[Old and Reliable]

I don't have a digital camera (yet)- so no fotos. Bird is/was a "Jake" about a 3" stubble beard, and the spurs the older Toms grow (similar to Rooster pheasants) are just small round nubs. I am going to have area butcher shop in Lowell smoke the bird, after it has hung a few days and I have dressed it out. Not much chance of damage to the meat, those "re-loaded" Peters Blues with the 7.5 shot in the head and neck did the trick.

Years ago, an old market hunter name of Delbert O'Grady shot nothing but 7.5 shot Express loads in his 12 gauge Model 1897 Pump. His theory was that head shots at closer range with that shot size were sure kills and less damage to the meat. He was not into the long range concept at all. Shells were part of his "overhead costs" and he liked to have his mallards in close. Worked today on this bird, but I might go another 5 spring seasons before I get another 'sucker shot" like that!

OT- but I'm going to bring the rest of those older paper 12 loads and the Big Elsie to the Yooper Shoot in June- should be fun at the big balloon shoot!