Fall -- The Best Time For Turkeys?

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by Harold Lee Pickens

I'm going to slip in a Fox SW 20 into my armament this year, a long with my VHE 20, a Ugartechea 28, and a hammer 20.

They are sweet little bird guns. Some years ago I acquired a nice, tight Fox Sterlingworth Ejector 20 with 28" barrels. I determined to make it into my go to quail and woodcock gun. I sent it to Dean Harris and had him lengthen the chambers to 2 3/4" and open the chokes to .006" R and .016" L. I needed more LOP so I added a Silvers type pad and faced it with leather from my Grandad's old leather duck hunting coat, that had deteriorated from age. First time I walked into a covey rise it took two birds with the right barrel (accidentally) and one with the left. We bonded that day.

I hope you find one you enjoy as much as I do mine.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Stan Hillis

They are sweet little bird guns. Some years ago I acquired a nice, tight Fox Sterlingworth Ejector 20 with 28" barrels. I determined to make it into my go to quail and woodcock gun. I sent it to Dean Harris and had him lengthen the chambers to 2 3/4" and open the chokes to .006" R and .016" L. I needed more LOP so I added a Silvers type pad and faced it with leather from my Grandad's old leather duck hunting coat, that had deteriorated from age. First time I walked into a covey rise it took two birds with the right barrel (accidentally) and one with the left. We bonded that day.

I hope you find one you enjoy as much as I do mine.

Stan, I also have a bird-gettin’ Sterlingworth. Mine is a 16 and is a real feather weight. It took a bluff-side Iowa grouse in deep winter on its first shot. It does not get out enough anymore.

[Steve Hodges]

We have a fall season here in NH but I have never been interested to shoot hens or half grown poults. I suppose some toms are taken but I think the hen flocks are more susceptible to the hunting tactic. That does not mean that I care if others fall hunt, I think if that is what you like and it is legal enjoy it and bring home some fine eating.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hodges

We have a fall season here in NH but I have never been interested to shoot hens or half grown poults. I suppose some toms are taken but I think the hen flocks are more susceptible to the hunting tactic. That does not mean that I care if others fall hunt, I think if that is what you like and it is legal enjoy it and bring home some fine eating.

I’ve taken my share of Tom’s in the Fall, mostly by stalking (they don’t respond well to calls in the Fall), but busting a flock with young birds and calling them up in the beautiful Fall woods is grand sport… and the eating is much better.