redneck60936
04-13-2009, 21:45
Hello everyone,
I came across this site on Prairie State Outdoors. I have hunted in southern illinois for over 25 years and lived there for 5 during school. I have always had a fondness for the area and consider it home. This fall my wife and I were fortunate enough to purchase a home and 30 acres in Pope County and we spend alot of time there with our twin girls. This spring was my first opportunity to hunt turkey on the new place and it could'nt have gone better. On the last morning of first season I got up early to make the coffee and plan the hunt. After a cup of joe I stepped outside and walked to the edge of the pasture overlooking the bottoms. I blew an owl call and a gobbler lit up down in the bottoms close to my position. A few more steps down the fire trail and I decided to try a hoot again. An immediate response told me the bird was near. I took two more steps and scanned the tops of the trees. There, 75 yards away was a turkey perched nicely in a tree. I quickly and quietly set out a hen decoy in the middle of the trail and settled 15 yards away. I spent the next 15-20 minutes watching and listening to the bird. During this time a hen which was near by began to yelp out. I softly mimicked her calls. Soon thereafter the big bird stretched his wings and fell from the tree gliding up the trail right towards me. He lit a meer 3 yards away from my decoy. While his head was behind a tree I raised my gun and waited for him to take his final steps. The shot was 13 yards and the bird fell hard. He weighed 23 pounds, a beard of 11 inches and 1 1/16 inch spurs. I looked at my watch and it was 6:45. I carried him back to the cabin and went inside. My wife and girls were still asleep and the coffee was still warm. What a wonderful start to the day.
I appreciate reading the tales on this site. It allows me to envision what is happening in the area. Thanks.
I came across this site on Prairie State Outdoors. I have hunted in southern illinois for over 25 years and lived there for 5 during school. I have always had a fondness for the area and consider it home. This fall my wife and I were fortunate enough to purchase a home and 30 acres in Pope County and we spend alot of time there with our twin girls. This spring was my first opportunity to hunt turkey on the new place and it could'nt have gone better. On the last morning of first season I got up early to make the coffee and plan the hunt. After a cup of joe I stepped outside and walked to the edge of the pasture overlooking the bottoms. I blew an owl call and a gobbler lit up down in the bottoms close to my position. A few more steps down the fire trail and I decided to try a hoot again. An immediate response told me the bird was near. I took two more steps and scanned the tops of the trees. There, 75 yards away was a turkey perched nicely in a tree. I quickly and quietly set out a hen decoy in the middle of the trail and settled 15 yards away. I spent the next 15-20 minutes watching and listening to the bird. During this time a hen which was near by began to yelp out. I softly mimicked her calls. Soon thereafter the big bird stretched his wings and fell from the tree gliding up the trail right towards me. He lit a meer 3 yards away from my decoy. While his head was behind a tree I raised my gun and waited for him to take his final steps. The shot was 13 yards and the bird fell hard. He weighed 23 pounds, a beard of 11 inches and 1 1/16 inch spurs. I looked at my watch and it was 6:45. I carried him back to the cabin and went inside. My wife and girls were still asleep and the coffee was still warm. What a wonderful start to the day.
I appreciate reading the tales on this site. It allows me to envision what is happening in the area. Thanks.