Arizona Turkey......Donkey Punched!

[AZ402]

This was the first Spring Turkey tag that I had drawn in AZ since 2000. Turkeys aren't my favorite but I figured I'd put a little effort in and see what happened. I missed opening day due to work and family obligations. Friday night my best friend and I headed out and reached our Turkey spot at about 2 A.M..

After about three hours of sleep we woke up to a turkey gobbling from it's roost. We headed in the direction but failed to get the bird close enough for a archery shot. We headed in another direction and quickly got another response and then several others. There were 3-4 birds right in front of us. Trav set up behind and started to call as I crept in for a closer look. I saw movement in front of me and set-up. In front of me 50-60 yards were three Toms strutting and postering each other. They pretty much were tied up with each other and we were unable to get a shot. The three birds moved off with some hens and shut it down for the morning.

That afternoon I grabbed my shotgun due to time constraints. About 10 minutes from camp we came across two Toms together. I got in to position for a shot and picked the one I thought was the biggest. The bird hit the ground and his buddy ran over to give him a few good-night kicks to the head.

 

[Ithaca 37]

Good lookin' bird!

 

[Ovis]

WTG AZ! Great job on the picture too. Some beautiful country there.

 

[BuzzH]

Congrats...looks like a real nice bird.

 

[schmalts]

Nice bird there!

 

[The Hedgehog]

Nice bird. And I recognize that place too.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Nice bird, congrats. Far better than the one IDBugler, Moosie, and I chased today.....

 

[noharleyyet]

Nice set up for the pics AZ. Good looking turkey.

 

[Moosie]

Nice bird, congrats. Far better than the one IDBugler, Moosie, and I chased today.....

I don't know if I call Hanging the Shotgun out of a Truck actually "CHASING"

Am I the First to ask why his HAnds are behind the bird in that position ? EEEEgads !!!

AZ402, Kudos on the Donkey Punch !!!

 

[AZ402]

Thanks guys, the bird had a 8 5/8ths beard and 1"+ spurs not bad for an AZ bird. Kurt I ment to post this pic below. I knew you'd recognize the area immediately.

 

[mtmiller]

Kudos to the turkey-puncher...errr...donkey-puncher I mean.

 

[BOHNTR]

Way to go Stan on a nice bird!

 

[Basser]

Nothing like a little donkey-punching to keep a man satisfied. Good job.

 

[Hangar18]

Donkey-punched? LMFAO!!

That's a beautiful bird AZ.

 

[cjcj]

Nice Tom Turkey Az402.... I have a tag and will go next week... should be able to add another Tom to the AZ list.....Almost looks warm? how was the weather up there?