New member - 1st turkey w/a bow

[ORpilgrimmjag]

I have to preface this by saying this is my first year with a bow and my first official hunt. I am a rifle hunter turned bow hunter, due to scheduling conflicts around rifle season. Needless to say, community outreach trumps personal desires.

My buddy and I - being tired of shooting targets this spring - decided to try turkey hunting. We thought that it would be a great way to get out into the forest with our bows and get the feel of them in a live setting. All of this in preparation for deer/elk season later this year. We planned a trip to the southern part of the state for last weekend and had permission to hunt a piece of property via some family & friends who live down there. We drove down on Friday afternoon and arrived for a short, 3 hour hunt that evening. Our host wasn't sure what we would actually see, but as we drove in our hearts jumped a beat or 2. Across the open space of field were 6 toms strutting around and hanging together. We decided that a slow stalk would be fun and the only way we could possible get close to them. After getting as close as we dare together, we split up. One of us got within 25 yard of the group and was preparing for a shot, when a hen busted up the party and the toms went running. We followed, with no chance of a shot, but wanted to see where they were headed. We then chose to try it again in the morning.

Now for the fun part...
5:30AM - We arrive back at the hunting area. Fully geared and ready to go, I decided to try my box call to see if I could locate the birds (realize that I am not truly sure what it is supposed to sound like, but TV shows are amazing teachers). Once I sounded the call, there were several responses from way out. I waited a minute or so and let out another call. The responses were louder and closer, so we decided to set up (this was all within 40 ft of our truck). Another call let us know that they were coming and fast. We had set up at the top edge of a small ravine type area, thinking that the shot would be downhill. We saw them coming in and I decided it was time to get my bow before it was too late. My partner saw the group, but was shielded from the left side of the tree we were behind. As I reached for my bow, I glanced up and saw a tom standing 20-25ft (yes ft not yds) away with nothing between me and him. I decided to try to get an arrow out and make a shot. There had been no time to set completely up, so I made the best of it. Moving extremely slow, I was able to nock and arrow and move the bow into shooting position - body movement not an option right now I lined up the peep with my pins and the turkey turned away from me, still not startled at all. I released the arrow and heard the distinct sound of arrow hitting bird. I was shaking so bad that I could hardly keep quiet. We didn't want to totally spook all the rest of the birds, even though they had run off. I went to where the bird was and saw that he had rolled off the edge and down 10 ft from where I had shot him. Perfect back to chest pass through with no meat loss. I was so excited. God has really blessed me this year so far!

Final measurements were:
20 pounds, 10" beard, 3/4" spurs






By the way, anyone with good recipes for wild turkey, please feel free to fill me in. We have never had it before, but are planning to have it a lot more now.

What a total rush!

[AtItAgain]

Great story and welcome to Ifish!

[collinsdp]

Congrats on the bird and welcome to the site. I am new here as well people are awesome on this site.

Dan

[Dave Smith]

Great way to start a long, successful bowhunting carreer! Congrats and nice shooting! Good choice of bows, too

[chukarchaser]

Welcome to the world of bowhunting! Caution... highly addictive. Nice bird too.

A buddy of mine tried smoking some wild turkey legs this year... very tasty. As far as the breast, I think it's hard to beat letting them sit in a slow cooker all day with some taters, carrots, etc. just like you'd do a roast. Melts in your mouth.

CC

[Eagleclaw]

Welcome to Ifish... great bird

[sliverpicker]

Now thats a BEARD for ya!!!

Congrats on the bird and welcome to ifish and turkey hunting.

[jokester]

Very cool! Congrats!

-jokester

[sliverpicker]

We've made turkey nuggets for years. Roll in flour, egg and sour cream batter, then fine bread crumbs. Fry in HOT oil/margarine until golden brown and crispy.

Slice the breast real thin cross wise, dredge in flour and fry like elk steak. Comes out tender and kind of tastes like pork chop.

Turkey fajitas are always good, as is stir-fry.

Turkey noodle soup in the crockpot is a winner.

Never done the deep fried method on a wild bird, but heard its good. Just don't want mess around plucking the whole bird.

[ORpilgrimmjag]

Originally Posted by sliverpicker

Now thats a BEARD for ya!!!

Congrats on the bird and welcome to ifish and turkey hunting.

Thanks - It was a much thicker beard than I thought it would be. I am waiting for all of the drying process to be finished before I mount anything. Since is was my first, I decided to mount the tail, beard, and spurs.

I wasn't sure how much fun turkey hunting could be, but I am definitely doing this again.

[ORpilgrimmjag]

Originally Posted by Dave Smith

Great way to start a long, successful bowhunting carreer! Congrats and nice shooting! Good choice of bows, too

Thanks - I am truly enjoying the bowhunting experience. I can't wait to go after deer & elk later this year.

As for the bow, my buddy had a Mathews and I got a great deal on this one. I had to find something that allowed for a long draw - 31"

[Critr Gitr]

What a total rush!

You've done it now ..... you are hooked. . Welcome

[Davy]

cool!!! great post/story, welcome

[DavidH]

Great story and way to go!

[Beamerfish]

Dang, nothing to it! Welcome aboard and congrats on a nice gobbler.

[buckhunter]

Nice bird for sure! Welcome to IFISH!!!! BH

[duck_crazy101]

congrats good lookin bird welcome to ifish

[No Fences]

Welcome and great post and hunt.

[007SPRIG]

That is the thickest beard I've ever seen on an Oregon turkey. Congrats. My favorite way to cook a whole bird is on the bbq. I buy Garlic Creole marinade at Sportsman's Whse and inject the bird in the morning. I cook the whole bird unstuffed for about 1.5 hours.

[Mad Mikey]

Congrats! Now THAT is a great intro story. Hope to hear more stories like it.

[sschwab]

Outstanding!