Success!

[Howieroch]

I scored a nice tom on Sunday morning. The morning started with a TON of gobbling all around us, and then no birds sighted when they flew off roost. About 7:00 we spotted 4 jakes working towards us from 400 yards away. As we continued to watch the jakes, we spotted a bigger bird closer and coming towards us. The bigger bird headed for the tree line to the left of our blind, so we figured he would sneak up to us along the edge. After a few minutes I looked over my shoulder to see the big tom standing 5 yards behind our blind watching us. A few tense minutes later he started walking into the field completely focused on the decoy. As soon as I had a clear shot I stopped him with a 3" load of #5's at 8 yards. The bird was 24 pounds 4 ounces with a 9 inch beard and spurs of 1 5/16 inch and 1 3/16 inch. It's a beautiful light colored bird - if I hadn't had another bird at the taxidermist, this one would have gone in.

This was my fourth year of turkey hunting - I was completely hooked after my first 5 minutes in the blind. In those 4 years I have hunted 9 seasons in 3 different states and killed a total of 8 turkeys. It was a short Minnesota season for me. I can't wait until fall in Wyoming and hopefully Minnesota too!!!

[Hotspotter]

Howie:

What a pig! You're lucky he's got a head for the pics at 8yds. And the spurs.....those are dandy's....some of the biggest we've seen on the board this year. Congrats to you, and continued success.

Joel

[MNOutdoorsman]

Nice Bird! (and good pics)

[Howieroch]

Thanks guys. I love the color of this bird. If I hadn't been the one to shoot it here in SE Minnesota I would swear it is a Rio or Rio/Eastern mutt. I shot my fall tom out of the same area, and that bird was almost black. It's amazing how much color variation there is between two birds out of the same flock.

When I saw the hooks on this bird I was shaking because I was so excited. They will be a tough mark for me to match any time soon.

I knew I should have joined one of the contest teams...

[Cooter]

You can join my team! One heck of a bird! Congrats.

[CornPirateKiller]

Sure, I guess, if you like taking them the "old fashioned" way, with the shotgun. Much more exciting to get close up to them and kill them with your windshield. And you didn't even get me covered with glass when you dropped him. Maybe this Fall...

[Borch]

What a nice Tom!

Congrats!

[Wallydog]

Nice, a true LIMBHANGER!

WD

[Nate McVey]

Great bird! Congrats

[LABS4ME]

Very nicely done! A great bird and like you said one that will be hard to beat!

Good Luck!

Ken