First hunt with my VH
 

After getting my 16 ga.VH back I decided I needed to take it out for a hunt. I tried several loads in it and wanted to use #6's on turkey so after several shots on the patterning board I decided that the best patterning load was an old paper hulled Remington, I was amazed how much difference there was in the pattern between some new Herters and older Charles Daley loads, The gun is choked Full/Full My Maximum range would be about 25 yards, I shot several 30 yard targets with good results but wanted to make it a sure thing if I got a poke at one.

Our Spring Turkey season opened last Wednesday so I headed out at 0530 and got set up close to a Pond on my property that has been a real good spot for years.

At about 6:30 I had ten hens show up over the hill with a big Tom in tow. As they attacked my hen stuffer decoy the Tom went into full strut right in front of me, after several "putts" on my mouth call the Tom picked up his head so I put the bead on the base of his neck and let one fly

One shot at 14 yards was all it took, 18.4 pounds, 8 inch beard and 3/4 inch spurs, a nice eating two year old!!.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...psmgfgbplq.jpg

Here is my empty hull I'll cut the brass base off of it and glue the beard into it to hang on the wall in my bird room.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps800wufee.jpg

On Friday the boys and a good friend showed upwith his two daughters for the weekend hunt, we had a great time with 5 more Toms and one Jake hitting the dirt. We are blessed to have such a neat place to hunt, our conservation practices have really paid off over the years.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps9vzetngt.jpg

WOW, You guys are real "GOBBLER GITTERS"
I missed opening day today cause I took off work to go tothe Southern later this week

Good job!

great going....thats a lot of turkey to eat...wish my place had the turkeys yours does....charlie

Nice!

You've got a real "stuffer" for a decoy? Bet that's hard to haul around without roughing it up.

It's a bearded hen, works wonders on the toms , you do have to be careful with her as she is pretty fragile.

I've shot over stuffer geese both on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and in Scotland oddly enough. Never knew anybody that had a stuffer turkey. A great idea though, no way they'd not fall for that one.

DLH

Great pic. I'd like to see a pic of the decoy too

Congrats !

Are they Merriams birds ?

Fred: What a great group photo and would like to see that stuffer also. What part of the country were you hunting. Thanks Thomas