Javan's 1st turkey

[dukhnt]

We got to cousins place in northeast Nebraska around 7:45pm.  Immediately Javan and I got in the truck with my cousins husband Kelly to take a drive and see the area.  When we got back to the house there were turkeys gobbling and roosting in all directions.  Kelly and I went and set up the double bull blind when it was good and dark.

Javan, Kelly, and I got settled in the blind plenty early the next morning.  We had to get in there early since we figured the birds would be roosted right on top of us.  At 5:30 we heard our first gobble.  I have never been set up that close to the roost.  He was right above our blind.  As the sun started coming up, more and more birds were sounding off.  The birds pitched down and headed away from us.  Kelly said not to worry.  They always do that and eventually come into the valley we were hunting.  It wasn't long and we had a hen 10 feet away from the blind.  Then we could here a gobbler making his way closer to us.  Javan was the first to spot him.  He was coming on a string.  There was plenty of time to get his gun up and pointed in the right direction.  The tom made his way down a trail and was 12 yards from us when he pulled the trigger.  Javan's aim was true.  The 20 gauge stopped him in his tracks, he didn't even flop around.

Javan Turkey.MP4Javan Turkey.MP4

After some high fives in the blind, we were still hearing birds all around us.  I asked Javan if he wanted to go and check out his bird or wait to see if another bird would come in for me.  He wanted to wait.  I had 2 long beards up the hill from me.  I could see them but they just didn't give me a great opportunity for a shot.  I didn't want to risk wounding a bird, so I opted not to shoot.  Those two wondered away.  Then we heard 2 more birds gobbling from the other side of the blind.  I got ready.  The first bird stepped out 10 yards from the blind, it was a double bearded jake.  The bird following him was another jake in full strut.  I didn't even think twice.  I wanted pictures of Javan and I together with our birds.  I pulled the trigger on the jake in strut.  I figured the double bearded jake would look better as a double bearded tom.  Two hours into our hunt, it was over.  Lots of celebration followed.  It was truly an awesome experience.

Javan's bird weighed 21 lbs 10 ounces, had a 10" beard, and the spurs were 1 5/16" and 1".  You could tell the smaller spur was broken off.

[mws4dux]

Great pics and story! Way to go

[PFUNK]

That right there is what it's all about. So many things I loved about that story, especially the fact that you knew you had the opportunity to make that moment extra special by harvesting a Jake instead of needing to hold out for a Tom (not to mention you had already taught him not to take a poor shot and risk wounding something). Also teaching him it isn't about how big of one you can get, it's all about the time we are lucky enough to spend together. Looks like you may have yourself a life long hunting buddy there, and you're teaching him the right way of how to do it. Hats off to ya.

[leech~~]

Nice hunt. Nice birds.

[123fish]

PFUNK nailed it. Congrats on a great hunt.

[paceman]

Awesome!

 

[Borch]

Super awesome! 

[Scoot]

That is just great!  Congrats to both of you on the birds but more importantly on sharing a great experience together!

[Hoyt4]

 

That hunt there you will rememeber forever.  Congrats to both of you that is pretty special.

 I know I never will forget any of the birds I took with my dad

[DonBo]

Nice job all around.  Great hunt, great experience, great memories.