Finally, I actually shot a turkey with my recurve bow and cedar arrow. I missed 3 toms last week while trying to make a head shot on them. Discovered that turkey heads are small targets that never stays still for more than a moment. Yesterday I decided I would body shoot the next one I got a chance at but I ended up shooting low and missing. Today it all came together.

I stepped from behind a tree to see a tom looking right at me from about 60 yards out. He didn't cut and run like I expected but he was nervous and headed away from me. I stood still and watched him disappear in the underbrush. After several minutes passed with no sign of him I changed my position a little and made a few yelps on my wing bone call. I heard no response but figured I would just stay put since I now had good cover and threatening skies meant the hunt might be over soon anyway.

Suddenly some movement caught my eye. It was a tom, perhaps the same tom, and he was heading my direction. This could be my chance if I didn't get noticed again. I tried to keep my body and bow concealed behind the oak next to me and then I focused on remaining calm and not moving anything but my eyes. He slowly made his way along, picking at this and that and always pausing to listen and look around. I knew I would have to let him pass by in order to get a shot but already my heart was picking up the tempo.

As he passed behind my tree something caused him to gobble and I just about jumped out of my skin. He was probably less than 15 yards away and I wasn't expecting that. His was the first gobble I had heard all day. Moments later he gobbled again. I used that as my cue to lean out and have a look at him. Suddenly he fluttered his wings as if he was stretching them out and that was the commotion I needed to make my move. I stepped from behind the tree and drew simultaneously. My eye settled into the center of his back and the arrow was off. My aim had been true and the big bird tumbled forward. His beating wings told me the arrow had not broken his back and might actually be able to get away. I quickly knocked a second arrow as I rushed him. In a reflex motion I drew and the arrow struck the tom in the head. Now it was over. I had my turkey. A nice tom with a 9" beard and plenty of good meat for a turkey dinner. As I picked him up to go the rains started to fall.

Grats great story. Glad it came together for ya. Nice bird to

Congratulations!  

I have only had ome tom respond to our calls in the last 2 weeks, and he hung up out of range.  I heard ZERO gobbling this weekend.  I am hunting pressured birds on public land, so that is not helping.

Going to keep plugging away, but it is tough out there right now.

Dan

congrat's on your gobbler!!!!!!!

  CONGRATS. A gobbler without the blind is Awesome.

Way to go! Great story with a happy ending.

Congradulations! Hap

You Gotta Love It!!!... ...

... mike ...

One Eye - Where I have been hunting they were gobbling like crazy until about the 10th of May. Now there is no response to a call but I still might hear a gobble or two first thing in the morning. I have been seeing most the birds down in the creek bottoms but they are getting more rare. Mostly hunting them like I do deer in the heavy cover areas. Good luck on the rest of your season.

Excellent!! You did it the hard way and the bird is well deserved! Congrats! Mike

WOW! To bag a gobbler without a blind, and traditional gear?! Now that is the ultamite challenge! Congratulations man, im happy for ya!    

congrats ....

Good Job!!!      

Well Done!!!

Bird have gotten quiet here too, call shy?

Eric

You must have ice water running through your veins. To be able to stand there still as a stone and let him pass without him hearing your heart beat. Wow. That is one great accomplishment!! Congrats!!

Good deal.

       

Too cool!

Awsome story , I can't see the pic.

good going for years i would also go for the head i will not tell how many heads i missed.

Congratulations from a fellow Michigander!