1st blood

Huntindave McCann

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I have gotten to the point in my life where I am no longer able to use a standard bow and arrow. Thus, this spring I purchased a Ravin R5X crossbow. This fall I purchased a fall turkey tag.

During a outing earlier in the season, I observed a turkey on the far end of an alfalfa field. This is in a public area in which I have made many successful spring time turkey hunts using a shotgun. It is around 640 acres and in the past I have always hunted the lower portions of the acreage closer to the river and river bottom. Unfortunately my current physical limitations do not allow me to transverse long distances on foot, especially up any grades. Therefore, I set up a stand 30 yards inside the timber edge along one side of this open alfalfa field.

From this stand just two days ago, I had watched a turkey , slip past me (no clear shot) thru the timber and into the field. This morning a bit of movement at the field edge caught my eye, and none too soon. A turkey was steadily walking along the field edge and would soon be a lost opportunity, if I did not act quickly. Just as the turkey stepped into an open lane, I let fly with an arrow. I lost sight of the arrow in flight but heard that satisfying "thump" of an arrow meeting it mark.

I watched as the turkey quickly disappeared (as expected) from view and did not see it cross another opening just a few feet ahead. I still could not see the bird from my present vantage point. Got down from my tree stand and walked the 30 yards to the timber's edge scanning the field edge for my bird. Not seeing the bird, I walked to where the bird had been, when I took my shot. Yep several severed feathers confirmed a hit. Following the intended path of the bird a a slight feather trail, quickly brought me to the very dead bird, just 13 paces away.

The feather evidence;20241013_074636.jpg

Thirteen paces away;
20241013_074934.jpg

The recovered and tagged bird;

20241013_075409.jpg

20241013_080301.jpg

I was very glad to be able to recover a fully intact arrow. Broadhead to be replaced of course.

Now to go back out and see if I can fill my deer tag. :)
 
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Nice! Thanksgiving dinner right there! The public places in my area where you might find a turkey have deer hunters every 50 yards...lol. In 25 years I've only seen one turkey on the islands I hunt.
 
I have gotten to the point in my life where I am no longer able to use a standard bow and arrow. Thus, this spring I purchased a Ravin R5X crossbow. This fall I purchased a fall turkey tag.

During a outing earlier in the season, I observed a turkey on the far end of an alfalfa field. This is in a public area in which I have made many successful spring time turkey hunts using a shotgun. It is around 640 acres and in the past I have always hunted the lower portions of the acreage closer to the river and river bottom. Unfortunately my current physical limitations do not allow me to transverse long distances on foot, especially up any grades. Therefore, I set up a stand 30 yards inside the timber edge along one side of this open alfalfa field.

From this stand just two days ago, I had watched a turkey , slip past me (no clear shot) thru the timber and into the field. This morning a bit of movement at the field edge caught my eye, and none too soon. A turkey was steadily walking along the field edge and would soon be a lost opportunity, if I did not act quickly. Just as the turkey stepped into an open lane, I let fly with an arrow. I lost sight of the arrow in flight but heard that satisfying "thump" of an arrow meeting it mark.

I watched as the turkey quickly disappeared (as expected) from view and did not see it cross another opening just a few feet ahead. I still could not see the bird from my present vantage point. Got down from my tree stand and walked the 30 yards to the timber's edge scanning the filed edge for my bird. Not seeing the bird, I walked to where the bird had been when I took my shot. Yep several severed feathers confirmed a hit. Following the intended path of the bird a a slight feather trail, quickly brought me to the very dead bird, just 13 paces away.

The feather evidence;View attachment 59616

Thirteen paces away;
View attachment 59617

The recovered and tagged bird;

View attachment 59618

View attachment 59619

I was very glad to be able to recover a fully intact arrow. Broadhead to be replaced of course.

Now to go back out and see if I can fill my deer tag. :)

That is great Dave. That crossbow is really something as far as compactness. I'm pretty sold on the simplicity of the excalibur crossbows, but the compactness of that ravin bow is somethining else.
 
I have gotten to the point in my life where I am no longer able to use a standard bow and arrow. Thus, this spring I purchased a Ravin R5X crossbow. This fall I purchased a fall turkey tag.

During a outing earlier in the season, I observed a turkey on the far end of an alfalfa field. This is in a public area in which I have made many successful spring time turkey hunts using a shotgun. It is around 640 acres and in the past I have always hunted the lower portions of the acreage closer to the river and river bottom. Unfortunately my current physical limitations do not allow me to transverse long distances on foot, especially up any grades. Therefore, I set up a stand 30 yards inside the timber edge along one side of this open alfalfa field.

From this stand just two days ago, I had watched a turkey , slip past me (no clear shot) thru the timber and into the field. This morning a bit of movement at the field edge caught my eye, and none too soon. A turkey was steadily walking along the field edge and would soon be a lost opportunity, if I did not act quickly. Just as the turkey stepped into an open lane, I let fly with an arrow. I lost sight of the arrow in flight but heard that satisfying "thump" of an arrow meeting it mark.

I watched as the turkey quickly disappeared (as expected) from view and did not see it cross another opening just a few feet ahead. I still could not see the bird from my present vantage point. Got down from my tree stand and walked the 30 yards to the timber's edge scanning the field edge for my bird. Not seeing the bird, I walked to where the bird had been, when I took my shot. Yep several severed feathers confirmed a hit. Following the intended path of the bird a a slight feather trail, quickly brought me to the very dead bird, just 13 paces away.

The feather evidence;View attachment 59616

Thirteen paces away;
View attachment 59617

The recovered and tagged bird;

View attachment 59618

View attachment 59619

I was very glad to be able to recover a fully intact arrow. Broadhead to be replaced of course.

Now to go back out and see if I can fill my deer tag. :)
Great tale, Dave - congratulations!

Of course, I was a bit surprised when I saw your fowling piece....

I had envisioned something like this - which I presume is an early Winchester.... Seven shots, just like an unplugged Model 12, if I recall correctly.

Early Middle Ages - Crossbow.jpg

(The caption says its "middle age". Maybe you and I are just a bit past that sweet spot!)

All the best,

SJS
 
Congratulations Dave. Fall turkey are mighty tasty.

The crossbow that Mr. Sanford posted is one that is legal in NY, mabbee. The one you use is Not Legal, much to compact. Crossbow limbs in NY must be 17", and can only be used part of the bow season unless medical permit. So in many ways NY is in time with those Old Times.....
 
Congratulations Dave. Fall turkey are mighty tasty.

The crossbow that Mr. Sanford posted is one that is legal in NY, mabbee. The one you use is Not Legal, much to compact. Crossbow limbs in NY must be 17", and can only be used part of the bow season unless medical permit. So in many ways NY is in time with those Old Times.....
Vince,

Interesting indeed. It is well documented that many hunting/fishing regulations are based on local customs and practices rather than a biological or harvest driven factor.
Iowa offers two avenues for crossbow usage on "big game" (a) age, anyone 65 or older may get a cross permit for antlerless only deer (b) medical exemption, anyone with a medical exemption may use a "cross bow" instead of a "bow" during any regular bow season (deer or turkey)

Another interesting fact is that while Federal regulations allow the use of a cross bow for waterfowl, Iowa regulations prohibit the use of a cross bow, while allowing a regular bow to be used for waterfowl.
 
Congratulations Dave! I wish fall turkey was more of an option here....ah well....
 
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