143 years later, this Parker is still filling the pot!

[Mark Ray]

Spent the last couple of days at a friends South Texas Ranch, Turkey hunting with fellow member David Boyles and his grandson Courtland, here on Spring Break from South Carolina. Managed to kill a gobblers both yesterday morning and yesterday evening! Yesterday morning I was using my recently acquired early $125 Grade Lifter Short 10, 28". A 1 1/4 oz load of 5's did the trick at 24 yards. The bird went down like he was pole axed! Followed up yesterday evening with a fine gobbler using my Richards, English 10 bore hammergun, 32" Damascus, weighing in at a svelte 10.8 lbs.!

David's Grandson killed his first Turkey Sunday evening, shooting a VH 16. And followed up this morning with another! David took a bird this morning with his beautiful Top Action hammer 10.

I had to leave early this morning, so I don't yet have pics of David and Courtlands birds and guns. I will follow up as they get the pics to me.

Great time, great company! But have to say.....the other hunters got a little tired of mine and David's gunshow...gun talk....and over all gun mania!!

Will post more pics as they come!

[Phillip Carr]

Very nice. Great pictures.

[Reggie Bishop]

Excellent!

[Mills Morrison]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing

[Mark Ray]

Here is David and Courtland from this morning! Not to be outdone, David hammered two birds with his top-action 10 this morning, and Courtland harvested his second bird in three days with the VH 16. Great Trip!!!

[charlie cleveland]

mighty nicely done and all with parker doubles...charlie

[Mark Ray]

An uninvited guest

[Dean Romig]

Mmm... rattler loins. I can hear them sizzlin' in the skillet now.





.

[Mark Ray]

A bleary eyed pic at “dark thirty” this morning of Parker and it’s victims before I had to bolt for the office!

[Mark Ray]

Another showing more of the amazing South Texas “Indian Blanket” wild flowers...this pic is about 5 feet from where the gobbler was taken!

[davidboyles]

Good show big guy we did have fun and grandson still talking about the 2 birds I called up together and we did a 1-2-3 Boom!!! 2 down. Lots of high 5's thanks for posting good friend.

[Jerry Harlow]

An uninvited guest

I believe I would do my turkey hunting standing up if I was there. No taking a nap like I do here.

[Mark Ray]

The “set up” at another location that evening. That poor hen decoy endured a good bit of abuse before the “king of the flock” came in to take charge!

Then another pic of David and Courtland

[Mark Ray]

One more of David and Courtland.....great “grand dad” “grand son”team!

[Mike Franzen]

Sounds like a great place to hunt. How long are the barrels on that 16 gauge?

[Todd Poer]

Mark and David,

Very nice thread and storyline. What a great time. Envious of you all. I really enjoy eating and drinking wild turkey. I'm now left with want for both after reading about your great success.

[Shawn Wayment]

Looks like an incredible trip and great photos.

[davidboyles]

Mike the Gun is a VHE with 30” barrels chokes IC and Full

[Karl Ferguson]

David,

What great memories you created with your grandson for both of you ! !

Regards, Karl

[Garry L Gordon]

What in the heck is all that green stuff!!?? I'm hearing birds gobbling around the house...in the snow!

[Bill Murphy]

I have to have the serial number of your 28" ten gauge. I have two of those light weight big guns, and they are looking for companionship.

[davidboyles]

Bill my !0 is from 1884 with 2 sets original bbls 28" and 32" it's a D grade top lever on 3 frame and has original leather case and tools , lots of case color and beautiful engraving. Used to live with Mark Ouelette but now is putting doves and turkeys into the pot. Ray's 10 had a harder life than mine as the original owner of mine was a burly Catholic Priest in Fulton NY( I have his pic on the church steps)and he was delivering Mass on Sunday's and missed plenty of hunting that I intend to make up for. Lots of province on this gun. After this weekend I have to double check my grandsons baggage before he leaves there may be a VHE 16 sticking out of the bag!! He had a wonderful time with a great bunch of gentleman hunters. Grandpa couldn't have been more prouder of his 15 year old offspring. David B

[tom tutwiler]

I hunted Rock Springs Texas for quite a few years before the outfitter lost his lease. Best turkey hunting I've every experienced bar none.