Live From Cheney

[tlbradford]

Heard some hen talk this morning but nothings come in so far.  Just heard my first gobbles of the day.  I didn't get set up until 10:30.  I will keep you posted.  Pictures to follow of deer, elk, and my daughters new pet turtle.

[tlbradford]

Pulled my third tick off of me.  Stinking hens pulled the tom away from me. 

[Ridgerunner]

Sounds good, can't wait to see the pics.

[tlbradford]

Turkey down. Two year old.  About 8" beard and 1/2" spurs.  Story to follow.

[bowhunterforever]

Congrats TL!

[Pathfinder101]

Way to go TL.  Can't wait to see pics.

[Wea300mag]

Congrats TL, now about those pics .

[tlbradford]

I'll get all the pics up tomorrow, but here is the bird and the turtle who is my new good luck charm, ad best hunting buddy.  He keeps quiet.   

[tlbradford]

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[tlbradford]

These triplets and their mom were having a great time enjoying the sunshine, sparring, and chasing each other through the marsh.

[tlbradford]

These elk were about 100 yards away from the previous deer in water up to their midsection.

[tlbradford]

These are poor pictures of the birds, but I was hoping you guys could tell me what it is.  It was doing a freefall thing that was pretty fun to watch.  I couldn't get close enough to catch it though. 

[tlbradford]

I hunt close to Fairchild AFB and these guys flew overhead.

[nw_bowhunter]

Good job on all the pics....nice looking animals and congrats on the turkey

[Machias]

Nice, looks like your near Turnbull.

[duckaholic]

cool pics looks like a good day all together in the woods. now i cant tell but is that a big fat tick under his ear?

[robb92]

Great pics!!! Thanks for posting them!

[Ranger91298]

Awesome bird and thanks for all the pictures....

[tlbradford]

So the first spot produced nothing so about 500 yards towards where the turkeys were moving earlier in the day.  I tossed an old diaphragm call in and blew the worst set of yelps you have ever heard.  It sounded like a goose honking.  Well as you probably guessed, the toms liked it and gobbled at me from a couple hundred yards away.  I dropped into a hollow and set up my dekes.  I had forgot the stakes in my truck and had been using sticks all day.  I broke the stick on one decoy and did the best I could in a hurry.  I got back into the shade and sat and waited.  I gave one more set of yelps had an answer at about a hundred yards.  It sounded just as bad as the first.  The reeds had stuck together and one and folded up a little on the edge.  I hadn't soaked them since last season and they are about due to be replaced. A few minutes later two toms dropped into the hollow and started a careful approach.  At about 40 yards they stopped.  I don't know if they saw me, the white lens from my camera, or the decoy now laying on its side from the wind, but the alarm putt went out.  Time to act.  One shot to the base of the neck and he teetered.  He started to move away and I short-stroked the Benelli Nova (it is getting sold, too long for me).  At about 60 yards I followed up and broke a wing and a leg.  A minute later and he was done. 

The next tag will be with either my longbow or out with my daughter to get her the experience.  We had about 6 kids at our house when we got home and they all loved the turtle and turkey.  Here is a picture of my masterful set-up of the dekes.  Between the decoys and the old call, I proved that it is better to be lucky than good.   

[Gringo31]

That is why you bring a camera!  Thanks for the story and pics.