Swamp Thing ( Turkey Hunting)

jode hillman

jode hillman

Well-known member
Swamp Thing

It’s been a very trying Turkey season so far. Including youth day I’ve logged 11 mornings of hunting including today. At every turn I’ve had nothing but high hopes only to have them dashed by a Wary Tom, wayward hiker or some other quirk of fate. This morning was no different, I awoke early and could hear a bird Gobbling as soon as I got close to my hunting location. I’ve battled this bird several times this year and he has always won. As I neared his roost area I had about 20 more yards to go to get to my tree on the edge of the field. The plan was he would fly down, I’d shoot him and I’d be done! Perfect! Well no one told him. He was already on the ground at O dark thirty and we saw each other at the same time, 50 yards away. He casually alarm putted and walked off, never to be heard from again.



Dejected I hit a few other spots I knew might hold a bird, and nothing. I needed to get a full day of work in so I decided to quit early. On the walk back my thoughts turned to mushrooms, and how it’s getting near the time to start looking. So I thought what the heck! I leaned my gun on a tree and headed down towards the swamp. I foraged around for 20 minutes or so, Finding nothing. I was hungry and started to leave for home.

Just for the heck of it I let out a few yelps on my splated maple Slate call. To my shock and consternation a loud BOOMING Gobble comes back about 100 yards away. Mind you, I’m on the edge of a swamp and the bird is IN the swamp, not where you would expect one to be. Only one problem, my gun is nowhere in sight! I had drifted a good distance from it. So post Haste I make my way back to the tree my gun is on. I sit down and decide to try another few clucks, GOBBBBLEEEE, rang out 40 yards away before I could finish the calling sequence! Wow, he must be running in!! I readied my gun and I see his fan through extremely dense Laurel and Huckleberry. I sat patiently as he strutted and walked to a clearing at 15 yards. The little 20 gauge rang out and the quest way over! It all literally happened in under 3 minutes. It’s so crazy that it can happen that fast when the timing is right. He turned out to be a dandy of a bird. A Big, heavy, legitimate limb Hanger, with a double beard to boot! I guess the wait was worth it. I’m so very thankful! I am convinced Turkey hunting is a love –hate relationship. Today it was all love!
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Congrads on a nice bird. Funny about the swamp thing as Where I hunt bordering Pocomoke river swamp I,ve seen them walking around in 6" water. Didn,t think turkeys were supposed to do that but I,ve come to believe turkeys do what they want and not what they are supposed to!
 
Jody,
This is a great story and a wonderful morning. I was right there with you.

Nothing can bring you down today, brother!
Larry
 
Some days it all falls into place when you least expect it.

[smile]
 
roy brewington said:
Congrads on a nice bird. Funny about the swamp thing as Where I hunt bordering Pocomoke river swamp I,ve seen them walking around in 6" water. Didn,t think turkeys were supposed to do that but I,ve come to believe turkeys do what they want and not what they are supposed to!
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This bird definitely walked across water ( which they aren't supposed to do) to get to me. I was surprised as heck!
 
That's awesome Jode! Congratulations!!!! I am with you on the love hate relationship.
 
Dani said:
That's awesome Jode! Congratulations!!!! I am with you on the love hate relationship.
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Isn't that the truth! When they do it right, there's nothing better. When they won't, well, they are jerks!
 
Jode


Great story, glad you never gave up. That is how it happens sometimes. They come when they want to. Good thing you found your gun. It could of been hand to hand combat with that big bird lol. Great job.
 
Jode,

Nice bird, sounds like a little bit of "luck" was involved. [;)]

Not to get the thread off track, but I had a new experience for me this weekend involving turkey hunting. Had my decoy set up 20 yards out in front of me, wide open field of view in 180 degrees. All of a sudden from out of nowhere, a coyote is right next to my decoy. He is just standing there staring at the unmoving decoy. Then he slowly circles the decoy just inches from it. He reaches out with a front paw and bats the decoy, raking the side with his toenails. I wasn't able to get any photos but what a show. Never know what to expect when out in the field.

Again, congrats on your bird.
 
Check out this story......wowza...

https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2018/5/5/the-turkey-that-nearly-killed-me/
 
anthony m coons sr said:
Jode


Great story, glad you never gave up. That is how it happens sometimes. They come when they want to. Good thing you found your gun. It could of been hand to hand combat with that big bird lol. Great job.
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Thanks Anthony, if I'm anything, it's stubborn.😂😂😂😂 I guess that worked this time!
 
Huntindave McCann said:
Jode,

Nice bird, sounds like a little bit of "luck" was involved. [;)]

Not to get the thread off track, but I had a new experience for me this weekend involving turkey hunting. Had my decoy set up 20 yards out in front of me, wide open field of view in 180 degrees. All of a sudden from out of nowhere, a coyote is right next to my decoy. He is just standing there staring at the unmoving decoy. Then he slowly circles the decoy just inches from it. He reaches out with a front paw and bats the decoy, raking the side with his toenails. I wasn't able to get any photos but what a show. Never know what to expect when out in the field.

Again, congrats on your bird.
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Wow,that's wild. I bet he was planning on making a meal of it, but perhaps it lack the scent, or fear response the yote was accustomed too.

I do know turkey hunters kill more coyotes here in NJ than actual predator hunters do!
 
Cool story, But I do believe I woulda let that 'yote have it before he got away!
 
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