[dennishoddy]

My internet finally came up at home, so, here it goes.
I got up really late, and had a 25 mile drive to get to the hunting area. It was 6:45 when I got there and daylight.
Here is the field:

I got all my equipment out of the truck and hustled down the tree line to a place where I had pushed some dead trees into a blind with the tractor. I set out the decoys and got into the blind at 7am

Here is the setup:

I didn't even get settled into the blind when the turkeys came out to my left about 200 yds away. They moved right down the treeline to the west, when I yelped a couple of times. They came to a halt and saw the setup. Yelped again, and I got a gobble from one tom, and here they came. They stopped about 100 yds away, so I let out a couple of purrs, and here they came again. The decoys were 17 yds away. When they got closer I saw 7 toms. Two mature's, and 5 jakes. The jakes held up at 35 yds, letting the mature toms come in. The first was an 8 incher, but the other was bigger. He was at 22 yds when he got a load of Winchester 2 3/4 supreme #5 lead shot. Hammered him dead on the spot without a flop. The others just stood there milling around for a couple of seconds, and I could have shot the other mature tom, but figured he might be a little tougher to call the next time. More sporting

The Finale':

I waited until the turkey left the field, and got up, when 5 does came into the field. I locked up. They came across the field looking at me, but when they got downwind they bailed out pretty quick. Took everything to the truck, going back for the bird, and decoys when 4 more deer came into the field. Had my camera with me this time. ;D

 

[Bird (this time)]

Way to go Dennis, sounds like a TV type hunt! Nice tom ya got there.

 

[dennishoddy]

I was wondering if you and Guage had been out somemore?
This bird was taken on Friday morning.
My buddy wanted me to got with him on Kaw Lake on Saturday. I said OK but then found out it was a 3am launch at the Osage boat ramp
Guess I'm a man of my word, so I met him there, along with the guy that has a boat. We hit several coves, drifted in, or used the trolling motor, and tried to get a shock gobble with every thing from a crow, yote, and a police whistle. Getting nothing, at daylight I had them drop me off at an equestian trail that goes along that part of the lake. We agreed to meet on a certain area at 2pm. I got there a little late as it was a longer walk for me(5.6 mile) as it came out on my gps. I thought it was longer than that in my last post, but when I got it downloaded, thats what it came out to.

It was in incredible day, as we found new places to go fish when the water is up, and just managed to be out on a perfect day ;D

 

[caresut]

Great story! Thanks for sharing.
Carey

 

[dennishoddy]

Spring time in the woods is probably my most favorite time of all. I really don't care if I take a turkey or not. Just being out there and walking, in the woods is my favorite thing. Found some mushrooms and had them the next morning made up into a gravy with some scratch biscuits. I have to tell you this.....it gets no better ;D

 

[Gauge]

Dennis, great Tom you blasted.
Me & Bird are headed to Ft.Sill this up coming weekend to dual with the turkeys again.

Been watching a few group out their & they are on the open grass field by 8:00 a.m or earlier.
Hens are few around 5,Jakes about 4 & As for Toms around 12.
Toms are sporting 9-11inch beards.
Sure hope me & bird this weekend take the two biggest of the bunch.

No decoys can be used out on Ft.Sill..So it's up to a good set-up & good calling.

 

[dennishoddy]

Good luck on your Ft Sill hunt. Hope you guys nail some good ones ;D

 

[caresut]

I agree Dennis, Springtime is a great time to be out in the woods.
I always find my best sheds out Turkey hunting.

 

[okchunter]

nice bird indeed there Dennis. Congrats on a good and enjoyable hunt.

 

[dennishoddy]

Typically I don't use decoys, but for what ever reason I took them along. That stake with the jake fan is so deadly, it should be outlawed.
It was given to me by a guy from Minnesota that I guided on a rio hunt a couple years ago. He was on a Grand Slam hunt in 5 weeks, and I was the final leg. three days without a shot. He was two hours away from his flight home when we connected on a Jake. It still counted for his Grand Slam.

 

[Gauge]

Your right about that one,Dennis.
I've made several home made Jake fans out of the real birds tail fan.
When used they pay off big time.

I use decoys & sometimes ...I leave um @ home.
I've killed turkeys with um & without um.

Great story about the Grand Slam.