite spots which has several ravines, and plenty of thick areas the turkeys like to forage through. I didn't see a single bird glassing the fields, so i decided to go to the thick stuff. I snuck in to the edge of one of the ravines and let out a call. Immediately I had a tom gobble back, and I knew he wasn't far off. About 5 minutes later I could see a fan about 60 yds away slowly heading my way. He would make a few steps, fan out and then slowly continue his show for the "hen" (me). He was on the other side of the narrow ravine and eventually offered me a "perfect" shot at 28 yds. Boom! He fell over, onto his back, legs kicking away for 10 seconds or so and then no more movement. I waited for a minute, reflecting on how everything unfolded so quickly on this hunt. The bird was a nice big tom and I was happy to have my second bird for the season, yet a little sad my season was over. I unloaded my gun, picked up my seat, and proceeded towards the bird. I went down my side of the ravine, up the other side and when I got 15 feet from the bird......... I couldn't believe my eyes when he flipped over, lifted his head, and took off like a bat out of hell! I can only imagine the look on my face as he ran out of sight into the thick brush. I was dumbfounded to say the least. Looking at the "kill" sight (not), there was only three small feathers and no blood. Of course I did a grid search looking for blood/feathers and found nothing. I'm not sure what happened, if I flinched or just didn't line him up properly. Embarrassing as this story is to tell, I wanted to share it so hopefully no one else makes the same mistake. Hopefully that tom will make it, they are a tough bird! A clean miss would have been preferred obviously. So.... That's my story and I'm sticking to it! LOL Back at it tomorrow morning, good luck to all!

[Bowjob]

the same happened with my dad, he took a shot at one maybe 30 yards out max, thing got knocked back onto its head, did 2 summersaults laid there for 5 seconds my dad got up and it and took off into the bush. he couldn't believe it.

[Ouzel]

I shot one last year. I had retrieved him, and was setting him up to take photo. I stepped back to set up the camera, and he jumped up and bolted. I never reloaded my shotgun so fast! He didn't get away, but it was close.

[dean.f]

That's so crazy, I wonder if they play dead? Or just get stunned?

[ninepointer]

Had something similar happen to me once. At the shot the tom fell backwards, didn’t even twitch. When I approached he jumped up and ran out of sight through the woods. There was blood where he’d been laying. I jumped him again at the spot where I’d lost sight of him. Fortunately he ran into a page wire fence where I was able to finish him off.

[fratri]

Crazy........... Happen to me one time too..... Shot the bird, he goes down.... As I walk around looking for an easy way to get into the field, this bird gets up and starts running... Had to give him 2 more before the deed was done.
I do think some of them play dead until you are on them. Fun times