Finally
I am still alive and kicking. I know I have hardly been posting lately, but have been busy, plus it is that time of year again when I chase those silly birds in the woods. Hunting has been good this year. Maybe, Irish won't cut my pay. LOL! I killed a bird last week after hunting him two prior mornings. I called him up and dispatched him using some of the heavier #9 TSS 12 gauge shotshell. This season is the first time I have taken the plunge and bought some of these expensive shells. $15 apiece is expensive ammo in my book. A box of five was $60 after taxes. Old Tom was at 28 steps when I put the bead on his head and fired. He never even flopped. The gun kicked like a mule and I've got sore shoulder and a bruise on my cheek. The shell I used was only 2-3/4" too (I have a 3.5" Mossberg 835, but bought the shorter shells to shoot in a Model 12 that is chambered only in that size even though I used a Mossberg 500). Gobbling has been pretty good and I haven't seen a lot of hunters. Hens are plentiful which makes it tougher and they have been vocal too. I didn't get to hunt any last year as I was sick, but am thankful to be hunting them this year. That is the first turkey I've carried out of the woods in a few years, though I have called up several and didn't shoot them for whatever reason. Getting up and out to my spots before daylight day after day in taxing on my mind and body, not to mention climbing these hills and hollers, but the rewards are high!
I hunted those birds for a decade or more when I lived in Pa.
ReplyDeleteThey can absolutely drive a person crazy. What fun.
Congratulations
Good Onya Jefferey!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Long hours hunting there, yeah, but at the end of the day all worth it.
ReplyDelete(Deer and other here, but have never turkey. )
You beat me to the punch, Jeffery.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about writing you this week and finding out how your bird season has been like.
Glad you are having productive and enjoyable time in the woods.
As for those TSS loads; I've seen them, but for the price, I'd rather just call them in closer.
Glad you are doing well, Bud.
Leigh
Whitehall, NY
Now for a photo of the roasted bird!
ReplyDeleteI breasted the bird, cut the meat into pieces, and marinated in honey Dijon salad dressing. It will be grilled to 170F at a latter date. It is in the freezer at present. I came across the recipe somewhere and it sounded simple and delicious. I'll sure let you know.
Deletelast year while driving to town, we pass thru a few state game lands here in PA. almost ran down a small flock/group
ReplyDeleteor whatever you call them walking across the road. slammed on the brakes and just watched them cross.
the guy behind me was piss I didn't hit any of them. dave in pa.
Nice; congrats. Season opens in a week here.
ReplyDeleteNice harvest. Season opens here first week of May. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to spring hunt this year. I bagged one last fall after an hour or so of chasing three of them around the field at camp.
ReplyDeleteI have harvested three turkey's over the last decade or so. I've been able get close either by ambush or stalking. None of them was farther than 20 yards. I use 2 3/4" #5 Remington High Power in my 12 gauge out of a modified choke barrel. Knocks them right down.
The turkey population at camp has taken a steep dive over the last 5-6 years. Ten years ago, they were very plentiful with several large flocks of 8-10 hens and one big tom or 10-12 jakes. Then the coyotes moved in.
I breast my birds also. I tried cooking the legs of the first one I harvested. They are flavorful, but tough and stringy. Only good for soup after a lllooonnnggg slow simmer, IMHO.
Anyway, congrats.
Nemo
Thanks for the congrats Nemo and the rest. They are fun, though sometimes frustrating, to chase. I suppose that is why it is called hunting. LOL! I think most any shotgun that throws a decent pattern will do the trick inside of 40 yards will suffice. I've used some Winchester turkey loads through the years in 4,5, and 6 shot. Years before "turkey loads" were being marketed (least around here), I killed them with standard shot shells in the same sizes. I killed a big coyote a few years ago on Easter morning while turkey hunting with a #5 2-3/4" standard Federal shell at about thirty yards. I was working a bird and he got close enough to see my decoy and proceeded to cat crawl towards it. He went behind a Hickory tree and when he stepped out I shot him right in the face! I usually cut the breast into strips, soak in buttermilk, bread with flour, salt, and pepper, and fry in bacon grease. Then, make gravy from the grease and serve with biscuits. Of course, I'm always looking for good recipes. I have boiled the meat off the legs and use it in dumplings or stew.
DeleteSounds like a good batter for calf fries Jeffery
DeleteNothing better than a hunting trip to the woods. Did a ton of quail hunting growing up. My old man was a machine. Never hunted turkey really but probably should have. I did get my Daughter a hunt a few years ago and she bagged a bird. I was in the blind with her and the whole event was glorious, amazing and entertaining as hell. Wildlife is fun to watch do their thing.
ReplyDeleteGood for you being able to get out Jeffery and glad you bagged some of life's best sustenance.
Well done sir!
ReplyDeleteLucky! I wish I was back there and hunting Toms! Glad ya got out and bagged one. They are good eating.
ReplyDeleteNice Tom, i get Tom's and Hen's quite often coming through my yard, never hunted them but used to hunt deer
ReplyDeletemy wildlife videos around my place here in western ny
https://www.youtube.com/user/alc59
Hey hey, Boofaloo native down in knoxvegas now!
DeleteWe see them on our golf course all the time, usually crossing the first fairway and sometimes feeding on the fourth tee box.
ReplyDelete15 bucks a shell?!?!? Dude, wtf are you shooting?! Gold plated?
ReplyDeleteKrogers got whole birds for like 12 bucks. Cleaned! All white meat, too.
Jump in. The water is fine.
Deletehttps://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019776962/
He'll never understand, nor does he know that grocery stores on average have only a 3 day supply.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! WooHOO ! Gobble Gobble BANG!
ReplyDelete