2016 OFFICIAL wild turkey meat pole
Turkey
Contributors to this thread:
Edited -
OK, since the seasons are getting rolling, lets keep this thing primarily to a collection of birds taken by bowhunters, with archery gear.
Try to keep it to one photo per bird, unless there's something really interesting like huge spurs.
Anything negative gets tossed. If I put in something negative, hammer me and I'll take it off. :-)
Let the good times roll!!
Here you go writer! We were covered up with birds last weekend.
Great start guys! congrats!
Please sell me that T5!
Congrats, guys!
Midwest, I agree it's the best blind ever built.
Awesome! I'm jealous (in a good way). We dont open for 3 months here!
One of the most satisfying, but poorly photographed, turkey hunts of my life...which is a really, really long time!
19 degree windchill, freezing rain and sleet coming down pretty good with a sizable wind.
Set up in a nook of a wheatfield, near a popular creek crossing, about 150 yards from a roosting area.
I set out a full-strutter with a lousy fan, and put the Dakota jake directly on the ground inches away, like it was getting bullied.
When I heard jake yelps across the stream I answered with a few from a slate, with some aggressive purrs. The sound of about 15 sets of wings came a few seconds later, a few after that they were on their way. There were three longbeards and about a dozen jakes.
The landowner had asked I save longbeards for the spring, when we host some celebrity, and Big Brothers, hunts. So I picked a jake at about 10 yards and made the shot.
20 minutes later I got out of the blind and could have walked up and shot one of the two longbeards that was still humping and pecking the dead bird.
By then it was getting dark and the gick was really coming form the sky. Pics are better than I expected, but poor. Sorry.
A poor photo, but it shows that the birds are certainly in a hurry to get to the decoys, despite very winter-like conditions. You can see the two birds on the left are danged fine longbeards. One was probably a four year old, judging by the spurs I saw when he was whipping the dead jake. A two-year-old was with the unseen jakes to the right.
The rest of the turkeys are in a line stretched out to the right.
Some half-strutting at the decoys, and a little wingboxing. All from the dominant longbeard. Still, considering the conditions...not bad.
Excellent Michael!!! Call and decoy birds in the fall/winter?!?? .... No way can't be done impossible ;-) congrats!
We had nearly 50 birds in our decoys with a mix of toms, jakes and hens. I passed on a tom in favor of a nice tender jake.
Cool stuff Mike! Gotta admit I thought it was "Tink" in that first pic though ;?)
We used two stuffed hen decoys, one feeder and one standing. Usually use a mounted jake decoy as well just not this time.
Good hunting you guys . 3 more months before I can hunt. Forrest
Nice....Way to get it started! I like the thread title also, not all caps...
About 3 more months here too. Dang!
March 15 here in MS......
Nice job guys. Just a couple more months, but I've had the Athens bow out and I'm ready to go.
March 26th....In the 70's here and they're all fired up near the house but El Niño is still lurking, so we'll see....
Here is an Ocellated that I shot last week in Mexico. A Great Experience.
BDub that's awesome, congrats and awesome pics and hooks!!! Man this meatpole is off to an awesome start this year.
Fantastic pics, BDub! Congrats!
Nice birds guys but the last one wow the colors. Sitting in snow here would be nice to be where there is none.
BDub, what outfitter did you use? Congrats!
Wow. That is a super pretty bird with super scary spurs
BDub,
Correct me if I am wrong, but your oscellated bird didn't have a beard, did it (I have never seen one with a beard)? They sure do have outrageous spurs (as shown in your photo!!) I always think that their "song" is as addictive to listen to as a gobbler's gobbling!! For those that have never heard an oscellated turkey, there are some threads on YouTube that will show you what they sound like.....like a cross between a Ruffed Grouse and a Peacock (to these deaf, old ears).
Did you hunt them as they headed to the crop fields? Are you having your bird mounted, or did the broadhead tear him up too bad? The first photo sure looked like he was in pretty good shape.
Thanks Guys! The spurs were pushing 2" but I have to get a better measurement when I get a chance. They do not have beards and yes we hunted them in an agricultural area. I booked the hunt through Neil Summers and Jay Osting at Bowhunting Safari Consultants.It was a fantastic hunt and a wonderful and safe facility. The bird was torn up pretty good from the 2'GrimmReaper but my Taxidermist is used to Big holes!
It usually doesn't take you long. I know that. Looks like he was tomahawked. Congrats.
Cade, You look just like your dad!
Sweet. Turkey #437!!! :-)
Number 438 goes down. Congrats . Hunt
Jakes and two-year-olds.....gotta love the junior high birds.
I don't think I've shot a spring jake in a long time,...but don't put it past me.
Which broadhead? Did you get a pass through?
"I know I couldn't have killed without a blind. Too few trees and all of them too small."
Congrats, but many could have.
Could you have done it w/o facepaint? Go Devils!
Good start! Good bird.
Sito, you are on to something ;-)
I know plenty of guys including myself who have killed turkeys in the open without blinds. I killed them in the open spot and stalking! Heads up decoy works wonders in the wide open as well.
Ding, ding, ding, ding....let's keep the turkey success meatpole clean and positive.
We don't want to pollute things so much people can't find the success stories and photos.
(That goes for me, too!)
Can't leave these out scott :-) heck of a bird Ryan!
Awesome job Ryan, Forrest
Thought this was supposed to be the 'kill' thread?
N. California, natural set up opening morning
My son had a great opening day here in Nebraska!
My daughter made a perfect shot on this nice tom.
I managed a couple as well.
Sorry, Beav, your daughter only got one but she's by far the winner. Great pics! Are the still in big bunches up there?
Wow! 7 opening day bow kills? Impressive.
I agree totally writer! They were starting to break up but this winter blast we got seems to have them pretty bunched up again. Seems they all roosted together but would break up into smaller bunches as the day goes on.
^^^
As said above, congrats!
Lefty excellent!!!! And big congrats!!
Beav congrats and youre doing it right!!! Thank you!
California opening day. Bird #1. No blind, 20-22 yard shot. 19# 1-1 1/8" 9"
Turkey meat is the best meat! ... White meat that is lol
Chris got his. I got mine few hours later. Great day
California. 18lb, 8 1/2" beard, 3/4 spurs. Full decap at 7 yards.
Joe that's probably the best Turkey pic I've ever seen...but Beav and his clan killed 6 in one day, just said ;?)
Nice birds all!
Man, you guys are killing me as I have to wait until April 6 to head for Nebraska.
Good going to those that have killed a gobbler.
my best, Paul
Strong work Chris and Joe, great pics.
Congratulations everyone... some nice birds!!!
Brent and I doubled for my second bird and his first. Such a fun hunt!!
Awesome photos, guys. Keep em' coming! My season doesn't opem for another 18 days. This thread is getting me pumped
Awesome pictures everyone! Keep up the good work!
You cali guys must be hunting in holywood...that is the only place with that quality film equipment. Outstanding!
BEAV.......What can I say but HELL YEAH!
Wow. I don't hunt until next Monday. With all these photos, I'm not sure that I will make it that long...
Also, you cali guys sure know how to take a hero picture. The colors, clarity, and scenery are amazing.
Man, you California guys are getting it done, showing us easterners, (and midwesterners) how to skewer birds absolutely every trip.
Hey Chris, how about doing a thread with audio of some of your great slate calling? Slate's the deadliest call in the woods, in my opinion.
I'm guessing you'll be all tagged out by the end of this weekend.
You and Joe need to hit the road and do your archery grand slam. The way you guys hunt it might only take four days!
and my season doesn't start until may 2nd. Great job everyone.
Writer, thanks. I may try that audio thing for Joe and I thread and leave this for all the white meat ;-) good luck everyone! A lot of seasons opening up so can't wait to see everyone else's pics and info.
Took a buddy of mine out and we located a flock of 5 toms with about 20 hens. With some aggressive calling we finally pulled one away and he made a perfect shot. I kept after it and about 25 minutes later I pulled the other four toms away and they came in and jumped on his dead bird. He filled all three of his tags and I filled my last remaining permit. What a hunt this was!
Excellent beav! Wish sometimes we could fill our tags in one day.. But then again that's a hunt/day in the woods not happening unless I'm takin someone else. Nice work!
DANG, Beav!! You're a turkey killing machine. Congrats to all
I hear you trkyslr. I will be taking plenty more people out including some kids. Last year there were 19 birds shot out of my blind so plenty more action ahead even though my tags are filled.
Congratulations... some nice birds.
Nice bird Ryan that was worth the trip eh, and nice birds everyone else they are tasty arent they.
Lots of nice birds on here. Congrats to all! Here is #2 in N. California.
Congrats lefty! Pretty bird.. We're back at it tmrw.
Go get em! Can't wait to see what you boys do tomorrow, good luck!
My daughter with her second bird. 23 1/2 lb, 10" beard and 1 1/4" spurs.
Another pic of Maddie 's bird along with my buddy Lanny who she doubled up with.
Beav, by the looks of your kids, you must have one very attractive wife. She must be pretty patient, too.
Great stuff up there. Keep 'em dying.
writer, I trained her to be patient.
Nebraska-First bird with a bow. Down goes Frazier! Thanks Ron...
Beav,
Great looking kids, love the pics with your daughter and her birds (I have 4 daughters, partial to those kind of pics).
Thanks for sharing.
Nor Cal #2.... Natural setup 16 yard shot, 8 yard recovery. Crazy cool hunt!
10 yard shot Nebraska turkey
Nice birds. Kansas deer, Kansas turkeys, Kansas deer, Kansas turkeys...I'm beginning to know how Colorado resident elk hunters feel!
Son's first turkey. Did it with a bow. I shot a jake so we could double up.
Uh can somebody rotate that for me? Computer illiterate.
I doubled with the bow on opening day in Kansas. First shot was 5 yards, the second bird a couple hours later was at 4 yards. Took both heads clean off with the same Magnus Bullhead.
4-8-16 6:45AM Nebraska Day 1 #1
Colorado opened this morning. Done at 6:45 AM. 21.2#, 8 14/16" beard. Merriam's. One OTC down, one limited access to go.
Nor Cal bird #3 tagged out, 4/8/16, no blind, 13 yard shot, 7 yard flop to his grave. This has been a great all around season so far. Can't wait to play turkey sherpa now.
Trust me I was mostly all smiles on the hike out ;-) hehe... good luck to everyone else. Some great pics piling up on here.
Once again the Cali dudes set the pace for getting turkeys killed.
Great job, Chris. That was a fast season.
First morning out. 8.5" beard, 1" Spurs. Javaman elkheart longbow, alluminum arrow with zwickey delta broadhead.
Congrats on all the birds so far!
Still waiting for the season to open up here.
Okay, TBM, I'll bite (even though I hate when guys leave hints like "bonus bird" instead of just telling us what happened from the get-go because they want dumbasses like me right now to ask). How did you get the fourth bird in Nebraska? Did you hit one with your vehicle or something?
I got on the board with this beautiful SD gobbler this morning. My biggest, double beard, estimated and unverified 1.5" spurs. Lol
Wow, Brotsky....great bird, congrats! Would love to see a pic of those hooks.
OK, you say double beard, 1.5" spurs...and you show neither!?
Ding, ding, ding....we have a foul called on Brotsky.
Pretty- whatever
Heavy - whatever
Double-beard - nice
1.5" spurs --- you gotta show those, brother.
AND the photo needs to be of such a bird handing from a tree limb by those spurs.
Limb-hanger bird trumps 57# bird, with 21 beards totalling 354" in my book. :-)
"Limb-hanger bird trumps 57# bird,..."
Well, you never have to hunt Merriam's then.
One of my first Merriam's, shot by Bear Butte, in about '86? weighed 16#, 7 1/4" beard, and matching 1 5/8" per side that hooked wickedly.
I've only ever kept a few spurs for my boy who wanted to make a necklace. I can't say it even occurred to me to take a picture. I'll be the first to admit I'm estimating length as I didn't get out a tape but they were long enough to make a guy who has shot a pile of turkeys take note. You guys got me, maybe they were 1 1/4" or 3/8". Ha! I do have a pic that shows the double beard here on my phone. The frontal shot really matted the beard with blood unfortunately and the gaping hole was purposefully hidden in the pic I posted writer as I wanted a tasteful trophy photo. I'm not digging the feet back out of the trash bag so you guys can take my word for it or not on the spurs. Digging through turkey remains To get a pic for you guys is less important to me than watching the Masters! Ha! I'll be sure to add "estimated length" to my original post for clarity as to the veracity of my claims. Good luck all!
Easy....not doubting, I'm just a "spur guy," as a lot of longtime hunters, who've chased turkeys from coast to coast.
Beard length does little for me because we've had 2-year-old easterns with 11" beards.
Hope you enjoyed the Masters...but when did TBM get his own tv show? :-)
No worries writer, I know you guys just wanted to see them but I'm all for full disclosure! Ha! Now that I know guys like to see big hooks I'll take the extra 30 seconds to take a shot or two of any I think are longer than the norm if I am so lucky again. I'm really not big on numbers for turkeys, I just like shooting them!
"If brosky keeps talking it will be a 2 year old soon."
It was obviously a jake. I hope that allows you to clear your pants the next time you take a leak.
Scott, that is a story still in the works. She hunted with me on Saturday and sent two arrows down range. I called in 3 toms for her and she unfortunately hit one low and then missed on the follow-up. It ended up only being a flesh wound and the turkey will live another day. It was supposed to be cold, windy, and a little rainy here yesterday morning so she decided to stay in bed. Of course I call two in right away off the roost when she's at home. She was definitely mad at herself for not going! She's got a couple chances coming up in the next couple of weeks so hopefully she can get one yet. Here's a crappy phone pic I took out of the blind as she was preparing to shoot. The close bird is a jake and ended up being the one she shot at. She didn't care which one she got and neither did I! Her mother had her bow up and ready as well hoping to get a crack at a girl double but things didn't quite work out!
Nebraska Public Land - Spot and stalk - 35yd shot
Shot my first archery bird this morning it was amazing. I had 5 gobblers come in with 2 hens. As I was waiting for one of the bigger ones to step out this guy broken off and started sneaking around behind. I was able to spin and get set up when he went behind a bush. The setup was with no blind and no camouflage. The shot was maybe 5 yards.
Opening Saturday, March 26, in eastern Nebraska. Eastern Tom.
April 5 - second bird of 2016. Merriman. Shot in NW Nebraska. New jake decoy now credited with two kills.
SDHNTR NOR CAL BIRD #1. 16 yard shot. 1 yard recovery. No blind. 22# 10" beard, 1" Spurs.
SDHNTR nor cal bird #2. No blind call in, 15 yard shot, 0 yard recovery, 17# spurless, 10 9/16" beard.
Chris, interesting colors on his first bird, and huge fans for Rios. Are they hybrids with anything?
The first bird could easily pass for a classic Rio/eastern hybrid from most of Kansas or Oklahoma.
No they're rios per the Nwtf and species maps... Most birds in the area look more like nates second bird. But The first bird was killed in an area that doesn't get a lot of direct constant sun. It's a big thick jungle type area that has a large canopy of madrone and oak trees on a huge northern facing ridge. My theory or guess is the birds there live in a richer soiled nutrients area with less direct sun light so they're feathers don't get aged by the sun as much as birds down in the lower areas. We've killed a lot of birds in this area and they are all very colorful. Or maybe it has something to do with the iridescent feathers absorbing the darker colorful habitat. Maybe someone else has a better idea. Just a thought
Also there aren't any eastern state for 1000's of miles and closest marriams are about 4000-6000 feet higher in elevation and 60-100 miles away from where this bird was killed. Maybe we need to DNA these turkeys like our deer :-)'
My oldest came home for the weekend from college, even tho he has killed several turkeys spot and stalk or out of a tree stand, this was his 1st long beard called in and killed out of a blind! Weighed 22.24 pounds had 7/8 inch spurs, 9 1/2 inch main beard and 5 more beards between 4 1/2 down to 3 6/8 for a total of 6 beards! I called him in for Nick and told him he could shoot cause I've killed lots of long beards... Of course none like that!!
CS there are Easterns on the N coast. They were introduced. See pg 4 here. https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=23229
Ok so 100's a little exaggeration lol... Anyways rios as per the "books" ;-) either way two great birds!
Gonna make a fan and beard display for him. Here's a picture of the beards off the bird.
Killed this one last friday. 9 3/4" Beard 1" spurs 16 yard shot with a Magnus black hornet and he dropped in his tracks. Third turkey in the last 2 years taken off my little piece of heaven.
Wasn't expecting eastern in the bloodline, just saying looked like what we know are hybrids.
There's always some fan and saddle differences, and I assume it's largely genetic.
I've seen pure Rios, Merriam's and Easterns, according to what some would say, in the same flock and probably from the same brood.
It's the habitat that makes the hunting different, and hunting pressure, not genetics.
NWTF will basically let you call a bird whatever you want...they want the registration money going for Grand Slams.
Wish I'd have done Goulds...maybe someday. Other than that, they're turkeys.
We'll start #2 meatpole for the year when this one reaches 200.
SE MN 24.8# 20 yards, taken with my new Hoyt Carbon Defiant lh 34. Had the bow for seven days shoots nice!!
Congrats nogutsnostorys! Natural no blind kill? Info
The rest of the story,after fly down the 4 Tom's and a dozen hens went up to a top field, I was in the bottom field so I moved my position wich was a major hike! When I got to the top field I snuck up to a conservation dyke and spotted a tail fan. I stuck the decoy in the ground backed out and went back to the woodline,grabbed my blind and popped it up got inside it and walked within 20 yards of my decoy. I started calling with loud yelps on my slate and got a gobble immediately. This went on for about 20 minutes then two Tom's must have seen the decoy and came strutting in and that is the rest of the story!!
Colorado bird, 2 year old. It was 80 degrees at 4pm when he walked in. I think we both had heat stroke!! The blind was a sweat shack and I was packing up getting ready to call it for the day when he showed up.
I took this picture with my cannon camera on the self timer.
Nebraksa #3 Great pics guys. Keep it up. Hopefully get out in Iowa in next couple weeks.
Congrats Eyad! I was anticipating your pics soon.
"...2 year old."
You guys get a birth certificate, or count growth rings, or something. To me it's either a jake or a gobbler. Teach me something. How do you age a turkey besides a WAG?
Ziek, Google "how to age a wild turkey?" And you'll get a ton of places to read, some accurate some not but all somewhat close.. IMO mainly spur length biggest age trait then weight, beard length, beard color changes, weight, plumage/feather characteristics etc. next kinda in that order.
Ziek, it's not an exact science but I use spur size as an indication of age
Idaho opener was yesterday. Good morning out by myself. Nice Merriam 1 1/4" hooks, 9-10" beard. lots of birds!!!
I did Google it, and what I found was so variable as to be meaningless.
Beard length - "Forget about beard length. Beards--short, long, thick, thin, single and multiple – are fun to look at and brag about, but they reveal nothing about a bird’s age. Huge, old gobblers sometimes sport dinky beards, and a 2-year-old can have a 12-inched."
Spur length - Some sites give an age range for different length spurs, but others? - "In many cases, the turkeys home range determines just how long it spurs will get. Down here in sunny Florida, Osceola's usually have the longest spurs of the five American sub-species. Due mostly to their environment, as they usually live in areas with sandy soil and soft dirt or in soggy swampy areas. As you might imagine, they do not wear off their spurs. On the other hand, the western subspecies, like the Merriam's, often live in hard,very rocky, or mountainous areas which means that in many cases, even the older birds will have worn their spurs to less than 1 inch long!"
While spur length might be an indication of age, in my experience it's more just a WAG. Habitat, species, nutrition all play a part. For instance I've killed several big Merriam's in different places and seen many others. None of them had even a pointed spur. They were all less than an inch and rounded off. I think that is more common for a pure Merriam's, so spur length is meaningless.
One study tried to age them by the length of the middle toe. Wing feathers can also determine age. But all of these methods basically determine whether they are adults or juveniles. Claiming a bird is 2 years old or 3 years old, is really just a guess.
Also, I suspect that many "Merriam's" claimed are more likely hybrids despite the range maps published by NWTF and some game departments. While coloration does vary some, Bullhound's bird shown above sure doesn't look like a Merriam's, and since turkeys are not native to Idaho and they have introduced Merriam's, rios, easterns, and hybrids, it's likely a hybrid. Nebraska is another place where you likely won't find pure Merriam's. They have or have introduced Merriam's, rios, easterns, and bronze turkeys. With no natural barriers to dispersal, most birds there are hybrids according to the biologist I talked to. The best you can hope for is one displaying characteristics of one or another.
Ditto Slayer...and I think Osceola's just naturally have longer spurs, swamps has nothing to do with it. Farm country Rios compete well with rock country rios.
Osceolas have a different hue, anyway, primary feathers and look more lanky.
There's always been some coloration difference in tail and saddle coloration, look at old photos, as in 100 or more years ago. First Merriams I shot deep in the Black Hills, 80-plus years ago, had the same coloration of a Kansas Rio. Had a Missouri eastern in '82 with beige saddle and fan tips, like a Rio.
Had nubby spurs, thin beard and a gobble that sounded like he was choking.
Next year was a bird with gorgeous coloration and 1 5/8" hooks you could stick in a dart board and hang the 16.something # beast.
Who knows, we've had domestic birds breed into flocks in many places.
Originally, there was just one kind of wild turkey, anyway.
And my opinion will get you zero-off the dollar menu at McDonalds.
Historic natural range of Merriam's is Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Other places they are found, they have been introduced, in most cases with other species introduced at some time.
From my research - "Today, New Mexico along with Arizona and southern Colorado are considered native Merriam’s Turkey range however, the bird has been introduced into non native states including: Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, California, Oregon and Washington. It is believed that many of these non native locations are producing a mix strain of non pure Merriam’s turkey."
"Averaging 20 lbs, the harsh conditions of its native mountain habitats effect beards and spurs by wearing them down. Beards average 9 inches and spurs about an inch."
Yep. I'm done in Cali. Was headed to a spot to setup an 3 lb were already there. Went sneaky Indian. 41 yard poke :-)
Love early spring in the timber! MN gobbler 2016
One of my favorite hunts of the year. Called in three big toms and my dad who is three months from his 80th birthday arrowed one of them. He can still hike through the steepest canyons and go about anywhere he wants.
I had a hen at 5 yds. and 3 longbeards at 25 yds.. The longbeards were strutting and drumming when 2 of them closed the distance to approximately 10 yds.. I center punched the closest one with a 3 blade Grim Reaper. It was the 1st time hunting over my new DSD dekes. Well worth the money in my book!
Love it, Beav! Congrats to your dad...that's just great.
That's incredible Beav! What a stud!!!
Georgia bird, 20 lbs, 10" and 7" beards, 1 1/8" spurs. Thank you Lord!
Been trying for 25 years to take an "Eastern Double" here in Iowa. Was finally blessed and lucky enough to pull it off.
Had an awesome hunt w/ just the DSD hen yesterday. Normally regret not hauling the jake out, but not this time. 8 jakes tormented the decoy before riling up 2 hens and this 26 lb'er. My heaviest yet. Bear T/d with Magnus Buzzcuts took him at 7yds. 4/18 MN
Stick and hawkeye congrats! I've always wanted to lay down a double but with Cali's daily limit I can't. I need to make a trip outta state it's been a while.
Eyad, you are a turkey killing machine this season. Congrats!
A double around here would often be extremely easy if we could shoot more than one. Personally, I wouldn't want to shorten my hunt that much. Almost as often as not, this is what happens when you drop a bird quickly with an arrow. That's my dead gobbler at the bottom of that pile just 9 yards from the blind at 6:45 opening morning. I had trouble chasing them away, even after telling them it was time to leave. ;-)
"A double around here would often bee extremely easy if we could shoot more than one. Personally, I wouldn't want to shorten my hunt that much."
Your always a positive and constructive voice here.
LOL ;)
With two kids and full time work-Ill take the opportunities as they come and my health allows.
By the way-Congrats on your bird Ziek :)
Congrats to all you other guys too and incredible accomplishment to all you stick guys. Shot one the other day and wow-hats off to you.
By the way, congrats everyone. Hawkeye, those are a couple of good looking birds!
Congratulations everyone... nice looking birds!
Thanks Ziek:) Good luck with the second and post pics. Nothing prettier than those Merriams!
Awesome birds everyone. Sorry but Beav stole the show. The photos of his kid was one thing but the picture of pops is the best!
Have had a tough year so far. Haven't even laid eyes on a gobbler until I spotted this guy and his buddies at 400+ yards.
30 minutes later they were putting a gangsta beat down on my Jake. Shot was 4 yards.
Awesome stuff Mark! Congrats buddy:)
Bowfreak, congrats! Great bird.... Great pic.
Montana Gobbler. Two came in, one left.
Last night, five jakes came into the decoys and Cindy decided to take one home. The photo is not what I normally like to take, but this bird needed to be run down after the shot, and when the fracas ended, ALL the tail feathers were gone. Kinda looked like a huge guinea fowl.
Congrats Cindy!!! Those birds can be tough to bring down. Well done:)
Great job Cindy! Congrats to everyone, looks like a great year.
Finally broke my 9 year curse!
Congrats ALL, and way to hang in there Martin Man....I am in my second year trying with a bow. Have killed 2 before with the bow like 7 years ago and trying again but seems much harder than before....LOL
My 1st Nebraska Turkey for 2016
My 1st Colorado Turkey for 2016
Eastern SD Tom, 13 yards, self filmed
Great stuff, guys, but it's time to start a new one...things are just getting rolling for a lot of hunters in the northern U.S.!