The new Kestrel II strikes, turkey down

[maineac]

Had a great first hunt with my new Tolke Kestrel II.  I can't say enough good things about this little bow.  I started out working a bird that was roosted close to my set up in the woods.  Of course he did not use the open landing spot and alley way I expected him to, but came in from the side with 7 jakes.  For some reason he did not like my hen and DSD Jake and slunk off with his entourage.  I use a little half round blind from LL Bean and thought he might have seen me.  I know the two jakes that snuck up from behind did as they alarm putted for quite a while.  That didn't deter the tom and two of his original 8 from coming back and still spooking at the decoy after I did a bunch of calling.  Another tom was closing in but circled out of sight and continued on.

With no active birds around I packed up, returned to the truck and traded the jake decoy for another hen.  climbing back up the hill I proceeded to check and move a game camera (it was a dual purpose trip).  When I got close to a field I gave some yelps on my box call and got an immediate response.  I found a wide spot in an old skidder trail leading to the field and set up.  The opening was only about 7 yards in diameter.  I did some calling and the birds would respond every time, but seemed stuck in place.

     

After about 15 minutes I decided to pack up, swing around them and get to power line at the upper end of the field.  I figured they would move that way better.  Just as I had the blind all disassembled and rolled up they cut loose with a gobble half way to my location.  I quickly reset the blind and sat back down.  Instead of coming down the field and up the skidder trail they were coming straight through the thick popple regrowth.  I caught a glimpse as they got close and then there was a longbeard followed by a second in strut.  When the strutter stepped into my shooting window I drew and when he lifted his head into a half strut I released.  The arrow hit about two inches higher than I was aiming.  It whistled through his head and he just sat down.  The second tom didn't know what happened and I could have gotten a shot at him if I wasn't already tagged out taking my first allotted bird with a shotgun earlier in the week.  The Treeshark did an amazing job.  I have found out I get 1/4 rotation every 8 yards on my arrows.
   

Here is a view from the turkey's angle

   

And of the blind and packseat

   

[ber643]

Outstanding hunt, reporting, and outcome, Mike. Sounds like turkeys are more available (plentiful) than when I got my first (and only to date) one there (or here). That was back in Early 1990's, and as I recall, there were only about 3 counties that were even in on the draw for turkey tags in Maine then. Really enjoyed the read and pics.  

[maineac]

I was here back then.  Seemed to get a tag every other year.  There are a decent number of gobblers around, but we are recovering from a winter two years ago that really hit the birds hard.  As long as the winter is reasonable next year should be amazing.  LOTS of jakes around this year.

[DanielB89]

What blind system is that?

Way to go!

Congrats,

Bisch

[ron w]

       

[maineac]

Daniel it is called a Stowaway blind, that I got from LL Bean.  Bungee corded poles that snap out.  Compacts to a 5" by 18" bag.  I really like it, but they currently carrying it.

[doubleo]

Congrats on the beautiful bird.

[OBXarcher]

Good job and nice bow !

[Homey88]

Way to go! Congrats!

[Warden609]

       

[Bill Carlsen]

[mikolay87]

Nicely done

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Congrats!!