Finally... first bird

[taketheshot]

This is my third season hunting wild turkey and I usually only get out 2 or 3 times per season. This morning I finally got my first bird. Was set up by 5:15am, by 6 there were gobbles all around me. Surrounding me in all directions, but the closest one still sounded a fair distance away. This lasted for quite some time but stopped abruptly between 7-7:30. Finally at 9am a turkey emerges from the edge of the bush about 150 yards away. I let out a couple yelps and got his attention. Step step step... peck peck. Step step step... peck peck. He had eyes for my decoys and was coming in fast. I was running a jake & hen pair. He was on a mission to my decoys and wasn't sure if he was going for the hen or jake, didn't get the chance to find out as I dropped him around 20-25 yards.

21lbs 14oz
9" beard
1 5/16" spurs

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I kept reading stories about birds taking forever to make their way in to the decoys, or getting hung up out of range. This just happened so quickly it didn't feel real. I guess moral of the story is; hang in there.. eventually you'll run into a suicidal bird.

[longbeard69]

I sure hope so ive been tryin for three years as well and still nothing but this year im actually seeing birds compared to the last two im hoping this is my year as well. Great looking dinner m i invited lol

[fratri]

Congratulations on the success, looks like a beauty...

[mbhunter]

Nice bird! Where'd you hit him?

[outback]

You picked a good one for your first, congrats to you on your success. I won't say it gets easier but the intensity of the hunt gets better I find.

outback

[mr meat]

Great bird congrats!!

[Hardcoreducks]

Congrats

[MikePal]

Nice to end the drought with a good sized bird....congrats !!!!

[taketheshot]

Nice bird! Where'd you hit him?

Neck. I'm used to waterfowling, so its nice to have meat that isn't peppered!

You picked a good one for your first, congrats to you on your success. I won't say it gets easier but the intensity of the hunt gets better I find.

For sure. Now I see what all the fuss it about. What a rush.

[Thymallus]

Congratulations on a great looking bird. Big spurs for the beard I think- I think the beards sometimes break off in the snow.