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First Eastern Tom
#7498651
04/28/19 03:35 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,333
Hirogen
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,333 |
Although I have hunted for 40 odd years i only started intentionally hunting turkey last fall. Last fall i managed to put the stalk on a nice hen. Fast forward to now and Friday morning (the opener in my part of the world) I headed out to try for a Tom. This morning came and went with no joy. Packed it in around 9 am and then went back out and was set up again by 345 pm. I was behind a cheap tri-fold camo shield with my back against a big maple wearing full ghillie attire overlooking a bean stubble field. I started calling about every 10 or 15 minutes and at about 430 i saw 4 birds hop the fence into the field about 500 yards from my position. At that distance I could not tell if there was a Tom or not but after my first call with them in sight one of the birds turned my way and fanned - Tom located. I spent the next 1 hour calling gently every 3 or 4 minutes. Every time i called the Tom would look my way, fan and move 10 or 20 yards towards my 2 decoys set up about 15 yards from my position. Finally at about 530 pm I had him in range and pulled the trigger at about 32 yards. I was shooting my O/U 20 gauge with factory full on top and modified on the bottom. Shells were 1.25 oz. #6 Rem Nitro Mags. At the shot the Tom flew 20 yards, landed, walked awkwardly for about 60 yards and than just stood still. Clearly not a perfect shot and it was now a waiting game. After an hour of waiting he was still standing but had not moved. His back was to me so i decided to try to stalk in for a kill shot as there was only 30 minutes of legal hunt left. I got to about 60 yards when he cranked around, stuck his head up and than flew 50 yards. He landed and immediately started to run. I froze in place and watched as he quickly ran 250 yards and than slowly walked another 200 back to the place in the fence where he had crossed into the field. After that I lost sight of him and was sure he had squeezed through somewhere and was now disappearing into the hardwoods. I stalked towards the spot where i lost sight of him and low and behold caught sight of him laying against the bottom of the fence. His head was up and he was still very much alive but at 20 yards with his head up I sealed the deal. Next to the cedar rail fence where he ended his run: He went straight to the taxi where he will join my hen on a diorama showcasing my first two birds ever doing a mating dance.
Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.
-The Iron Code of Druss the Legend
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Re: First Eastern Tom
[Re: Hirogen]
#7498655
04/28/19 03:46 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,788
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,788 |
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: First Eastern Tom
[Re: Hirogen]
#7498755
04/28/19 11:49 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,211
TEXASLEFTY
THF Whiskey Sommelier
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THF Whiskey Sommelier
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,211 |
Pretty cool!!! Congrats!!
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
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Re: First Eastern Tom
[Re: Hirogen]
#7498760
04/28/19 12:16 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138 |
You earned that one.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: First Eastern Tom
[Re: Creekrunner]
#7498762
04/28/19 12:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,416
SnakeWrangler
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,416 |
You earned that one.
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored] Actually, BBC is pretty damn good "You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
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Re: First Eastern Tom
[Re: Hirogen]
#7498763
04/28/19 12:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,655
colt45-90
Texas colt45
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Texas colt45
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,655 |
hold on Newt, we got a runaway
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Re: First Eastern Tom
[Re: Hirogen]
#7500280
04/30/19 11:34 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
Pitchfork Predator
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638 |
Nice Tom, congrats! I would of guessed the weather to be too cold for turkey to survive the winter.
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Re: First Eastern Tom
[Re: Hirogen]
#7500313
04/30/19 12:44 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,010
Western
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,010 |
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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Re: First Eastern Tom
[Re: Hirogen]
#7505655
05/06/19 05:22 PM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 64
Fowl Farms
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 64 |
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Re: First Eastern Tom
[Re: Hirogen]
#7505671
05/06/19 05:43 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,208
Birdboy
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,208 |
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Re: First Eastern Tom
[Re: Hirogen]
#7505673
05/06/19 05:44 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 215
Tophers
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 215 |
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