Damascus in the Spring
 

Well, another Spring turkey season here in Texas has ended.....and it was a successful one!

Out in W. Texas, Irion Co., the average rainfall is about 13" per year. This year, there has been 12+" so far! The grass in the pastures is knee deep and the stock tanks are brim full so food was aplenty for the turkeys.
Last years hatch ensured high numbers of jakes this year but the mature 3 year old Toms were hard to come by. I ended up calling in two solid 2 year old Toms in four days of intense hunting.

The DH 10 ga. combined with RST #5's performed flawlessly!

some good looking toms you fellas got there...and the 10 ga is a good looker and performer as well...i use a 10 ga ph grade a whole lot for turkey and deer...you cannot beat a 10 ga for turkey unless its a 8 ga parker...charlie

Good job! Great photos

Great ! The 10 Ga. did the job. I killed my first turkey in 1972 and have used a 12 ga. 3 inch on all of them 1 3/4 oz. of 4's is the best load for my gun. Have been thinking about a Parker for turkeys, but wonder how far you can kill one with a 10 ga or a 12. the turkeys in Mississippi and Alabama ( where most of my hunting is done ) do not like to walk up to 20 yards and pose. Having killed turkeys in 6 states no turkeys are as hard as the ones where most of my hunting is done. You need to be able to make a 45 yard. Would like advice from hunters as to a using later 12 Ga.that is 2 3/4 or a 10 Ga. 2 7/8. Thank you.

That's my dream right there...Damascus 10 bore double and turkeys! Congrats!!

Damascus turkeys
 

I used a 10 ga in the past but was an English Thomas Bland hammer. Have taken recently all my birds with 12 Parker Damascus and one Ithaca 4E. Something about Damascus and turkeys go together. If it's a big frame 12 I tend to use modern 1 1/2 to 1 5/8 oz loads,for the Ithaca I used RST #5 1 1/16 load. Most of my shots are 15-30 yds and this year in Tx was terrific across the state. Just acquired a CH Bernard 12 I intend to puff some doves with in Sept can't wait. Headed to Joshua Creek Preserve to shoot first clays with it today. Life is good. Thanks for posting great pics looks like 2 good friends had a great time outdoors.

David last season I killed a nice gobbler at 60 yards standing in a field with a Parker 10 gauge. I took another at approximately 50 yards flying. I had done extensive load development and patterning and was confident of the shot. I used black powder and full brass hulls. 45 yards with a Parker 10 is doable depending on the gun and load.

Daniel, I have made shots on turkeys that were in the 40-60 yard range many times with 10 ga. RST #5's (out of 32" tubes)....and all resulted in dead Toms! Long shots are not my norm because I like to call the birds in close but if I the birds don't cooperate, I have confidence in making a long shot.

Good eating?
 

Hate to ask a dumb question; are wild turkeys good eating? If so, how do you serve them? What are the best parts?

the breast and the legs are the only parts usally saved and cooked and it is good..my wife usally makes dressing out of the turkeys i shoot...if you ever deep fre a wild turkey really watch him...charlie