To an old friend 2nd and 3rd birds.

[Rhino]

In case anyone was wondering, the reason I haven't been here much lately is do the the recent loss of an old hunting buddy and his wife. I'm still trying to bring closure to their loss.

I've probably made more mistakes turkey hunting recently than I've made in a long time. With the passing of an old friend I found it hard to think about what I was doing while I was turkey hunting. Sometimes events occur that make it hard to come to grips with someones loss.

Another buddy shook me out of it by telling me "just go out ank kill one for Norm". With that thought in mind the following morning I set out to do just that. As luck would have it I'd have to work for this one too. As turkeys began gobbling on the roost the closest bird was clsoe to a 1/2 mile away. 4 birds were burning the woods up over there though. I arrived in the area shortly before they pitched down. The first 2 set ups left me with a yo yoing bird that eventually went off to the west. After waiting for a jake to clear out I swung around to get in position to work him again from the other side. My 3rd set up was west of him and now I had him yo yoing northeast of me. However, another bird started closing in behind me but for whatever reason he just shut up. Finally the bird in front of me shuts down his gobbling. Some 10 minutes of silence goes by when I suddenly hear the distinct sound of pftt...dummmmmmmm. As always the hair stands up on the back of my neck when I hear that. As the drumming gets louder I course the direction behind me and to my right. No way I can see him that way but he can't see me either. I slowly ease around to the left side of my tree to take aim at the first open spot behind me. The drumming gets louder and louder and then movement. A hen steps into the open only a dozen steps away. She takes notice of the strange lump next to the tree but passes it off as nothing and slowly proceeds on. Some 30 seconds later the strutting gobbler (still drumming) steps out into the open at 12 steps. He stretches his neck out to take notice of the same strange lump and a Nitro load from my new turkey gun hits him in the face. First time I ever completely blew the beak off of a gobbler. My 2nd bird of the MS season has 9" pencil beard with 7/8" and 3/4" spurs.

This one's for you Norm...RIP


Hunting a new area for the first time this year found me spending several hunts figuring out the birds. Although they used different areas to roost they showed a preference for 2. Tuesday evening I was waiting at one. They didn't show up there so my plan was to be near the other one well before morning gobble time.

The next morning with the aid of moonlight, I was slipping into my setup to take position to listen some 30 minutes before gobbling time. That turned out to be the right tree to sit on. The 1st bird to gobble was a weak sounding bird probably close to 50 yards behind me off my left shoulder. Following him was another bird to my left maybe 100 yards away followed by the stongest sounding gobble also to my left but slightly in front of me maybe 150 yards away. He ended up doing most of the gobbling. While I'm listening to this early morning music a hen cranks up with the bird behind me. I crank up too with a little soft music that drives all 3 birds nuts. Moments later I hear the 2 birds behind me fly down. The bird to my left sounds off on the ground behind me and still well off to my left followed by the other bird still to the front and left of me. I crank up into a calling contest with the hen behind me. Now I'm having fun!! The bird in front litterally goes nuts gobbling and slowly works my way before he shuts down his gobbling. A large tree blocks my view of his approach but the sound of pftt...dummmmm gives away his approach. The only question is which side of the tree is he going to appear on. As the drumming gets louder and louder I catch movement of a gobbler's head off the left edge of the tree inside the 20 yard line. I ease my gun into position, he stretches out his neck and catches a Nitro load in the neck at 17 steps. My 3rd and last bird for the MS season sports a 10 1/4" beard, a 1 1/16" spur and a 7/8" spur with the end broken off of it.

[Bowtech_archer07]

Those are some great turkeys and stories!! I'm sure your buddy is doing the same thing in heaven right now!!

Sorry to hear about your recent losses, but glad you could go out and get a bird for your old buddy.

[ccwhitey]

Those are some great turkeys and stories!! I'm sure your buddy is doing the same thing in heaven right now!!

Sorry to hear about your recent losses, but glad you could go out and get a bird for your old buddy.

I coudn't say it any better if i tried. Sorry for your loss.

[Tominator]

Real sorry to hear about your loss Alan, my condolences bud.

Great story as always.

[The Kid]

very good looking birds, i think i'm going to get the gun next year too

[rhine16]

Once again, I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sure your buddy was looking down with a smile as that ole gobbler approached.

Stories were awesome, birds are very nice, and your season was a great one! Congratulations!!

BTW- Since you've tagged out, wanna come call me in one this weekend I'm kidding

[toddyboman]

So sorry to hear about your lose My condolences.

Congrats on your birds! Great stories as always...I know ol Norm was smiling down on you that day

[huntinguide]

sorry to hear bout that great way to pay respect, i cant think of anything greater ATABOY

[HuntnMa]

i am sorry for your loss as well, but i am sure glad to hear about them birds.

[aksheephuntress]

....This was an awesome and humbling story to read....thank you, Rhino... I am sorry about your friends...but I know they are in Turkey Heaven, reveling in your tribute ....awesome job-!

[maytom]

Congrats on a fine gobbler!!

Sorry to hear about the loss of a good friend...........

[redbeard]

Sounds like some great hunts Rhino. I know Norm was smilin' when he saw you sling those over your shoulder.

[craig mack]

Sorry for your loss. Those are some great lookin' birds, congrats. I'm sure your hunting buddy would be proud.

[Rhino]

Thanks everyone.

[snapper]

I'm sure your buddy is looking down with that "I knew you could get it back" look! You done him proud!

Nice looking birds...congrats.