First Turkey

It was Oct. 8th, and I was bow-hunting for deer; not my first turkey.

As I neared the farm I remembered my in-laws telling me they seen turkeys on their last two trips there.

I don't turkey hunt during deer season in the fall, but we can take either sex with a bow.

Sure enough, two separate flocks were in the wheat field; about thirty birds total.

I drove on by, and turned up the lane toward the old abandoned house-place where I would park. I spotted a third small flock just north of the tree row.

The tree-row runs east from the old house down to the wheat-field about a half mile. I'd seen birds use that tree-row for cover before, I'd even hunted them in it before.

I don't think any wild turkeys live on our property, but they do migrate across and feed there sometimes.

This small flock of birds were only about 300 yards away, and seemed to be coming my way. I was thinking about my first turkey 'now', and developing a plan. I strung my bow, and got camo'd up.

I thought about trying to stalk them, I'd done it a few times, and came close. But! No turkey had ever stood around long enough to become my first turkey.

Even when a stalk went well, I'd missed. I'd also called in a few birds during the spring season and missed. Just getting that close is rewarding.

There are some cedar trees in the tree-row near the old house. They probably couldn't see me through a cedar tree, and one of them might
walk in front of me; I reasoned.

I moved west, away from them, while keeping out of sight. I sat up my little camp stool near a small cedar tree. I thought I was fairly well hidden, but I'd hurried because I didn't really know how fast the birds were coming.

Below, left picture: (turkey's view) my camping stool is in the opening with a patch of sunlight behind it. I was not hidden at all!

(It's important to have something behind you to break your form; I didn't.)

Below right picture: (my view), the turkey was just this side of the two center trees when I shot.

I sat very still for what seemed a long time; probably 30 min. I remember thinking they must have changed direction; when I heard a CLUCK! It sounded behind me, but I didn't move.

Then I saw movement through the trees about 40 yards away. If it was a turkey, they were coming just as I had hoped. A few more minutes and first one, then another, and eventually six stepped into the open at about 30 yards.

Too long a bow shot for me under the best of conditions. Worse, they spotted me instantly. Winston Churchill said, "Never, Never, Give Up!
I sat perfectly still.

They'd spotted me, but they evidently did not know what I was, and they seemed curious. After staring at me for an eternity; they cautiously began feeding my way.

Their nervous heads kept stretching up and looking my way. I thought they were about to run away several times. Some of the longest minutes of my life went by.

Soon they were within 20 yards, now I could hit one, but I couldn't move, they were watching me too closely.

The closest hen got within about 10 yds. and began a nervious:
Put, Put, Put, OH! NO! PUT! PUT! PUT! RUN GUYS! RUN!

As she turned around I slowly raised my bow, my movement spooked her more, and she began to trot rapidly away. She was about 20 yds. away when I instinctively released.

Next, I realize the hen was flopping around 3 feet this side
of the tree! The arrow went a little higher than intended, but it broken her neck, and cut her throat.

Bow-hunting turkey is not easy, and I was never very confident that I would get a turkey
with my bow.

That first turkey, was one of my proudest hunting moments.

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