'07 IL Spring Turkey

**rad_112176** · 05-08-2007, 08:27 PM

Here is a pic of my first shotgun and first spring turkey. I have taken 5 other birds with my bow over the years but this is the first year i decided to get into spring turkey hunting. Long story short i had some hens take my first gobbler away from me first thing in the morning. I decided i would try another little hot spot that i have seen alot of birds at. I seen a few birds as soon as i pulled down the drive. They were on the private land and were working there way torward the public land so i set up a little game plan to sneak across the open field and set up to where i thought they were headed. I got across the field pretty good and watched as they worked there way torward me down the field. When they got about 100 yrds they decided to go into the woods. I waited for a few minutes to see if they were going to come back out or work there way torward me through the woods but didn't see anything. At this time i knew they crossed the small ditch and had worked there way out into the other field on the other side. I decided it was time to move if i wanted to get into position. I was slowly working my way to the other side of the woods when i seen 3 hens step out into the field ahead of me about 50 yrds. They started to quarter away and got out to about 70 yrds when i decided the gobblers may be around the bend working there way away from me following the hens. I through out a few yelps and the hens turned and went back around the bend. After just a few seconds they came across and started going the same way. Since they were looking away i decided to take one step to the left so that i could see just around the corner of the woods and sure enough there were the 2 gobblers working there way away from me. I gave them a couple of yelps and they stopped and did a couple of circles. They were out there about 55-60 yrds. It was a hard decision, but i decided to take the shot. I was getting pretty good groupings from my gun at that distance at the range. BOOOOOM !!!!!!! The bird did not go anywhere. It is my biggest bird to date. 24 lbs , 9 1/2" beard ( very thick) , 1 1/4" spurs

**rad_112176** · 05-08-2007, 08:45 PM

Here are a couple of pics of his beard and his spurs. Anyone have any idea how old of a bird this would have been?

bowhunter56 · 05-08-2007, 08:49 PM

He's a dandy, good job...Andy

**dartonman** · 05-08-2007, 09:10 PM

The size (thickness) of the spurs, I would estimate him as an early hatch (heavy eater) 2 year old, or a good 3 year old...Im apt to say he is right at three (3)...great bird, congrads on a fine turkey............al

**beagleboy** · 05-08-2007, 09:54 PM

Nice bird. Congrats

**rad_112176** · 05-09-2007, 12:28 AM

How old is a typical bird? What is a birds prime age?

**dartonman** · 05-09-2007, 05:36 AM

The common age is Illinois I have found is to be (2) years old....that is due to the fact of hunting pressures increasing, but mostly because of our over populated coyote issues that are going to become a true problem in the near future I believe....I have seen a great deal of coyotes lately....if its true what they say, the coyote population reflects on wildlife....if you have abundant wildlife, the population increases pup numbers, if the wildlife numbers are meek, the coyotes have fewer pups....90 percent of all gobblers with long beards in my experience have been (2) year old birds.........al

**sportsman2500** · 05-09-2007, 11:48 AM

pretty colors! congrats on the bird and nice red figer nails. lol

**toddyboman** · 05-09-2007, 12:16 PM

Heck of a bird!! Congrats!!

**CamoGuy** · 05-09-2007, 12:20 PM

Very nice bird! I am gonna say a 3-year old as well. Nice thick beard and spurs that are starting to get pointy indicates a 3-year old IMO.

BTW, I am very proud of you for not being shy with us and wearing that pretty red nail polish

j/k ROFL