Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: rittem1 on April 19, 2014, 03:34:06 PM
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Got my gobbler at the end of our third day hitting it hard out there. I was waiting at the edge of a field waiting/hoping the gobblers would come down for a snack before going to roost. We had a jake decoy about 20 yards away and at around 5 PM I finally saw a few dark shapes making their way down the opposite hillside. Two hens followed by a big rio who held up just short of the field and went full strut. He entered the field and was about 90 yards from us. I was using my mouth call and started with the occasional soft yelp and cluck. He was more interested in his dinner than beating the crap out of a jake decoy so he never got closer than 60 yards. Finally, I heard my buddy in my earpiece saying it was probably now or never. By the time I slowly trained the barrel on him he was at 65+ yards and all I saw was tail feathers. I went for a quick, excited yelp and his head darted out to the left leaving me just enough time to lower the boom.
He was hit hard but at that distance I let off a quick follow up shot which again hit him. Before I knew it I was sprinting towards him. He decided sprinting was a good idea as well and darted away from me. I quickly slammed on the brakes, led him a little and toppled him, finally, at just over 40 yards.
He was a 24+ pound gobbler with a 9 inch beard. An awesome bird and an amazing experience I shared with my best friend for the last 25 years.
By the way, there was no way I go for such a long shot unless he's in an open area with no hiding spots.
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Congrats on the Rio aand being able to share the experience
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:tup:
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wow nice! 27lbs is the US record! so 24 + is really impressive and a good size bird
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Looks like he may have an extra pound of Washington's finest liquid sunshine on him as well :chuckle:. What a great way to end it. The first bird my hunting partner shot he ended up chasing it down and shooting him again as well. Big birds do not fall too easy with longer shots. You will have a story to laugh about for years.
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Nice one, Congrats :tup:
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Nice bird! Congrats! Rio's are my favorite.
