Post by Swamp Thing on Jun 10, 2005 13:48:40 GMT -5
You asked about the wounded gobbler.....
Here's what happened:
One morning, I was working a group of turkeys that included 3 mature toms.
I had 1 of them interested and when I finally got a shot (about 35 yards---a 10 ga. should have put him down...but that's another "thread") at him he jumped up and ran towards the other 2 (which were with a couple of hens)...he disappeared over the top of a knoll and when I approached, I saw one of the other toms kicking the Hell out of the tom I hit. Thay all saw me and started running and flying---I couldn't tell which was the one I shot at...they looked like they all few off. I thought the one I hit "recuped" and was with them. I headed into the direction they flew hoping to get a finishing shot. I searched and searched to no avail. I started thinking that just maybe the bird I actually hit was still in the area where I saw him last and sure enough, when I approached, I saw the wind lift his tail in this meadow that had grass not even high enough to cover a rabbit. As appraoched the area where I thought I saw him.....I looked and looked and saw absolutely NOTHING! I started working a "grid" pattern in the meadow when after several minutes, something dark caught my eye. It was the gobbler crouching, just barely visible at about 10-15 feet from me and believe me, he was watching my every move....I had passed right by him by only a few yards at least once. With one easy motion, I raised my gun and let him have it! I did get him but what a price I had to pay!!! My respect for these incredible birds is enormous!
It's a good thing I had some sheet plastic in my van because my backside was just covered with blood from the headshot as I carried him out....I put the plastic on my seat and I would recommend to all turkey hunters to carry a garbage bag or some kind of plastic sheet to protect your vehicle seat. Sooner or later it happens to all turkey hunters that you're going to get blood on your backside when you carry your tom out. Getting blood on your vehicle seat is preventable with a little forethought!
Thanks for listening!
Here's what happened:
One morning, I was working a group of turkeys that included 3 mature toms.
I had 1 of them interested and when I finally got a shot (about 35 yards---a 10 ga. should have put him down...but that's another "thread") at him he jumped up and ran towards the other 2 (which were with a couple of hens)...he disappeared over the top of a knoll and when I approached, I saw one of the other toms kicking the Hell out of the tom I hit. Thay all saw me and started running and flying---I couldn't tell which was the one I shot at...they looked like they all few off. I thought the one I hit "recuped" and was with them. I headed into the direction they flew hoping to get a finishing shot. I searched and searched to no avail. I started thinking that just maybe the bird I actually hit was still in the area where I saw him last and sure enough, when I approached, I saw the wind lift his tail in this meadow that had grass not even high enough to cover a rabbit. As appraoched the area where I thought I saw him.....I looked and looked and saw absolutely NOTHING! I started working a "grid" pattern in the meadow when after several minutes, something dark caught my eye. It was the gobbler crouching, just barely visible at about 10-15 feet from me and believe me, he was watching my every move....I had passed right by him by only a few yards at least once. With one easy motion, I raised my gun and let him have it! I did get him but what a price I had to pay!!! My respect for these incredible birds is enormous!
It's a good thing I had some sheet plastic in my van because my backside was just covered with blood from the headshot as I carried him out....I put the plastic on my seat and I would recommend to all turkey hunters to carry a garbage bag or some kind of plastic sheet to protect your vehicle seat. Sooner or later it happens to all turkey hunters that you're going to get blood on your backside when you carry your tom out. Getting blood on your vehicle seat is preventable with a little forethought!
Thanks for listening!
