LUCKY FIRST DAY-UNLUCKY GOBBLER

[J. A. EARLY]

After giving other people tips on what shot size to use in the short ten for turkeys, I should have heeded my own advice. I was up extra early for opening day, and turkey hunting is just a crap shoot anyway. Sometimes you go where he is, most of the time you don’t. Anyway, I knew not to get too close, and set up 200 yards away. Good thing, another twenty five yards I would have busted a hen, and then the jig is usually up as he knows something is wrong. Anyway, some fool was owl hooting at the gobbler that was gobbling every minute. A few tree calls, and slapping my hat in the leaves like a hen flying down and he was on the way at 6:30 a.m. At thirty-five yards now, it was a full choked right barrel with 1.5 ounces of 6s, or left with the same choke and load of 4s. Right with 6s put him on the ground. I had done things 99% correctly so far, but I did not get off my butt and run to him, only to see him get up and walk off. Now for the second shot with 4’s, and down he went, falling into the creek, only to see him get up and walk off with me running after him, with no shells readily available for they were all in a fanny pack that had just as well been Fort Knox, for I could not get them out. Finally got a shell out and when he stepped up on a log, I missed, and then I was tearing the fanny pack apart for a second shell. Finally a load of 2s in his back put him down a quarter mile from where we started. I had a stress test recently for my heart but today I got another one for free.

I ignored my own advice when turkey hunting. Sixes at thirty-five yards in a low velocity shell (1200 fps) don’t have enough punch. Slow loads need big pellets for enough energy for a big tom. I think I’ll put the story to paper some time in the future for there were more boring details but I’m being called for supper!

[Bill Faulk]

Alls Well That Ends Well..nice big bird..Bill

[Larry Mason]

Congrats!
Here is my opening day bird. Trojan 20 gauge with RST 5-SHOT at twenty- five
yards.
[IMG]parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?pictureid=3489&albumid=235&dl=13344582 48&thumb=1[/IMG]

[10 bore]

Nice , i hope thats the NEW 10, if so that is the same one i shot a 21 lb bird with last year scott

[J. A. EARLY]

Originally Posted by scott kittredge

Nice , i hope thats the NEW 10, if so that is the same one i shot a 21 lb bird with last year scott

Yes Scott, that's it. I started to take the one I've got listed for sale, but decided to disguise the gun with a neoprene sleeve over the stock, a handguard on the barrels, and two pieces of camo tape over the freshly "Flitzed" receiver. I took a tumble with the gun trying to run the Tom down, and it could have been a disaster. Now I know why so many vintage doubles have replacement stocks! I'm getting too old for this game.

[Larry Mason]

Hope this picture works. I am still a Barney Rubble in a George Jetson world.

[10 bore]

Originally Posted by Larry Mason

Hope this picture works. I am still a Barney Rubble in a George Jetson world.

pics nice, but tell use about the gun and bird

[charlie cleveland]

congratulations fellas on the kills....i cannot say the same for myself...i agrree that a load of 6 s is good for the head at 35 yards and closer and that thr big shot is better for the body at longer distances...many years ago the factory would put their recommendations for game on the side of the box...if i remember correctly they listed bb 2 and 4 s for turkey...we can not shoot bb shot for turkey in miss..any more and i loved that shot size for turkey....fill the limits fellas if you can... charlie

[Angel Cruz Ortiz]

Nice tom Jerry. I had my morning hunt spoiled by a father and son who came charging thru the woods heading for the Osceola turkeys me and a friend were hunting. We did evrything right, got set up by 6:30, waithed for the toms to hit the ground. My friend did a great job calling them in and it was over by 7:30. I was waiting with my GH 16ga using RSTs 1oz , # 5 shot.

[charlie cleveland]

jerry buy you a eight gaugeand you want have to worry abouttaking the old exercise test...there two heavt to run with i know...good storey this kind of hunt is the one your grand children will remember and tell any hunting trip withdisasters andexcitement in them will be long remembered....thanks for the storey hope i have one to tell before long.... charlie