Talking Turkey

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by henderson Marriott

Turkey hunting in the spring really is the most enjoyable of hunting experiences. If you are on the River Road west of Richmond and before Dixie or Charlottesville, there is a small village next to the James River called Columbia. In that area of family in-laws, I have called up gobbling turkeys and slain them with a 1914 Model 1912 Winchester. Some shotguns are "lucky", especially those that pattern well.
Now, I agree with you and Robert Ruark, in using enough gun. This year, I alternated between vintage doubles and was fortunate: a 3-in Super Fox, a Parker VHE 2 7/8 in, and two Long Range Waterfowl 3-inch LC Smiths. All of these double guns were made in the 1920s. The LC Smith guns have both been luckily well-patterned on the appropriate mornings. This season was no exception in Alabama.
Unfortunately, TSS produces substantial recoil and may not sit well with 100-yr old stock wood...and sidelocks like Smith and Lefever.
But in my opinion, double guns balance and respond like they were made for hunting the elusive Eastern wild turkey. It does seem that some shy and elusive turkeys seem to respond just out of reasonable range, for those- TSS just may work well.
Then there are also Long Beard, Kent, and some remaining bismuth shotshells that are almost as effective in ancient fowling doubles.

I’ve chased Virginia gobblers in Giles, Highland, Bath, Augusta, and Charles City Counties and have some wonderful memories of hunts in my home state. While I’ve not hunted in the area you describe, I have spent many an hour canoe fishing on the James near your turkey haunts. All hours very well spent.