Rollin' in Smoke

[Covehnter]

If yall can remember the story from the weekend before last i posted about calling my dad in two birds, one which flew across the Coosa River. Got really close and i was unsure where my muzzleloader was going to hit, found out it hits low as my dad killed the bird making its escape after my shot. Well, i brought it up a lil bit! At 25 yards a 295 grain Powerbelt Aerotip pushed by 150 grains of Pyrodex powder hurts'em bad! My first gobbler with a muzzleloader, situation wouldnt allow for a bow shot!

He came in following 2 hens at 11:30, had a wispy beard w/ the majority being 6-7 inches, but had several strands stretching to 9 1/4", spurs were 1", and weighed in at 17.5lbs which aint bad this late in the season.


Sorry about the startled look, had the camera on timer and set up on a lawn chair for this one.

[Squirrelhunter91]

Congrats Cove!!

[Covehnter]

WARNING: Next one is not too bad, just the kill scene. *** The second pic is of the work done by the 295 grain PowerBelt, impressive. If you've gotta really weak stomach, may wanna pass.*** (Mods, if it's inappropriate feel free to cut it)

This is the spot where he fell dead, without a wiggle. He was standing in the upper right corner of the picture facing to the right. The impact turned him around and put him 3-4 yards back. You can see feather from the top all the way to the bottom right of the picture.


The Carnage.

The Carnage Link

Cove I decided to just link it instead for folks who'd like to see the carnage.

[BAMABUCKS]

Congrats on a nice bird. Forgive me if this sounds critical...but the last photo appears to show that most of the breast was destroyed. Why not just put the 12 ga. to the head, espeacially at 25 yrds. I could see using the muzzleloader if he hung up...say 80 yrds. Again sorry if this sounds critical, just wondering out loud.

[RUTNSTRUT]

Covehunter, I always gathered from your posts you were a hardcore turkey hunter. But holey ***** bud that may be a little overkill. But congrats on the kill none the less. I am not flaming you so please don't get upset.

[TC308]

Post deleted by TC308

[TC308]

[ QUOTE ]
All I have to say is WHY!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]
I ment whoa instead of why sorry

[HuntnMa]

lol.you were thinking why, though, lol........nice bird, congrats...

[Covehnter]

Well. . . its like this, i've killed many many birds w/ shotguns. I know that i could've killed the bird w/ the scattergun, it's adding another challenge. I could've easily killed the bird last week w/ my 870 but i didnt kill it b/c of the added difficulty using a primitive weapon. But now i can say that i have.

I would never use the gun for a bird that hangs up at 80 yards, the added range is not the reason i was hunting w/ the gun, 50 yards was my limit due to my limited experience shooting it. Calling is still my main fix, not being able to hit one at 100 yards, thats not turkey hunting.

And another, i just got the gun this past christmas and you just know how that itch of wanting to see what a new gun will do. It was just too much to watch it sit in the vault til deer season.

And yet another, the damage the bullet did to the bird was totally unforeseen, had no idea that the destruction would be so massive, but i cant wait to see it on a hog or deer.

Anyone else ever killed a bird w/ a muzzleloader?

[okbowman]

you can use a muzzleloading shotgun

[TC308]

I've killed 8 but all with a scattergun

[borch]

Nice tom there Cove.

I've been real tempted to pick up a muzzleloader shotgun for the additional challenge. Maybe someday.

[FullStrutter]

Alright what is going on here. This is unbelievable. First of all, muzzleloaders firing single projectiles are legal to hunt turkey with during the spring?? As far as I have ever known muzzleloaders are legal but you have to use shot charges, as in BIRD shot not big game sabots!!!! I don't understand this at all man. You totally obliterated that bird and wasted all the meat! You don't aim for the chest on turkeys, come on now!!!!!

I still don't understand how a muzzleloader firing sabots is legal on spring turkey. Technically you could blow them away at 150 yards+ with todays modern muzzleloader technology. Lots of fun there! I am very dissappointed and disturbed to read and see this. Hope you enjoyed wasting that bird... I'm sure there was a lot of respect you could show to a destroyed carcass.

[huntinguide]

i dont either its all pellets or arrows here, but if its legal ok. How much meat did you ruin?

[Cutter]

Congrats. Great field pics.