Got my first bird...

Well, I have been a deer hunter my whole life but got into turkey hunting a couple years ago after hearing about it from my good hunting buddy Jackhammer. My first two years were unsuccessful. I kept hearing from people what a rush turkey hunting was, but never really caught the bug myself.

That all changed this weekend. My friend Mark was kind enough to let me and three of my friends go up to his property in Northern Indiana. He has a beautiful piece of land. We arrived Thursday evening and got our camo on and headed to the woods. We saw a few birds and heard some goobles. Nothing came in range for any of us that evening.

Friday morning Jack and I went out and set up on the edge of a large field while Matt and Justin set up in another pinch of woods in a blind. Nothing for either of us that morning. That afternoon we all shot bow and filled up one of the trucks with firewood to take a load back to Mark. In the evening Jack and I went out again. Jack and I decided to set up at the base of a large ridge near a swamp. I had seen birds roost at the top of the ridge Thursday, so I knew they came from where we set up. We got our decoys out and then on my way back to the treee we were going to sit against, I saw a long Y shaped branch laying there. I thought to myself, that looks like a good shooting stick, so I broke it down in size so it was about a 3 foot shooting stick and tied it to my gun barrel. It was probably pretty funny looking, but it turned out to do the trick. Jack was set up on the left side of the tree and I was on the right. He hit the mouth call a few times and the waiting game began. About 45 minutes into the hunt I caught movement. Jack said my face was priceless as I slowly turned around and told him, "We got turkeys." We watched them for a few minutes. I could tell there were two of them there, and that the one was a male, but the other one was staying in the brush. Jack and I wispered that we would both shoot on 3 if they were both in the open (and both Toms) and I knew that I would take the one on the right. Well the one on the left, never came out of the brush and I kept telling Jack to shoot the one on the right. He kept saying "I can't hear you" and I was like "shoot", "take him", "shoot Jack". Finally the bird which had not seen our decoys yet turned back to walk off and I heard Jack tell me to "Take him". I quickly got the bead on his neck and let my gun shatter the silence. The bird flopped over and I felt great. I said a prayer of thankfulness to God for the opportunity he allowed me to have. I finally got my first turkey and I was super glad that Jack was there to call the bird in for me. He did a great job knowing when to call and when to sit tight. He has taught me a lot about turkey hunting since I really only knew what I had read (which was not much). Thanks for your help Jack.

I also want to again thank Mark who made the hunt for the 4 of us possible. He has an awesome property and "Man Camp" (pole barn with beds). There are lots of great pictures inside of the building and lots of other racks, mounts, and other outdoor trinkets. Mark lost his father in a horrible accident on the land a couple of years ago and although I never met him, I know from the stories I have heard about him and the pictures I have seen that he was a great hunter and a man that loved his family friends and the outdoors. I know that he would have been proud of the turkey I shot.

Here are a few pics. He is not the biggest by any means but I am still very happy with him. I would not trade the experience for a larger turkey that I would have shot by myself.





Sorry the post is so long... My wife said you all would be doing this after reading it

Congrats Dave on the first of many. Way to get it done Man!

Congrats. Great bird and I can still remember the feeling from my first bird. Great Job!

That Is awesome Dave, you made my day when i got the text from ya

Why to go Buddy on your first bird,and a good looking bird at that

Thanks guys!

Way to go Dave. Congrats.

NICE Dave......Congrats

good work

congrats buddy nothing wrong with that bitd great story

Can't say it enough.. Congrats Dave!! I am very proud of you! I think this was a awsome trip for the four of us to fellowship together. We have learned so much from each other. From being Christ-like, to being great Friends. We have so many memories and can't wait to keep adding to them.. HOW IS YOUR EAR? I can't believe you did'nt tell that part of the story. Another post - another time!! Anyway, Thank you for eveything you have done!


This Trip was definately for Ed! (Mark's Dad)

Congrats Dave!

Congrats on a very nice bird!

Here is the four of us that went on the trip. (From left to right it is Justin, Matt, Me, and Jack)...



And 1 more pic of the turkey...

Awesome bird and great story dave! That fan is going to look great in your place, it will add something new hanging next to all of your big buck trophies! Congrats man!

oregonzach wrote:

Awesome bird and great story dave! That fan is going to look great in your place, it will add something new hanging next to all of your big buck trophies! Congrats man!

Thanks Zach, but Big Buck Trophies? I think you have me confused with someone else...

Congrats Dave on a great bird! So, are you hooked????

Mrs Volway wrote:

Congrats Dave on a great bird! So, are you hooked????

Yes mam!

Congrats on your first bird!

Congrats Dave. Its a blast. Great story. Glad to see you nail one

Congrats on the great bird Dave

Hey congrats dave on a good bird.

Thanks again guys...