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mley1 · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 11:33 pm Post subject: Turkey Hunt of a Lifetime!

It isn't often I get to take one of my youngsters turkey hunting. So, I jumped at the chance to take my son, Mitchell turkey hunting when a good friend of mine invited us out to his place for a weekend of turkey hunting.

We were roughing it for the weekend, no electricity, no running water, and no bathroom. We were gonna live like men were meant to live, in the woods and care free! We set up camp Saturday morning and went to hunting. On the way in we saw several gobblers. So, we knew there were turkey's in the area. Now all we had to do was get one in range for a shot.

Saturday afternoon was pleasant, but no birds showed. So, Sunday morning we shifted gears and tried another location on the ranch. Mitch and I got up at 5am and headed out to locate a roosted bird. We found a good spot and sat there listening to the woods wake up. Off in the distance we heard a gobble. Then another, and another. We got set up and I began calling. We had 4 hot gobblers answering our calls and getting closer. It was just a matter of time before we'd have one close enough. The anticipation was nerve tingling. I could hear Mitch's heavy breathing, and I could see the barrel of his gun moving up and down. If he was as excited as I was his body was on adrenalin overload!

Then it happened. I spotted the red head and fan of a strutting gobbler about 75yrds out. He'd strut, gobble, and move closer. His gobbles at that range were booming! I quit calling once he showed, and we concentrated on keeping Mitch on him. I told Mitch to shoot him when he cleared a tree and some brush about 30yrds out. Mitch whispered the bird was in the clear. So, I gave the go ahead for him to shoot. First shot plastered the tree!! The bird took off running. I had a rifle and put the scope on him and took a shot, and a miss! But, the bird stopped. He was about 45yrds out and Mitch told me "Dad I can kill him". So, I told him go ahead and kill him. BAMMM! The bird went to flopping!! Mitch and I started hooting and hollering. Mitch went to running over to the bird. I got up but my leg had fallen asleep and I nearly fell on my kiester trying to get to Mitch and the bird. We both had a good laugh at that. We were high fiving and hugging each other. There ain't no better feeling than being there with your child when they experience something like this.

When I got up to Mitch and the bird I couldn't believe what Mitch had just shot. It was the biggest wild turkey I had ever seen or touched, bar none. The bird had two beards, a 3 and a half incher and an 11 and a half inch beard. That's right, I said 11 and a half inches!! UNBELIEVABLE!! I've hunted turkeys since I was 15 and have never shot a turkey with a beard more than 9 and a half inches. 11 and a half is phenomenal! I weighted the bird at home minus the head and guts, at 22lbs. UNBELIEVABLE!! What a trophy!!! And, it's Mitch's first turkey EVER!!! I've never seen a kid with a bigger smile! Unless it was the smile I had on MY face!! I'm real proud of him!!

I can't thank my buddy enough for having me and Mitch out to his ranch. It was one heck of a weekend, one heck of a hunt, and a trophy of a lifetime for Mitch.

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Marty Ley
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edro20 · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 11:55 pm Post subject:

That's a monster bird Shocked

. Congrats to Mitchell (and to you too).
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waterguy · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:18 am Post subject:

Great job

CyberSniper · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 1:01 pm Post subject:

Congrats you all !
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Raymond Gendron · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:56 pm Post subject:

Mice job Mitchell...(and you too Marty)

I really do enjoy seeing you guys harvest the bounties of nature.
You have truly done an exquisite job Marty. Wink

Keep up the good work bud Exclamation

Ray
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Pelon · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:37 pm Post subject:

Way to go Mitch. Very Happy

Good job Marty. Wink

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TORO · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:30 pm Post subject:

Turkey hunting...I LOVE IT Exclamation

It seems that now you AND your son are hooked on the bird as bad as I am!!

Congrats Exclamation

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mley1 · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 7:21 pm Post subject:

howie1968 · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 7:48 pm Post subject:

was glad you sent me the picture!!! that is a awesome bird and wow he is growing up seemed like yesterday when the kids were little!!1 great job
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mley1 · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:07 pm Post subject:

Deepcpaul · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:24 pm Post subject:

Very nice bird! Way to go!!

Randy Tausch · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:01 am Post subject:

What a great story Marty. You deserve to be proud.
Randy
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luvthemhogs · Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 7:05 am Post subject:

That is just awsume, congrats both of you.
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sam lawhon · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:27 pm Post subject:

Nice job. I Have never been before but would love to go some day.
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