Leo
03-21-2006, 08:27 PM
Thanks everyone for prayers and well wishes. I needed them.
The first few days of turkey hunting this year were extremely eventful. I worked at least nine different Toms. Had some very close calls. Quite a few stories to tell about that. Maybe when I have more energy. Even though I can't chase gobblers anymore and have to stay committed to a blind the whole hunt. I'm pretty wore out right now.
In short, this longbeard finally got within range. In fact, real real close, only 15 yards. Gotta before picture http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
http://users.hargray.com/mstrick/day3close.jpg
Pattern from my shotgun at that range is about the size of a softball. So I literally had to shoot with rifle like accuracy. Also I had to aim for the area just above the beard instead of the head/neck region at that range. Aiming for the head at that range almost guarantees a miss because the head moves back and forth four to five inches with every step. I hit him with all 2 1/4oz of #4 shot, plus the wad clearly went through the bird like a slug. Unfortunately, this shot tore up the beard pretty badly. It shortened what was longer than nine inches to 8 1/2". Still a solid 2yr old with 3/4" spurs and weighed about 17lbs. Not the biggest I've seen this season so far but still a good one.
http://users.hargray.com/mstrick/Gobblerd3.jpg
The first few days of turkey hunting this year were extremely eventful. I worked at least nine different Toms. Had some very close calls. Quite a few stories to tell about that. Maybe when I have more energy. Even though I can't chase gobblers anymore and have to stay committed to a blind the whole hunt. I'm pretty wore out right now.
In short, this longbeard finally got within range. In fact, real real close, only 15 yards. Gotta before picture http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
http://users.hargray.com/mstrick/day3close.jpg
Pattern from my shotgun at that range is about the size of a softball. So I literally had to shoot with rifle like accuracy. Also I had to aim for the area just above the beard instead of the head/neck region at that range. Aiming for the head at that range almost guarantees a miss because the head moves back and forth four to five inches with every step. I hit him with all 2 1/4oz of #4 shot, plus the wad clearly went through the bird like a slug. Unfortunately, this shot tore up the beard pretty badly. It shortened what was longer than nine inches to 8 1/2". Still a solid 2yr old with 3/4" spurs and weighed about 17lbs. Not the biggest I've seen this season so far but still a good one.
http://users.hargray.com/mstrick/Gobblerd3.jpg