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We spent opening weekend in and out of toms. My daughter should have been done at 6am Friday morning, but her dad, a supposed turkey hunting veteran, made a rookie (ie, excited dad) mistake. My son was determined to stay the course and today, April 22, 2020, is a day of days. A day I'll long not forget. Jacob decided he wanted another chance at a turkey, so we took off last night packing light for the one night and morning we had available this week. I'm swamped at work, and he's now teaching Taekwondo classes to other kids his age and younger (I love that he's a black belt now). We were in our sleeping bags early and up at 4am this morning. It was cold, but we got dressed, ate breakfast, and made a plan. As we hiked up Plan A canyon, a bird gobbled over in Plan B canyon. We took off cross country, cutting distance and relocating the bird. That bird turned into what we thought were 3, maybe 4 birds up in front of us. A lone gobbler fired off up above them, followed by a gobble down to our left. Good odds, right? I let them know we were there, and simulated two different hens flying down off roost. That's a new tactic for me, but one I'll definitely be incorporating more. One more gobble and the woods went dead quiet. We were about to move somewhere else, so we stood up. I gave one call before we walked out to get the decoys, just to see what would happen. The whole flock gobbled at once 50 yards away. We had to scramble to sit back down! The woods got eerily quiet again, and I was figuring they busted us sitting down. "I can see them!", Jacob whispered. Lessons were learned (Friday morning), so I sat back, patiently waiting for the birds to come in directly in front of us. They didn't come directly in front of us, but in from my hard right. I saw two or three sets of legs and then, 10 or 12 total jakes came strutting in and they lit up when they saw the decoys. I was nervous waiting for one to separate away from the group for Jacob. "Shoot when you've got one separated." I purred one more time, heard the shot, and saw the gobbler on the ground! It was 5: 58am. Jacob had his first turkey on the ground. It was a 12-lb jake with a 4-inch beard, and very worn spurs. The coolest part: I used the slate call he built himself last year to call those birds in! "Dad, can you use my homemade call? It would be so cool for you to call in my bird with a call I made myself!" Tell me with a straight face how you say no to that! We are extremely blessed. 16 years ago right now, my head was spinning after losing my dad on April 10, 2004, while waiting for my daughter to be born (April 25, 2004). Neither of my kids knew their grandpa and he loved turkey hunting and fishing. A good friend up here has become a grandpa-figure to both my kids and he took us to this spot this weekend. He stopped by the house today to see the bird and hear the whole story after we told part of the story via text. Rubberband Man came on SXM as we got to town. Yes, we rolled down the windows, talked about "Stripes", and cranked it! He's addicted to turkey hunting and I'm an extremely proud dad! I wish these pics would post normal! GRRR!

My son's first turkey hunt was amazing. We have both been counting down the days for opening day to come and finally it got here and had to get a late start due to work. We got up to our area by 3 p.m. and was tagged out by 3:45, this tom came in talking, but spotted us and my son had to make a quick shot at 67 yards and he dropped in him in his tracks. We couldn't believe it, we got to the tom with big smiles, laughs and even some tears, what more could I have asked for! Memories in the outdoors that will live with us forever. We can't wait for next year to come around.

Not sure about all that, just something I've been doing as long as I can remember thanks to my Dad, and I really love eating them. Pops and I in the 90's after a Sunday morning troll. Landing triples in the early 2000's. Getting my 19 month old daughter out the last few weeks. And dinner tonight. Sorry to throw this all out there but crappie and coues are the best 2 living creatures in this state and I have trouble missing an opportunity to BS about them.

Ruger No 1 270 traded

Have a nightforce BEAST for sale. 5-25x56 MOAR for sale bought it in a gun package and it's more scope then I need. $3300 OBO. Call or text 520-349-2819

I have for sale a Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 FFP Scope with the illuminated EBR-2C MRAD reticle. Scope is in excellent condition, the only flaw I can see is a mark/scratch on the windage turret (see photo). $725. Please call or text Jim at (602) 999-5073 if interested. I live in Chandler and can meet you somewhere within reason if you'd like. Thanks!

Curious if anyone has been picking up any good ones? Always fun to see what's out there. I was fortunate to pick up a nice would-have-been 7x6.

Directly across the street from the refuse station by Eagar.

I don’t remember the name but there was a fellow here on this site

Sold 200lbs this year. 4 sets over 320. Kept these unique ones

Got er done. They were hot

Nothing new to report from San Carlos. Access is currently closed to ALL until May 1st 6am. Weekly meetings with decision makers will likely determine if any closures are lifted, extended, etc but that's yet to be decided for beyond the current one. The Tribe has been mostly following along with what the State is doing so you could potentially anticipate based on that. DAN

USMC Gerry can dated 1943Full disclosure... Granddads gold pan. Found behind the seat of his pickup after he passed.

Here is my sons big ol Tom!

only one thought on this. if you shoot it for being a coyote do not load it up and bring it back to town for show-n-tell. lee

Tell your grandson to shake it off. I can count the number of mistakes Ive made hunting deer and turkey on 50 hands! Learn and move on.

I'm sorry if your bathroom is broken, but there is no need to crap on his post. Have a modicum of decorum.

My son got his Tom on day 2 in 6a. We had calm conditions every morning till around 8:00am. Roads were a little muddy but not bad. We roosted birds the night before and came back the next morning and called in 2 toms with a hen call and a Dave Smith hen decoy. Was a pretty cool set.

We wont know what was in that bill till we pass it.

Apparently when you work too hard you don’t get one. Meanwhile, an unemployed crackhead gets more drug money.

That was actually Trophy's screen shot.... he let me use it.. I think he has the premium package on PH. I'm with Eagle Mountain. You that get those should keep it tight. It will be a while before things let up. The companies that are allowing work from home could possibly be going to cutbacks as revenues drop. Constructions is predicted to slow down soon as new orders drop due to financial woes. It will not be rainbows and unicorns any time soon. I run an "Essential Services" business, and we are down dramatically on customer counts. This is the old "the ant and the grasshopper" story in real life. The best to all, and stay safe and healthy.

Maybe consider saving your hand out Might be a good thing .. this isn't a free ride!! our kids etc will pay for this in the future