Got my first public land bird about 10 am Saturday with the one and only PEA_RIDGE. It wasn't your textbook hunt at all but the result is the same. Here's is the story.
We set up in a clearcut yesterday morning with nothing making any noise near us so we moved to where we thought we heard another bird. When we got there we heard one a few hundred yards away so we moved again. When we get there, nothing. Rather dejected we packed up and set out to other areas of the WMA. We rode up one one but couldn't get him going so we continued on our way. About 10 we where headed to where we heard the first bird when the stars aligned.
As we are riding down a main road in the WMA we see a gobbler run off. We stop and sat in the truck and then hear comes a hen and the gobbler in tow. The hen goes into some 3 year old pines and loses the gobbler. He walks up and down the road alternating between half strut and looking for the hen. All of a sudden the gobbler heads straight for the truck. I'm thinking we are screwed until he hits the edge of the pines giving me a 20 second window to get out of the truck. I'm able to get my gun and the the gobbler turns to walk away and makes 4 steps before he got lit up with the Benelli.
18 pound bird with 11 in beard and 11/8 in spurs. I shot him at 35 steps and the wadding was 10 steps away from the bird. The full force of the load hit him taking him off his feet. Never in my life have I shot a turkey standing in the door of the truck until yesterday. Given the season I've had, I'm feeling lucky to get to eat one.
[img]
http://tinypic.com/r/mjo0ar/8[/img]
[img]
http://tinypic.com/r/23h3j7s/8[/img]
