My Turkey Season

Spent last week on the family farm doing some R&R as well as turkey hunting.  It was. . .weird, for lack of a better word.

First morning had lots of sporadic rain and though we didn't hear any birds, we did see some.  Saw birds all week.  Flocks of gobblers were the norm.  Couldn't figure that one out.  Are turkeys "late" to breed this year?  I think so for my area.  Gangs of gobblers mean that there hasn't been a pecking order established.  Sure I can see one or two gobblers together just about any time of the year but groups of 4 and 7?  Groups were of different age classes also.  Some would have jakes and long beards all just seemingly content to feed on bugs and dust themselves.  They didn't respond to calls much, gobbling was low and I never saw gobblers with harems of hens, ever.  I might see a few hens by themselves in singles, but never flocks and not with gobblers.  Very. . .weird.

Sick of the 80 degrees one day, 45 degrees the next day, weather I opted to do some coyote hunting and sure enough a gobbler stepped out of a field at about 75 yards.  I precise shot from my Remington 700 VLS 22-250 in the neck put him down. 

I prefer hunting with shotguns and other close range weapons as it adds to the challenge but since rifles are legal fare in my state I opted for some variety in the freezer.

Pretty decent bird, though ugly and wet.  21 lbs, 11 3/4 inch beard and 1 inch spurs.  Nothing but luck though in taking this bird.