Head shot turkey hunting - me not the turkey!

[Yelper Guy]

Well, my opening day turkey season was one I'll never forget. My brother & I had permission from the land owner to hunt some private land in the NE. The land owners son gave someone else permission to hunt it also, but told no one. Heading up to our area we spotted some strutters and did the old end around to get above them. We settled in against a tree & waited awhile before any calling. We heard some turkeys cutting below us and a minute or so later a shotgun blast. We looked at each other and thought ? A couple seconds later another blast - closer. Suddenly we have 6-8 birds 20 yards below us pausing, to allow us to almost get a bead on two different gobblers. Before I could line-up, a third shotgun blast from below us. We were showered with #5 shot 3-1/2" Remington magnum turkey loads. My brother didn't take any hits but I ended up with 3 in my head!
I shouted out "You shot me" #$%^&*, and we met up with the hunter at his second downed bird. He missed on his first shot, scored one on his second & third shots. He pursued the birds up-hill which is not very wise. Neither he or us ever saw each other until the shooting was over. After the bleeding was slowed we tried to determine if any shot was in me. It didn't look like any was embedded, and I though it just bounced off. The next day I though I better get a Tetanus shot, so into the Minor Emergency I went. The Dr. said we better get an x-ray to make sure there isn't any embedded (he didn't think I had any). Well x-rays don't lie, all the spots I got hit had a pellet. After one visit to the Hospital & one outpatient surgery I'm now lead-free once again.
LESSON LEARNED If a gun discharges nearby when hunting, immediately shout or shoot a round to alert the other hunter.
I will say it was a west-side hunter, and the investigation is underway. Be careful out there!

[92xj]

holy crap, that sucks!  Glad you're ok now!

[h20hunter]

Holy smokes. ....looking at the pic you almost lost an eye!

[gee_unit360]

 

[CoryTDF]

  whoa! that is crazy! Glad you are ok.

[Yelper Guy]

2 pieces of shot were 1" or closer to my eye. The third entered my cheek, traveled about 2" and stopped around the back of my jaw bone. Fun times!

[Deer slayer]

Wow. Glad you are fine.

[jackelope]

People always give the folks who say that it's not cool to stalk turkeys crap.  This is a perfect example of why it is absolutely not safe. Sorry it happened. You got very lucky. My dad's buddy got shot back east in much the same way, and another old guy my dad knew shot someone along similar lines turkey hunting. Glad to hear you didn't lose an eye or something worse.
Thanks for sharing your story. Maybe now some folks will understand why some of us say it's not a safe practice to stalk them or chase them.
Who the heck cares where the guy was from by the way??

[bearpaw]

Wow, glad you are "lead free" again. 

[goldenhtr]

I will say it was a west-side hunter, and the investigation is underway. Be careful out there!

Glad your ok.

But do you really think it made a difference if the shooter was from the West side or the East side?
I sorry but that was an ignorant statement. I know lets start a westside vs eastside thread, just like the bow hunter against the muzzy hunter vs the modern firearm hunter. Your season is better than mine crap!! Terrible accident for sure and could have been a much worse outcome. Hope he pays ALL your medical bills.

soap box done

[carpsniperg2]

wow glad you are ok

[TheSkyBuster]

I will say it was a west-side hunter, and the investigation is underway. Be careful out there!

Glad your ok.

But do you really think it made a difference if the shooter was from the West side or the East side?
I sorry but that was an ignorant statement. I know lets start a westside vs eastside thread, just like the bow hunter against the muzzy hunter vs the modern firearm hunter. Your season is better than mine crap!! Terrible accident for sure and could have been a much worse outcome. Hope he pays ALL your medical bills.

soap box done

I take it you don't live in eastern Washington.   

[goldenhtr]

I will say it was a west-side hunter, and the investigation is underway. Be careful out there!

Glad your ok.

But do you really think it made a difference if the shooter was from the West side or the East side?
I sorry but that was an ignorant statement. I know lets start a westside vs eastside thread, just like the bow hunter against the muzzy hunter vs the modern firearm hunter. Your season is better than mine crap!! Terrible accident for sure and could have been a much worse outcome. Hope he pays ALL your medical bills.

soap box done

I take it you don't live in eastern Washington.   

NOPE!  and don't like the inference that being from the westside makes me or anyone else a bad hunter.

[Magnum_Willys]

I see those TV shows with hunters holding up turkey fans above their heads and think wth    

[Rainier10]

 :yike:Wow, glad you are okay.