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That moment when...

Carpn

*Supporting Member*
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Wooster
One of the things I truly love about turkey hunting is that moment when you know it's gonna happen . It doesn't happen for every kill but I'd say 50-75% of the time there's a moment before the kill that you know it's all over for the bird.

I'll share a story that happened about 15 yrs ago .

I'd got on a good gobbling bird . It was the last weekend of the season , and it was one of the first yrs that Ohio had extended the season . The bird was gobbling hard but moving fast and I just couldn't get in front of him . He left the property I had permission and crossed a gravel township Rd into a pasture I couldn't hunt . I wrote him off and walked out the property I had access on without striking another bird . As I left that property I saw a truck parked on the Rd . I drove down and saw some guys in full camo . I chit chatted for a minute as we both watched the gobbler in full strut 400 yds away . They had already asked the property owner and had been shot down. I knew the owner well. But also knew he didn't want guys in his fields while he was grazing cows .
The whole time I'm talking to the guys I'm thinking about how I know the neighboring landowner , and that bird is 50 yds from the fence that splits the top of the hill .
We part ways and I drive directly to the neighbors . I see lights on and signs of life so after a quick door knocking they say go for it and I'm on my way .

I ease thru the oak woods knowing the bird is close . I creep up to the break of the knoll which is about 40 yds from the fence and seat myself against a big oak tree .

I wait a minute to let things settle nd let out a series of yelps . The whole time I haven't heard a thing . And have no idea if the bird is even around still . About 5 seconds later he gobbles . I answer and he gobbles again. At this point he knows where I'm at so I shut up.
A minute later he gobbles , and I can tell he's left the field and has crossed the fence ....
This is that moment you know it's a done deal as long as you don't mess up.

I let out a series of yelps and take off the safety and get my check tight on the stock while moving the gun towards his last gobble . Seconds later he's magically there , and I take that extra second to settle the bead before leveling him .

As I stand over him waiting for his last flops I am only 20 yds from the fence , and that other truck is still sitting down there . I can only guess their thoughts . But that hunt is one I think about as one that went from nothing to a flopping bird quickly .
 

brock ratcliff

Dignitary Member
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Oh yeah, that moment is the best! I like it when they aren't yet in view but you hear him spit....oh yeah, that's good stuff.
 

Carpn

*Supporting Member*
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Wooster
Oh yeah . Hearing em spitting is great . Seeing that fan coming over the break of the hill is tough to beat.

Turkey hunting is just way fun.
 

brock ratcliff

Dignitary Member
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Mason has been hiding from his pet turkeys for the last couple weeks and calling them in. Lol. He's an idiot... and has been having a blast. He's finally learned to shut up too. That big bird is just like a wild one. If he calls too much ol Ted will just stand and gobble.
 

Carpn

*Supporting Member*
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Wooster
That's great . Yeah , there is definitely a time to call and a time to shut up . Usually your better off shutting up. If they gobble at you once , they know you are there . Patience when calling is a key to killing turkey birds . But knowing when to make a quick move is important too.

A good woodsman will kill more birds than a good caller any day .
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
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Appalachia
A while back on here, Joe gave what has become one of the best pieces of advice I've filed away and that's: "Make him gobble because he's trying to find you, not because he's responding to your calls." It's a good reminder to be patient and to recognize there is a difference in when they'll gobble and why. I used to call too much cause it's fun to hear them gobble. Ever since Joe said that, I have tried to remain mindful of when that bird gobbled last and why he might have done so.

Good read Jake. I'm still just a guy that hunts turkey and am far from being a turkey hunter, but I am really starting to enjoy it a lot more now that I'm not coaching ball and have the spring to myself. Plus, my oldest loves it and it's a more friendly time of year to drag a kid along than waterfowl and deer can be.
 

finelyshedded

You know what!!!
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SW Ohio
Very cool story Jake. Still waiting on experiencing that feeling, lol. Since I’ve been back on day shift the past 4-5 years I have a lot less opportunities to get out, UGH. Last few years I’ve hardly hear or seen many birds in our area. There used to be a bunch of em, don’t know where they went.