2018 TURKEY MEATPOLE
Turkey
Contributors to this thread:
Well it’s time someone started this and what a better way then with our youth, the future of hunting wether gun or bow. Today I took out a buddy and his 7 year old daughter Clara on her first turkey hunt. Clara just recently passed hunter ed and got her license. Well we had a fast great morning as I called in the whole flock off the roost into the DSD decoys. There were a few longbeards but just couldn’t get a clear shot at one without harvesting more then one bird with a single shot. Finally a jake broke away and she made a great shot on her first bird. I love taking juniors out and seeing their excitement when a turkey gobbles and they come in and put on a show. Congrats to Clara and we have a great start for 2018! (Clara, her dad Chase, and my daughter Gia)
One last one from this hunt for now as I’ll post some more later on a diff thread. These smiles are what it is all about!
Good luck everyone else this spring!
On the board in MS. Nice old long beard.
Missed a 6-8 yard headshot. Then nailed him in the wing joint on the second shot.
Good for y'all! Opens next weekend here. Dad and I already have a weekend planned for camping backcountry style and chasing toms.
Great work guys! Chris, getting the kids birds every year are some of my favorite pictures and stories. Congrats and keep it up!
Good job trkyslr. Older I get more I enjoy taking kids hunting. Dang good work on the photos too. Those kids are little dolls.
That’s a great way to get things started off right! Congrats to Clara on her first turk!
Thanks guys! I’m seeing this thread taking off quickly rather soon.. good luck everyone!
I'm just hoping that you can figure out how to post the video......
Great job Chris! Good shooting Jim...looking forward to the season:)
Came out to Nebraska with my son, hoping to get him his first archery turkey. Mid day, we spotted these jakes a couple hundred yards away feeding along the edge of a field. I was able to close the distance and put on a stalk and was able to make a well placed shot on this little guy! I’ve shot a handful of turkeys with my longbow from a blind, and a couple with a shotgun, but this is my first archery spot and stalk bird
Nice...Couldn't be a better weather for opener tomorrow in Cali, good luck!
Two weeks from tomorrow before I can get out. Nice birds everybody!
Got another one in MS.
6-8 yard head shot. First bird with the Magnus bull head. I'm hooked on the head shots!
Dan Mallia's Link
First bird of the 2018 CA season for me. Whacked him with a Magnus Bullhead over the new DSD Mating Pair.
Congrats dan! Here is my opening day Cali longbeard. Called 4 longbeards right off the roost into the decoys at 14 yards, no blind. Shot the first one who punked the DSD mating set. Shot him with a new Radical Archery Design Rival head, which he went one yard and was dead in two seconds. Shot placement is key with all heads. Great start!
On the board in CA. Great day with the homie :-)
Fourth day of the Nebraska season shot this Tom right off the top of my Jake decoy as he tried to punish it, it was pretty cool! 9 inch beard!
Stickbow bird...the ultimate...nice
Matt
Fantastic on the longbow bird!!! Black Canyon longbow??
Congrats on the stickbow kill Matt
yes it is a black canyon, good eye scott! 52# at "27" two piece takedown!
Congratulations to everyone some good looking birds. Our season opens tomorrow and I took the day off from work I can't wait.
Got one down last weekend!
Good work troy and everyone else!!!! ... been pretty wet here but should improve soon.
Congrats on the OK Gobblers T-Roy!
Grim Reaper at 7 yds
Grim Reaper at 7 yds
Nebraska 4/6. Killed this one in a blizzard and wind chills below zero. Gobbled hard and ran in with 7 hens and 3 gobblers . Hunt
Took my brother in law. His first Archery Bird ! Hunt
And his Second. Thanks again Beav!! Hunt
Looks like a great trip, Hunt!
Nice work Hunt! Great birds.
Whackin and stackin em, Hunt! Good job!
Here’s my wife’s second tom.
Son’s 2nd bird. Took his first last year. Shotgun in Kansas. He’s 9.
Son’s 2nd bird. Took his first last year. Shotgun in Kansas. He’s 9.
HUNT came out for a few days and my son Zach had to get in on the action filling all three of his tags. What a great time we had.
Nice birds everyone, can't wait to get after'm here in KS in the morning!
Oh man u guys are killing me i should be in kansas right now but stuck at home. Awesome stuff so far !!
Oklahoma opening day...arrowed at 18 yards.
Y'all are doing great ! A week from tomorrow before we're able to get after them. We're going to a place we've never been before so I'm expecting nothing and hoping for the best.
Awesome jobs guys n gals! A couple week wait yet here until maryland comes in. Then Missouri trip starting the 28th for 4 days!!
My 11 yr old son scored his first ever bow kill and 7th gobbler yesterday morning here in Iowa with a 6 yard head shot.
Gorgeous birds and photos
Congrats to all. My season doesn't start until May 7th. ughh.
Nebraska Turkey #1 for 2018
Nebraska Double with one arrow and Magnus bullheads
Hey Ron two birds with one shot? now your showing off! LOL
Some of you boys are all filled up before us northerners even get a sniff. Great start to the spring! Keep after them! -DUKE
Matt, it was not planned and I was kind of disappointed about it as I wanted to save at least one tag for later in the season when they were split up more.
Paul!! Ya did it again!!! Sweet!
No birds on my trip to Nebraska last weekend, but a good time. Thanks, AndyJ. Bowsite friends are wonderful, even if the weather and the birds don’t cooperate.
No birds on my trip to Nebraska last weekend, but a good time. Thanks, AndyJ. Bowsite friends are wonderful, even if the weather and the birds don’t cooperate.
great pics all, we cant find a bird here , all seem to have vanished from are regular areas . Tough yr here in SC
No birds on my trip to Nebraska last weekend, but a good time. Thanks, AndyJ. Bowsite friends are wonderful, even if the weather and the birds don’t cooperate.
Hey Derrick, did you get any birds in Nebraska last weekend? :)
In Nebraska now. Just too much fun with the high wind and rain and promise of 8-15" tonight and tomorrow. Ate my sandwich at 9:30 already. Was really hoping to hold out til 10:30. Saw a few turkeys but none that wanted to die. My 88 yr old partner just text me and wants to go in and warm up and get warmer clothes. Told him I thought he was tougher than that! And to have a Fireball for me. Said he's getting on his ATV and heading to the truck. Wimp. (does really suck out here today though).
And I could swear I just saw a turkey go over the ridge wearing yoga pants...I just don't know...
Congrats to all... nice to see the kids getting involved.
Someone said it was turkey season round yonder :-) #2
That looks like a cool pic except for that contraption in the front of the frame !
Went out and sat in the cold Kansas weather this morning, had gobbeling around me all morning, then at 9:10 this guy gobbled just to the right of the blind, I could just see him through the cedar tree limbs, he stayed hung up looking at my decoys for 20 min. finally I purred a few times after trying to get him to come in forever, the purring must of done it, he committed and after a 18 yard shot and a 10 yard recovery it was done. Body shot with my 100 magnum slicktrick did the job. 10.5 inch beard and 1 and 1/8 spurs. one more tag to go.
18.5#, 8 6/16" beard.
18.5#, 8 6/16" beard.
Colorado finally opened this morning. Cindy finished up first thing with a nice Merriam's.
Cali bird #2. No blind. 20 yard shot. Zero yard recovery. :-)
Great pictures Ziek and trkyslr. Family obligations at Easter, the grandkids, and this work thing has kept me out of the woods. This thread is keeping up the morale. trkyslr what camera are you using? The colors on that turkey look awesome.
Thanks! This one was taken with a Nikon coolpix 500. With flash, sun at my back, gets that iridescence to pop.
It’s the camera man bud :-)
I think your on to Joehunter. I need lessons from Paulatfort and trkyslr.lol
21#, 8 10/16" & 4 14/16" beards.
21#, 8 10/16" & 4 14/16" beards.
I ended our season 12 hours after Cindy.
Congrats to everyone.
That's a beautiful bird ziek and great photo also.
Turkey beards are like deer antlers, ya' can't eat em'. So, I tell myself since I shot the Tom with the shortest beard! The Hen in the photo is a DSD.
Turkey beards are like deer antlers, ya' can't eat em'. So, I tell myself since I shot the Tom with the shortest beard! The Hen in the photo is a DSD.
Congrats Zeik and deserve!
Tagged out here in Cali! 3rd bird, 40 yard sniper shot and recovered with my daughter present! Now to help others get some birds. :-)
Took this tom on day 2 of the season on public land, I called and called to him but he wouldn't come in so I shut up and 10 minutes later he was down. 9 1/4 inch beard
You need to change your handle to “NOexhughes2!
Congrats and nice pic as well.
My son Cody shot this opening day Colorado bird, 9 inch beard.
Iowa 2018 If you look closely you can see the snowflakes in the air. Crazy cold spring but love being out there!
Everyone nice birds!
Eyad congrats I like a bird with character like that one!
5 birds in 3 days. I joined my buddy who lives in Kansas. I killed one right off the bat on opening morning. The next day I killed one and then filmed him killing one. On Wednesday I drove to a spot that I found in Nebraska and in under two hours I put down two nice toms. All were head shots with the bows. All on video.
Kansas -------> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C2lp6KotjM&t=141s
Nebraska -------> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CryhRDV7p94
Congrats everyone and thanks Chris! You guys never cease to amaze with your success and photos. More snow coming tonight in the midwest. Crazy! Keep it up guys and good luck out there :)
DEC congrats .... ol white face just works! Great pics!
Thanks Eyad!
You guys and gals are stackin them up ! Congratulations to all !
Derek: That was some serious footage! Great when a hunt comes together like that!
25 yard shot, spot and stalk in Nebraska.
It's been a cold, late spring here in Montana but they're heating up now......Sat on Tuesday with the same birds and no reaction........this guy stayed up late on the roost but was super aggressive when he hit the ground.........he jumped a fence to confront the DSD and shot him in full bloom at six yards, ha.
22 pounds, 11 inch beard and mediocre spurs which most are in Montana.
Oregon. 19.3lbs, 9.25” beard, 3/4” spurs. Bullhead at 7 yards!
Oregon. 19.3lbs, 9.25” beard, 3/4” spurs. Bullhead at 7 yards!
Good times. Can’t wait till it’s his turn! Good luck to all with tags still. Hunt
Great hunt this morning during a drizzle.
Today was warmer than it’s been and I was thirsty :-)
We went scouting as the 3 1/2 feet of snow was melting. Saw a nice bird on the way in so we set-up on the next ridge. My son shot a nice 20# + bird just before end of legal light. So much for "just scouting" my wife said. She is jealous cause she won't be hunting for a few more weeks.
Evan and Dave
Evan and Dave
Evan’s first bird! My buddy Dave did the calling and had the birds fired up. We had 10 birds all around a hen deke 10 yards from us . My son couldn’t decide which bird to shoot! Awesome hunt!
I took a trip with some friends in Kansas and hunted some horrible weather. I still had an opportunity and blanked on a Jake at 10 yards. I still don't know how you miss at 10 yards but it happens.
My first morning out in KY I shot this gobbler. Lots of action and definitely a hunt to remember.
My friend is a Mathews Homer so I took the spur picture for him. Lol!
Congrats to all of the successful hunters.
Jeff....good job getting the little ones out. Congrats!
Evan with his first turkey!
Evan with his first turkey!
Montana 4-22-18. Great hunt doubled up with the brother in law.. Hunt
Turkeys walked right by the log jam I was burning in the middle of the creek. I hid behind a tree at ground level below the creek bank till they were within range. No calling or blind but I did have a decoy about ten yards away.
Hunt,
You're mad at 'em this year! Good job buddy.
I didn't hear a bird nor see one until I heard a thump at the decoy. I look up and 2 Jake's are working over my Dakota. I am sorry....you can't attack my decoy even if you aren't full grown.
His buddy deserves something worse after what he did to the one I shot. Pure nastiness. Lol
Crossbow ... but she is a youth so we can cut her some slack ... right? My daughter tagged out fast yesterday morning during the Indiana youth season. For some reason, even though she vertical bow hunts for deer, she still likes to crossbow hunt birds. I figure, as long as she is excited to get out and turkey hunt, then I am good with it, even though I am not a crossbow guy.
Video -----> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uADnrDUe0LY&t=6s
Iowa #2 Was fortunate to tag out on my birthday. Awesome day! :)
Waited four years to put this in here!
I have been waiting four years to see it. So awesome
Colorado bird in the wet snow, 9 1/2 inch beard. 04/21
Way to persevere, Matt, rock on!
After 31 years of trying to kill a turkey with a bow. This morning it finally came together. 20.4 lbs. 9 inch beard 1 1/4 spurs. 32 yard shot.
Congratulations Errorhead! That’s perseverance, to say the least!
Congratulations everybody. Way to go!
8 yard shot. 10” beard. 1” spurs. Lots of fun.
Cool setup and pic stick slinger!
I am still waiting on May 7th. Thats when my season opens in Michigan.
Didn't have any luck in Illinois this year. Killed this one in Indiana yesterday evening! He came in silent with 5 hens. 23# 1 5/16" spurs 11 3/4" beard.
Congrats Jack on a big ‘ol Tom!
Jack-curious what blind that is? Looks like a suite! Nice job.
Duke, It's a Rhino 2-xp oversize. The windows are a little high, had to stand to shoot. Great blind!
Thanks, Greg! You will be posting soon.
Scored on my first Iowa bird of the season this morning!
Nice bird, Jack. Congrats!
Does he have unusually light colored tips on the tail feathers, or just the way it looks in the pic?
Awesome pic Matt. Congrats to all!
Some beautiful birds everyone ,nice pics congrats to all.
DEC, 2 questions. 1 did she get out? 2 Did she have fun? If so, that is all that matters.
Congrats to everyone. The iridescent colors seem to be more intense this year. I noticed that on my son's bird last week. I know a lot of this has to do with the refractive index of the feather structure (stacking vs amorphous) and the melanin granules alignment , more than ceratin color tones but wow, everyone who has seen it has said the same thing.
Was it because we had 6 month of snow in the Midwest (and we all were cabin fever color blind) or a change in diet due to the conditions??
Thanks Troy! For an eastern the tips of his fan were really light colored. He has a lot of bronze color to him, beautiful bird.
Congrats everyone on some great turkeys!
Colorado bird. Used a heads up decoy.
congrats to everyone so far and some great pics!
ermine about time i see this pic,,,,, nice buddy!
A smart NJ bird ... not like those dumb western birds...Turkey Bow Master taught me that.
Sat. morning 10 am came to me on a string. Avian decoys strutter over a breeder and a look out hen.
Kansas Tom CSB @55# Magnus 4 blade
This Barronett Pentagon is great for Trad shooters. the low (24") windows is sweet!
First turkey for my son! Most exciting hunt I have ever been on. Video job was terrible, memories will last forever! This is what its all about.
Fear the Beards!
Fear the Beards!
ND Bird..........also a Birthday Bird as I shot him on Saturday which was my Birthday. :)
25th year of Bowhunting Turkeys!! And it never gets old!! Michigan Opening Afternoon! 10.5 beard 1.2 spurs
Impact
Impact
Bird #5 for the year fell on Sunday. This time in Indiana. Total decapitation with a Bullhead.
"A smart NJ bird..."
How smart can he be if he lived in NJ? ;-)
Gobbler April 6th Texas
Gobbler April 6th Texas
Only took 54 years to get a spring bird on the ground and 5 minutes later it turned into a double. Thanks Cody C and D outfitters SD.
mcarchery12 that's awesome! Congrats to your son. Having your kids get their first bird tops any turkeys you ever take.
OFFHNTN, pretty cool! That's one thing I like about turkey hunting. With big game you pretty much know what you're shooting at. Probably even have scored him already, especially with all the electronic surveillance many use. Takes a lot of the fun and anticipation of what might be out there, away from the hunt. With turkeys, all you know is whether it's mature or not. Score, if you're concerned about it at all, is a surprise. Kinda puts the emphasis back to what it should be.
HalfPintMom scored on a bearded hen last weekend. Very busy spring at our house for her so when I said "it's legal" the arrow was on it's way! Very pretty bird!
Monday morning (Utah opener)
Never fails to amaze me at the great quality of the pictures taken my our members. This is my Mexico hunt from the past couple of weeks. The two Goulds I took sitting on the ground and calling in. The Ocellated was another story in the Jungle...one opportunity in six days and no chance with my bow. Just NEED to convince my wife I should go back!
They said it was a big bird at just over 12 pounds!
Nice birds, Rockbass! It’s amazing how long the spurs can get on those Oscillated birds!
After trying for 31 years to get my first turkey with bow, I got my first one April 26th. The second one was much quicker, got this one yesterday, May 4th. 21lbs, 8 7/8 beard with rounded off 15/16 spurs.
Michigan bird, 9 3/4" beard, 1" spurs, 20 lbs. I shot him with a Mathews Switchback, using Wasp Jak-Hammer select-a-cut head set at 1 3/4".
Thanks T-roy. They were both at 2" but they seem longer because of the smaller legs. Out of the 25 dead birds drying in camp from the previous hunters (3-4 weeks) they were the longest until my buddy got his bird on the last morning that were just over 2". Largest bird weighed was 12.5 lbs. and smallest was 9 lbs. The ones I ate all tasted great!
Finally broke the ice with my first traditional archery turkey on May 3, 2018. Wadena County, MN. I had 3 jakes come into the decoys at 12 yds and put an arrow in the 10 ring! My bow is a Bob Lee Bows Natural model. 64" AMO 30" @ 50 lbs. My wife was able to fill her tag w/ her shotgun on a jake the next day.
Brian
Got mine yesterday. Two came right in and he started mounting the hen decoy. He dropped right there, no runoff this time. Just the way I like it.
Mature bird 10" beard, 1.25" hooks.
Wyoming bearded hen.... I've only seen one in my life until this one walked in.
Finally got my daughter out since she has so busy with school and track. Got one to play the game and she dropped him in the decoys!
The twins doubled up this morning.
Beautiful sunrise today in SW MT. Proud moment to watch these two brothers today.
My son with a beauty this am. SE MN
#2 California rio of the season.
This was the first week of all day hunting in Pennsylvania. It was rainy nasty weather all week. The weather finally broke yesterday around noon. I was in the blind by 330 and after 10 minutes two long beards walked by to pester my jake decoy. Didn’t even get a chance to call. Shot him in the back at 11 yards.
Congrats everybody!!
I got lucky and found a couple lonely longbeards on Tuesday. 25 yds, no blind. Didnt think it was doable but pulled it off. Only regret, was a super quick setup and didnt think about latching the ultimate predator cam onto a tree branch or my stabilizer.
Way to go stick! Yeah video is always cool, but I've kicked the habit. I'd rather put them on the ground. Trying to video saves a lot of critters lives. Congrats on a great bird!
Congrats again to everyone! Can't believe another season is in the books but it always goes way too fast.
Hard to take a good picture of a wet bird. SE Mn this morning
Southern California public land gobbler. 1.25" spurs, 10" beard, 22lbs. No blind.