Danno
PMA Member
Let me preface this by saying this is the first year I have hunted turkeys. After 3 hard days of hunting first season and several close calls, several early morning hunts 4th season before work where the birds were on the wrong side of the river, or just couldn't close the deal, my son and I got up early and went to Southern Iowa yesterday.
Called a couple of gobblers withing shooting distance off the roost, but it was too thick and they wouldn't cross a dry creek to come out in the open. The rest of the morning nothing, no gobbles, nada. I was afraid he was going to not see a turkey on his first hunt.
At about 2 we headed out to a field edge to sit out the day. About 5 pm 3 turkeys come across the field, but out of range and go into a cut corn field. We hope they will feed toward us, but they turn around and go back slowly where they came from. Funny thing was we thought 3 gobblers came out, but it was a hen followed by 2 gobbers going back.
Knowing this was the last day my son could hunt, I sent him on a sneak. The hay field had some undulation and there was a small a point with some trees. While he was stalking, I did some aggressive calling to divert their attention and maybe slow them down. Well, they were out of range when he got to them, so he made his way back. I continued to call until I knew he had given up. As he got back to my position and was getting settled in he looked behind me and saw a gobbler. There were 3 gobblers and one had been coming to my call. He and the gobbler looked at each other. Knowing he was busted he fired.
Turkey down, 45 yards with a 2 3/4 shell out of my 30 year old remington 1100. 20 pounds, 10 inch beard, spurs 7/8 and 6/8. It was a long, hot, mosquito infested, really great day for Dad and son.
Called a couple of gobblers withing shooting distance off the roost, but it was too thick and they wouldn't cross a dry creek to come out in the open. The rest of the morning nothing, no gobbles, nada. I was afraid he was going to not see a turkey on his first hunt.
At about 2 we headed out to a field edge to sit out the day. About 5 pm 3 turkeys come across the field, but out of range and go into a cut corn field. We hope they will feed toward us, but they turn around and go back slowly where they came from. Funny thing was we thought 3 gobblers came out, but it was a hen followed by 2 gobbers going back.
Knowing this was the last day my son could hunt, I sent him on a sneak. The hay field had some undulation and there was a small a point with some trees. While he was stalking, I did some aggressive calling to divert their attention and maybe slow them down. Well, they were out of range when he got to them, so he made his way back. I continued to call until I knew he had given up. As he got back to my position and was getting settled in he looked behind me and saw a gobbler. There were 3 gobblers and one had been coming to my call. He and the gobbler looked at each other. Knowing he was busted he fired.
Turkey down, 45 yards with a 2 3/4 shell out of my 30 year old remington 1100. 20 pounds, 10 inch beard, spurs 7/8 and 6/8. It was a long, hot, mosquito infested, really great day for Dad and son.
