Quail Hunt

[tlbradford]

I had a nice relaxing weekend of quail, bear, turkey, and coyote hunting.  I ended up batting .750 which is good.  Friday morning I called in a decent fall turkey.  Short 1/2" spurs and a 6" beard, but he had very dark tips so the fan will look nice on my wall, and I won't eat a tag.  This was a first for me, never hunted during the fall. I just followed some advice found on the internet, and used a few light yelps and some purrs.  Friday afternoon was spent quail hunting with the in-laws.  I tried packing a shotgun and camera, that was hard.  I ended up with a few shots of pheasants but was a little slow on the draw since I had to drop the shotgun in a soft place.  I played photographer the rest of the day.  Saturday had me coyote hunting.  Called in one, shot one.  No photos for coyote madness.  If you have ever seen Siwash Creek Canyon, NE of Tonasket, you'll understand why I didn't want to climb to the other side for a coyote.  Went back to the house and quail hunted for a few hours.  I ended up with seven on eight shots.  Good mid-season form and the first kills for me with the Beretta 20 gauge golden snipe.  Called for bear back in Siwash Canyon with no luck.  It sure was a nice weekend.  Here are a few low grade photos, so please don't compare me with the pros on here.  I am trying. 

[tlbradford]

This ended up a landscape photo since I missed the focus.

[tlbradford]

.

[tlbradford]

.

[tlbradford]

My brother in law helped me with a quick trophy shot before we had to get on the road to Tonasket.

[yelp]

Tlbradford,

Nice pics..where did you get that gobbler?  Right on.... way to call it in..Did you see anymore?  Good Job.

[tlbradford]

We hit were just out of Cheney on the bird.  He was with a hen.  I think it was mainly just being in the direction they wanted to go and creating just enough interest to get them to come into range.  They came in quiet.  We could hear some others in the area that would give three yelps at a time.  Trying to assemble the flock together from what I have read.     This is way darker than anything I have seen in the area but this was my first time hunting near the west edge of the Cheney unit.  I am normally closer to the town of Cheney and east of town.

After we shot him, his girlfriend kept calling to him for 30 minutes while we hiked out.

[yelp]

Thats cool...your now a fall hunting expert caller...Have done it a time or two myself..I'll tell ya the fall birds will also  be tasty...Great Job.

[tlbradford]

I hope I don't get enough fall opportunities to qualify as an expert.     I will say that this fall turkey didn't have as strong as a smell as a spring gobbler, and the breast meat seemed a little lighter in color.  It will be eaten next weekend.  I'm thinking roasted with lots of garlic, onions, and mushrooms.  It weighed in at 11.5 lbs with just the feet and body.  I am guessing it was right around 15 live weight.

[robb92]

Good pics!!!! Thanks for posting them!