Anyone turkey hunting this spring?

[blueyed-goof]

I went for the first time ever! Opening weekend, a professor of mine took me out for my first turkey hunt on some private land for an afternoon hunt. He told me of a spot that turkeys use frequently to head back to roost but told me that from day to day it was not a guarantee that they would come through where I was going to be set up. He got me set up, lent me some calls the week before to practice with, put out a hen decoy, cut me up a few branches for some camo and said good luck and off he went to his own spot. I was told that for turkey hunting one had to be real still but when I was too still for too long I began dozing. After about two hours, and about every 20 min or so doing a little bit of yelping, I hear a little bit of clucking. I don't see anything but it was getting closer so I answered back a little and here comes a big ole tom struttin down the road!! When he stuck his head straight up for a second I shot and somewhat to my surprise I got him!!!!! my first....a 17lb osceola w/ a 9" beard and 3/4" spurs. Talk about an exciting weekend opener for spring season!!! I think that I may be hooked......now all I'm thinking about is how I ought to cook him. Here are a coupla pics

good luck to everyone else who is going!!!

Dani

[Wilbur]

Congrats on the longbeard! That is a beautiful bird. I wish you a lifetime of success in your new sport.

[Converted]

Great lookin bird, congrats!

[backcast]

Very Cool! I'm kind of afraid to get hooked :laughing6

[Larry]

Congratulations!

I've gone twice with out scoring but had great hunts. The last time I was watching two hens when the gobbler came in from another direction. I glance over my shoulder and there he stood watching the top of my head over the blind just 40 yds away....in range but busted.

[uncle D]

SWEET!!!

Congrats Dani, now you're sure to be addicted. Maybe that's why I've never been so lucky. I'm afraid of the vice.

Duke

[Randy Clark]

congrats my first turkey was being lucky right place right time. always wish i had done something other then just pull the trigger on my 41mag and hit what i was aiming at even just one call but what the heck i went to 3 lakes lots of water no sign left my card on a uwf members truck. maybe he or even she got lucky. onmce again congrats there is nothing wrong with that addiction birds of any kind are fun to shoot

[ironeyes]

I was out on opening day and had a hen that would not leave but no gobbler. Saw what could have been the bird I was watching on Friday but he flew out to the middle of an open field not to return. :sad11:

[duckmanJR]

No turkey..I went to the No motor Zone with the push-pole and canoe.
I caught a + 30 lb (bottomed the boga) black drum on 8lb test and a 3/16oz jig.... :)

[Logans1437]

Congrats on your first turkey. And I must apologize for the diagnosis I am about to make: you have been cursed. This time of year will never be the same for you. I hope you can fight it, but if you're like me, you're doomed.

[RutnNStrutn]

Congrats on your first bird, and yes, the boys are right, you are now officially addicted. Wait until you get one to come in strutting and gobbling. It will be one of the most exciting hunts of your life.
I'm headed to Georgia tomorrow to join Neckringer for a hunt for Easterns. I spent most of the first week of the FLA season guiding out of state friends. In 4 days, Fyrestorm and I guided them to 3 longbeards and a jake. One of the longbeards will make the FLA turkey registry.
So far I have called in some toms only to have them taken away by hens. I also called in 2 jakes twice on afternoon. One jake was a nice one, with a 6" beard, but I let them walk both times.
Keep us posted on the rest of your season, and good luck!!! :icon_salu

[RutnNStrutn]

Went out this morning, and braved the moonsoon. My efforts paid off later in the morning when I took advantage of the high winds to slip in and bushwhack a nice tom. 18 lb's, 10" beard, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" spurs.

[Randy Clark]

congrats i keep seeing them in a pasture along 434 on the way to work hunting it sure would be nice.

[RutnNStrutn]

Randy, is that the pasture in Winter Springs? I see them there too!! I'd love to hunt that place. It's for sale you know. Got a few million bucks??? :rolleyes:
Here's a far off pic of some of those birds this spring.

[Randy Clark]

you know the spot my son and i saw about twenty in that feild near the big tree that has fallen over when it was raining last week saw someone working some cattle this weekend . a million huh not this week.

[bohl]

Blued eyes, congrats on your first bird :icon_salu
I just got my first and second bird a few days ago.
I'm hooked!