A crazy, f'ed up season, but...

[fishunt247]

Dad, Justin, and I finally got it done. Very, very long story (and season) short, here's what happened...or at least the days our guns went bang:

April 26th: Dad called in a group of three longbeards. They came in behind him and he missed. 40 yards.

April 29th: Called in one longbeard and six jakes, Justin shot once, the longbeard and one jake lay dead. It was a total accident; the jake was at least six yards to the left of the longbeard on a 30 yard shot. By some terrible stroke of fate, a jake 30 yards behind the longbeard was clearly wounded and I had to finish it off. Turns out it was hit by one pellet in the artery in the thigh.

May 1st: Dad called in a lone longbeard and missed again. 35 yards

May 5th: Called in a group of two longbeards and I missed. They turned to run and I rushed the shot.

May 9th: Called a longbeard in to fifty yards. He just needed to come around the brush. 30 seconds after it gobbled at 50, a bird poked its head over the bank at 40 yards and Dad shot it. Turns out a jake snuck in, so Dad shot it thinking it was the longbeard. I saw the longbeard twenty mins before that and he was all alone. Mistaken identity.

May 12th: Dad called in a lone longbeard and killed it.

May 21st: Called in a longbeard and 2 jakes off the roost, and I missed again. Moved on to other birds. Called in a group of three longbeards. I shot at the strutter at 25 yards, missed, and as they took off flying is shot the middle longbeard out of the air. Turns out my gun was way off.

So it was a cluster of a season; the worst, most crazy I've ever seen.

[fishunt247]

Justin was really bummed by the series of events that took place. It was a total fluke: 2 errant pellets.

[fishunt247]

Dad's two birds. The ones he actually hit.

[fishunt247]

And my 2nd bird. We called in lots of birds to 50-70 yards, and a ton of jakes into range that we passed on. Just a strange season.

[turkeydancer]

Hi F.H.:
           Filled tags is not a bad season ... yes, always can be better, but the memories created will last forever. 
           For me just hearing the birds gobble and getting them to come in was great, and I'm glad I went even though big bird ducked when I shot and I only clipped off six feathers. Anything that could go wrong basically did, but nothing that couldn't be overcome and I will not make any excuses. Although my coolers were empty for the trip home, getting to see many old friends like Sneaky Jake's group, Yelp's group, KimberRich, Birdguy, and my  great landowner friends  (plus making several new friends) made the trip well worthwhile.  I needed to go this year, but it wasn't the same and I left after hunting only 2 days instead of the 5 planned ... you see my 35 year old son and turkey hunting buddy died of cancer March 7th - so the memories I have of the times we shared will have to last my lifetime now.
          I know your trip wasn't exactly what you planned for, but when you look back at it you'll remember it fondly and realize it really just wasn't that bad ....   

your friend, Al

[yelp]

Hi F.H.:
           Filled tags is not a bad season ... yes, always can be better, but the memories created will last forever. 
           For me just hearing the birds gobble and getting them to come in was great, and I'm glad I went even though big bird ducked when I shot and I only clipped off six feathers. Anything that could go wrong basically did, but nothing that couldn't be overcome and I will not make any excuses. Although my coolers were empty for the trip home, getting to see many old friends like Sneaky Jake's group, Yelp's group, KimberRich, Birdguy, and my  great landowner friends  (plus making several new friends) made the trip well worthwhile.  I needed to go this year, but it wasn't the same and I left after hunting only 2 days instead of the 5 planned ... you see my 35 year old son and turkey hunting buddy died of cancer March 7th - so the memories I have of the times we shared will have to last my lifetime now.
          I know your trip wasn't exactly what you planned for, but when you look back at it you'll remember it fondly and realize it really just wasn't that bad ....   

your friend, Al

FH,
Congrats on a great season and gettin it done.

Al,  I am glad you got out...your welcome anytime.  Hope things get easier for you. 

Yelp

[JKEEN33]

Sounds like you had a pretty good season to me. This was the easiest season I have ever seen. Filled my tags, helped my dad and a friend fill theirs and gave out a few spots to guys on here that wound up being successful.

What area did you hunt in? I didn't see one jake this year and very few hens. I'm thinking that's why the hunting was so easy.

[BPturkeys]

OK, that's the damnedest story I 've heard this year. First off, you guys are missing waaay to many birds...practice more, or change loads or change guns or something, but you got to do something, you just can't go out there blastin away missing that many birds...you probably wounded every one of them birds. And then your dad shoots the wrong bird, come on you guys. Shape up and become a little better shots, either that or start doing your hunting on an X-box. Sorry, that's just the way I read this story.

[yelp]

OK, that's the damnedest story I 've heard this year. First off, you guys are missing waaay to many birds...practice more, or change loads or change guns or something, but you got to do something, you just can't go out there blastin away missing that many birds...you probably wounded every one of them birds. And then your dad shoots the wrong bird, come on you guys. Shape up and become a little better shots, either that or start doing your hunting on an X-box. Sorry, that's just the way I read this story.

I agree with BP too.  I don't know if you guys repatterened your guns or not but that is a must if you miss.  Don't always assume it was human error.  We had a hunter in camp miss this year and it was his front site it was off 1/4 " to right.  We fixed it and repatterned his gun.  I have missed my fair share too (most of the time due to rushing my shot) and it is important for all of us to make sure we know how our guns pattern at different yardages and to make sure we are using the most effective loads and chokes. I also follow every miss up to make sure the bird isn't lying dead 100 yards in the direction he went after the shot.  Found a couple birds that way. 

[7mmfan]

If there is any group of guys that have it more together than F.H. his dad and brother, they'd be hard to find. If shots were missed, there was a reason for it and its not irresponsibility or lack of practice. These guys take hunting and stewardship very seriously and are nothing but ethical. Just my 

[270Shooter]

If there is any group of guys that have it more together than F.H. his dad and brother, they'd be hard to find. If shots were missed, there was a reason for it and its not irresponsibility or lack of practice. These guys take hunting and stewardship very seriously and are nothing but ethical. Just my 

BPturkeys: Are you some sort of turkey god? Please teach me your ways

[yelp]

If there is any group of guys that have it more together than F.H. his dad and brother, they'd be hard to find. If shots were missed, there was a reason for it and its not irresponsibility or lack of practice. These guys take hunting and stewardship very seriously and are nothing but ethical. Just my 

I agree.  My comments not directed at them so much.  My count from FH's season summary above was 4 misses (Dad twice and FH twice ?), a jake shot accidentally with over spray and jake shot that was supposed to be a tom.  Is this normal?  Probably not...I think in FH's story this is why it was a "strange" and "crazy" season.  They probably don't normally miss but they are human like me.  Just offering some advice from my experiences. 

[carpsniperg2]

I agree with yelp as well. Seems like you guys know what you are doing and everyone makes mistakes. I am glad it was a Jake or 2 that was killed by accident and not a hen. Always make sure of whats behind the target before you shoot. Most people don't take into account of the pattern at a gun at 30+ yards. A lot of birds get wounded because of this. I pass a lot of shots just because of the what if factor. I am sure that everyone in your group has learned something from this season.

[rtspring]

I have seen some of the best shooters I know screw up on shots, IT HAPPENS. I would hope you learn from those mistakes and try not to make them again.

It isn't just turkey hunting, how many animals are lost each year to bowhunters? How many during modern?
alot more than anyone knows about I am sure of it.  That is part of hunting, we all want to be great marksman but mistakes happen. Long as you do everything you can to recover wounded game you are ok in my book.....

[fishunt247]

And this is exactly why I quit visiting this site. Everyone knows everything. For those of you that know me, personally or through this site, you know that Dad, Justin, and I are very successful and responsible.

After each bird we missed (aside from mine on the last day because we were still in the woods), we repatterned our guns to be sure. In the past four years, we've called in and killed five birds that have been previously shot in a non-vital area.

And we scoured the area every time after we shot.

Sorry, I gotta go "blast away" at more birds. This site is ridiculous.

[fishunt247]

And by the way, we pattern our guns at 5 and 10 yard incriments from 25-55 (sometimes 60) yards. I spend a lot of money and time on loads and patterning. With the loads I'm shooting right now, the best I've had is 249 pellets in a 12" circle at 37 yards. That's pretty damned good.

The jake that I had to shoot was 60 yards past the shooter and not lined up with the bird that was shot at. If any of you have ever called in multiple birds, I'm sure a stray pellet or two has ended up in one of the other birds.

The jake dad shot (on accident): he knew it was a gobbler by the head...all of us who turkey hunt can tell a gobbler from a hen based on the head, right? He shot it based on the blood red head, and he just assumed it was the lone longbeard that just gobbled right there.

Since I've started turkey hunting in 1997, not counting this season: I've missed two birds, Justin has missed two, and dad has missed three. Missing happens.

[yelp]

Not targeted at FH comments..My own opinion on this topic. 

No matter what my pattern, load and setup..Everytime I squeeze the trigger I am aware of the background and that no other birds are shot.  Many multiple toms have come into my setups and left..why?  Couldn't get a clean shot.  Because I can hunt them later or tommorrow.  It was not worth it to wound another to take one home.  I personally celebrate the kill of each bird too.  I don't flock shoot to get my two birds in eastern washington.  One per day for me.  I also enjoy the hunt, the challenge.  If it is about the meat I know of cheaper means to acquire that meat. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

Not targeted at FH comments..My own opinion on this topic. 

No matter what my pattern, load and setup..Everytime I squeeze the trigger I am aware of the background and that no other birds are shot.  Many multiple toms have come into my setups and left..why?  Couldn't get a clean shot.  Because I can hunt them later or tommorrow.  It was not worth it to wound another to take one home.  I personally celebrate the kill of each bird too.  I don't flock shoot to get my two birds in eastern washington.  One per day for me.  I also enjoy the hunt, the challenge.  If it is about the meat I know of cheaper means to acquire that meat. 

I run the same way Eric ... one bird per day is good enough for me to ... glad you guys had an awesome year ... awesome pictures and good friends and family thats what is all about !!!! john

[packmule]

And this is exactly why I quit visiting this site. Everyone knows everything. For those of you that know me, personally or through this site, you know that Dad, Justin, and I are very successful and responsible.

After each bird we missed (aside from mine on the last day because we were still in the woods), we repatterned our guns to be sure. In the past four years, we've called in and killed five birds that have been previously shot in a non-vital area.

And we scoured the area every time after we shot.

Sorry, I gotta go "blast away" at more birds. This site is ridiculous.

FH,

I know you "took it on the chin" early in this string and I agree that many posts come from "the expert in us all."  My initial reaction to your first post and photos was that something was definitely wrong with this scenario, it sounded like chaos.  Once we got more information about your group and the degree to with which you prepare with patterning, etc., that helped understand the situation. 

Reading most of the follow-up posts as a neutral party, I don't think too many people were trying to bash you as a person.  It sounded to me like a lot of people are protective of our resource and the image that we convey.  In fact I recently saw on another site a list of "Thou shall not dos" that included posting information about wounded birds, long shots, etc. because of the implications associated with negative images that non-hunters could take from those posts. 

Congratulations on a successful season, and thanks for telling your stories and showing the photos.  Hopefully the story about the jake that was killed from overspray will help us all to be more selective with shots in the future and reduce the number of wounded birds in upcoming seasons.

 

[turkeydancer]

 
       I know that many of us are very dedicated and passionate about this sport, we know what it took to build this into a decent hunting opportuntiy in this state, and have a tendency to be very protective when we see or hear anything that may appear to jeopardize it in the least.
       I also have had the opportunity to meet FishHunt and can tell everyone that he is a extremely fine young dedicated hunter (and great turkey caller), and is as passionate about this sport as anyone and everyone else.  He is the type of young man that we need now and in the future to be involved with this sport, and although I understand the concerns raised, I guarantee you in this case they were not warranted. 
       

   

[CedarPants]

Well stated PackMule and TurkeyDancer.  I'd agree as well that I believe most of the comments in this thread stem from the desire to protect our image and resources, but I would go one step further and state that I don't think the 'constructive criticism' was delivered in the best format.  There is a fine line that needs to be walked when honestly trying to respectfully offer advice, and sometimes people fail when it comes to the delivery.

FH - great season.  Don't let the comments of a few turn you off to this site.  Does baseball as a whole suck just because A-Rod plays?  Nope.  This site is a valuable resource for all and it brings the hunting community together in ways that were never before possible.  Keep up the good work and we'll all be looking forward to future stories to share