Gladiator
PMA Member
Just wanted to share my first bird with everyone...
Nannyslayer was gracious enough to have us down this past weekend and even took the day off Friday in attempt to put us on some birds...well, let's just say there really was no 'attempt' to it - birds were plenty and abundant!
I took my last personal day on Friday and it paid off big time. We were a tad late getting into the blind, but as 'divine intervention' has it sometimes, there was a turkey already on the ground with little light so we had to sit in an area that wasn't quite where we wanted to be. Well, that proved to be the difference maker as we ended up in an area where 2 toms happened to come through on their way to "Grand Central Station - aka Strut Ridge!"
They were ticked off and running in to Brian's calls and all the gobbling on the ridge...I saw them from a ways off and it didn't take them long to close the distance. They flew over the small creek and made their way to us...it seemed for a short time they might skirt the decoys, but Brian made a few soft yelps and one came sprinting in.
A short dance around the decoys as if to say "let's see, should I put you in the arm bar or leg triangle?" and he finally stepped out from behind the B-Mobile. A 6 yard shot with a Rocket Hammerhead and a short flight and I was left wondering if he was down for good...Brian reassured me he'd be down. We went over to the creek and had to stop as there were 4 gobblers about 60 yards away fighting and carrying on and we didn't want to spook them....again, divine intervention steps in as I was standing there for about 4-5 minutes and finally just turned around and I saw a few feathers sticking out of the brush on the opposite side of the creek. I put another arrow in him as he had his head lifted up and also because Brian told me the last time he tried tackling a live bird he almost had to 'tap out'!
Specs are OK, but the memories I will never forget...
20 pounds
7/8" and 3/4" spurs
10.5" beard
Brian is an awesome caller, tremendous guide, and all around great person (let's just say I learned a lot about turkey hunting and 'other things' from our time spent!) I left a lot better turkey hunter than when I first came. And boy does he cook well...whewy!
Here are some pics from the weekend...
Nannyslayer was gracious enough to have us down this past weekend and even took the day off Friday in attempt to put us on some birds...well, let's just say there really was no 'attempt' to it - birds were plenty and abundant!
I took my last personal day on Friday and it paid off big time. We were a tad late getting into the blind, but as 'divine intervention' has it sometimes, there was a turkey already on the ground with little light so we had to sit in an area that wasn't quite where we wanted to be. Well, that proved to be the difference maker as we ended up in an area where 2 toms happened to come through on their way to "Grand Central Station - aka Strut Ridge!"
They were ticked off and running in to Brian's calls and all the gobbling on the ridge...I saw them from a ways off and it didn't take them long to close the distance. They flew over the small creek and made their way to us...it seemed for a short time they might skirt the decoys, but Brian made a few soft yelps and one came sprinting in.
A short dance around the decoys as if to say "let's see, should I put you in the arm bar or leg triangle?" and he finally stepped out from behind the B-Mobile. A 6 yard shot with a Rocket Hammerhead and a short flight and I was left wondering if he was down for good...Brian reassured me he'd be down. We went over to the creek and had to stop as there were 4 gobblers about 60 yards away fighting and carrying on and we didn't want to spook them....again, divine intervention steps in as I was standing there for about 4-5 minutes and finally just turned around and I saw a few feathers sticking out of the brush on the opposite side of the creek. I put another arrow in him as he had his head lifted up and also because Brian told me the last time he tried tackling a live bird he almost had to 'tap out'!
Specs are OK, but the memories I will never forget...
20 pounds
7/8" and 3/4" spurs
10.5" beard
Brian is an awesome caller, tremendous guide, and all around great person (let's just say I learned a lot about turkey hunting and 'other things' from our time spent!) I left a lot better turkey hunter than when I first came. And boy does he cook well...whewy!
Here are some pics from the weekend...
