I had a friend invite me to come down to Texas this month for some Turkey and Hog hunting. Since I have never hunted either I jumped on the opportunity. They had planned this hunt approx. 2 weeks later than usual as everyone had prior commitments. It ended up being almost to late as most birds were not responding to calls. The first day we never shot any Turkey's, but did manage 2 hogs.
We roosted some birds that first night so the next morning, in the dark, we slipped within 300yrds of these birds and waited for first light. As the sun rose the toms began to gobble. We thought there were at least 3 toms in the group and started to hen call back. We had 2 toms come to the call. When they got close and spotted our decoys they seemed to get nervous and start to double back. I had one tom in the clear and made a good shot. I now have my first Turkey on the ground and the pressure was off! It was a nice bird with an 8" beard.
We hunted hard the next couple days and found a dugout (Texans call them tanks) that we knew the birds were coming to. Again we slipped in before daylight and setup our decoys. We sat and waited, but this time we never heard any response from roosted birds. Just when our hopes were getting down in flies 4 hens and they bring a nice tom with them. The Tom was drawn to our decoys, but never lost sight of the other 4 hens with him. He would come in and then turn back for his hens. He did this 3 or 4 times. Each time his hens were getting further and further away. I was worried he wouldn't come back so I decided I had to take the shot. When he came in for his last time his neck was fully extended and alert. I put the bead on his head and pulled the trigger. I dropped him in his tracks. 2 birds on the ground now and the second was a lot better bird with a 10" beard.
Here is a picture of our decoys that did the job.
If you noticed I'm wearing snake gators.....RATTLESNAKES EVERYWHERE!!!
Here is a Bull Snake that lived under the ranch house we stayed in.
He would poke his head out and watch as you walked by. Caught me off guard the first time I saw him as he was out sunning himself and was at least 5 - 6 feet long.
I would love to go back if offered the chance. If not I will definitely take the time to hunt our Turkey's here in Alberta. I have drawn a tag twice, but have not been able to make the time.
My Texas Turkey and Hog hunt
Linear Mode
