Killfest 09 Update

[ctwiggs1]

Alright fellas,

For those of you who don't know, I have dubbed this year in my life as Killfest 09.  The whole time I was in Iraq reading this board, F&S, and trading stories with my buddies about fish we've caught and animals we've killed has got the bloodlust boiling!

I started the year off the day after I got home with a 19" rainbow from Lk Washington, followed by a slew of razorclams that weekend.  And then it hit home: In less than two weeks, turkey hunting was opening... 

We showed up in the Kettle Falls area and had camp set up by 1pm, so we were able to finish off the day with an afternoon hunt, during which we obtained permission from a landowner to hunt his land.  Having never killed a turkey, I figured the absolute best way would be to talk to a local to figure out where the darn things were.  One thing was for sure, they were nowhere near our camp.

After more unsuccessful hunting on Thursday, I approached the same local landowner and asked him if he were turkey hunting his land, where would he set up?  Due to my intense interrogation skills, the man released the vital intel that the turkeys had classified as "TOP SECRET": The trail they took to their secret launch zone for roosting. 

My dad and I came back around 545, set up a blind roughly 40 meters from this "secret launch zone", and waited.  At approximately 6 o clock, I was scanning behind our blind when I saw it: 15 turkeys had crested a hill 100 meters behind us without us even knowing it.  We were completely exposed... Our blind had been perfect in every way to camouflage against a frontal approach... Damn turkeys are devious!

Remaining absolutely still, we waited until the majority of the turkeys had slipped into a small valley that spanned roughly 30 meters between us and the other knoll they were on, and carefully, noiselessly got into position.  After we were in position, I looked at their heading and noticed they would be no less than 30 meters away at their closest.  I made the decision to go ahead and let out a few purrs... again, I'm new and this may have been a horrible decision, but I had to try it.

When the turkeys crested the valley and were on our hill, they had changed direction entirely and the hens walked no more than 15 meters to our side, while the "tom" and his two jakes were headed straight at us!  The alpha male, who I thought was a tom because he was strutting right at me, had no idea that his behavior had made him my only goal in life at that time.  They turkeys were no more than 10-15 meters when finally I whispered, "dad, I'm shooting, get ready", and BAM!  The "tom" was thrown about 5 feet back and flopped to his death.  My dad was so excited to see him go down (his first time too), that he completely forgot to shoot at one of the jakes.  I guess he had "Turkey Fever"

Guys, I have never had such a rush from killing a bird.  There is NOTHING like a strutting turkey!!  He ended up being a jake... and now I recognize the difference on the tail fan, but even if I had known, I still would have killed him.  Here's a pic:

[clindsayrun]

Sweet! Good story. I can't wait to get out this week.

[Dustin07]

lol good post bro- Take a picture of the turkey fan mount you already got, and tell them who taxidermed it within a day of you killin the bird!

[shorthair-on-point]

nice work

[turkey slayer]

Congrats on your 1st bird, now you are hooked

[ctwiggs1]

Here is the fan mount... This taxidermist (Scott at Born Again Taxidermy in Colville) is awesome.  I actually met him while hunting, and he was able to do the whole fan mount in a couple days.  Instead of waiting for the meat to rot, he said he cuts it out and uses an epoxy glue filler to keep the feathers taught.  He warned that it may not be as strong against abuse, but if I hang it, it shouldn't be an issue. 

Here's how awesome Scott was though:  I told him I had no idea how to save the feathers, and asked if when I killed one, if I could bring it over and he could possibly show me how to do that.  Not only did he show me how to save the feathers, but he ended up cleaning the entire bird right there, wrapping it, and he threw it in the freezer so that I could take it home with me a few days later.  He said, "Hey just stop by, that way you don't have to leave it in your cooler".  Sure enough, I stopped by on Sunday and picked up my mount, my bird, and a $20 military rebate that he handed back to me.... Yes my friends, I paid $80 for the whole thing, it was only $100 for non-military.  Is that kind of customer service the norm on the east side?  If so, I need to rethink living on the wet side lol

Curtis

[saylean]

Welcome home Curtis, glad you are having a "blast".

Thanks for the service.

[bowhunterforever]

Awsome story and congrats on your first turk.

[wazzuhunter]

Great story, thanks for sharing.  Congrats on the first turkey, it's a great feeling.

[rosscrazyelk]

I am jealous.. Nice bird

[andrew_12gauge]

sounds like this taxidermist is a stand up guy, i wouldnt say that much kindness is the norm but most people on the eastside are pretty kind and helpful for the most part. way to go on your first bird but you still got time get out there and keep the killfest goin man

[ctwiggs1]

Ohhh absolutely.  I intend to spend my last weekend as a non-work chump in Cap For, chasing the elusive eastern!

Curtis

[Dustin07]

that's awesome and the fan looks great. If we get one this weekend I'm shipping it over to your guy. that spead is great-

[DeerHarvester]

ctwiggs1-
Great story and congrats on the bird.  I tell you what, I moved from the westside 2 years ago and it was the best thing I have ever done.  From reading your story it sounds like you love to hunt and fish.  I personally was spending a lot more time traveling over here to hunt and fish so it just made more sense for me to live here.  I do believe the people are a lot more laid back and friendly.  You have the crazies just like any where else.  Plus the weather can't be beat, IMO.

Thanks for your service to this county.   If you are considering law enforcement in this area, look me up, we are always in need of guys like you! 

[WCTaxidermy]

ctwiggs1, Great story and for sure a great looking bird.  I want to personally thank you for your great service and you keep up the hunting and fishing.  Your always welcome over here on the East side.   John