Well...it all came together on a beatfiul, cool, crisp morning. My first turkey with a bow and I was just as excited when I took my first whitetail.
I usually hunt these birds for 2 weeks and handicap myself by not using a blind or decoy. I really like the challenge....while others call it foolishness.
I decided this morning to change my luck. I mounted my Snuffers on my Barrel tapered ash arrows, was using Cedar. Slapped them in my backquiver, covered the bright feathers with a Kelly Fletch Cover. Strung up my Kempf Steatlth Hunter and was in the woods at 6:30 am. I had picked a spot in a valley that had 2 logs that fell and split around a larger tree. Some cover in the front and back.
I decided to spend the morning here and not move. I knew Turkeys were in the area cause every morning at 5:30 am when I leave for work I can hear the gobbles. At 7:15 a tom gobbled to my cackle, still way off. Then another tom gobbled and another! Off in the distance I could see 2 hens moving away....some purrs and another cackle brought loud gobbles and they were coming closer. What saved me here, I had 6 to 8 trees in front that I was hoping the birds would walk around giving me time to draw without being seen.
Ever so slowly the toms made their way in...50...40...30 yds...Strutting...Looking....Then it happened...
Congrats Joe!!!! I see you have studied at the TradGang Delayed Story Telling school, lol!! Patiently (ok impatiently) waiting for the rest of the story and the pictures!!! Dan
Sorry guys...
Right behind me this Tom let out a thunderous gobble! I mean LOUD....Now frozen in a kneeling position I can hear the tom walking towards me. To my right out of the corner of my eye I can see him walking...no more than 7 or 8 yds away. He stops behind a tree and starts to display, now my adrenalin starts kicking in. I'm now focused on him, and planning when to draw back without the other toms seeing me.
Here's where luck comes in...As he steps out, I draw and anchor...he just stands there as the 160 gr Snuffer puts him down. He didn't make it far, I was up and on him like a linebacker chasing down a running back. I couldn't believe it...I was shaking. Pull out the digital camera..dead batteries. The pics I took with my 35mm will have to wait, these are 3 from the digital. The bird tipped my grain scale a hair over 21 lbs, had 1" spurs and his beard...10".
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P6060010.jpg)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P6060005.jpg)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P6060007.jpg)
congrats!!
congrats thats awesome!!
Incredable moment.Especially from a natural blind.beautiful bird.Congrats
Congratulations!!
Good story telling, and congrats! meat on the table. Jonesy
Glad it finally came together for you Joe! Congrats! I know you were pretty bummed out the other night when I talked to you. nice bird Bud,and the hard way!
Congrats on a nice bird, Joe!!
Good pics and story too!!!
Kenny
great, Joe!!!
:clapper: :clapper: Way to go Joe!!! Fine looking bird!
QuoteOriginally posted by joe skipp:
I couldn't believe it...I was shaking.
Great feeling ain't it Joe? Way to go buddy, it's amazing how a bird can make you have the shakes........congrats on a job well done.
David
Dang if those Kemp bows aren't turkey kryptonite!
Congrats Joe, fine trophy.
Nice bird, done the hard way, Congrats Joe....
GREAT STUFF JOE !!!
Good job Joe :clapper:
Nice looking bird and bow.
Tracy
Way to go! Congrats.
Now THAT'S the way to do it! Congrats Joe. Awesome bird, awesome accomplishment. Proud of ya and happy for ya.
:thumbsup: :notworthy:
Hmmmmm.....Maybe I should grab my old Bear Grizzly.....
Slap my "Joe Skipp Specials" in my backguiver.....
Cover the bright fletching with my Kelly Fletch Cover.....
CONGRATULATION JOE!!!!!!!!!! :archer: :clapper:
Ok guys, enough with the PM's and turkey receipes. Just up the road from me is a home for the elderly....Saint Mother Cabrini. My friend owns a bar/restuarant and once a month delivers food for the people.
I brought him the Turkey along with 5 lbs of venion this afternoon and requested he use it for these people. We can't forget where we came from or are going!
way to go skip.
Way to go Joe!!!! :clapper:
Congrats Joe, That is GREAT. :thumbsup: :D
Congrats on the great bird-the hard way- and especially for the sharing of your bounty!!!!
well done I hope to follow your lead.
Very nice Joe, what a feeling this must be to get your first turkey with a bow. Congadulations on a job well done.
Way To Go Joe!!! Nice bird! Jack will be proud of ya! Maybe this years calendar will be all Birds!!??
woo hoo! that's a trophey for sure! good job!
Way cool to donate the bird as well. Very classy. =)
Derek
First class Joe,way to go ! :clapper:
Joe, what a story! True hunting, using what you bring and Nature gives you. The tale held me rapt on the edge of this broken-down chair, and had me grinning at the calling in and timing of the draw, the well-executed shot. The follow-up, the give-away of the meat to those in need, well, that took the smile off my face and put it forever into my soul, as you have completed the hunt in the Old Way, and brought into the full and never-ending circle the gifts of the Maker and the Earth He made.
Pila maye.
Killdeer
Great hunt, great heart, great story. Thank you.
ATTABOY... :clapper:
way ta go joe !!
YOU are my Hero Joe!!!... Now I can't wait for Saturday when we will hunt turkey as a team!!!
... mike ... :jumper: ...
Awsome job! Great bird!
Sean
:archer: :clapper:
Way to go Joe. Great story and pictures.Congrats!
Well done Joe Congrads!!
Hey Mike, it must have been all the pink he got back in February that gave him some special turkey MOJO! :bigsmyl: Was that it Joe??? Again, great job my friend....
David
Outstanding Joe-----One heck of an accomplishment-----did you spread some of that Levi Garret around for bait :bigsmyl:
Take care---Mark
Awesome Joe....I'm happy for ya bud....you've certainly earned this one!!!
I'll be honored to do something with the tail and beard for you.......
Joe,
Great job!!!!!!!
Yeehaw?Thats fantastical.Really nice bird.
Joe,
That's absolutely fantastic! Thanks for bringin' everyone along with you!!
Larry
Congratulations Joe on the wild turkey harvest! You did it with Stealth and a great shot!
Congratulations, too, on what I think is going to be another sale of a Kwyk Styk! A little birdie told be about that!
Bill
Great bird! Congratulations! :thumbsup:
Gobbel gobbel... :thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Great story Joe! And THAT my friend is THE toughest challenge, a fine longbeard without a BLIND or DECOYS!! :notworthy:
Really nice hunt Joe,
Congrats on a great bird.
Doug
Great job Skipper :thumbsup:
My 35mm takes better pics. Just developed this one....think I'll make an 8x10 for the shop wall.
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/scan-1.jpg)
Beautiful Bird Joe! I'd get that made into an 8x10 then have the tail mounted above the frame.
Beautiful picture Joe. Really like the lighting/colors on this that one. Will make a great wall photo.
Way to go Joe!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Excellent and a great pic there.
Yup, that one belongs on your wall Joe, great pic, congrats again my friend.......
David
A real great shot of a real nice bird Joe Congrats!
WOW Joe...congrats on a great accomplishment and super trophy. :thumbsup:
Way to go Joe, great bird.
Bryan
That last pic is a great shot!
Congrats on the bird.
Cheers,
Donavan