No deer... then let's go turkey hunting

[pointingdogsrule]

Archery deer season in Iowa has been frustrating. Plenty of nice ones around..... it's just that all the small runts walk past my tree and the big guys stay away.

Last night I decide in a change of plans... no deer... let's go for a fall turkey. I've been watching a flock of 50 birds feed in an 80 acre picked cornfield for the last 4 weeks. Three weeks ago I set up a blind on the hill side opposite the roost area. This morning it was 49 degrees and a slight rain was falling. Perfect for a turkey hunt. Up at 5 AM and out to the blind. DSD decoys get set up and the wait begins. At 6:45 the birds fly down and land about 400 yards away. Lots of talking from the birds which I return soft calls. The birds continue to feed for 2 1/2 hours out in the field and I am thinking that they will never come my way. They get to 100 yards and stay there for about 25 minutes. The hens start talking once more and I get aggressive with the calling. They slowly feed my way. Soon 12 hens and juveniles run to the decoys. I think about taking a shot, however, a really nice Tom is 50 yards behind and closing fast. He gets to 25 yards and I unload. 24 1/2 lbs, 1 1/4 inch spurs & 11 1/2 beard. THANKSGIVING DINNER

Good luck to all
the dog

 

[tarheel]

Nice; unfortunately the WC closed our fall season several years ago for whatever reason, so it's mosquitoes and chiggers to go with out turkey dinner.

 

[kansasdad]

That will salve the little buck blues a little bit! You showed a lot of patience and I bet you were glad to have a roof over your head in the drizzle.

 

[MT_elk]

Nice!

 

[recon6036]

Congrats on bagging Thanksgiving dinner Marty!

 

[fishing4sanity]

Congratulations on a great tom!

 

[1_pointer]

Super!! Great looking bird, well done!

 

[TheShootist.41]

Congratulations. Beaut of a bird!

 

[Bwana]

Don't you love it when a plan comes together?