Tagged out with a STUD!!!

[WNY Bowhunter]

I think I may have finally caught up with the gobbler that I've been chasing for the past couple of weeks.  My wife nearly killed him yesterday morning but he slipped through our fingers. Had him going this morning til 7:00 but neither I nor the real hens could lure him down the hillside. Eventually, he just shut up and I figured he had crossed the road above us. I left and drove around to check out another area and on the way back through where I had worked the bird earlier that morning, I spotted two longbeards fanned out in a corner of field circling each other and getting ready to fight!!! I hurried to get into position to intercept them further up the field. I got to the field not knowing exactly how far from them I was and was contemplating my next move when a full fan suddenly came into view at 35yds!!! I didn't even have time to sit...I raised the gun...he was facing away...I got him to raise life his head out of strut and delivered a load of Longbeard XR's to his face. Game over at 8:50. The other gobbler and 4-5 hens stood there and watched as I ran out to retrieve him. Not bad for the subordinate bird...almost 22lb, 10.5" beard and 1 1/4" hooks.  One of the two was the "youth season" gobbler I had been after. The other one will have to wait until next year.  This is the latest in season that I've ever punched a tag but it was worth the wait!!! It's been a rough season plagued by close calls and a miss early on. I've only really hunted two spots but was within striking distance of gobblers nearly every morning but just couldn't seal the deal.

 

He lost a few tail feathers during the retrieval process.  I also got a nice gash on my finger from grabbing his legs...

 

 

This one's for you Reeltime...limbhanger!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 29, 2016 by WNY Bowhunter

[Bowguy 1]

Nice bird congrats

[turkeyfeathers]

Way to go !! Congrats ! Nice hooks !!

Edited May 29, 2016 by turkeyfeathers

[philoshop]

I don't know anything about hunting turkeys. but that's a big bird.

[Pygmy]

Another fine bird, my friend !! Congrats !!

[WNY Bowhunter]

Another fine bird, my friend !! Congrats !!

 

Thanks! Still out chasing those Addison birds?

[WNY Bowhunter]

Another fine bird, my friend !! Congrats !!

 

Oops. Double post.

Edited May 29, 2016 by WNY Bowhunter

[kpkot]

Congrats nice bird

[Lawdwaz]

Well done kid!

[Pygmy]

Thanks! Still out chasing those Addison birds?

Yeah...Passed up another jake this morning..he was a big jake...Had about a 5-6" beard and spurs perhaps 5/8".I checked them out at about 20 yards with my 8X Leicas..

I have a honeyhole up in Cameron where I saw a hog two days ago..I can't hunt tomorrow but I'm going to give him one last try Tuesday.

[DirtTime]

Very nice bird! Congrats!

[Cabin Fever]

Great bird! Congrats!

[maytom]

Congrats on a real dandy!!!

[F-150]

Congrats on a magnificent bird and thanks for sharing your hunt and story !     

[grampy]

Congratulations! Very nice gobbler! And story too! Nice job, way to go!

[Otto]

Great job sticking it out!

[Rick Howard]

Great bird. Congrats!