tjhunt2

Peg was going to post her hunt when she got home but she is already asleep. On the road by 2:30am, walmart for a nail file, Mac Donalds in payson for breakfast burrito 4:am, and in one of my spots by 5:10. As we were waiting for it to get light enough to see I think I hear a turkey fly down but not so sure. Then we can't believe our eyes. Up the logging road comes a man on a mountain bike. This isn't an easy road to start with and we just laugh as he rides by within 30 yrds of us. I start out with some turkey calling and by 6:00am I call in a hunter who is quite embarrased. At least we were having an exciting start. We can hear other people and decide we must move so on to plan B which turned out not so good. As it heated up by 10:00 Peg decides she has had enough and the hunt is over. She wants to come home so I treat her to lunch at El Rancho before coming back to the 100deg waiting on us here in the valley. We checked out the wildlife fair and stopped by Santana's Outdoors as well after lunch. It was a good day even though we didn't have a turkey to show for it. Next year look out turkeys! TJ

Way to stick it out. It was a tough year and you definitely pulled it all together with a big bonus of having your daugther, Maggie, with you. How sweet is that? Congratulations on your gobbler and thanks for sharing that wonderfull picture. Priceless to say the least. TJ

How good is that? Do you think your followers are increasing with time or what? AWESOME! tj

I think I'm feeling sick about the 14th. TJ

Let me see if I got this right. The Obama administration wants the western states to manage the grey wolf on their own but we can't manage our own imigration problem? TJ

Picked my wife up at the airport last night and stopped at Matta's Mexican Grill to celebrate a day early. Robert tacos are good there. Anyone have them or no a better taco in town. Happy Cinco De Mayo! TJ

Last weekend wasn't a very productive scouting outing. Peg, our two dogs, and myself was to set up camp for this weekend's turkey hunt. Our usual camp spot was taken along with every other spot near by so we parked right off the control road and waited until they finally left on Sunday. After picking up their trash and putting out their fire we finally got camp in place and headed home. I was pi$$ed to say the least how these folks could just walk away with a fire burning in all this wind and leave so much trash. I should have taken down their license plate #. While driving home, and anticipating next weeks hunt, we are excited for the season to start. Now it all starts to unravel this last week. Dad gets his lasick eye surgery schedule for today so he couldn't chance getting dirt in his eye while riding the quad and Peg's aunt passed away back in Ohio. She flies out on thursday and I head to turkey camp after work with Lexie my lab. I make it there by 1:15am. I sleep in and don't get out in the woods until 11am. The wind is making the calling tough and the woods are drier than a popcorn fart. Nothing is feeling right without the family and was glad to see jackshoe in camp, with a fire going, when I ended the first day hunt. The second day was alot like the day before. I haven't heard a bird and had to cut the morning hunt short to go let Lexie out of the trailer. Lexie loves quad rides so I spent some time playing toss and road her around the area. Ran into a friend of mine, from Geronimo Estates, and he tells me about a spot he had been seeing some turkeys. So I loaded up my gear, put Lexie back in the trailer, and headed out at 1pm. I no longer get there when I spot a hen coming my way. I settle in and then see a gobbler following her. She passes by me at 15 yrds and I don't dare make a move until he's in place to take the shot. Should I jump on him or should I just shoot. Since I would have gotten hurt I elect for the second option. Wasn't much of a hunt but it was all over at 2:05pm. Jackshoe had to call his hunt short so we packed up camp and headed home after his sunday morning hunt. All we called in was a hen that morning. I have never seen the wind so strong as it was this year. My turkey weighed in at 21lbs field dressed. The beard was only 10.5" but really thick. The biggest head of any turkey I've ever shot. This is Lexie's favorite seat in camp.

Steffen & Skyler, you two are now my favorite outdoor show to watch. You guys just crack me up. Entertaining to say the least. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to your next adventure. Keep them coming. TJ

bowhunter4life Mike, I just sent you a pm but it said you couldn't receive any messages. Didn't find it out until after a long written pm. Bummer! TJ

Wow, it was a long read but worth every bit of it. Congratulations after going thru all that frustration. You stuck it out and look what you ended up with. That is just awesome that so many were there to help on your hunt and you kept in there and got it done. Good job young lady. TJ

I just figured out I was suppose to read the link. TJ

That is one big gobbler you got there. I'm sure Kade retrieved it for ya right? He's looking good. So what's the story? Let me guess. You woke up and shot it from the bed of the truck as it walked by. TJ

It's never to late to post a story with pics on here. Congratulations to you and your Dad. Hunting with family is just plane awesome and especially when it's your Dad. Thanks for sharing and I to would like to see some footage if you can post it up. TJ

Thanks everyone for the kind words. Peg should be home thursday night so she might get a chance to get out in the woods this weekend if she's up for it. TJ

Thanks for sharing Amanda. My guess would be that the little fellow got really tired and exhausted after mating in your tent. The males hardly ever stick around to help after the fact. Poor little thing will now make it, with the help of you and Paul, to breed another day. Just think what she will tell her little ones. "Stay out of tents!" TJ

That's one heck of a nice mount. That thing looks like it's alive. Great job! TJ

What a shame, you have to eat those nasty things just to survive. I wish I had your problem. I hate ordering lobsters out because I can't aford to get enough to fill my belly. I would think one would get sick of it after awhile but I sure would like to give it a try. Eat a bunch for me. TJ

Peg and I are planning on being there. It was nice meeting and putting faces with cwt member's names. Here are a few pictures of last year's get together. Lance and family did a great job of cooking. TJ

I couldn't help but laugh reading it all. You acted like it was no big deal. You are to be congratulated not only on your beautiful bird but for turning a bad day into a great adventure. Great looking family by the way and way to hang in there. That's one you won't soon forget. TJ

congratulations to all the unit 27 turkey hunters on here that got their turkey. Keep after it couesbowhunter1 and good luck if you get back out there. Keep us posted. TJ

Good story Tommy and it all came together because of all the help you were to the others. The hunting gods always reward those who help others. Great write up and congratulations on getting it done for yourself. TJ

TJ

TJ

Looks like little X is on his way to becoming the next big X. Apache has always been my favorite lake, Not always the best fishing but the best good times. Thanks for sharing and I hope to get to fish with you guys sonetime. TJ

Congratulations Brian. I have got to start putting in for them. That is a really nice bird. Great story and beautiful pictures to go along with it. Thanks for sharing. TJ