Well, I had the pleasure of hosting Rick Chumley as the winner of the St. Jude's auction for a turkey hunt at my place.  The hogs have not really shown up, except for a couple at night, but the birds have cooperated.  I will let him tell the story, but I  can't help but post a few pics.  This is Rick's first bird using any type of equipment, and he put a great shot on it.  What a great bird.  I will add more pics as I get them.

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That's a great bird!!! Congrats to Rick!!!! Thanks for offering up the hunt Pat!!!!

Bisch

Outstanding ......

,,Sam,,

Congrats!

Congrats on a beautiful bird! Is that a Rio?

Yep, it is a Rio.  I have some birds that have some characteristics of Easterns as well Miriams as well.

very well done...to both of you!!!

Back home now from a fantastic hunt!  I'd like to give a BIG shout out to Pat for offering this hunt in the St. Jude's Auction 2018.  Pat was a fabulous host along with his wife, Michelle.  I also had the opportunity to meet Pat's friend, Dave Sisamis, "Dirty Bird" whom I soon realized was a great turkey whisperer. 

Downloading pictures ....... More to come!

Rick

From the moment I won the auction Pat was in constant contact with me, texting little pic teasers of hogs and turkeys.
Originally i thought the main part of my hunt would be for hogs but apparently they, being nomadic, disappeared from the scene. When Pat let me know that our main target would be turkey's I have to say I was a little nervous. Never having hunted them, little alone killed one I started reading all I could on shot placement and body structure.
Pat then told me that his friend Dave would be there and would I mind him filming my hunt. Can you say pressure??
I spent a lot of time studying turkey anatomy and practicing as best I could. Nothing would prepare me for a super nervous bird that wouldn't stand still for even a few seconds.

Our first evening set presents a few birds ( according to Dave), but nothing got interested in our decoys. I think most were heading to roost for the night.

That next morning we were in the blind early, set up and ready for action. As the dawn came the sounds of the birds talking were all around us. Thinking back at it now, I was just in awe of the whole situation.
Birds were talking everywhere. At daylight the first to show were two Gobblers but they were on a mission elsewhere. It was interesting to watch and listen to Dave switch from one call to another, I guessing to try and draw in or get some attention to our decoys.

It didn't take long before a few hens started coming into the field, only followed by a group of six jakes.
Soon after a group of four jakes came into the field and the show was on.
It was interesting to watch the larger group push and run the smaller group out of the field.

Then along came the big boy. This Tom had a double beard and spurs that were long and curled. He wanted to come into the decoys but those pesky jakes were keeping him away. Group power I guess.

Did I say Dave was the turkey whisper? I watched him get all ten jakes into a frenzy, including the hens.
It was amazing.

It was an exciting morning but not turkeys harmed here.

Fast forward to this morning. Due to some unforeseen personnel business Dave had to leave Thursday afternoon. Panic-----he was my call guy, I would be doing this solo.
That night, Pat did his best to give me some quick lessons on the can call as well as what would later prove to be critical shot placement tips.

I got set up in the blind and patently waited first light. I must have been in the turkeys back yard because they were all around me by the sounds coming out of the woods.
It was then I thought about trying my new calling skills. Sometimes silence is golden! I gave up on that, at least for awhile.

The mind plays a funny thing on a man setting in a blind, hunting turkeys, decoys out and being totally silent. Well, that got the better of me and back to the can I went. No sooner had I started to work my magic and I heard the infamous drumming sound. Yep, I gobbler was making a bee line straight for my decoy. As I was reaching for my bow the bird had already attacked the decoy.
This happened so fast it seems like a blur now. As the turkey turned away, I thought, no don't want that shot. Waiting for the quartering or side and here it came. At about 6 yards and tension on the string, the arrow flew directly to my chosen spot.
It was right on the mark and the gobbler staggered, flip flopped to about 12 yards. Not wanting to loose this bird and at the time not knowing his fate, I put a finishing arrow into his pelvis. He was down and there was no tracking.

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This was him from the blind.

Turned out the second shot probably wasn't necessary because of the first shot clipped the heart.

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Well, I messed those pic's up. Here are the correct ones.

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Back at the blind.

The beard.

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The bow I happened to be using was a new to me Talltines recurve, 60" and 52# at my draw. I was using GT 500 trads with 50gn inserts and 125gn stingers.

Thanks again to Pat, Michelle and Dave for making this an unbelievable experience and hunt.

Glad to have you Rick.  That is a great bird, especially  for your first bird, and a trad harvest as well.  Nice shooting!

Beautiful bird congratulations! Hope to get one someday with stick and string

A wonderfully fulfilling harvest....Congrats!!!

First class all the way around...Well done! Pat is a helluva dude!! What a great gesture he did honoring this hunt

That's awesome!! Congrats Rick and Pat!!!!