Danf with a Happy Hen and a Dead Tom

It started 2 weeks ago when I saw a tom way behind a house on a side road that has only the residential traffic (and not much of that to speak of). Up here, it's "private ownership, public use", meaning that unless the property is posted, you don't have to ask permission to hunt it. The tom was a ways off behind the house, on the other side of a creek and was in full strut with a hen when I first saw him 2 weeks ago....

Fast forward to today. I had figured out a way to get to that area from another road, a back way in. I got up late (when do I ever get up on time?)- sunrise here this morning was 0529. I didn't park until a bit after 0500... I traversed my way towards the area where the tom was and about 1/2 way there I started hearing gobbles. I ended up on a snowmobile trail that took me right to where I'd seen the gobbler a couple of weeks ago. It didn't take me long to figure out that the gobbler and a hen were literally 30 yards from the house- 200+ yards from me and on the other side of the creek....... I called a few times, weighed my options and set up. I put out the decoy on the snowmobile trail, intending to take a shot pretty much directly away from the house if a shot opportunity arose.

It only took another 10-15 minutes and the gobbler was on my side of the creek- without the hen! I didn't figure he'd leave her, but apparently he did. He was looking for the hen that had been calling (me) and came right to the head of the trail but never came up like I'd hoped. Had I been turned slightly to my left I could have taken a shot a couple of times, as close as 15-20 yards.... He eventually meandered off, and started gobbling and strutting in the open area behind me. I called a few times, but eventually started hearing a hen putting probably 30 minutes after I first saw him up close.

I looked to my left at one point after I had heard her, and there she was in the open area. Watched her for a few minutes, she acted like she was sunning herself. She dropped her wings and stood there for a minute or two, then dropped to the ground. About the time she did that, I knew what was going to happen.... Here came the tom, in full strut and he didn't waste much time hopping on her back! I wish I'd shot some video, but pics will have to work- I wanted to be ready to take a shot!



As soon as he hopped off, she stood up and started walking away. At that point, I was ready to drop the hammer when she got far enough away. I was stretching my range a bit, close to 40 yards, but he dropped without a problem!


Both spurs were the same length, about 5/8" so he was a 2 year old. Weighed 22.5 pounds, which is a BIG bird up here!


He'd obviously had some issues with his beard, the main part was thick, but only about 7" long. However, there were several strands a bit longer than 9"


I haven't figured out the score yet, but it was a fun hunt. With everything going on right now, both at home and work, I don't know how much time I would have had to hunt past this weekend. I'm happy with him to say the least, even though I was ready to take a jake if one came close enough!

At least you let him have ( ONE MORE FLING ) before he went to turkey heaven.
Congrats, as far as the weight goes it seems that the tough winter we had in NW Indiana also made for lighter weight birds.

and you all have had more than your fair share of snowy/wintery weather!!!

Nice Tom Turkey, Danf!!

Thanks for the pictures...